January 2008 monthly report

Glen Arbor Fire Department Monthly Report -- January 2008

Introduction
Despite variations of temperature and weather throughout the month, winter remains for the duration. This month’s activity report will be brief due to the significant amount of time committed to the completion of the 2007 annual report, which has been posted on the website, and the unusual volume of calls and activity experienced during the month.

Personnel

John Dodson began filling in the third paramedic rotation, vacated by Robert Hupp. This has meant that the Chief is less available during traditional office hours as he is now scheduled for 24 hours shifts. Staff members are asked to be aware of these new hours and inform visitors of this temporary change when they request to see the Chief. The Chief takes citizen requests and communications very seriously and will respond to them as soon as he is available to do so.
Peter Stern began his orientation as a full time firefighter/EMT with the department in mid-January. Following three weeks of day shifts, during which time all apparatus and operations will be reviewed, Pete will begin working on Monday and Wednesday for 24 hours each day.

Training

Three training sessions were held in January. The first session was the annual “business meeting,” which contained an update of department activities and a general plan for 2008. A summary of this meeting, which contained items specific to department members, has been placed in the Communications Book in the Communications Room at the station.
The second session of the month was a review of ladder operations provided by Steve Ward. Using teams and “quiz” format, ladder knowledge and utilization were reviewed. This session was unfortunately pre-empted an hour after it began by a fire at Le Bear, for which all hands were required.
The third session was led by Rachel Schaap, who provided an overview of considerations for wilderness medical aid. Following a brief classroom session, groups were formed and practical skills reviewed. A field trip into the National Park provided an opportunity to practice skills and “rescue” a simulated injured victim from the cold and snow.

Administration

A significant amount of administrative staff time has been spent on the completion of an annual report of department activities in 2007. This project began in November and utilized written reports from department staff members, plus photographs, statistics and information about department activities. The report has been printed and will be distributed by the Chief. Mini CD’s that contain the report and a 2007 budget summary will also be produced for distribution. A copy of the report is available at the station and also on the website ( www.glenarborfire.com ).

Shift Supervisors met briefly in January to share information and discuss activities and plans for 2008. They will be meeting monthly, with the entire full time staff meeting in conjunction on a bimonthly basis beginning in February. These meetings provide an opportunity to address full time employee issues and communications related to North Flight employment.
The Firehouse software used for department record-keeping has been updated and is being used by everyone to record daily activities. All staff members, full and part-time, are reminded to log-in and record their duty activities at the conclusion of each shift worked. All part-time staff must ensure that they are listed on the duty roster for the day. Any “public” computer at the station may be used for this purpose.

Apparatus

There are no significant apparatus issues to report for the month.

Facilities

The walks and access doors to the building are maintained free of snow by the duty crews. Generally, the off-going duty crews shovel in the morning, however there have been several occasions where additional snow fall has necessitated several shoveling sessions during a shift. All staff members’ attention to this is appreciated.
An igniter on one of the furnaces (we have three) required replacement one day in January when it was discovered that there was no heat in the crew quartersl portion of the building. A routine preventative maintenance program for the heating and cooling system has been established and a local contact listed for problems, should they arise.
A more comprehensive monthly boiler room “checklist” has been initiated. This is one of the chores now listed on the daily chores calendar. The checklist includes checking the furnace filters and replacing them on an as needed basis. A note about filter replacement or other maintenance performed should be written in the boiler log in the mechanical room and communicated to other staff in the duty log.

Equipment

Cold weather is a significant hazard for pumps and apparatus plumbing. All members are reminded to drain the pumps and plumbing after each use and remember to check for open drains when using any apparatus for pumping.

Acknowledgements Received

Donations to the Department through the Fire and Rescue Association are greatly appreciated, as these funds enable us to provide additional training and specialized equipment and offer supplemental support to activities that are not otherwise be supported by tax dollars. It is unfortunate, however, that many of the donations received are on the occasion of the deaths of community members, in remembrance of the lives they led. Donations of this nature are received by the Fire and Rescue Association and used by the Department gratefully, in tribute to the deceased. The following donations were received in the month of January:

In remembrance of Evelyn Gretzema

The Miller Family (George, Peg, Rich, Andrew, Robert)
Fred and Missi Missad
Kent and Carol Kelly
Mr & Mrs. Charles Reifsnyder
Dawn and David Baldwin

In remembrance of Eunice Keck:

Ted and Janet Flowers

In remembrance of Roy Taghon

Tom and Kathy Stocklen (Riverside Canoe)
Mary Ann and Reuben Chapman
Jay and Cheryl Keuning and Family
Ruth McWatt
Ross and Veronica Hazelton
John and Ann Davey
Clarence and Carolyn Davis
Kent and Carol Kelly
Eldon and Jean Blough
Vernon Korkus
Dan Bolton
Mike Buhler
George and Mollie Weeks
Bob and Jane McElroy

In addition to the donations, we received several very nice thank you notes from the following people:

Mary and Ebhardt Frixen (also a box of goodies from Cherry Republic)
Hope Skinner

Total Department Activity	Total	(YTD)	Staff Hours*	YTD Staff Hours

JANUARY 2008

Medical Responses	22	22	264	264
Fire Responses	7	7	72	72
Training Sessions	3	3	75	75
Vehicle Inspections	57	57	123	123
Special Events	0	0	0	0
Walk-In	3	3	3	3
Total Activity	92	92	537	537

These hours reflect time accumulated by all department members: part-time and full-time.*

Submitted by:

John A. Dodson
Chief of the Department