Introduction
This report has previously provided an overview of the month’s activities to the members of the Department and offered information to keep those that were not at the stations each day appraised of daily activities, equipment and mechanical issues and call activity.  That purpose is now being served by an activity summary, which is e-mailed to each member on a weekly basis.  Beginning this month, the Monthly Activity Report will serve to provide information to the Emergency Services Advisory Commission, the Glen Arbor and Empire Township Boards and other organizations and individuals to whom service is provided by the Department.   

Personnel
Staffing continues to be comprised of both full and part time personnel.  A total of 18 full time staff members (three paramedic/firefighters and 15 EMT/firefighters) provide daily (24 hour) coverage of both stations.  Two personnel are scheduled daily at Station 2 (Empire) and 3-4 are scheduled daily at Station 1 (Glen Arbor).  Minimum daily staffing for the Department is five personnel; maximum is planned to be six.  Presently the department is transitioning to a staffing schedule that better integrates the availability of part time personnel for the coverage of full time staff vacations and the maintenance of full time staff at 48 hour work-weeks.  For the past several months, staff members have been required to work 72 hours every third week to ensure the presence of minimum staffing.  As EMT/firefighters have been selected for and oriented to full time positions over the last several months, it is hoped that part time personnel will be able to “fill-in the gaps.”  If all positions required the same level of training and certification, the total number of full time employees required to achieve the desired staffing level would be 21.  Approximately 9 part time personnel are fully qualified and available to supplement daily staffing.  Half of these individuals have availability on a limited basis for work during daytime hours. 

Two individuals were involved in orientation and other probationary activities during the month of February (these individuals are included in the staffing numbers mentioned above).  The development of new personnel provides all with opportunities for training activities and re-familiarization with procedures and various operations. 

Training
Two sessions are scheduled monthly for fire training and two for EMS training to accommodate various personal schedules and to ensure attendance of both full and part time staff members.  The fire topic for February was a pumping exercise that involved setting up a water supply and relay pumping.  Naturally this training was held on two of the coldest nights of the winter.  The combined attendance of both sessions was 21 members.  The EMS training topic for February was CPR refresher training, attended by16 members. 

Administration
With the approval of the Northwest Regional Medical Control Authority (NRMCA), paramedic Aaron Brown was released to function in the medical control region with full paramedic privileges.  Aaron has been orienting and working under the supervision of another paramedic as prescribed by NRMCA since late fall.  Paramedic coverage on Aaron’s shift had been provided by Chief Dodson for the last 13 months.  With this change, the Chief will now have increased availability during the week.  This will facilitate meeting attendance; problem solving and the completion of administrative duties that previously had been completed while on shift or during his off duty time. 
The Emergency Services Advisory Commission had their regular monthly meeting on February 11.  In addition to reviewing the monthly expenditures for the Department, they also discussed staffing, operations, and building maintenance as follows:   

• The group was briefed on a significant issue with the boiler at Station 1.  This piece of equipment is used to heat the bay floors, entry ramps, and eave melt system and provide domestic hot water.  It has failed on a number of occasions and is being reviewed by a Heating and Cooling contractor so that resolution to the problems it is causing can be resolved.  Several other resources, including a professional engineer and Munson Hospital facilities staff, have been contacted to obtain additional thoughts about corrective actions for this type of system. 
• The group reviewed the results of the last County EMS/Fire Regionalization Committee effort.  A proposal was to be presented by Chief Dodson to this Committee for consideration the day following the ESAC meeting.
• A region-wide plan for the mitigation of disasters was drafted by the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments (NWCOG) and provided to township officials within each county of the region for approval.  The plan, however, had not been reviewed by local public safety officials prior to distribution to the townships and contained procedures that had not yet been discussed.  The plan will be reviewed further prior to the townships’ agreeing to participate.  

Apparatus
All pieces of apparatus are inspected daily on a rotating basis and are largely maintained by duty personnel.  All equipment is well maintained and general problem areas are immediately addressed.  Certified mechanical personnel/vendors are used for routine oil changes and special repair needs.  As might be imagined, all equipment must be kept in a readiness state for use when called upon.  The presence of daily staff makes this possible. 
 
The ambulance that was replaced in November of last year was offered for public bid through a posting in the newspaper.  Upon review, none of the bids were found to be acceptable. Other avenues for disposal are being explored. 

Acknowledgements
Department staff would like to thank the following individuals for dropping off treats to both Station 1 and Station 2:
          Greg, Rebecca, Cole and Caleb Abbott; and Jim and Ruth Maxwell

Submitted by:

John A. Dodson
Chief of the Department