Introduction
The month of October begins the last quarter of 2007.  Despite the wonderfully warm weather, the visible population of the area has steadily decreased.  It seemed that fewer visitors came to town for color tours this year.  The nice weather has provided additional opportunity to do some building maintenance and to prepare for the winter months. 

Personnel

• Full time staff completed the majority of their North Flight employment requirements this month.
• The Infectious disease specialists at Munson Medical Center have determined that healthcare providers in this region are at low risk for contracting TB.  Munson will no longer require annual TB testing of its employees, except for personnel determined to be at “high risk.”  EMS providers are not in this category. 
• The on-call calendar continues to have daily openings for part-paid staff.  All part-paid staff members are reminded that time is available every day for both day and evening shifts.  The on-call calendar is generally available for sign-up a month in advance. 

Training

• Several training sessions were held during the month.  The topic of the first session was “Special Programs” Refresher.  At this session staff members reviewed Combitube use, basic pharmacology and were introduced to new AED’s, soon to be placed on EMS and fire apparatus, plus an additional AED that is being placed in the Township Hall (gymnasium).  This session was attended by 23 department members, plus an additional seven from the National Park Service.  Make-up sessions for this training will be scheduled in November, as this program is required of all EMT’s in the medical control region.
• Steve Ward, Health and Safety Coordinator from Elmer’s, provided a 4 hour-long safety orientation session to 14 people.  Attendance at this session permits providers to respond to calls for service at Elmer’s gravel pits and facilities.  A second session will be held to afford training to the remainder of department staff.   
• A First Trauma Care course was held on Saturday October 20th; 15 people participated in the program, 13 of which were Glen Arbor EMS personnel.  This was a day-long program coordinated by David Grattopp and involved considerable equipment and instructors.  The day focused on developing practical skills for the initial management of trauma victims accompanied by the application of these skills in real-life simulations.  Trauma certification is required of all advanced-level EMS providers in the medical control region and is also a requirement for basic EMT’s employed by North Flight. 
• A NIMS “ICS for Fire Department Personnel” course was held at Northport Fire Department during the same weekend as First Trauma Care.  This course is a pre-requisite for the Company Officer program.  Unfortunately, only one person from Glen Arbor, Bryan Ferguson, was able to attend.  Other pre-requisite courses will be held throughout the fall and early winter.  These programs and a sign-up sheet are posted on the bulletin board in the hallway by the on-call calendar, along with information pertaining to other sites offering courses.  Individual participation should be discussed with the Chief prior to sign-up. 
• Rachel Schaap attended a wilderness EMT program at Camp Daggett in Petoskey.  The week-long program provided classroom activities and field activities related to the treatment of injured patients in a remote setting.  Situations such as hypothermia were discussed and experienced. 
• Thirteen people attended a fire-related training session during the third week of October.  Attendees participated in a RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) exercise where simulated rescues were performed for situations where a firefighter is entrapped and out of air.  Additional noises and distractions as well as entanglement provided challenges to participants along with an opportunity to break in new turnout gear, and test its rescue/safety features.  
• Weekly staff training continued in October with excellent training sessions offered by Eric Dubord (water supply training); Bryan Ferguson (Rapid Intervention Team training); Lee Lasky (KED review); Ryan Deering (chimney fire mitigation).  Staff members have been creative and thorough in the construction of the training sessions while using a variety of methods for the accomplishment of objectives.  Staff-initiated weekly training sessions will be completed in November and start again in January. 

Administration

• The Michigan Department of Community Health EMS Agency inspection was completed by John King in the third week of October.  Since the last inspection, we have added approximately 15 people to our roster of employees.  The record-keeping relative to their orientation is substantial.  EMS agencies are required by the State of Michigan to meet very specific orientation requirements for employees.  This includes evaluating the clinical competency of each employee, as well as ensuring that each new person has completed a formal orientation process.  The department is also required to maintain proof of training, in particular, proof of having had a driver’s training program that meets specific requirements for driving ambulances.  In preparation for this inspection, all employee files were reviewed and old records purged.  The inspector found that the department’s records were complete with the exception of one certificate related to driver’s training.  This certificate was forwarded to the State of Michigan to bring us to full compliance in the inspection process.
• Talks continue with Empire Township to arrive at a contract for the provision of fire mitigation and rescue services as the departments slowly move forward with a plan for cooperative management. 

Apparatus

• Early in the month Engine 311 developed a problem with its foam pump.  Following extensive trouble-shooting the pump was replaced and foam capability returned. 
• An oil leak had been noted on floor of apparatus bay under Engine 311.  This apparatus was taken to Grand Traverse Diesel for resolution of the problem. 
• 311 and 331 received new stabilizer parts for their respective front ends.  This warranty work was performed at the station by a vendor, arranged for by Pierce. 
• During the last week of the month a vendor for LifeLine Ambulances brought a demonstration vehicle to the station.  The salesperson reviewed its features and provided opportunity to inspect the vehicle.  The demonstration ambulance was built on a GMC chassis.  Ambulances have traditionally been built on Ford chassis, however Ford is no longer actively producing chassis that are ready for this kind of modification.  The turning radius, manageability and noise reduction during operation of the demonstration ambulance was superior, despite the truck being much larger in size.  More demonstration units will be evaluated prior to making a final decision. 
• The back-up camera/monitor on 322 has not been functioning properly.  Various replacement parts have been received in an effort to troubleshoot the problem, with final resolution occurring at the end of the month. 

Facilities

• The breathing air compressor and large air cylinders have been inspected and certified.  The cylinders are due for hydrostatic testing, which will be completed in November.
• Eric Dubord and other duty crew personnel have spent considerable time investigating various water supply sites.  The goals are to measure distances for hose lays and identify the best means to obtain water.  All of this information will eventually be placed on a map for immediate reference via computer during calls.
• Dave Grattopp completed fall maintenance on the underground sprinkler system in preparation for cold weather.   

Equipment

• Three new SCBA cylinders have been received and have been put into service.
• New turnout gear, purchased as a part of the department’s capital improvement program, was received and distributed during the third week of the month.  The new gear is constructed to meet current firefighter safety standards and is structured to more easily provide for firefighter rescue.  The day the equipment was distributed was a scheduled training night, so members participated in training that involved simulated search and rescue scenarios (e.g., crawling, sweating, and generally breaking in the new gear).  The remainder of the month was spent washing the old gear and preparing it for storage and future use as reserve equipment and for training.
• An AED has been placed in the township hall.  This is a public access device and is being kept in a cabinet, which has an alarm that is activated by opening the cabinet door.  Keys to reset the alarm are in each of the EMS vehicles.  
• New Phillips cardiac monitor-defibrillator-pacers have been received and have been placed on both ambulances.  The devices will also be used for non-invasive blood pressure, pulse oximeter, and end-tidal CO2 monitoring.  The old Medtronic cardiac monitors along with associated support equipment and supplies have been turned over to the vendor for a credit against the purchase of the new equipment.  
• AED’s for both fire apparatus and basic EMS units have also been received and will be placed in service soon. Unlike the old devices, the new AED’s are pediatric defibrillation-capable, however pediatric electrode pads have yet to arrive.  These nine devices will replace the six Medtronic AED’s currently in place.  The old AED’s will be sold to a neighboring department to enhance their current complement of equipment.
• During the course of a dune rescue this month a GPS-radio unit was lost.  As a result, 392 no longer has a GPS unit in it. 
• Chainsaws received substantial use on fallen trees this month.  Most have been serviced, lubricated, and the chains sharpened by Steve Hooper. 
• Significant modifications have been made to Engine 312 under the leadership of Eric Dubord.  The passenger side front compartment has been modified to now contain the majority of the wildland firefighting gear.  The cord reel formerly located in this compartment has been moved to 382, next to the generator.  Andrew is fabricating brackets to secure this on 382.  A Turbodraft was modified to fit into the upper rear hose lay compartment; and vehicle stabilizer struts used for vehicle extrication have been moved to the driver’s side compartment of 331 (stored with the ropes). 
• Several old appliances (e.g., gated wyes) have been painted and restored to service to enhance water supply capabilities.  These have been mounted in various apparatus.  
• The station generator was load-tested and given its annual inspection.  Follow-up with the service contract vendor will continue to shorten the transfer time interval.  NFPA standards recommend a power transfer interval of less than or equal to 10 seconds.  A new battery will also be installed. 

Programs and Additional Services

• The second week of October was Fire Prevention Week, however only one display/presentation was made.  Quint 331 was taken to the Glen Lake Schools for a brief presentation.  
  

Acknowledgements Received

• Donations in the name of Bill Olson were received from the following individuals:

• Kevin Facklam
• John and Carolyn Rentenbach
• A. Linnea Swanson

• Donations in the name of Susan Matschke were received from the following individual: 

• Janis K. Stevens

• Paul and Catherine Loiselle sent a donation to the department along with a very nice letter thanking us for locating Paul the night he got lost looking for their dog on the sand dunes. 
• Two Letters to the Editor published in the Leelanau Enterprise recognized the actions of several Glen Arbor duty crews:  The first acknowledged participation in Glen Arbor’s Trick or Treat activities.  The second, from Mr. and Mrs. John McCormick, acknowledged the extra efforts of an evening duty crew to ensure the operation of medical equipment during a power outage. 

Submitted by:

John A. Dodson