TOWN OF VERNON
VOLUNTEER
FIRE DEPARTMENT
The mission of the Town of Vernon Fire Department
Is to provide fire protection, emergency medical assistance, rescues,
And to mitigate other dangerous conditions created by man or nature and
To protect the lives and well being of people living, working or visiting
The Town of Vernon
ANNUAL REPORT
2006
P.O. Box 54
Vernon, CT. 06066
The Town of Vernon Fire Department is a volunteer service agency that provides Fire, Rescue, Hazardous Materials and Basic Life Support Transport Emergency Medical Services to the community of Vernon, Connecticut. The department provides these services utilizing six stations and approximately 80 members. The department operates 7 engines; 2 heavy rescues; 2 aerial trucks; 1 air unit and 3 ambulances. We also have been donated one service truck and decontamination unit by the State of Connecticut. In 2006, the fire department’s budget was approximately $850,000, in which approximately $450,000 goes directly to Connecticut Water Company for the use and maintenance of all fire hydrants in the community. This only leaves approximately $400,000 to run the fire department.
Station 141, Vernon Center Station 241, Dobsonville
Hartford Turnpike Birch Road
Station 341, Talcottville Station 441, Nye Street
Hartford Turnpike
Station 541, Prospect Street Public Safety Building, 280 West Road
Within the fire department, the Office of Emergency Management and the Fire Marshal manage their offices under the direction of the Fire Chief. The Office of Emergency Management has its office at 280 West Road. The Fire Marshal’s office is located at 55 West Main Street.
Under the Charter of the Town of Vernon, the Fire Chief is appointed to the position by the town council. The Fire Chief has established the positions of two Assistant Fire Chief’s to manage the Training and Administration of the department, respectively. There is a Deputy Fire Chief who oversees the Heath and Safety of the members of the department.
Current Chief’s of the Town of Vernon Fire Department are:
Chief Robert E. Kelley
1st Assistant Chief William Call, Training
2nd Assistant Chief Timothy F. Morrissey, Administration
Deputy Fire Chief Christopher Hammick, Health and Safety
Each fire company is lead by a Captain with up to two Lieutenants to assist in the company management and training. The Captain has direct supervision of the members assigned to them and they also may have command responsibility at emergency incidents.
Current Captain’s are:
David Goric Engine Tank 141
Thomas McKinney Tower 141
Stanley Landry Rescue 141 and Rescue 441
William Kerr Engine Tank 241
Steven Scanlon Engine Tank 341
William Harris Engine Tank 441
Brian Johnston Engine 441
David Maguda Truck 541
David Galley Engine Tank 541
Clyde Gill Fire Police
Current Office of Emergency Management Staff:
Michael Purcaro, Director
Michael Bova, Assistant Director
William Graugard, Assistant Director
Office of the Fire Marshal:
David Roth, Deputy Fire Chief
Daniel Greenwood, Captain
Kevin Cooney, Assistant
The Vernon Ambulance is a division of the fire department. They are charged with providing Basic Life Support transport service for the community. Service is provided 24 hours a-day/7 days’ a-week. The service utilizes two state-certified ambulances that are available at the Public Safety Building on West Road. A third state-certified ambulance is available as a back-up at Station 141 on Hartford Turnpike. In 2006, the ambulance division’s budget was approximately $741,000. Income generated from billing for services was expected to be approximately $800,000 for the same period.
The Town of Vernon Fire Department is fortunate to have had a total renovation of the Public Safety Building in 2005. This renovation has allowed the department to consolidate all its administrative offices into one building. This building also houses sleeping and kitchen facilities for the on-duty ambulance crews. A training room and Emergency Operations Center was also provided for in this building. It has given the department two more garages for the storage of the ambulances.
The ambulance has been the busiest entity of the department. It is supervised on a part-time basis by Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Jean Gauthier. EMT Clint Marth was hired in 2006 to work as her part-time assistant. Together they manage the everyday scheduling and administrative functions of the service. During the business week, the ambulance is staffed full-time from 6 am – 6 pm. On most days, a second ambulance is staffed from 8am until 3 pm. These crews are paid hourly (non-benefited) for their time. Nights and weekends are covered with at least one ambulance fully staffed and crews are also paid an hourly (non-benefited) wage for their time. There are no full-time employees and only the two supervisors are considered part-time town employees.
In 2006, the Vernon Ambulance handled 2718 requests for service. This number is up from 2031 requests in 2005 (7.5% increase). In total, the department handled 3285 requests for service in 2006. This was up from 2828 in 2005 (8.6% increase). In 2006, 83% of our calls for service were EMS (Emergency Medical Services) related. This grew from 72% in 2005!
Total fires in 2006: 96
Hazardous Conditions: 97
Service Calls: 89
Good Intent Calls: 94 (Nothing found)
False Alarms: 177
Weather Emergencies: 5
.
West Road and South Street (November, 2006)
TRAINING:
The past year of training activities included many Commission on Fire Prevention and Control instructors administering in-house classes, thanks to the
Limited Highway Access (LAH) funding that we were very fortunate to receive from the State of Connecticut. During FY 2006, there had been a payment deposited at the Connecticut Fire Academy for our use totaling close to $11,000! In 2006 we paid for a junior firefighter weekend that 12 juniors and 4 adults enjoyed. The cost for that weekend was $3300. Throughout the rest of the year we purchased training aids from the bookstore, and paid for other classes that are outlined below. This year, due to the curriculum change from the American Heart Association, we had to purchase $3,245.00 worth of materials from the academy book store. This purchase included the healthcare provider books for the student, and instructor packages for the CPR instructors.
In addition, $2600 has been encumbered from the funds to pay for an Emergency Medical Technician Refresher (EMT-R), and Medical Responder Technician Refresher (MRT-R) classes starting the last weekend in February. For the first time,
we are contracting out to the academy to provide in-house EMS classes.
In addition to the LAH finding, we were fortunate to receive projectors,
screens, and laptop computers. This was through the Office of Emergency Management, and the equipment has been added to the inventory at the Public Safety Building. The older training laptop and projector has been relocated to Station 341 for use by the basic training team.
Academy classes taught in town during 2006 include;
-Basic building construction
-Fire Apparatus Driver Training program (2Q)
-Chimney fires
-Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Maze trailer
-National Incident Management System
-Confined Space Awareness
-Environmental Protection Agency 40 hour technician refresher (8 attendees)
In addition, the Department instructors were kept very busy administering mandated courses throughout the year. Highlights of that training include:
-Bloodborne/Airborne Pathogens
-EMT-R and MRT class (new)
-Haz-Mat operational recertification
-Recruit firefighter training
-Live fire training
-Company Training
-Junior training
Other statistics to note:
-19 members became apparatus operators.
-8 members achieved their EMT
-6 members achieved MRT
-19 members took the recruit introduction, 16 will complete the program
this year as Firefighters
-There were 363 total classes in 2006
-5970 man-hours were devoted to training classes.
Training goals for 2007 include:
-Expanding software training to include State Office of Emergency Medical Services mandated Patient Care Forms (PCRs)
-Set-up and expand the department training program
-Continue to provide EMS trained people to assist with ambulance duties
-Train the membership on the decontamination trailer.
-Train the membership on the new rescue boat.
Woodmere Condominiums, February 2006
ADMINISTRATIVE:
The administrative office of the department was steady in 2006. It has been the goal of the 2nd Assistant Chief to be accessible to the membership on a regular basis. To that extent he was in his office on most mornings (Monday thru Friday) when he was not at his regular job. Some daily activities would be the issuing of blue light permits, new membership applications, and reconciling the Firehouse Software daily log of incidents.
The 2nd Assistant Fire Chief’s door has always been open and many different members have taken the time to come in a talk. This regular schedule has been very beneficial to allowing people the freedom to know that they can talk with a member of the Executive Board at the convenience of the department member. It should be noted that many of the discussions are often non-department issue related! Some of these discussions have also resulted in members taking on new projects for the department.
Membership activity has been steady throughout the year. Unfortunately, police background checks are still taking up to 2-3 months to complete. To try to lessen the loss of potential members due to this long wait, the department has allowed applicants to come to the firehouse on Monday nights to observe activities until their membership is approved. Supervisor Jean Gauthier has now taken over all ambulance applications and this has freed up some of the Assistant Chief’s time!
The 2nd Assistant Fire Chief took two classes at American International College for his Master’s in Public Administration program in 2006. He is now one-third of the way towards his degree. He has also been accepted into the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer Program for the next four years. Besides these programs, he completed the mandatory NIMS classes ICS-300 and 400. These two programs took a combined five days to complete! He also attended a seminar on improving ISO ratings for communities at the state fire academy.
After two years of work, the update of the department Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG’s) were completed and distributed to the membership. This was a very time-consuming process since the previous edition was written in a format that could not be modified. This required a complete rewrite as well as the update! In the form that they are in now will allow for constant updates to be furnished to the companies without having to rewrite the entire book each time! This will be much more efficient. Currently, the ambulance SOG’s are in their final stages and should be released in February 2007.
In cooperation with Fire Marshal Dave Roth and his office, the department acquired the Hazard House fire prevention kit with government grants. This tool allowed the department to undertake its greatest fire prevention program ever! During the fall of 2006, members of the department provided programs to over 1200 children in grades pre-K to 3rd grade throughout Vernon! The feedback from the teachers and children was overwhelming! Because this program is interactive and adaptable to age, the children were easily kept attentive to the message of fire safety!
A quick breakdown of the Assistant Chief’s time spent on department activities is:
1. Community Events 4 programs 18 hours
2. Fire Prevention 11 programs 30 hours
3. Town Council Meeting 3 meetings 9 hours
4. Public Education 3 programs 6 hours
5. Administrative Meeting 10 meetings 17 hours
6. Administrative Time 349 hours
7. Medical Calls 15 incidents 10 hours
8. Fire Calls 129 incidents 75 hours
Total hours for 2006 on department activities: 582 hours or 11+ hours per week.
The goals for 2007 are to continue to find ways to bring the message of fire safety to the public through community programs. By going out into the public, we can get out our message that we are a volunteer fire department who is dependant on the support of the community to survive! This can help in our desire to have a steady recruitment of new members.
I also would like to see an improvement in our retention program for current members. Hopefully in 2007 we will be able to craft a program that will help retain our most prized asset, our experienced members, for many years to come!
FIRE MARSHAL: (www.munic.state.ct.us/VERNON/FMO.html)
HIGHLIGHTS – 2006 – VERNON FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE
Deputy Fire Marshal Greenwood was appointed to the Fire Marshal’s Office (FMO) in Dec. 2005.
Fire Marshal Roth was appointed to the Property Maintenance Code Enforcement and Procedure Committee for the Town of Vernon. The committee is reviewing the Town Ordinances relative to property maintenance issues and will recommend the adoption of a new property maintenance code.
A new (used) F.M.O. vehicle was purchased.
A new Connecticut Fire Safety Code was adopted utilizing the 2003 International Fire Code for new construction; the 2003 Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) for existing buildings; and the 2003 NFPA 1 (portions) for miscellaneous issues.
New State Public Acts in effect were adopted as follows:
-Requirement for automatic sprinklers in new educational occupancies funded with state reimbursement monies.
-Requirement for automatic sprinklers in new & existing nursing homes.
-Requirement for Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors in new residential occupancies.
-An Act Concerning Identification of Landlords (enabling legislation).
The Vernon FMO investigated fifteen (15) fires in 2006.
Training Highlights:
-DFM Greenwood attended an Advanced Fire Investigation school held at the CT Fire Academy.
-FM Roth attended the annual New England Assoc. of Fire Marshal’s seminar held at the New Hampshire Fire Academy.
-FM Roth attended the Insurance Services Organization (I.S.O.) workshop held at the CT. Fire Academy.
-DFM Greenwood attended the International Assoc. of Fire Investigators seminar held in Cromwell.
-FM Roth attended the New England Association of Fire Marshal’s (NEAFM/Trade Region 1) seminar held at Auburn, MA.
Public Education Highlights:
-Vernon had a county winner in the annual statewide Fire Prevention Poster Contest (won $200 savings bond).
-Hazard House was purchased using Fire Act Grant monies with the assistance of Mike Purcaro and the Vernon Office of Emergency Management.
-The FMO participated in October’s Safety Day activities demonstrating Hazard House; providing informational literature; and procuring resources from the Office of State Fire Marshal (Fire Investigation Van and accelerant detection canine); the CFA (robotic Flashy the FireDog); and the Capitol Region Fire Marshal’s Assoc. (display booth).
-The FMO participated in pub ed programs utilizing Hazard House which included visits to all the elementary schools (up to grade 2), some day care and pre-K facilities.
-With Asst. Chief Morrissey provided media release for Hazard House in the Reminder.
-Participated in new recruit training (FMO overview) held at Co. # 3.
-Conducted an emergency egress drill during Sunday services at Vernon Congregational Church.
-Provided senior public education programs at Trinity Lutheran, Vernon Congregational Church, and Florence Mills.
-Provided fire prevention information utilizing FMO website and links.
Informational Technology Highlights:
-FMO website up and running (some areas still under construction).
-FIREHOUSE software users group (statewide) formed (w/ FMO participation).
-FMO is now connected to Assessor’s Office Records (using ProVal).
-FMO acquired a new Fax machine and number.
-FMO is now connected to I.S.O website.
Future/ Upcoming:
-The Town of Vernon has created two new positions: 1. Global Information Services person 2. Property Maintenance/Zoning Inspector.
-A CT Fire Safety Code module will soon be available for use with FIREHOUSE software in the near future.
-Hazard House is scheduled to be presented/ displayed at the following upcoming activities:
1. Vernon Jr. Women’s Club Safety Forum to be held at the Senior Center on March 7, 2007; from 6:00PM until 8:00PM.
2. CT statewide Fire Prevention Poster Contest Dinner being held in Cromwell (spring 2007).
3. Day in the Park held at Henry Park on June 9, 2007.
SAFETY OFFICERS ANNUAL REPORT
2006 was another busy year for safety. Continuing education, station activity, monitoring of existing programs and new responsibilities in the area of EMS and data management have been considerable tasks. The Deputy Chief performed 424.29 hours of continuing station activities and program tasks. In 2006 continuing education consisted of 278 hours of training.
Safety is now NIMS compliant to the IS-400 level. Programs consisting of IS-100, 200, 700,800, 801,300 and 400 were completed in 2006. Additionally, the Deputy Chief attended advanced management classes offered at the National Fire Academy in Emittsburg, MD for a week and also at the Connecticut Fire Academy. He also attended OHD fit testing training and certification programs held locally. Vernon continues in the forefront of fit testing compliance with it locally owned quantitative fit testing devices (2 OHD-3000) in compliance with high-end Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommendations.
The Safety Department has also developed a new accident scene Standard Operating Guideline (SOG) this year as well as streamlined the department’s periodic medical fitness examinations procedures. Members may still use their personal physicians, at their expense, but with more mandated testing requirements to document standardized minimum requirements. The Safety Department has also developed the four levels of membership fitness to better protect the organization and town and to seek medically qualified persons to the department.
Safety recorded and monitored 16 injury reports in the year 2006. 37 days of lost time were recorded and most injuries were minor and reports were for only records. No members were lost permanently to injury status received in the line of duty.
Traffic accidents in 2006 involving apparatus or members operating personal vehicles in the performance of their duties remained very good in 2006. Existing training programs and peer supervision have held accidents to low levels. No serious accidents were reported in 2006.
Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) monitors of repairs and fit testing continues to be a formidable task. The loss of Lt. George Males to retirement in 2007 will cause more work to be dedicated to these areas. New inexperienced personnel have expressed interest in joining the team but the loss of Lt. Males will be considerable. Lt. Males developed one of the most comprehensive and aggressive service programs known in the state of Connecticut. Our own dedicated SCBA shop for a volunteer department is admirable. Much of 2007 will be dedicated to getting the SCBA shop back into working order with training to those new members volunteering to help. We will strive to continue his good work and further our dedication to this end.
The Town of Vernon Fire Department took delivery late in 2006 of our federal decontamination trailer and hauler. Safety continues to monitor its use and service to best fit into the mission of the department. Volunteers from within the department have moved to fill a void of necessity in maintaining this device and its mission.
The fire department also put into service its two federal grant supplied All Terrain Vehicles (ATV) rescue and fire fighting vehicles. Both of these vehicles are used for off-road, hard-to-reach rescue and brush fire situations. Safety and operational guidelines had to be formulated to prevent injury and provide effective service.
New gas metering devices were added to the department in 2006 and with the existing devices we now have gas monitors equipment on every front line piece. Repairs and minor service needs have not been a financial burden. Operation of the devices in the basic mode has been good. Operation in the advanced modes could use more specific training goals.
Program assessment of the accountability system purchased in 2003 with federal fire service grant money continues. Although initially designed and sold as user friendly and easy to learn, this has been locally problematic. A high maintenance time and dedication issue causes the Deputy Chief to be pessimistic about recommending it to other departments. Current and future overhead costs are formidable. Safety continues to monitor its use and future streamlining of its options is being considered to lessen cognitive learning requirements.
Additional EMS duties consumed much of the Deputy Chief’s time this year. Early in 2006 EMS staffing and volume needs required a lot of study time, research and report writing. The end of 2006 saw Safety being tasked with writing reports which also requires associated research to be performed in the area of EMS. Local government officials require and are demanding more comprehensive reports as the needs and stresses of EMS staffing and call volume continue.
It is anticipated that budget recommendations for dramatic EMS day staffing changes will be problematic in the months ahead. The current EMS situation is precarious. Staff shortages and increased call volume have caused incidents to require longer response times and some have been referred to mutual aid departments or commercial service for transport.
OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGMENT
(www.vernonprepared.com)