Introduction
The cool weather at the beginning of the month afforded an opportunity to wash the building exterior and prepare for other summer maintenance activities.  Seasonal residents returned in full force at the end of the month for the Memorial Day weekend. 

Personnel

• Two new Firefighter EMT’s have been hired and will begin working during the first week of June.  They are Jay Morse and Tim Johnson.  Both individuals participated in not only the formal application and interview process, but also completed a written exam, physical agility test and psychological evaluation.  All of these components of the hiring process have been validated and will contribute more efficient hiring of candidates in the future.  Welcome these new staff members as they begin their three week orientation prior to being placed on a shift rotation. 
• Samantha (Sam) Seaberg has been hired as a Department Assistant for the summer.  Sam is a student at Grand Valley and is assisting with various clerical duties, paperwork management and filing.  She will be assisting with office duties and the related paperwork transition necessary as Glen Arbor begins to provide fire and administrative services to Empire Township.  Sam will be working at the Public Safety Building approximately two days a week.

Training

• Beginning in May, two training sessions each for Fire and EMS will be scheduled monthly.  Training is now scheduled for the first two Wednesdays of each month (EMS and fire) and the last two Mondays of each month (EMS and fire).  As before, occasional Saturday sessions will also be held.  The new training schedule is posted on the bulletin board near the duty calendar and will be distributed as requested. 
• The topic of May’s first and third training sessions was a review of back mechanics when lifting and moving patients.  This training was attended by a total of 20 staff members. 
• The second training session was a review of water rescue principles and techniques and included a practical segment that involved managing simulated victims in a pool.  LeBear Resort graciously provided the use of their pool for the practical component of this class.  The session was attended by 12 people.  Due to the Memorial Day holiday, a second session on this topic was deferred to sometime in June pending availability of a swimming pool for the practical component. 
• A review of principles for dune rescue and a re-familiarization with driving the Polaris occurred on the first Saturday of May.  This session was attended by 10 people including the duty crew.  Following this training, all equipment was washed.  This included the cleaning of rope, which was then hung to dry for 2-3 days and then re-packed.
• Talented staff members constructed and painted a frame for a double-hung window that will be used for a physical agility test for new personnel.  The physical agility test has five components and includes a ladder carry and raise; a hose drag; sledge hammer use; window egress; and dummy drag.  All members are welcome to try out the various components of the test and will be provided an opportunity to do so in the future.
• Weekly training provided by each full time staff member continues.  All staff are reminded that instructions for the weekly training topic are kept next to the computer in the Communications Room and everyone is welcome to participate—full time staff are required to participate. 

  Administration

  • Empire has indicated that they will be signing a contract for fire and rescue services with the Glen Arbor, with an anticipated July 1 start date.  The groundwork for equipment and asset inventory, and the transition of administrative duties is being laid in anticipation of the contract’s beginning.  Much of the planning and coordination activities will occur in June, with personnel assignments to begin in July.
  • Department managers met to review performance appraisals that had been submitted by part-time personnel.  Several more are yet to be received.  

  Apparatus

  • The right front windshield of 311 was replaced.  Unfortunately the replacement windshield had a crack in the right lower margin that was identified upon installation.  It will be replaced again in early June. 
  • On several occasions 392 would not start, requiring the batteries to be charged.  The apparent cause was a bad battery, which has been replaced.  Andrew Anthony also repaired the shoreline outlet so that the ambulance can be plugged in when parked in the apparatus bay.  This will enable electronic devices to be charged while the unit is parked.  The unit still does not have an inverter available for use when the vehicle’s engine is running. 
  • The old rescue truck has been stripped of equipment and has been listed for bid in the local newspaper.  Interested parties have been stopping by the station to view the vehicle.  Bids are due in June at the Township office.  Bids should not be accepted here at the Emergency Services Building. 
  • Several ditch light lens covers on 391 were found to be cracked during routine replacement of burned-out bulbs.  They were ordered and replaced by the duty crew.
  • The fluorescent bulb that illuminates the “action area” of the ambulance was replaced in both 391 and 392. 
  • A new battery has been placed in the Polaris, as the original one showed a weak charge when tested.  Also replaced was the parking brake on this unit.  The old one may have been damaged by sand.  All staff are reminded to ensure that the parking brake is dis-engaged prior to driving the unit, and to clean sand from the parking brake after the unit has been returned to the station. 

  Equipment

  • All hose from the Glen Arbor station was tested in May.  The majority of the testing occurred on Saturday, the 17th, by the duty crew and four additional off-duty personnel.  A total of 13,455 feet of hose (including 2,700 feet of 5 inch) was tested.  Significant record-keeping is required as hose is tested.  In addition to marking each length of hose and documenting its test pressure, hose manufacturer and purchase date is also recorded.  This documentation is required, per NFPA guidelines, and is required record-keeping that will be reviewed at a future ISO evaluation. 
  • The rear dump valve on Tanker 321 is sticking.  It is functional and duty staff are addressing the issue.
  • The newly reinforced tongue of the Polaris trailer broke while being used to transport the unit for a dune rescue.  Thankfully, there was no collateral damage to either the Polaris or the Hydrant truck that was pulling it.  The Polaris was in position to complete its assignment without delay and it was returned to the station on its own power.  A temporary fix permitted the trailer to be returned to the station and later transported to be repaired. 
  • New cell phones have been placed in the ambulances.  Staff should review their basic operation so that they can serve as a secondary means of contact with the hospital or department managers.  The necessary phone numbers have been programmed into each phone. 
  • The perimeter lighting on 382 (the hydrant truck) has been enhanced and will provide significantly more light for water supply operations. 
  • The personal flotation devices (PFD’s) that are stored in the water/ice rescue trailer have been labeled as to size.  The size is noted on the pocket flap and should facilitate grabbing the appropriate size more quickly. 
  • The four-gas meter that is normally in 331 is out-of-service.  Arrangements are being made for its repair or replacement. 

  Facilities

  • The building has been rinsed off and Pete Stern has power washed it in anticipation of treating the siding with insecticide. 
  • The grill has been power-washed and the plug end replaced.  The plug end is not weather-proof, so the grill should be un-plugged and the power cord stored under the cover after use.
  • Both the west wall of the apparatus bay and the shop were straightened up this month.  All staff are reminded to contribute to ongoing maintenance by replacing tools and equipment after use to permit access to the equipment by others. 
  • The irrigation system has been inspected, turned on, and several of the sprinkler heads adjusted by Dave Grattopp.  Dave will serve as the contact person for any concerns related to the system. 

  Special Events

  • The department participated in the annual Asparagus Festival parade in Empire on May 17th by placing 392 in the parade. 
  • Glen Arbor provided an EMT to assist North Flight in the staffing of the ambulance that provided coverage for the Tour de Leelanau bicycle race held on Sunday, May 25th. 
  • Several “young fives” participated in a tour of the Public Safety Building and fire and EMS vehicles.

  Total Department Activity	Total	(YTD)	Staff  Hours*	YTD Staff Hours
  MAY 2008
  Medical Responses	10	108	38	816
  Fire Responses	7	38	29	297
  Training Sessions	3	16	64	495
  Vehicle Inspections	68	328	87	554
  Special Events	3	10	16	46
  Walk-In	4	24	6	36
  Total Activity	95	524	240	2244
  *These hours reflect time accumulated by all Department members:  part-time      and full-time.

  Submitted by:

  John A. Dodson
  Chief of the Department