Feburary 2021

City of Rochester Hills Fire and Emergency Services Monthly Report for February 2021

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 February 2021: 511 (Approximately 35% of these incidents occurred in Senior Congregate Housing / Skilled Nursing Facilities) Total number of mutual aid coverage / requests: 4 - No Rochester Hills Fire Department units were available during these times. Total Incidents Year-to-Date: 1,102 Year-to-Date comparison 2020 to 2021: 1,148 (2020) 1,102 (2021)

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 511 incidents that occurred in February, 243 times (47 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 90 calls for service that resulted in estimated $1,279,510 in damage. On February 6, 2021, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to the 100 block of Saxon Court for a reported residential structure fire. Initial reports by the first arriving company (Engine 1) reported a working fire in the garage of the home, extending into the attic. Additional crews assisted with fireground activities to include laddering the building, R.I.T., and ventilation. Crews from Auburn Hills, City of Troy, Shelby Township, and

the City of Rochester were also on scene. The cause of this fire was investigated by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Fire Investigation Unit and determined to be started by a propane fired torpedo heater. Rochester Hills Engine 1 was the only unit initially available as other Rochester Hills units were handling two (2) other critical incidents.

On February 14, 2021, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to the 1700 block of South Livernois Road for a fire alarm. Rochester Hills Engine 1 arrived on-scene to find heavy fire showing from the roof. The officer of Engine 1 requested a box alarm assignment and began gaining entry to the fenced rear yard. Rochester Hills Battalion 1 and Chief 1 arrived on-scene and requested a 2 Alarm. Rochester nd Hills Engine 2 laid a supply line to Rochester Hills Ladder 3 and Engine 1. Auburn Hills Engine 1 laid a supply line to Rochester Hills Tower Ladder 4. During the height of the fire, several hose streams and the Tower Ladder’s master stream were being utilized. Crews from the City of Auburn Hills, City of Troy, Shelby Township, Waterford Township, Bloomfield Township, Oakland Township, and the City of Rochester assisted. The fire is under investigation by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Fire Investigation Unit. No firefighter or civilian injuries occurred at this incident.

Emergency Medical Services Division Division Head – Captain Tim Matz Statistics Total number of EMS runs: 421. During February, the department responded to 22 incidents that were either determined as potential COVID-19 or the patient was positive with COVID-19. Total number of Cardiac Arrest: Eight (8) Cardiac arrests - ranging in age from 49 to 88. We were able to transport four (4) of these patients for further care. 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

Though it been almost a year, COVID-19 is still on the radar for most healthcare institutions. Our crews have been vigilant in using personal protective equipment as well as thorough cleaning of equipment and ambulances after calls. Hand washing and mask wearing is still very much a priority. With many of the staff getting vaccinated and continued situational awareness of the signs and symptoms that our patients are exhibiting, very few of our providers have become sick. We will continue with these safety practices and research to keep our patients and providers safe. A team of members from the Fire Department and DPS Fleet Maintenance traveled to Florida to inspect our two newest ambulances that will replace the two oldest vehicles. In March, we will be receiving two Marque ambulances to replace two ambulances that are eight and ten years old. The ambulances have many improvements beyond the ambulances purchased in 2015. Some of these additions include a new lighting system in the patient compartment that has a UV light to help eliminate bacteria and viruses while still safe for patients and providers. The patient compartment is better constructed with aluminum instead of just wood to increase safety and wear and tear. These ambulances also have a heater that will allow the patient compartment to stay warm when the ambulance is at Fire Station 1 for training and plugged in. In the past the truck would have to idle which lead to engine problems and increased fuel consumption. This is especially helpful with keeping IV fluid and medication at normal temperature in Michigan winter. We added a new communication tool to be utilized when it is necessary to contact the hospitals. Previously we would call the hospitals via radio or by phone. Many of our protocols are pre-written and EMS providers can do many procedures and treatments pre-contact. Occasionally we need to speak to a Physician for advice or inform them of a specific patient issue so they can prepare. This new program, named e-Bridge, will change how we communicate. The system has a method for us to call in for our very sick or injured patients, again for advice or for preparation such as the cardiac Cath lab getting ready for a heart attack patient. For patients wanting to go to the hospital with minor symptoms (not necessarily a life threat), this program allows us to notify the Emergency Department via a text message while not having to pull a physician away from other patients they may be seeing at the time. Another benefit includes an option for video chat allowing the patient, physician, and provider to see each other and discuss treatment options. The last improvement is an incident photo link. This allows us to photograph a scene (like a car accident) showing the damage to the vehicles and send it to the hospital allowing the Emergency Department and Surgical staffs to see what damage the patient may have endured. This gives them the advantage to start preparation for the patient prior to our arrival to the hospital. Trauma time is the key when it comes to the best chance at survival.

Community Risk Reduction Division Division Head - Assistant Chief Bill Cooke The Community Risk Reduction Division highlights for the month of February 2021 included the following: Fire and Life Safety Inspections: 72 Follow-up Inspections: 37 Plan Reviews: 10 FOIA Requests: 4 Professional Development (Training Hours): 15.50 hours Appearance Citations: 6 Public Education Activities Smoke Detector Program(s)/Installation(s): 19 This month members of the Community Risk Reduction Division (CRR) attended the annual Pipeline Training. This annual training brings different agencies together such as Fire, Police, Contractors, and Department of Public Works. This training allows the various agencies to meet the pipeline companies that have pipelines located within their communities. In addition, round top table exercises were conducted to practice how agencies would react if a pipeline leak or explosion were to occur. The Community Risk Reduction Division installed 19 smoke alarms this past month. So far in this calendar year, 29 Michigan residents have lost their lives in house fires. This is a 3% decrease over the same time period in 2020. Community Risk Reduction asks everyone to have working smoke alarms in your homes and to check them every month. The Community Risk Reduction Division is continuing with fire and life safety inspections throughout the City of Rochester Hills. With some of the COVID-19 restrictions being lifted and business reopening, the division is finally able to inspect more businesses. The CRR Division had a very productive month and conducted 109 inspections. Fire and Life Safety Educator John Lyman is distributing File of Life packet’s to our senior residents or anyone that lives alone. These packets have vital information the fire department needs when we encounter an unconscious patient. Information within the life packet’s request an emergency contact, medications, any known drug allergies, and medical history. The Community Risk Reduction Division encourages anyone who needs a File of Life Packet to call (248) 841-2705 to receive a packet. Training Bureau Division Head - Captain Larry Gambotto During the month of February 2021, members of the Rochester Hills Fire Department received 277 hours of Fire and EMS professional development. Year-to-date, members have completed 643 hours of training. This month’s topics included HIPAA and Bloodborne Pathogens, Building Familiarization and Construction, and Ice Rescue. Fire Training Members completed an online training covering Bloodborne Diseases and HIPAA. Training was delivered via the Fire Rescue 1 Academy training platform. Members also walked through the new Auburn

Pharmaceuticals located behind Fire Station 1. Crews were able to see the inside of the building they have been watching being built for several months now. Special Training Members took advantage of the weather this month and were able to practice ice rescue skills. Crews donned ice rescue suits and made entry into Carter Lake at Spencer Park.