Introduction
Fall colors bring cooler weather and the fall hunting season.  Blowing leaves and raking are just a few chores that will take place for fall clean-up to prepare the building and apparatus for the cold weather season. 

Personnel

• Shift assignments have been made for the personnel that completed their orientation during October.  Melissa Wolf and Shawn Malec have been assigned to ‘C’ shift.  Jacque Gibson has been assigned to ‘B’ Shift and Bill Brodin has been assigned to ‘A’ shift.  Please assist these new personnel as they continue their familiarization of the department and the geographic area. 
• Two individuals that interviewed for positions in September were provided general knowledge exams and psychological evaluations to determine if a physical agility test would be offered. 

Training

• Training Officer Bryan Ferguson reports that in the month of October, there were a total of five training sessions held.  These sessions covered three topics:
• The EMS training topic was a special programs refresher (AED; Combitube; and Basic Pharmacology).  These sessions were held on Wednesday the 1st and Monday the 24th and were attended by 24 staff members.  The sessions were instructed by Dena Smith, David Grattopp and John Dodson.  Special Programs refresher is required every six months for EMT’s and EMT-Specialists that operate in the medical control region.  The review is required annually for paramedic providers. 
• Fire training, entitled “Back to Basics” was held on Wednesday the 8th and Monday the 27th and was attended by a total of 12 personnel.  Bryan Ferguson and John Dodson instructed these sessions. 
• A Pediatric Education for Prehospital Professionals (PEPP) course was held on Saturday, the 18th of October.  This session lasted the entire day and was attended by 9 people, the majority of whom were on duty.  This session was taught by Dena Smith and Scott Lindquist.  Participants of this course receive a certification card from the American Academy of Pediatrics and a total of seven EMS credits, many of which are required for EMS licensure renewal. 
• Personnel continue to become familiar with apparatus and the local area by driving various pieces for some portion of each day.  This includes orientation to Empire Township for those that are not familiar with the area. 

Administration

• Work continues on the development of a comprehensive mapping and information compliment for use during emergency responses.  These maps will meld geographic features with water supply and incident preplan information.  It is hoped that this information will be implemented soon in conjunction with the installation of computer hardware in various pieces of apparatus. 

Apparatus

• Work is nearing completion on the new ambulance and it is expected to be delivered in mid-November.  David Grattopp and Andrew Anthony drove to the factory to inspect the new truck.  The ambulance was returned to Michigan and is having additional work performed in Flint.  From there it will be delivered to Station 1 for the application of striping and lettering and the installation of radios.  Once the new ambulance has been inspected and licensed by the State of Michigan, it will be put into service. 
• A back-up alarm has been installed on 241.
• Air filters have been replaced on 391 and 392.
• The blower control knob has been ordered and replaced on 322. 
• The siide discharge valve has been replaced on 221. 
• The right dome light switch in 391 melted and was noted to be “smoking” by Adam Sevensma during a routine ambulance check.  The switch was removed and a replacement ordered.  A new switch has been installed and all switches on the panel are now working properly.  
• All water has been drained from 241 as this unit does not have the capability to simply drain it’s pump.  Should the unit be needed or requested for a wildland fire, the water reservoir tank must be filled prior to responding. 
• As winter approaches, all staff are reminded that ONLY the pump drain should be left open following each use/flowing of water.  Other drains may be opened to ensure the pump and piping are clear, however prior to finishing clean-up, please be sure they are closed.  This will prevent difficulties should the piece be used for drafting. 

Equipment

• Work is continuing on the input of GPS information for hydrant locations, Knox box locations and Supra box locations within the townships.  This information is being placed in a database and will be available through a mapping program that will be accessible through vehicular computers.  The information will aid in identifying water supply information and building access information for incoming apparatus. 
• The brake on the ventilation saw from 331 required service and was eventually replaced.  In the meantime, the vent saw from 311 was placed on 331.
• New desiccant and filters were ordered and replaced old materials in the air compressor at Station 1. 
• Weather stations and receivers are in place at both stations.  These units will measure and provide current weather condition information for use in fire incident management, investigation and reporting.  Information provided by the stations includes wind direction and speed; temperature, dew point, relative humidity and barometric pressure. 
• Turn-out gear and duty boots that have not been assigned have been moved to Station 2 for storage due to space considerations at Station 1. 
• On a couple of occasions, during daily apparatus inspections, air cylinders located in the SCBA packs in the apparatus have been noted to not be connected.  Staff members are reminded to be sure to connect the air supply hose of the SCBA unit to its air bottle before mounting in the seats of the apparatus.  

Facilities

• Work continues to near completion on Station 2, including caulking, placing door seals, hanging doors, sealing grout, completing the installation of cabinets and kitchen appliances and installing floor coverings in preparation for final and occupancy inspections, scheduled to occur in the later part of the month.  Bunk beds have arrived and have been put together and placed in the sleeping quarters.  Phone, internet and cable services have been installed and tested by various staff members.
• A new Daily Chore Calendar has been designed for both stations and is posted in a binder in the apparatus bay.  The new chore calendar addresses the need for additional cleaning and building up-keep due to increased activity and new facilities at the stations.  In addition, the apparatus check schedule has been modified to spread the responsibilities among all shifts. 
• The outdoor grounds sprinkler system at Station 1 has been drained and winterized.
• The flag in front of the building has been replaced due to the tattered condition of the old one.  Along the same line, please remember to raise and lower the flag at Station 2 until lighting that will permit its visibility during the night can be installed.
• An electrical supply outlet has been installed at Station 1 in preparation for department physicals.  This type of heavy duty outlet is required to operate the “bus” in which physicals will be performed.  Physicals are scheduled for later this fall.
• The station’s back-up generator has received its annual inspection. 

Special Events

• The department provided an ambulance “stand-by” for the unveiling of the new Great Lakes Dunes postage stamp on its first day of issue.  This ceremony was held at the dune climb.  Dignitaries from the National Park and the United States Postal service were on hand.
• Additional CPR courses were held for Leelanau Schools’ students and staff.

Submitted by:

John A. Dodson
Chief of the Department