FOURTH QUARTER – REVIEW AND ANALYSIS

FIRE DEPARTMENT

******************************************************************************

1.         Fire Department

The major responsibilities of the department are:

            (See First Quarter – Review and Analysis)

2.         Annual Operating Program and Goals

            A.        Education Programs

                        All schools and classes scheduled for the year have been completed.

            B.        Capital Equipment Acquisitions

                        All items of capital equipment budgeted have been purchased/encumbered or being addressed in the next budget year.

            C.        Goals Completed

                        1.         The position of Battalion Fire Chief was implemented to provide a 24/7 command presence and to improve overall organizational accountability and supervision. Personnel are also responsible for various specific collateral operational and administrative duties.

                        2.         Volunteer members desire to revise the City code to reflect the true  organizational structure – to include each of the three (3) corporations and to define the actual rank structure within the department. The code should also be revised/updated to reflect the modern codes with regard to fire and life safety issues. To date no progress has been made.

                        3.         The department’s voluntary home safety inspections program has been re-implemented. However, due to budgetary constraints a full time fire prevention and code enforcement division has not been implemented.

                        4.         Significant improvements have been made in our operations as a result of the department’s Quality Assurance Program. We are compliant by sending customer satisfaction surveys to all recipients of fire and emergency medical services. All emergency medical services reports are scanned for accuracy and correct emergency medical services protocols.

                        5.         Little progress has been made with regard to dispatching procedures in the entire county. Wicomico Emergency Services has authority and responsibility for the dispatch of all departments within the County. However, the department has re-evaluated and revised its operational response matrix to ensure an adequate number of resources responds to specific events.

                        6.         The process of devising a method of obtaining pre-incident survey process with structural and hazard assessment information has been assigned to a Battalion Chief as a collateral duty. Making the information available to all responding units will require the allocation of funds and the involvement of Wicomico County Emergency Services.

                        7.         The land acquisition for a new fire station/administrative facility and improvements to Station #1 have limited progress to date. However, two possible sites have been identified for the new facility and meetings with the appropriate agencies are ongoing. The Station #1 project is currently in the design phase.

                        8.         The department continues to ensure that the “After the Fire Program” is offered to areas of the community that have experienced catastrophic events. Reception by the public has been overwhelmingly positive.

                        9.         Integration of fire and emergency medical services is an ongoing process with the continued evaluation of current and possible future staffing options.

                        10.       Most department computers have been upgraded. However, MIS is strongly recommending an additional update to a newer operating system. All fire incidents are recorded electronically, but the software program currently used limits the type of statistical reports that can be generated. Additionally, statistical information maintained by the dispatch center is substantially different than actual department activities and in-house statistics due to the incompatibility or limitations of their software.

                        11.       The department continues to evaluate, investigate and make application for various operational grants. We are currently awaiting responses from grant requests from the Department of Transportation Grant and funding from Homeland Security.

                        12.       The first major revision of the department’s SOP’s is currently in the process of publication. Training will be provided to all personnel to ensure full comprehension and compliance.

                        13.       With the implementation of the position of Battalion Chief the department’s incident management system is further enhanced by providing a command presence 24/7.

                        14.       The Employee Assistance Program was made available to all volunteer personnel.

                        15.       Volunteer corporations are soliciting members by sponsoring open house events and by providing recruitment and retention information at various public functions.

3.         Analysis of Activities and Accomplishments

            A.        Training

                        1.         Fire Personnel

                                    a.         Quarterly Department Training Hours – 3237.5

                                    b.         Department personnel trained in the following areas during the quarter:

                                                1.         HIPPA Regulatio

                                                2.         CPR and AED

                                                3.         Blood Borne Pathogens

                                                4.         Structure Fire Critiques

                                                5.         Pump Operations

                                                6.         Truck Company Operations (Victim Rescue, Ladders, SelfRescue, Ventilation, and Ladders)

                                                7.         Positive Pressure Ventilation

                                                8.         HazMat Operations (Decon Tent, Equipment Display, Weapon of Mass Destruction-Nerve Gas)

                                                9.         Rescue Operations (Airbags/Cribbing, Hurst Tools, Search/Rescue, Auto Extrication, and Ladder Bail Outs)

                                                10.       Incident Safety Officer

                                                11.       Forcible Entry and Ventilation

                                                12.       Ropes, Knots and Rigging

                                                13.       EMS Planning and Operations

                                                14.       Fire Extinguisher Training

                                                15.       Marine Operations (Fire Pumps, Water Rescue and Boating

Operations)

                                                16.       Territory Familiarization

                                                17.       Driver’s Training

                                                18.       SCBA Drill

                                                19.       Equipment Familiarization

                                                20.       Apparatus Riding Assignments

                                                21.       Smallpox Vaccination

                                                22.       Hose Testing

                                                23.       Protocol Review

                                                24.       Home Fire Safety Inspections

                                                25.       Equipment Deployment (Salisbury Mutual Assistance Group)

                                                26.       Tactics

                                                27.       Electric Wires Safety

                                                28.       Firefighter Candidate Testing

                                                29.       Thermal Camera Transmitter

                                                30.       Engine Company Operations (Pump Operations and High Rise Packs)

                                                31.       Right-to-Know

                                                32.       Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Written and Recertification

                                                33.       Academy Pumps

                                                34.       “MAYDAY” Training

                                                35.       Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) Bag Training

                                                36.       EMS Operations (Henley Board and new Glucometers, K.E.D., 12 Lead EKG, and Skills)

                                                37.       Protect Yourself from Hepatitis B

                                                38.       Accountability Training

                                                39.       Fireworks Safety

                                                40.       Structural Fire Training

                                                41.       Scared Straight Seminar

                                                42.       Cascade System and Maintenance

                                                43.       Incident Reporting

                                    c.         Department personnel toured/preplanned the following facilities during the quarter:

                                                1.         Runaway Bay

                                                2.         Drill Academy

                                                3.         University Park

                                                4.         Old Hubert R. White Hardware Building

                                                5.         Barnes and Noble Bookstore

                        2.         EMS Personnel

                                    a.         A total of five (5) CPR (Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation) Classes were instructed during the quarter.

                                    b.         New Glucometers were put on all Paramedic Units during the quarter.

            B. Fire Prevention Education

                        1.         Fire Department personnel visited the following neighborhoods as part of the “After the Fire Program”:

                                    a.         1600 block of Riverside Drive

                                    b.         200 block of Dove Street

                                    c.         100 block of Second Street

                                    d.         800 block of Church Street

                                    e.         400 block of Venton Place

                                    f.         area around 30912 Johnson Road

                                    g.         700 block of East William Street

                                    h.         1000 block of Schumaker Woods Road

                                    i.         1100 block of Nevins Place

                        2.         Fire department personnel conducted Fire and Life Safety Classes/ talks/displays/drills for the following during the quarter:

                                    a.         Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce for Access 26

                                    b.         Head Start Children’s Fair

                                    c.         AARP

                                    d.         Pinehurst School

                                    e.         Parkside High School – Municipal Government Night 2003

                                    f.         PRMC Health Fest

                        3.         Acting Deputy Chief Timothy Keenan made a live appearance on Channel 16 Morning Show in which he spoke about the “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery” Program.

                        4.         Department personnel set up and manned Fire Prevention Booths for the following during the quarter:

                                    a.         Safe Kids Day at Shorebirds Stadium (279 people visited the booth)

                                    b.         Holly Center’s 6^th Annual Wellness Fair (250 people visited the booth)

                        5.         Department personnel assisted the Maryland State Fire Marshals Office with a fireworks demonstration at the Training Center during the quarter.

                        6.         Salisbury Fire Department Tours with brief Fire Safety Talks were conducted the following during the quarter:

                                    a.         Leonard Family of Salisbury – 51

                                    b.         Boy Scout Troop 817 – 6

                                    c.         Salvation Army Sun Beams – 12

                         C.        Community Services

                                    1.         Salisbury Fire/EMS Paramedics conducted medical standby’s and ambulance demonstrations for the following during the quarter:

                                    a.         PRMC/Wicomico Board of Educations Health Fest

                                    b.         Salisbury Zoo “Zoo Stampede 5K Walk”

                                    c.         Christian Shelter

                                    d.         March of Dimes 33^rd Salisbury Walk

                                    e.         PRMC Heart Attack/Stroke Club

                                    f.         Catholic Charities Foster Parents Program

                                    g.         Salisbury Christian School

                                    h.         Parkside CTE Health Occupations Class

                                    i.          Mid Delmarva Family YMCA 5K Race

                                    j.          North Lake Park Celebration

                        2.         The following students are doing their clinical rotations on our Paramedic Units during the quarter:

                                    a.         Salisbury University

                                    b.         Parkside Career Technology Center

                                    c.         EMT-B Students

                        3.         Department personnel participated with an engine and EMS unit for the PRMC Health Fair at Bennett High School during the quarter.

                        4.         Department personnel provided and set up chairs at the City/County Government Office Building for the Urban Salisbury’s “Gospel Fest” event during the quarter.

                        5.         Department personnel assisted Salisbury Public Works with manpower and equipment to keep the skimmer unit from sinking in the river during the quarter.

                        6.         The Salisbury Fire Department provided Fire Police at the annual March of Dimes Walk America at the Moose Lodge.

                        7.         Department personnel provided firework stand-bys at the Shorebird Stadium at various times during the quarter.

                        8.         Department personnel provided fire engine rides for the following during the quarter:

                                    a.         Pemberton School Spring Carnival

                                    b.         Pinehurst School Carnival

                                    c.         West Salisbury School Carnival

                                    d.         Christian Fair

                                    e.         Cystic Fibrosis

                                    f.          Holly Center Annual Spring Festival

                                    g.         Glen Avenue School PTA Spring Carnival

                        9.         Department personnel installed child restraint seats in vehicles for members of the community during the quarter.

            D.        Home Fire Safety Inspections

                        1.         Department personnel have issued/installed thirty five (35) smoke detectors for members of the community during the quarter.

                        2.         Twenty (20) home fire safety inspections were completed and one hundred thirty (130) homes were visited during the quarter.

            E.        Underwater Rescue Team

                        1.         The Underwater Rescue Team has completed a year long reorganization and a new name of “Underwater Rescue Team”. This name is reflected in the reorganization and updated mission profile as an “all-risks operation”.

                        2.         Firefighter/Paramedic David Insley has accepted the position of Acting Dive Master. He will be completing Dive Master Training. He will also be attending an Instructor Development Course that will certify him as a Dive Instructor.

                        3.         There are currently fifteen (15) candidates for the basic open water SCUBA instruction. All candidates will be tested to ensure they can qualify for the SCUBA instruction. When one the SCUBA instruction is completed then those candidates will continue to a course in Public Safety Diving. The goal is to get two (2) Public Safety Divers certified for each shift.

                        4.         Training continues with two (2) sessions per month.

                        5.         There was one (1) water rescue for the quarter.

            F.        Note Worthy Events

                        1.         Personnel in the Salisbury Fire Department have been selected to fill vacancies in the Department left by the resignation of Chief Stephen Brezler in March 2003. David See is serving in the capacity of Acting Fire Chief, Timothy Keenan is serving in the capacity of Acting Deputy Chief and Leslie Thompson as Acting Battalion Chief. They will serve in these capacities until the Mayor and Council fill the position of Fire Chief.

                        2.         EMS Week was celebrated by Salisbury Fire/EMS. This year’s theme was “EMS:When It Matters Most”, emphasized the responsiveness of emergency medical services around the country. Salisbury Fire/EMS hosted the following EMS activities during EMS Week:

                                    a.         EMS Proclamation by Mayor and Salisbury City Council

                                    b.         CPR/AED demo at Wicomico Junior High School

                                    c.         Various ambulance demo’s/talks d. Public Service Announcements on local radio and TV Stations

                                    e.         PRMC ER Staff invited to ride along on Salisbury Paramedic Units

                        3.         Department personnel attended the live broadcast of “Support America’s Troops”, which was held at the Centre of Salisbury and hosted by Froggy 99 FM Radio.

                        4.         Chaplain J. Harvey Dixon performs many services for Wicomico County and the State of Maryland. He provides Pastoral care for our members, Wicomico County and other fire departments in the State of Maryland, assists at accidents and house fire alarms, hospital visitation, funeral and death notifications. He also works with the American Red Cross and the community in helping citizens in emergency situations.

4.         Problems and Corrective Action Taken

None to report at this time.

5.         Statistics

            A.        Fire Division