Nov 2020

City of Rochester Hills Fire and Emergency Services Monthly Report for November 2020

To: The Honorable Mayor Bryan Barnett and the esteemed members of the Rochester Hills City Council From: Sean M. Canto - Chief of Fire and Emergency Services Ladies and Gentlemen: The primary purpose of this report is to keep the officials of the City of Rochester Hills informed as to the activities and programs of the Rochester Hills Fire and Emergency Services Department. As a second purpose, this report will be shared with the Officers and all fire personnel in the organization to illustrate how their day-to-day activities benefit the citizens and the community of Rochester Hills. Call Data: Total Incidents November 2020: 685 (Approximately 34.5% of these incidents occurred in Senior Congregate Housing / Skilled Nursing Facilities) Total number of mutual aid coverage / requests: 5 - No Rochester Hills Fire Department units were available during these times. Total Incidents Year-to-Date: 6,268 Year-to-Date comparison 2019 to 2020: 6,876 (2019) 6,268 (2020)

Operations Bureau Deputy Chief - Todd Gary Shift Commanders - Bat. Chief Jason Murray, Bat. Chief Rogers Claussen, Bat. Chief Jerry Yurgo The Operations Division has begun to track on a more accurate basis the number of “Concurrent Incidents” that are happening. This graph details that out of the 685 incidents that occurred in November, 383 times (55 percent) additional incidents were taking place at the same time. As this happens the department’s resources are stretched thin, if not depleted. The department will continue to monitor this information closely. We pay close attention to these totals to ensure we can respond to simultaneous emergencies quickly enough and with enough personnel. Call concurrency examines the frequency of multiple calls occurring during the same time that units are still committed to a previous call. This situation affects the ability of the organization to commit additional resources to respond to additional calls as they occur. Members responded to 139 calls for service that resulted in estimated $2,360,000 in damage. On November 1, 2020, the Rochester Hills Fire Department Ladder 5 was dispatched to the 800 block of Stoney Creek Road in Oakland Township to assist on a reported residential structure fire. Initial reports by the first arriving company reported a working fire in a one story single-family vacant dwelling. Crews quickly extinguished the fire limiting damage to the fire building.

On November 9, 2020, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to assist the Auburn Hills Fire Department with a residential house explosion with fire and injuries in the 2700 block of Shimmons Road. Rochester Hills Battalion 1, Engine 1, Ladder 3 and Alpha 24 responded as part of the assignment. Upon arrival, units reported a working fire in a single-family structure and one (1) male occupant with severe burns. Rochester Hills Ladder 3 assisted with fire suppression activities, while Engine 1 and Alpha 24 began patient care. Due to the extent of the patient’s injuries, it was decided to request Air-Medical to transport the patient to Detroit Receiving Burn Center. Alpha 24’s crew responded to Ascension Providence Hospital-Rochester so that the airway of the patient could be secured and the Air-Medical Unit could land at the helipad.

On November 15, 2020, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to the 1500 block of Colony Drive for a residential structure fire. Rochester Hills Engine 1 and Battalion 1 were the first units to arrive and found one (1) structure heavily involved in fire, with fire extending to a second structure. Due to everyone being reported out of the structures, Engine 1 and Ladder 3 began a defensive attack and protecting the other nearby properties. Due to weather conditions with high winds, the fire burned extremely fast extending to the nearby property, however crews limited the damage to mostly the exterior of the building. The outcome of this incident could have been different. The home did have working smoke detectors, which woke the homeowner, who went to investigate. Approximately eight (8) individuals were in the home and able to safely escape. No firefighter or civilian injuries occurred. The fire is under investigation by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Fire Investigation Unit. On November 26, 2020, Rochester Hills Fire Department Engine 1 was dispatched to 1101 West University for a reported fire alarm. Upon arrival Engine 1’s crew made their way to the rear of the complex where they nd were met by a Security Officer who reported a fire on the 2 Floor. Engine 1 requested a box alarm assignment and went to investigate. Upon entering the building, crews encountered a medium smoke condition and noted the sprinkler system activated. Due to the unknown extent the fire, Rochester Hills Battalion 1 requested a 2 Alarm assignment to respond. Engine 1’s crew located a fire in the Occupational nd Medicine Clinic and with the assistance of Ladder 3 and Tower Ladder 4, stretched a hoseline from the standpipe and began extinguishment. The fire was quickly extinguished and fire damage limited to the office area, however smoke and water damage was throughout the immediate area. No firefighter or civilian injuries occurred. The fire is under the investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Fire Investigation Unit. News Article: https://www.theoaklandpress.com/news/fire-at-ascension-hospital-in-rochester-hills-leads-to- extensive-damage/article_11161798-3002-11eb-8727- 07a9b7ba5eb8.html#:~:text=No%20one%20was%20hurt%20in%20a%20Thursday%20morning,of%20the %20hospital%2C%20which%20was%20formerly%20called%20Crittenton.

Emergency Medical Services Division Division Head – Acting Captain Nick Birchmeier Statistics Total number of EMS runs: 546. This month we have seen an increase in calls (we believe) due to the COVID pandemic. In reviewing historical data, November 2020 may possibly be the busiest month in department history. During November, the department responded to 111 incidents that were either determined as potential COVID-19 or the patient was positive with COVID-19. The department is beginning to see an increase of COVID-19 related incidents, with the YTD total of 516. Total number of Cardiac Arrest: Four (4). Patients ranged in age from 66 to 72 years old. For information related to Coronavirus statistics for the State of Michigan, please go to: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98163_98173---,00.html

This month, the members of the Rochester Hills Fire Department recertified in Basic and Advanced Cardiac Life Support Skills. In addition to our regular training, we are required to recertify these skills every two (2) years with the American Heart Association. Our members use these skills daily when responding to calls of cardiac arrest, chest pains, and strokes.

Community Risk Reduction Division Division Head - Assistant Chief Bill Cooke The Community Risk Reduction Division highlights for the month of November 2020 included the following: Fire Safety Inspections: 28 Follow-up Inspections: 54 Plan Reviews: 8 FOIA Requests: 7 Professional Development (Training Hours): 116 hours Burn Permits: 2 Public Education Activities Smoke Detector Program(s)/Installation(s): 11 During the month of November, Lieutenant/Inspector Wally Murphy and Lieutenant/Inspector Josh Boyce enrolled and completed the Fire Plans Examiner training, based on NFPA 1031, the Standard for Professional Qualifications for Fire Inspector and Plan Examiner. This class prepares our Inspectors to utilize the most common fire code requirements found during the fire plan review process. Now that this is complete, Lieutenant/Inspector Murphy and Lieutenant/Inspector Boyce will be tested on their knowledge and will begin conducting site and special event plan review within the Division. Congratulations to both Lieutenant/Inspector Murphy and Lieutenant/Inspector Boyce for their commitment this year in personal development. Fire and Life Safety Education continues to be a priority in the Community Risk Reduction Division even though in-person educational opportunities were postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Fire and Life Safety Educator John Lyman continues to educate the public with important social media posts and with keeping our residents safe with smoke detector installations. Last month, John reminded our residents of safe cooking operations during the holidays as well as our recreational fire guidelines. John also visited 11 residential occupancies, installing 54 smoke alarms and 9 carbon monoxide alarms as he continues to promote the importance of working alarms in your home. Thank you to Bader Leather in Rochester Hills for assisting with a donation of 12 smoke alarms. We appreciate your commitment to fire and life safety as well! Also during the month of November, Fire and Life Safety Educator John Lyman was awarded the 2020 First Responders Pinnacle Award! John is driven to promote fire and life safety education throughout our communities schools, senior living complexes, businesses and residences to name a few. John works compassionately after fire losses to help our residents during their time worst times and always finds time to help our residents with many other needs with a smile on his face. John is a great example of the fire service and we are proud to have him as a member of our organization. Congratulations John on an award well deserved!

Training Bureau Division Head - Captain Larry Gambotto During the month of November 2020, members of the Rochester Hills Fire Department received over 255 hours of Fire and EMS professional development. Year-to-date, members have completed over 11,182 hours of training. This month’s topics included Bailouts and First Responder Mental Wellness. In-person training was limited due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though crews still continue to train in the out-stations. Fire Training The November fire training was Bailouts. Members practice annually with the Scott SCBA EZ Scape Pro System. The 3M SCOTT EZ-Scape Pro Fire Fighter Self-Rescue Accessory is approved to NFPA 1983, 2017 Edition – Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for Emergency Services. This fire resistant waist belt and optional escape rope is for use in a variety of situations on fire ground, including self-rescue and as an attachment point. Hands-on training experience is required before use of this equipment in an emergency situation. Training must be conducted by SCOTT authorized training personnel. Proper inspection and maintenance of this equipment are critical to its performance. Special Training Susan Styf, Chief Operating Officer of CARE of Southeast Michigan, spoke to members regarding the City’s Employee Assistance Program, resources available to first responders, and first responder mental wellness.