Introduction
March failed in its promise to come in as a lamb and go out as a lion with typical winter snows early on but then beautiful weather for the majority of the latter part of the month.  Call volumes have settled down a bit and were found to be more typical of the winter months. 

Personnel

• Gary McGhee has begun to fill open paramedic shifts for the department on an occasional basis.  Please welcome him and assist him with any questions he might have.  For the time being he will be providing EMS services only.  
• Three firefighter/EMT’s began employment with the department in the middle of the month.  One candidate was unable to successfully complete his orientation and left the department during the last week of the month.  Following a total of three weeks of 12-hour day shifts, new members Shane Holly and Jonathon Marchel will be placed on a shift rotation in the early part of April.  During the orientation period, new employees become familiar with the building and all response equipment; complete formal training and orientation requirements; complete medical control orientation; and participate in a large amount of online, new-employee training pertaining to their employment with Munson/North Flight. 

Training

• Four training sessions were held during the month of March.  The first session was a review of central nervous system illnesses and injuries.  This session was attended by 20 people. 
• The second and third sessions were the annual MIOSHA, bloodborne and airborne pathogens update.  A total of 15 people have attended.  As this training is required, additional make-up sessions are scheduled in the future. 
• The last session was taught by Bryan Ferguson and included a review of SCBA function, general maintenance, and breathing techniques, followed by a practical skills sequence that included climbing the ladder in SCBA and full turnout gear; 15 people attended this training. 
• Each shift routinely performs some exercise during the day that affords them an opportunity to review equipment and procedures.  All members, full and part time, are welcome to participate in these review and operation sessions. 

Administration

• The 2007 fiscal year came to a close this month.
• Discussions continue with Empire Township as operation matters are discussed and a contract is formulated for signatures following presentation to the public at the two township annual meetings on March 29th.
• Once the contract is signed, future monthly reports will reflect the joining of departments by use of the d/b/a. name, “Glen Lake Fire Department”. Glen Arbor Fire continues to exist but will operate for all outward purposes under the Glen Lake designation. Future reports will soon combine activity data of Glen Arbor and Empire.
• The Chief attended the annual meetings of Glen Arbor Township and Empire Township.  At the Glen Arbor meeting a report of the department’s activities over the last fiscal year was provided and attendees were briefed on the proposed budget for 2008-09.  There were few questions posed or comments made from the audience.  Empire’s meeting was more lively, with many questions from attendees about Empire’s proposal to contract with Glen Arbor for fire suppression services, including queries about costs, financing and justification for a need to alter the present practice.  Despite the concerns, a vote supported the proposed contract and a move forward to modify the present state of fire suppression services in Empire. 
• The copy machine in the Communications Room has been added to the computer network.  All printing from station computers will now default to the copy machine.  It is estimated that this feature will produce substantial savings to the department.  It cuts the cost of a copy in half. 

Apparatus

• The trailer used to transport the Polaris was taken to Wheelock’s for repair and reinforcement early in the month.  The tongue and bed have been stabilized and should provide a safe solution to how the Polaris is transported.  During the absence of the trailer, the Polaris was placed in Empire’s trailer for transport. 
• Empire is temporarily storing their trailer at the Glen Arbor station so it will not have to be stored outside their station. 
• The appropriate hitch assembly for each trailer is to be kept on the tongue of the trailer to aid in rapid access/preparation for towing.  The primary towing vehicles are 393 and 382 and the trailers are usually equipped and positioned to quickly access one or the other. 
• The rear dump valve on 321 continues to stick, requiring more encouragement to open than desired.  Andrew Anthony has taken the lead on finding a resolution for this problem.
• The pump shift mechanism/transfer case on Engine 311 appeared to not be working properly.  Halt, the authorized Pierce repair facility, was contacted and assisted in trouble-shooting the problem.  The engine was taken to Wixom for repair and is in correct working order according to Waterous, the pump manufacturer.
• 311 has a leaking tank fill valve, which is not accessible for repair by department personnel.  As the apparatus are checked, the water levels should be, too.  The valve should not pose a problem so long as this procedure is regularly followed. 
• 392 continues to have occasional mechanical difficulties.  Recently the transmission would not shift properly despite having adequate fluid.  The problem was addressed by Dave Grattopp and it is now operating well. 
• As previously discussed the battery charging system on 392 is out-of-service. As a result, everyone is reminded that the shore power is not to be plugged into 392.  
• Andrew Anthony diagnosed and replaced a part that was preventing the pump primer from working on 322.
• 391’s batteries were replaced and the shoreline power system checked.  The shoreline for 391 operates correctly and should be used routinely.

  Equipment

  • Bryan Ferguson has set up a rotation schedule for the general maintenance of portable radio batteries.  This will also assist in ensuring that those radios in the apparatus are fully charged.  A note explaining the battery charging procedure has been placed in Firehouse and is accessible from the “Reminders” screen that pops up when the program is opened.  Everyone is encouraged to read the procedure to ensure that crew members have working radios on calls.  A battery charging and conditioning station has been set up in the Communications Room.

  Facilities

  • Everyone is reminded that doors to the crew quarters should not be propped open during daytime hours when there is open access to the building through the front entrance.  Propping the doors open significantly reduces the security of the building when crews are busy in the apparatus bay or on a call.  In addition, those that use the exit door in the day room should ensure that the door is latched after use.  On several occasions, citizens with questions have entered the building through the crew area and have been found walking throughout the “secure area” of the building.  Everyone’s assistance is required with this task.
  • The reservoir tank for the building sprinkler system was emptied, refilled and the system’s operation checked. 

  Special Events

  • The Chief and duty crew (Ryan Deering and Eric Dubord) provided a lengthy presentation to the Glen Lake Women’s Club.  The meeting was hosted at the Fire Department and many questions were answered by the Chief and duty crew during an extended meeting and subsequent tour of the facilities.  The meeting was very positively received by those attending and was followed by a very appreciative Letter to the Editor of the Leelanau Enterprise from the organization.
  • The Chief and duty crew assisted Leelanau Schools with a lock-down drill, which prepares the students and staff for an on site emergency and the need to secure all buildings and students. 

  Acknowledgements Received

  • Donations received in remembrance of Jim Miller
  • Steven E. Wilson
  • Stan and Lillian Pykosz
  • Kent Kelly
  • Pat Groomes
  • George and Aggi Wilson
  • A donation and nice thank you note were received from the Glen Lake Women’s Club.
  • Eric and Robin Dubord’s families brought pizza and a huge cake to the station and shared some time with us following Eric’s surgery.  They wish to pass on their thanks for our support while Eric was on leave.  We are looking forward to his return to full time duty. 

   

  Total Department Activity	Total	(YTD)	Staff  Hours*	YTD Staff Hours
  MARCH 2008
  Medical Responses	28	76	252	650
  Fire Responses	5	23	60	225
  Training Sessions	4	10	95	277
  Vehicle Inspections	67	195	97	373
  Special Events	2	4	16	21
  Walk-In	7	15	21	30
  Total Activity	113	323	541	1576
  *These hours reflect time accumulated by all Department members:  part-time      and full-time.

  Submitted by:

  John A. Dodson
  Chief of the Department