Introduction
July was an extremely busy month for the department.  There were many public education activities and call volume was high.  A considerable amount of effort was expended by many department members, which resulted in very positive community comments and reactions to the services provided. 

Personnel

• A staff meeting for full time personnel was held on July 15th.  The purpose of the meeting was to update staff members with regard to future full time staff schedules and shift rotation changes.  Department philosophy and expectations of staff communications and behaviors were also discussed. 
• An EMT position will be posted through North Flight in August.  One additional firefighter-EMT will be hired and if there are additional qualified applicants, a hiring list for the future will be established.  Currently, the hours covered by six full time firefighter-EMT’s incurs 48 hours of additional overtime each week.  Hiring an additional firefighter-EMT at this time will eliminate this.
• The last three firefighter-EMT’s hired were initially placed on either A, B, or C shift.  To strengthen staff and to provide opportunities to share the training and expertise that varies with each shift, these individuals will be rotated to all shifts beginning sometime in August. 
• Each full time staff member has been assigned the task of developing a training session to share with all shifts.  This additional responsibility will begin in September. 

Training

• Training activities were limited in July due to the pancake breakfast, 4th of July activities and department open house. 
• All new full time staff members completed the required fire apparatus driver’s training program.  This includes the completion of a driving course with Quint 331. 
• A vehicle was donated to the department by Doug and Bonnie Schrotenboer to be used for vehicle fire suppression training.  In order to use the vehicle for this type of training, it is required that the vehicle be stripped of all parts that would be hazardous if burned.  This includes fluids, reservoirs, tires, plastics, seats—essentially all but the shell of the vehicle.  Class A materials were then used to start a fire in the vehicle.  Several practice burns were staged during the week preceding the Open House to see if a demonstration of this type of fire suppression activity might be of interest to the public.  The practice burns helped to identify mechanisms to keep smoke down and protect the audience during the demonstration at the open house. 

Apparatus

• 393 received an oil change and a belt was replaced to alleviate a recurrent squeak. 
• A discharge valve on the passenger side of Engine 311 is chronically leaking a small amount of water.  Attempts to adjust the valve at the pump have failed, however the leak is small and does not impact the operation of the engine.   
• The rung alignment switch on 331 was out of adjustment, rendering the indicator light inoperable.  The switch position has been corrected and the indicator light is working properly now.  Additionally, the ladder on Quint 331 has been cleaned and greased with white, food-grade lubricant.  This is an annual maintenance event.
• A new transmission was placed in 392.   

Facilities

• Drywall was patched and paint was touched-up in several areas of the building in preparation for the open house at the end of the month. 
• Elmers Asphalt repaired several areas in front of the apparatus bays and also the run to the drain cover in the front of the building.  These areas were cracked or uneven.
• Areas of fascia that had been repaired on the south side of the building were painted.  The remainder of the fascia repairs should be accomplished this fall.
• A Dacor stainless steel grill has been donated to the Department.  It is a very nice gas grill with many accessories that will be put to good use by the duty crews.  To accommodate the size of the grill, the patio in back of the station has been enlarged.  The cement work was done by Bryan Ferguson with assistance from Eric Dubord.  All work and materials were either donated by members or provided by the Fire and Rescue Association:  No Department operational funds were used. 

Equipment

• A thermal imaging camera has been donated to the department.  At the end of July the Department took delivery of a Bullard Thermal Imaging camera.  A battery charger and camera mount have been secured in Engine 311 on the console between the front and rear seating areas.  The camera is small enough to be used early in fire suppression activities. 
• Two requests for proposals (RFP’s) were distributed in July with the proposals due in August.  The first RFP is for turnout gear.  The second RFP is for cardiac monitor/defibrillator/pacer devices and AED’s.  Standard guidelines for vendors to  submit bids to the department have been developed which will be used for future RFP’s. 

Programs and Additional Services

• The pancake breakfast on July 1st was very successful.  Many positive comments were received about the food and attendees seemed to like the display of Engine 311 and firefighter turnout gear and other equipment.  The availability of personnel to answer questions and provide information was also very positively received.  Chief Emeritus DePuy greeted attendees and sold tickets—his involvement was greatly appreciated.  The need to provide some informational displays and posters with statistics and educational material was identified and will be planned for next year along with mechanisms to speed the production of pancakes.  The pancake breakfast netted approximately $3,500 for the Fire and Rescue Association, which funds many special equipment purchases and enhancements for the Department. 
• Early in the morning on July 4th, the department assisted in preparing for Glen Arbor’s annual 4th of July parade by placing cones to mark the main parade route and establish a “parade zone” for observers.  This effort was much appreciated by parade organizers.  In addition to this activity, several pieces of fire apparatus from both Glen Arbor and Empire participated in the parade. 
• The duty crew, along with members of Empire Fire Department participated in the flag raising at the 4th of July celebration at Old Settlers Park. 
• The Public Safety Building served as a meeting site for the South Beach Condo Association on Saturday, July 7th.  This provided an excellent opportunity for communications with citizens about the services the department provides.  Similar Association meetings, held later in the day, provided additional opportunities to speak with community residents about the department.
• Duty crew members provided a “stand-by” at the annual Dune Concert on July 15th.  The concert was well attended and there were no interventions required of the crew. 
• The duty crew provided a tour and several activities for children involved in a summer camp on the 19th of July.  Approximately 30 children attended. 
• Glen Lake EMS participated in the Anchor Day parade on Saturday, July 21st.  This activity followed participation in a “stand-by” with National Park Service personnel as members of several governor’s families toured the Scenic Drive and Dune Climb.  This activity was as a result of the National Governor’s Conference being held in Traverse City. 
• The Department’s annual open house was held on Saturday, July 28th.  The participation of those that assisted in the preparations and greeting of the families and children that attended was greatly appreciated.  Preparations, cleaning and grounds maintenance by the duty crews during the ten days prior to the open house, while hindered by several fire and EMS responses, was also greatly appreciated.  The highlights of the open house included a car burning and fire suppression demonstration; a “ring the duck” activity for kids, and the fire education/smoke trailer.  All equipment was on display and hot dogs and snacks were served.  Everyone seemed to have a great time. 
• Glen Lake EMS provided stand-by services during the first annual Running Bear 5K Run/Walk and Kids Run sponsored by the Glen Arbor Women’s Club.  This event was held on Tuesday, July 31st.  No medical services were required of the crew. 

Acknowledgements Received

• An acknowledgement note for the pancake breakfast was received from Ray Franz. 
• Donations continue to be received in the name of Susan Matschke. 

Submitted by:

John A. Dodson
Chief of the Department