Introduction
As autumn arrives and the trees begin their seasonal change, call volume has slowed and tasks turn to preparing the building, grounds, and equipment for the colder months.  This also provides an opportunity to do additional training and prepare for calls of a different nature. 

Personnel

• Doug Lake began his full time rotation during the first week of September.  He will be working each Monday and Wednesday. 
• Other firefighter-EMT staff began working a rotating schedule of two days per week.  During the summer, each worked three days every third week. 
• Additional applications have been received for firefighter-EMT positions and these are being kept on file in anticipation of future openings.  It is planned that a hiring list will be established for the future. 
• Firefighter-EMT’s that are new North Flight employees have a number of computer-based education/training assignments that they are required to complete within the first few months of hire. This is a North Flight/Munson requirement.  Employees that have been North Flight employees are also required to do several of the same educational programs annually as a condition of employment.  The time to complete all of these requirements varies from 2-20 hours and may be done over several sessions.  The majority of full time staff completed these requirements in September.

 
Training

• One departmental training session was held during the month of September.  This session was about START triage and managing multi-casualty incidents.  It was attended by 21 staff members. 
• Beginning in September, full time staff began weekly educational sessions.  Each staff member is responsible to design a one to three hour educational session to be carried out on each shift.  The staff member designing the program is not responsible to teach each session, but must provide enough information to each other shift so that each shift can each carry out the intended educational objectives.  This task was assigned by seniority, with each full time staff member taking a week for his/her training session until the second week of November.  Training sessions are typically held first thing in the morning, however timeframes have been flexible to accommodate for calls and other scheduled events.  This training is open to everyone, however, due to the flexible nature of its scheduling, it has been difficult to set an exact schedule of times from week to week.  As this activity is new, the process for carrying it out will evolve and will hopefully provide additional educational opportunities for all staff members, full and part time. 
• Wildland Fire training (courses S-130. S-190, and L-180) was held at the Public Safety Building the week of September 10th.  This program was organized by the National Park Service and taught by staff members from the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore.  Eighteen students, including employees of the National Park Service, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Park volunteers and five members of the Glen Arbor Fire Department completed the week-long program.  Fire department personnel that participated included John Dodson, Rachel Schaap, Brian Ferguson, Lee Laskey, and Dena Smith.  Completion of these programs is one eligibility requirement to take a “pack test,” which  permits firefighters to be assigned to wildland fire suppression duties for the federal government. 
• The Chief of the department attended a State of Michigan, Office of Firefighter Training-sanctioned program held at Baker College in Cadillac during the third weekend of September.  Attendance at this course permits fire instructors to teach the Company Officer I and II programs, which have replaced the previous Fire Officer I and II certification courses in the State of Michigan.  There is now an increased opportunity for both Glen Arbor staff as well as other fire department members to obtain Company Officer certification.   It is anticipated that a Company Officer program will be held in Leelanau County in early 2008. 
• Leelanau County fire departments have formed a committee that deals with fire and EMS training in the county.  Jeff Friedenstab, a firefighter/EMT-S from Leland Township is serving as the Chair of this committee.  The first activity of this group was to secure available grant and designated funds for fire training, and then to plan and carry out needed training in the county.  Many prerequisite courses for the Company Officer programs have been scheduled and all departments in the County have committed to host or otherwise support educational programs as they are scheduled.  This means that a much more cost-effective, and in most cases, convenient mechanism to attend additional firefighter training is now available.  In addition, departments are beginning to share their training schedules online so that those that are in need of EMS credits for license renewal have additional sources.  The website address is www.leelanaufireemstraining.com.  Anyone wishing to attend training at another department is asked to contact the host department prior to attending.

Administration

• The Chief’s office prepared for and participated in two public hearings and meetings with several township committees and officials related to the 2008-09 budget for the Department.  Public commentary was limited and all of the public hearings were sparsely attended.  The next budget remains the same as this year’s, which effectively slightly decreases the millage rate for property owners.
• Empire Township has indicated that they would like to enter into an arrangement with Glen Arbor Fire Department for the provision of fire suppression services for Empire Township.  Discussions continue as to the best ways to accomplish this goal in consideration of Empire’s available funding.  These discussions will continue throughout the next couple months.
• The last batch of user satisfaction surveys were mailed out at the end of the month.  These surveys are being sent to those that received services from the Department in June, July, or August.  Return of the surveys has been very good and it is hoped that a summary will be available in October. 

Apparatus

• The engine display on the pump panel of 322 was replaced under warranty in the middle of the month.  At the same time the back-up camera on this vehicle was inspected to determine the cause of intermittent operation.  Later in the month a new camera was sent to replace the dysfunctional one. 
• Quint 331 was taken to Wixom for repairs at the Pierce facility at the end of the month.  At this time the hydraulic cartridge that holds the driver’s side front stabilizer in place when it is retracted was replaced.  The original repair on this stabilizer was not sufficient to resolve this issue.  Also the front ball joints of the truck were replaced.  The truck was out of service for approximately three days.
• Oil changes ware performed on 391 and 300 (the Command vehicle).

Facilities

• Apparatus-bay door frames are being caulked as part of regular building maintenance.

Equipment

• Fitting for turnout gear, uniform belts and duty jackets occurred before training on the 5th of September.  Westshore has received the bid for protective ensemble/equipment and Nye has received the bid for duty uniforms.
• Several Scott airpack cylinders required hydrostatic testing.  Eight cylinders were taken to Traverse City for testing and certification.  One failed due to its construction and type.  All but the later are now back in service. 
• The hydraulic cutters on 331 were sharpened by Steve Hooper.
• The dry hydrants throughout the township have been cleaned and flushed.
• Two spare air bottles have been put into both tankers.
• The routine testing of the floating pumps identified that one would not run due to its intake being clogged.  Routine use and inspection of equipment by staff members is clearly showing a benefit to the daily operations of the Department.
• Pet rescue equipment—oxygen delivery devices—were donated to the Department by Invisible Fence.  A nice article was also printed in the Leelanau Enterprise regarding this.  This equipment had been placed on 391 in the driver’s side oxygen compartment. 

Programs and Additional Services

• Several of the local condo associations met during the month of September, providing an opportunity to give educational talks and inform area residents about the services provided by the fire department. 
• The September 11th remembrance ceremony was held in the apparatus bay this year due to cool and potentially rainy weather.  The duty crews did some extra cleaning and moved apparatus to permit chairs to be set up for those who wished to sit for the brief ceremony.  Remarks were provided by the Chief, Pastor Robert Wurst, and Paramedic David Grattopp.  Music for the ceremony was provided by Bagpiper Jack Fellows and Cornet player Norm Wheeler. 
• A public education program was presented at the Leelanau Schools on Friday the 28th of September for their Career Day. 

Acknowledgements Received

• The Empire Lion’s Club honored fire department personnel on Monday, September 17th with dinner and a brief program.  This very nice event was greatly appreciated by those that attended. 
• Bill Olson, member of the Emergency Services Advisory Committee, died in the latter part of September.  His contributions and thoughtfulness with regard to the development and operation of the department were greatly appreciated.  Contributions on his behalf have been received from the following individuals/organizations:
• Biotec Corporation
• Jo Bruebaker
• Ruth Conklin
• Kent Kelly
• Jack and Susan Putnam
• Howard Sorenson and Porter Royal Sales staff
• Dr. Gerald R. and June Powley
• Roger and Carol Hughes
• Karen A. Hardy
• A donation was received from Bill and Rita Witler in memory of Susan Matschke.
• A very nice thank you note and recognition card for September 11th came from Jamie Goodell Haley in memory of Gilbert L. Haley;
• A note acknowledging the significance of September 11th to us was received from Susie Haley. 

• Contributions/notes have been received from the following people:  All donations have been forwarded to the Fire and Rescue Association: 
• Grey Gables (Lanphier’s)
• Lisa Siddal (for a CPR class conducted for her staff at the public safety building)
• Doris M. Larsen
• Al Fosmoen, (In loving memory of his wife, for whom we provided care)
• Many very nice notes were received along with survey responses
• Lawrence J. Sal

Submitted by:

John A. Dodson
Chief of the Department