The Metro Insider... - Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department

Omnis Cedo Domus
November 15, 2010
Special points of
Interest:
 Fire Prevention for
Deaf/Hard of Hearing
The
Metro Insider...
Fire risks for people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
 Metro Holiday Party
 Statistics
Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department hosted a presentation on the risks of fire for people who are Deaf
and/or Hard of Hearing on Tuesday, November 9th at Metro’s Station 11. With the help of Grand Traverse
 Message from Chief
Parker
Industries List’n Program, and the Disability Network, sign language interpreter Leanne Baumeler was present,
along with a CART captioning system. Topics included; Investigation of the unique challenges for the Deaf
 Message from Chief
Flynn
 Station 12 update
and Hard of Hearing during an emergency, information about fire prevention and specific resources available
in our community and finally, education on what to do before a fire/during a fire. Attendees also had the
opportunity to apply for free smoke alarms equipped with either a strobe light or vibration. Funding for these
items was made possible through both the Quota Club International of Traverse City and a grant through the
National Fire Protection Agency.
Phone Extensions:
Chief Pat Parker
1235
Asst Chief Flynn
1228
Asst Chief Schnaidt 1226
Brian Belcher
Robert Casey
Mike Lince
Kathy Fordyce
1232
1233
1238
1236
Robin Ehardt
Mary Griggs
Marcia Schwind
Meredith Hawes
1227
1222
1221
1234
Dave Lather
Randy Agruda vm
Mike Vaughn
1229
1240
1225
Troy Holliday
Brian Bloom vm
Tony Posey vm
1231
1241
1242
Admin Fire Office 3000
231-947-3000
Station One
3814
231-947-3814
Station Eight
****
231-938-9533
Station Nine
0299
231-947-0299
Station Eleven
7682
231-941-7682
Juvenile Fire Setter vm 1240
News footage by TV 7 & 4 can be seen here:
http://www.upnorthlive.com/news/story.aspx?id=538559
Firefighter’s are also taking additional training this fall to learn “Sign
Language for Emergency Responders.”
ATTN: ALL METRO PERSONNEL …
All Metro Personnel and family are invited to join
The Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department for our
2010 Holiday Party in "The Ballroom" at Turtle Creek Casino!
The event will be held on December 17th, 2010 from 7:00PM to 11:00PM. Guests shall receive complimentary
appetizers and a healthy dose of holiday cheer! For those guests looking for more cheer than what Egg Nog
provides, there will also be a cash bar and . . . .. a DJ from 98.1 the Bear.
Tickets are available at the door or prior to the event. A $10 ticket entitles you to $10 worth of gaming/food,
and if you purchase your ticket prior to December 8th you will automatically be entered to win a
complimentary nights’ lodging at Turtle Creek Resort and Casino!
If you plan on staying overnight, attendees have a special rate of $99 per night.
For more info or to RSVP, visit Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department on Facebook
or contact Sara Posey at sposey08@hotmail.com.
Join us for some great fun and some great fellowship as we celebrate the end of 2010 and look toward 2011!
Grand Traverse Metro Emergency Services Authority 897 Parsons Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686 Phone (231) 947-3000 www.gtmetrofire.org
Omnis Cedo Domus
The Metro Insider...
Page 2
Call
Statistics …
December 2010
Training Topics
Medical Training
Wed December 1, 2010 @ 1900
@ Station 11
Patient Assessment (1L, 1P)
Mon December 6, 2010 @ 1900
@ Station 8 Preparatory (2L)
Wed December 13, 2010 @ 1900
@ Station 8 (Required)
Special Programs (1L, 1P)
Wed December 29, 2010 @ 1900
@ Station 9 Blood Borne/Comm.
Disease (1L)
Fire Training
Wed Dec 8, 2010 @ 1900
@ Station 9 Target Hazards
(Required)
Thurs Dec 9, 2010 @ 1900
@ Station 1 Target Hazards
(Required)
Sat Dec 11, 2010 @ 0900
@ Station 1 Medical Skills
if needed...(Required)
Wed Dec 15, 2010 @ 1900
@ Station 11 (Required)
Fire Protection Systems
Message from the Chief …
As I sit here at deer camp (yes with computer) I have some time to ponder where we as an organization will
be heading in the New Year. I do want to pass along my thoughts and prayers to Wayne Kladder our board
chairman on a speedy recovery from some major surgery this past week. Wayne has been a big proponent of
the fire department. He as well as the entire board have allowed us to move ahead and fulfill our vision of a
better department.
The new year 2011 will bring with it some new challenges. Our revenue source will be taking some hits from
tax tribunal cases. We need to find new ways to find revenue and continue to streamline operations and find
ways to save money.
Here are some initiatives for the New Year:
Continued excellence in customer service. We need to continue to strive to keep the citizens as our
priority. Our actions must speak loudly and our confidence high due to knowledge and training.
ISO reduction from a 6 to a 4. We hope by early next summer that we will be on target for an ISO
assessment. We feel that with our progress the last couple of years, we can achieve an ISO of 4.
Continue to work on accreditation. We have a goal of being an accredited department by late 2012 or
early 2013.
Complete our vulnerability assessment. We need to be prepared for any incident on our target hazards,
critical infrastructure, and life safety hazards. With this advance planning, we will be in a position
to ask for resources to get these targets back online and working for our citizens.
Complete a department wide inventory. The last inventory was in 2004. It is my hope to have the
entire department in a data base that can be managed more closely.
Have a successful transition into new Station 12.
Continue to look for strategic partnerships with other governmental bodies, the private sector, as well
as clubs/associations/groups of like interests.
Continue to train and develop our employees to make good decisions when faced with hard decisions.
Strive to always perform our duties in a safe and effective manner.
Omnis Cedo Domus – We all go home!
Those are some of my thoughts on where we should head in 2011. I look forward in discussing these with
you. If you see a direction that you would like the department to head, drop me a note or e-mail.
Visit www.gtmetrofire.org for
Current Training and
Public Education calendar.
Thanks for all you do! Happy Thanksgiving and BE SAFE! Now it’s off to find the big buck.
Chief Parker
Grand Traverse Metro Emergency Services Authority 897 Parsons Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686 Phone (231) 947-3000 www.gtmetrofire.org
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Note from Chief Flynn …
Page 3 & 4
This is the time of year that we see those types of incidents which are brought on by the changing weather. This would be
Vehicle Accidents. These accidents may or may not include injuries. The most important concern which may need to be
reviewed with all members at accident scenes is Personnel Safety. Make sure all personnel working an accident scene are
wearing a department issued reflective safety vest. Position emergency apparatus to block rescuers from traffic. These and other
guidelines for responders at accident scenes are found in the Metro SOG manual under Guideline 501.70. In addition, make
sure everyone is proficient in the use of extrication tools especially those members working duty shifts.
An important reminder when responding to Personal Injury Accidents. (PIA) Central Dispatch has been dispatching these calls with a
priority 2 designation. Please remember that we in Metro respond emergent to all accidents unless told by dispatch that an onscene emergency responder deems it a non-emergent response. The priority 2 response is for patient response, but vehicle
accidents include many more hazards that could hinder patient care if we responded non-emergent. Common sense can also
be used by listening to dispatch information.
This has been a very active month in GT Metro Fire Department.
(Left) This is the burned out floor of a fire in Mitchell Creek Apts.
The furnace was installed incorrectly. This fire was
extinguished with a portable fire extinguisher.
(Right) This three story residence on 6th St. in Traverse City experienced a fire
seen showing through the roof early on Nov.3rd. Engine 11 and Truck 1
responded to this fire.
(Below) This is what first units observed on Five Mile Rd on
Halloween afternoon. This two story residence had flames showing through the
roof from a problem with a wood stove vent.
(Below) This chimney fire on Bates Rd required a
response from Station 8 members who faced more than a
fire when they arrived on the scene. The homeowner was
a collector of many things and movement throughout the
house posed a bigger challenge than the fire.
Grand Traverse Metro Emergency Services Authority 897 Parsons Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686 Phone (231) 947-3000 www.gtmetrofire.org
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Note from Chief Flynn …
Continued from Page 3 & 4
(Right) This basement fire on Sherwood Dr. Nov 6 th was
brought under control with (2) 1 ¾” handlines with quick work
from Engine 8 and Truck 1 with some help from TCFD Engine
2.
(Below) Tanker 11 responded to this fast spreading grass fire
which moved close to a nearby two story residence.
(Below) Interesting vehicle fire for Engine 11 and Tanker 11 on West
Silver Lake Rd and Zimmerman on Sept 21st. Just prior to Engine 11’s
arrival, the car decided to drive in reverse to its position as seen in the
picture above. The car owner was holding the key at the time. The
vehicle was originally parked on side of the road where Engine 11 is
parked in this photo.
Two famous old tidbits from
a wise Fire Chief:
“To get to be old and wise, you first
must have been young and dumb”.
“Don’t ever think the fire is getting
tired just because you are”.
REMINDER: The shift bids should be received between the 1st and 15th
of the month for the following month. Shifts will normally be awarded
on the sixteenth of the month.
Grand Traverse Metro Emergency Services Authority 897 Parsons Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686 Phone (231) 947-3000 www.gtmetrofire.org
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Station 12 Construction…
Grand Traverse Metro Emergency Services Authority 897 Parsons Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686 Phone (231) 947-3000 www.gtmetrofire.org