Introduction
Call volume continued to be high in August with many rescue responses to Overlook 9 and 10 and the Dune Climb, in addition to typical fire, medical, and trauma emergencies.  Heat and low humidity were again factors in many incidents.  Open burning was restricted by a Governor’s order for much of the month.

Personnel

• Staff members continue to work daily to become well-versed in the operation of all fire apparatus and equipment.  This has resulted in many opportunities to learn the capabilities of our engines, tankers and trucks, as well as other equipment.  This has also provided many opportunities for public education, which has been very well received. 
• Doug Lake joins the department in August as the seventh firefighter-EMT.  This addition of a seventh firefighter-EMT to the full time work schedule will afford the department a reduction in overtime.  The hours to be covered are currently being handled by two of six firefighter-EMT’s each week.  Doug’s orientation began at the end of August, with his full time schedule beginning in September.
• All fire personnel received mask fit-testing at the end of August.  This test is performed annually for each firefighter individually and ensures that all are properly fitted for respiratory protection (SCBA masks).   This activity supports the work safety of firefighters and provides significant risk management for the department. 

Training

• Three training sessions were held during the month of August as the department returned to regularly-scheduled training sessions. 
• The first session addressed the newly-released protocols from NRMCA.  Highlights from several of the protocols were shared with department members and the entire compliment of protocols were briefly reviewed.  A make-up session was also held, as the department was required to have each member sign a form indicating receipt of the protocols.  The department itself also had to sign a form recognizing the protocols and acknowledging their use.   A copy of the new protocols is in each ambulance and also available in the communications room.  The most current version of the protocols, which contains revisions, is available online at www.nwemsinfo.org/.  There is a link to this website in the All Access file folder on the desktop of each member’s computer screen.  A total of 27 people attended the protocol update sessions in August. 
• Three people attended an informal Water Rescue training session held on Saturday, the 18th of August.   Techniques for the rescue of spine-injured patients in water were practiced.

Administration

• The Chief’s office has been extremely busy with the review, preparation and presentation of the 2008-09 budget for the department.  This task required that past budgets be reviewed and future needs and expenditures be anticipated, along with considerations for inflation and other cost-increasing factors.  In addition, a goal was set to reduce expenditures wherever possible, thus providing some assessment relief to taxpayers.  Department members and the Emergency Services Advisory Commission were provided the first review of the proposed budget and meetings with these individuals were held to ensure that questions were answered and that there was a good understanding of the proposal.  Informed department members are essential since they are in positions to respond to questions posed by individual community members.  Public review of the budget and final approval by the Township board is expected in September.
• Two large Requests for Proposals (RFP’s) were released from the Chief’s office in August.  The first sought proposals for protective fire clothing (turnout gear).  The second requested proposals to replace and enhance the AED and cardiac monitoring equipment used by the department.   Both of these items were due for replacement in the department’s capital replacement plan.   In conjunction with this process, a standardized bidding process and associated documents were developed for use in any competitive bid process originating from the department.  In response to these particular RFP’s, several nice proposals and excellent vendor pricing were received.  Many of the staff participated in the process by phoning vendors and arranging to receive specific information.  Delivery of the replacement items is expected within the next two months. 
• At the end of August, surveys were sent to those that received services from the Department in June and July.  The single page survey seeks to get information from patients and others about their personal experiences with both our services and those related to their access to our services (mostly through ‘911’ calls).  Surveys for August responses will go out in September.  The results of all the responses received for this quarter’s activity will be summarized and included in a monthly report in the near future. 

  Apparatus

  • The process to test the pumps on all apparatus was begun in August.  This activity is being performed on the south side of Fisher Road across from the canoe access to the Crystal River.  This activity involves using several lengths of hard suction sleeve and two monitors with smooth tips.  The discharge at the end of the nozzles is monitored while maintaining a specified pressure at the pump for a period of time.  These measurements are recorded along with air temperature and barometric pressure at intervals during the test.
  • Quint 331 received an oil change and routine maintenance.   This work requires that the truck be taken to Traverse City. 
  • Unit 392 was serviced at the Ford dealer in Traverse City to replace some wiring for the turn signals and four-way hazard lights. 
  • Unit 391 received an oil change at Taghon’s.  In addition, several of the box marker lights have needed replacement over the last several weeks.  Duty personnel may perform this maintenance when spare bulbs are available in the shop.   Please note in the duty log any maintenance of this nature that cannot be performed and notify the shift supervisor so that arrangements can be made to obtain replacement supplies.
  • Research, and the development of specifications have begun for the purchase of an ambulance as prescribed in the department’s capital replacement plan.  This is advance planning for the release of an RFP in 2008.    

  Facilities

  Bugs and spiders have infested the siding of the building causing an unsightly appearance. This has necessitated power-washing the building a minimum of once a week.  It is hoped that a maintenance contract will be put in place to spray the building with insecticide to protect the building and its appearance next year. Crew efforts to maintain the building’s appearance and keep windows clean are appreciated. 

  Equipment

  • All SCBA cylinders and air packs were inspected by an outside vendor at the end of August.   Several of the cylinders required hydrostatic testing, which will be completed by a local vendor in September.  The testing of the cylinders and annual inspection of the SCBA equipment is essential for the continued safety of firefighters. 
  • The difficulty with clear communications in the area of Harbor Highway has again surfaced, having had several calls in this area that required tactical radio use.  Because of its location and the interference of Alligator Hill, repeated communications have been poor.  The problem has been forwarded to the County 911 Director for review. 

  Special Services/Activities

  • The duty crew participated in the flag-raising at the annual Old Settler’s Picnic on the first weekend in August. 

  Acknowledgements Received

  • The department appreciates having received acknowledgements and “thank yous” in the form of kind letters, notes, or donations from the following individuals/organizations: 
  • The Sleeping Bear Noontiders
  • Camps Leelanau and Kohahna
  • Elizabeth Gehman (the department assisted in the search for her missing son at the Dunes)
  • Fred Reader from Time Emergency Equipment

   

  Total Department Activity	Total	(YTD)	Staff  Hours*	YTD Staff Hours
  AUGUST
  Medical Responses	58	197	194	882
  Fire Responses	10	63	51	471
  Training Sessions	3	21	114	825
  Vehicle Inspections	55	306	89	611
  Special Events	1	14	6	120
  Walk-In	7	33	5	32
  Total Activity	134	634	459	2941
  *These hours reflect time accumulated by all Department members:  Volunteer, part-paid and full-time.

  Submitted by:

  John A. Dodson
  Chief of the Department