Newsletter - Louisville Fire Department

LOUISVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
FALL 2014
NEWSLETTER
Retiring chief: ‘honor and privilege to serve’
By TIM PARKER
Fire Chief
After 42 years in the fire service
and 10 with Louisville Fire Rescue, I
have informed our board of directors
that I will retire in early 2015.
I have been extremely blessed to
have worked in public safety since
1972 and to have served as fire chief
for such a great organization and
community. My time with the LFPD
has been the highlight of my career,
and it’s been a privilege to work with
some of the best firefighters, officers and staff the
fire service has to offer.
I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the
entire LFD team for its daily dedication to our
mission and for making Louisville one of the safest
communities in Colorado.
I am very proud to have been part
of a dynamic organization that values
high standards with a relentless drive
for customer service and firefighter
safety. They are an extraordinary
group of men and women that go
about their jobs, willing to risk their
lives, with one simple desire -- to
serve their community. I’m proud to
call them my heroes.
I also want to thank our board of
directors for creating a new vision for
the future for our department and perhaps more
importantly, for making it happen. For many years,
they have been the driving force behind
development of an all-risk master plan with the
ultimate goal of creating a fire-safe community while
Continued on Page 5
Water flows from a pair of elevated master streams July 12 during a ceremonial “wetdown” of Louisville Fire’s newly built
live fire training building at the Colorado Technology Center. Photo by Sarah Parker.
PAGE 1
FALL 2014
LOUISVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Louisville Fire Protection District
895 Via Appia Office: 303-666-6595 Fax: 303-666-7659 www.louisvillefire.com
Support:
Jackie Fry, District Administrator
Katie Tommins, Administrative Assistant
Chris Mestas, Fire Marshal
Walt Trotter, Mechanic
George Codding, Fire Investigator
Board of Directors:
David Yost, President
Chris Schmidt, President Pro Tem
Terri Abbott, Treasurer
Don Buffo
Wayne Varra
Pension Board
of Trustees:
Larry Boven Ron Leggett
David Yost Chris Schmidt
Don Buffo Terri Abbott
Wayne Varra
Fire Officers:
Tim Parker, Chief
Battalion Chiefs: Chris Melvin, John Willson, Cris Brewer, Josh Schmidt
Training Captains: Brad Bennett, Jason Brewer
Lieutenants: Jeff Schuppe, Adam Bowler, Jason Rogers
Firefighters:
Tracy Anderson
Jeremiah Archuleta
James Bage
Casey Barnes
Mark Bennett
Eric Berger
Cris Brewer
Brian Brindisi
Douwe Bruinsma
Chris Bussard
Matthew Calnan
David Carahasen
Ben Carter
PAGE 2$
Cullen Choi
Ryan Chreist
Casey Conrad
Dillon Conrad
Codi Courtney
Michael Duarte
James Dubay
Troy Duckels
Kevin Epperson
Bill Ewing
Jon Fearnow
Thomas Gillis
John Goldschmidt
Robert Haberer
Clark Harrod
Jesse Hickox
Nick Houston
Tom Howard
Chris Hunt
Dan Hunter
Jarrod Hurley
Shelley Kneebone
Cassidy Lear
Ingrid Lechner
Michael Lechner
Tom Lyons
Antonio Marraudino
Nigel Martinez
Jonathan McCullough
John Milanski
Travis Moberg
Rice Owens
Margaret Payne
Eric Philips
Derek Rapp
Sean Ryan
Randall Sagante
Brian Saxon
Brian Schleckser
Brett Sherman
Justin Sieve
Joseph Simmons
Jeremiah Smith
Steven Soklin
Korey Springer
Shawn Stark
Andrew Sullivan
Michael Twist
John Udden
Chris Underwood
Irving VanderVegt
Jason Vollmer
Joey Waldmann
Brian Waselko
Eric Williams
Joshua Wilson
LOUISVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
FALL 2014
Rooster’s hairstylists lather the head of Louisville paramedic/engineer Irving VanderVegt during a fundraiser he organized
for former firefighter John Bollinger, who is fighting cancer. Photos by Courtland Wilson of Courtland Photography.
Heads buzzed to support brother’s fight
By SHAWN STARK
Paramedic/engineer
About 40 men and one woman
shaved their heads in August as
part of a fundraiser for John
Bollinger, a former Louisville
firefighter battling cancer.
The event, which took place at
LuLu’s BBQ in Louisville, raised
more than $6,000 to help
Bollinger with his medical bills.
He was diagnosed in May 2014
with esophageal cancer that has
spread to his shoulder, forearm
and spine. Treatment has been
successful, and the prognosis is
good, according to his doctors.
Bollinger was a Louisville
volunteer firefighter for 15 years.
He retired in 2011 after serving in
nearly every position short of
chief -- firefighter, engineer,
lieutenant and captain.
of my heart."
Shaves were donated by
barbers from Rooster’s Men’s
Grooming Center. A donation of
at least $20 was requested per
head. Music was provided by
D.A.M. Productions, and the
event was documented by
Courtland Photography. LuLu’s
donated a smoked pig and
John Bollinger, right, with hairstylist
Toria Davis, who had her head shaved provided happy hour prices on
food and drinks.
in support.
In addition, money was raised
"I am overwhelmed by all the
by a silent auction. Donors
love and support I have received
included Louisville Cyclery,
from the members of the fire
department and the community,” Mountain High Appliance, Firiel
Skin Care, Holly Winton, Down
Bollinger said. “There were so
many folks that turned out for the Under Liquors, Bean & Berry,
B.O.B.S. Diner, Happy Day
fundraiser, I could not believe it.
“It is the support of my friends Cakery and Magpul Industries.
Money raised at the event was
and my fire department family
matched with a donation from the
that will get me through this
LFD benevolent fund.
cancer. Thanks from the bottom
PAGE 3
FALL 2014
LOUISVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Protect your family from fireplace hazards
By CHRIS MESTAS
Fire Marshal
With the winter months quickly approaching,
polystyrene foam and other coated materials can
there’s nothing quite as cozy as a warm, crackling
generate deadly fumes. fire in the fireplace. But if you don't take some
• Do not treat artificial logs like real logs. Artificial
simple safety precautions, that fire could turn deadly. logs are usually made of sawdust and wax and have
More than 6,000 people end up in
special burning properties. Be sure to
emergency rooms from injuries
read the instructions on the logs and
associated with fireplaces and
follow them carefully.
fireplace equipment -- and most of
• Home rolled newspaper logs should
those injuries involve children under
never be soaked in flammable fuels of
5 years old.
any kind because of the severe danger of
Approximately 14,000 house fires
explosion. Soaking the newspaper in
each year are started by fireplaces.
water either before rolling or during
Most of these fires escalate beyond
rolling removes the clay content and will
the fireplace because of an
provide a better burning log. Then, stack
overloaded fire, damage to the
the logs on end and let them dry for two
fireplace such as missing bricks,
weeks in the basement. When lighting
obstructed flues, ignition of nearby
the newspaper logs, use kindling just as
Chris Mestas
combustibles and flying sparks.
you would for a regular fire. Here are a few safety tips that will help
• Do not overload the fireplace. Large fires can
keep your fireplace safe for you and your family:
lead to overheating of wall or roof materials,
particularly if the fireplace is constructed of metal. • Have chimneys inspected annually, and cleaned
• Always use a screen around the fireplace to keep
as necessary, by a certified chimney sweep. This
sparks from flying out and to protect children and
reduces the risk of fires and carbon monoxide
adults from accidental clothing ignition. poisonings due to creosote buildup or obstructions
• Warn children about the danger of fire. Do not
in the chimneys.
let them play with fire. • Keep the top of chimneys clear of tree limbs and
• Keep flammable materials such as carpets,
debris. pillows, furniture or papers away from the fireplace
• Install a chimney cap to keep debris and animals
area. out of the chimney. • Make sure fire is completely out before going to
• Always open the damper before lighting the fire
bed or leaving the house. Never leave fire
and keep it open until the ashes are cool. This will
unattended.
avert the buildup of poisonous gases such as carbon
• When cleaning the fireplace, store ashes in a
monoxide. non-combustible container with a tightly fitting lid
• Build it right. Place firewood or fire logs at the
and place container away from the house.
rear of the fireplace on a supporting grate. To start
• Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide
the fire, use a firelighter. detectors have new batteries and are in proper
• Never use gasoline, charcoal lighter or other fuel
working order.
to light or relight a fire because the vapors can
explode. Never keep flammable fuels near a fire.
Vapors can travel the length of a room and explode. Residents with questions about fire safety may call the
• Do not use coal or charcoal in a fireplace because LFD Fire Protection Bureau at (303) 666-8809.
of the danger of carbon monoxide build-up. Do not
burn trash or gift wrap in the fireplace because
PAGE 4$
LOUISVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
FALL 2014
from Page 1
at the same time providing “best in class” emergency services.
I am most grateful for the board’s support and the dramatic
improvements we have made in keeping our firefighters
healthy and safe. Our community and the department are
lucky to have such dedicated elected officials that support our
daily mission.
As l reflect on the many people that have mentored and
supported me over the years, it would take more pages than
we have in our newsletter to name them all. However, I would
be remiss if I didn’t thank my family (Donna, Sarah and
Steven, Cassie and Grady) for their love and sacrifices over my
23 years as a fire chief. Whatever success I have had is because
of their support and love and respect for what we do in the fire
service.
While I leave knowing that there is still much to be done,
l’m excited by the talent and capable leadership that will lead
the department in the future. I leave it in the good hands of
some exceptional leaders dedicated to protecting you and your
families every day.
Chief Parker made a significant and lasting impression on
both the department as a whole and its individual members.
His vision for the future led to significant improvements in
service that will not be forgotten.
The following was written by Chris Schmidt, president
pro tem of the LFPD board of directors:
“I was first elected to the district board in November 2004, a
result of the recall election.
“The three new members, and the two remaining members,
walked into a hornet's nest of firefighter distrust, dissatisfaction,
and outright resentment. It was immediately apparent our
department (my department) was on the cusp of dissolution, of
ceasing to exist. It was also apparent our new chief, the
selection of which was another task inherited from the previous
board, needed to be someone who could repair these rifts, could
bring organization, and, most of all, could bring back trust.
“Tim Parker fulfilled all these needs, and many more. He
instituted consistent, strong leadership skills and policies,
restored an element of trust in the district and department
leaders, and put policies in place to resolve many of the
problems that had existed for years.
“None of this was accomplished without stepping on a few
toes (and a few egos), to be expected with leadership this strong
and change this drastic.
“Few, if any, departments in this country can say they have
had a chief with these extraordinary skills. We are indeed
fortunate.
“But most of all, he saved my department. For this alone, he
has my eternal gratitude.” -- Chris Schmidt
$
STEPS FORWARD
MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS
OF CHIEF PARKER’S TENURE:
2005: The creation of a comprehensive
plan to guide the department over the next
decade. The plan was approved by the
LFPD board in 2005 and updated in 2011.
2006: The passage of a 3.5 mill levy
increase to fund the launch of ambulance
transport service, renovation of Station 1,
purchase of fire apparatus and other
expenses.
2006-present: The updating, formalization
and computerization of all LFD programs,
including inspections, fire preplans, patient
care reporting, equipment maintenance
documentation and standard operating
guidelines (SOGs) for emergencies.
2008: The hiring of the department’s first
career firefighters to staff two new
ambulances. Prior to 2008, all of the
department’s firefighters were volunteers
who responded to calls from home or
worked duty crews. Louisville Fire
currently has 18 career firefighters
(including paramedics and battalion
chiefs) and about 60 volunteers.
2009-2010: $1.5 million renovation of
Station 1, 1240 Main St.
2009-2013: National Research Center Inc.
ranks LFD in top 2 percent in customer
satisfaction among 335 fire departments.
2013: “Gold Standard” designation from
the Commission on Ambulance
Accreditation of Ambulance Services,
which scrutinized every aspect of LFD
operations.
2013-14: The construction of a $3 million
apparatus maintenance facility and fire
training center on three acres in the
Colorado Technology Center.
2014: Implementation of required
residential sprinklers in new construction.
PAGE 5
FALL 2014
LOUISVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
New LFD ambulances designed for superior safety
By ROB HABERER
Firefighter/paramedic
The Louisville Fire
Department put into service two
new ambulances this summer.
These ambulances replaced
units that were purchased six
years ago. Their designations
within Boulder County are 2721
and 2722, and they are housed at
stations 1 and 2, respectively.
The units were designed by
myself, Lt. Jeff Schuppe, former
Deputy Chief Michael Schick
and Chief Tim Parker, with input
from members of the department
who will be using them to deliver
world class emergency medicine.
With the help of MaxFire in
Castle Rock and all of the great
folks at Braun, these ambulances
hit the streets in June.
As the safety of our patients
and staff is the top priority for
the Louisville Fire Department,
Braun was the chosen ambulance
manufacturer as they have
become the gold standard for
safety. Braun is known for being
the only company that utilizes
SolidBody construction for their
ambulances. This essentially
means that everything from the
cabinets in the back to the doors,
walls, roof, and countertops are
made from marine grade
aluminum and have fully welded
seams that join together creating
a “one-piece” patient
compartment. In the event of an
impact, this SolidBody design
incorporates all body
components into one integrated
module, absorbing impact,
minimizing the transferred
damage, and providing best in
class safety.
Also, we have chosen to
replace the standard bench seat
in back to three captain’s chairs,
all equipped with five-point
harnesses so paramedics and
EMTs will be safe during
transport. To make our layout
more user-friendly, we have
reconfigured our gear
compartments and medication/
supply cabinets in the back of the
ambulance.
As a project that has been in
the works for nearly a year, we
welcome the new additions to
our fleet that bring state of the
art technology and superior
safety features that will help us
continue serving you with the
best patient care possible.
CPR CLASSES
The Louisville Fire Department offers CPR, AED and First Aid certification classes that are open to
the public on Saturdays at Station 1, 1240 Main St.
The Heart Saver CPR is for anyone with limited or no medical training. The class costs $45 (including
student manual) and offers a course completion card that can be used to meet regulatory or job
requirements.
The First Aid course ($45) is for anyone with limited or no medical training to learn skills such as how
to treat bleeding, sprains, broken bones, shock or other first aid emergencies. This course can be
combined with CPR and AED for an $80 total fee.
The fire department also offers a CPR class for healthcare providers for $50. For further information,
schedule and online registration, please visit the LFD web site at louisvillefire.com and select the
Community Outreach/Public Education tab.
PAGE 6$
LOUISVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
FALL 2014
ANNUAL VOLUNTEER
APPRECIATION DINNER
Firefighters, employees, board members and past chiefs of the Louisville Fire
Department gathered in January for dinner and dancing at the Gatehouse Event
Center in Lafayette. Dozens of door prizes donated by local businesses were
distributed, and award winners were announced. The LFPD Board of Directors
throws the party each year to thank the volunteer firefighters for their service.
The award winners for 2013, chosen by the LFD leadership, were: Capt.Brad
Bennett, officer of the year; Thomas Gillis, firefighter of the year; and John
Goldschmidt, probationary firefighter of the year.
The Louisville Fire Department thanks the following businesses for donating door
prizes:
1st Bank
Bates
Blue Parrot
B.O.B.S. Diner
Buffalo Wild Wings
Busaba
Cafe Paris
Centennial Wine & Spirits
Chase Bank
Chili’s
Chipotle
Dickey’s
Down Under Wine & Spirits
Edward Jones Investments
Empire Lounge
Found Underground
Front Street Hair Salon
Gifts at Cooper’s Corner
Great Western Bank
Henry’s
The Home Depot
Inksmith Tattoo
JuJu Beans
Junkyard Ink
Key Bank
King Soopers
Keurig Coffee
La Revolucion
Little Horse Books & Gifts
Louisville Cyclery
Louisville Recreation Center
Lowe’s
Lucky Pie
LuLu’s BBQ
The Melting Pot
Panera
Parma Trattoria
Paul’s Coffee
Pizza King
The Porch Deli
Rock Barbers
Seagrape Spa
Snap Fitness
Spacelabs Healthcare
Sport Clips
Starbucks
Subway
Sweet Cow
Swoon Jewelry
The Book Cellar
Thunderbird Barbers
Tibet’s Restaurant
Training Peaks
Union Jack Liquors
Vic’s Coffee
Victory Hydro Gardening
Walgreens
Bennett
Gillis
Goldschmidt
PARAMEDIC
SCHOOL GRAD
FIRE
INVESTIGATOR
Louisville firefighter
Margaret Payne
graduated this spring
from the St. Anthony
Hospital Paramedic
Academy.
The program
Payne
requires 600 hours of classroom
study, followed by roughly 200 clinical hours
and 500 hours of training on an ambulance.
After she completes the requirements and
passes the National Registry paramedic
exam, she can obtain a state certification
that allows her to practice as a paramedic on
an ambulance.
George Codding, a longtime
Louisville firefighter and Boulder
County fire investigator, was elected
2nd vice president of the International
Association of Arson Investigators.
Codding has been a volunteer with
the Louisville Fire Department since
Codding
1998.
The IAAI is an 8,000-member association of fire
investigators in 79 chapters worldwide. The association,
composed of fire department investigators, police, private
sector investigators, engineers, scientists, attorneys and
insurance personnel, offers training in various aspects of the
profession, including science-based procedures and
methodology based on industry standards and guidelines.
PAGE 7
FALL 2014$
Louisville Fire Protection District
895 W. Via Appia
Louisville, CO 80027
Schick takes chief job in Washington State
By SHAWN STARK
Paramedic/engineer
Michael Schick, who started as a volunteer with
Louisville Fire 20 years ago and worked his way up to career
deputy chief in charge of EMS, left the department in
August to become chief of Camano Island Fire & Rescue in
Washington State.
Schick now leads a combination department of 21 career
members and 32 volunteers on the island, which is
connected to the mainland by a bridge on the north side.
The fire department has a call volume similar to Louisville’s
and covers about twice the square miles from five fire
stations.
During his time at Louisville Fire, Schick served as
volunteer chief, as well as interim career chief prior to Chief
Tim Parker’s arrival. While serving as a paid deputy chief, he
helped lead the transition from an all-volunteer organization
to a combination fire department. He was a certified
paramedic and managed the department’s ambulance
transport service.
Schick was a longtime Louisville resident who grew up
in Washington State and had been looking to return. He
started his new job in September and will soon be joined
on Camano Island by his wife, Diane.
Schick is replaced by Cris Brewer, a longtime
Louisville Fire volunteer and most recently a career
battalion chief at Fairmount (CO) Fire Protection District.
Brewer was named battalion chief in charge of operations
at Louisville Fire and started Oct. 13.
Above, Michael Schick,
former LFD deputy chief,
drives a fire boat during his
new job as chief of Camano
Island Fire & Rescue. He is
replaced at Louisville Fire
by Cris Brewer, a longtime
volunteer and former
battalion chief at
Fairmount Fire.
Cris Brewer