November 2019

City of Rochester Hills Fire and Emergency Services Monthly Report for November 2019

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 2019: 554 (Approximately 28% of these incidents occurred in Senior Congregate Housing / Skilled Nursing Facilities) Total number of mutual aid coverage / requests: 1 - No Rochester Hills Fire Department units were available during these times. Total Incidents Year-to-Date: 6,855 Year-to-Date comparison 2018 to 2019: 6,574 (2018) 6,855 (2019)

Operations Bureau Deputy Chief - Todd Gary Shift Commanders - Bat. Chief Tim Quaine, Bat. Chief Rogers Claussen, Bat. Chief Jerry Yurgo Fire Suppression Division 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 549 incidents that occurred in November, 250 times (45 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. The growing number of incidents continues to cause our concurrent incident totals to rise once again. 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 97 calls for service. The Department responded to two (2) incidents that resulted in $32,150.00 in damages. On November 10, 2019, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to 10 Timberview Drive for a residential structure fire in a multiple family dwelling. Prior to the arrival of the fire department, an Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy reported a fire in one of the apartments. Rochester Hills Fire Department Engine 2 was the first unit to arrive and found a small fire in the living room. Crews quickly contained the fire to the area of origin and performed ventilation and overhaul. It was determined the cause of the fire was an unattended candle. No firefighter or civilian injuries occurred. Keep candles at least 1 foot (30 centimetres) away from anything that can burn.

On November 28, 2019, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to 2536 Melvin Avenue for a reported residential structure fire. Rochester Hills Battalion 1, Ladder 3 and Engine 2 arrived simultaneously and found a working fire in the attic of the home. Rochester Hills Engine 2 and Rescue 1 performed fire suppression activities, while Ladder 3 vertically ventilated the building. Rochester Hills Alpha 25 established Level 1 RIT (Firefighter Rescue Crew) and upon the arrival of Rochester City Rescue 1 stood-by as the Medic Crew. The fire was contained to the attic area of the home with minor smoke and water damage elsewhere. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Fire Investigator was requested to the scene. According to the homeowner, an electrical circuit breaker tripped earlier in the evening, in which the homeowner kept trying to reset it. No firefighter or civilian injuries occurred at this incident. Circuit breakers are essential for the safety of every home. The increasing number of electronic and electrical appliances puts especially high demands on the wiring found in older homes, and makes circuit breakers even more critical. When home wiring circuits are overloaded the wiring heats up, insulation can become damaged, and the potential for fires increases. Incorrect use of extension cords can add to the problem. In some cases, circuit breakers are all that stands between an overloaded circuit and a house that catches fire. When power problems begin to pop up, some homeowners try to correct the situation without professional advice. Because circuit breakers are so critical to maintaining the safety of your home, DO NOT try to fix it by yourself, please hire a Licensed Electrician.

Emergency Medical Services Division Division Head - Captain Tim Matz Total number of EMS run reports filed: 452 Total number of Cardiac Arrests: 6 - The age range of these patients was 41 to 101. Three (3) of these patients were transported for further care at a local hospital. Total number of Narcan Administrations: Three (3) for this month The EMS division was able to participate in two unique opportunities this month that helped the department. First, along with the Community Risk Reduction Division, went to the Novi Showcase to help with a career fair put on for several thousand high school students who were able to check on multiple career choices, including firefighting. Many students stopped by the booth and asked questions related to the Firefighter position and the educational requirements, as well as having the opportunity to perform several tasks that firefighters perform like donning turnout gear, crawl in a confined space, tie knots, use a mechanical advantage on a tripod, and use a thermal imaging camera. The second was to participate in interviews for the new hire Firefighters for the SAFER grant. As part of the interview process, all candidates must take a three part medical assessment. Due to the fact that 70% of the incidents the Rochester Hills Fire Department responds to are Emergency Medical incidents, it is very important to hire personnel with a background and skill set in EMS care. The candidate is put through three

scenarios: a Medical, Cardiac, and Trauma. The candidate is scored and those with a score above 70% are qualified to move on in the hiring process. Training for the month was Hazardous Material Medical Emergencies. The course was taught by one of our Hazardous Material Technicians Firefighter/Paramedic Rich Welch, who covered some of the medical concerns that could arise from exposure to chemicals. This training prepares the members for the annual Hazardous Material Training, which also incorporates an EMS component. Finally, the EMS Division was also a part of the Light-up the Village Festival at the Village of Rochester Hills. The department had resources available for the event in case of medical emergencies or a worst-case scenario like a mass causality event. The department had several EMS units on standby and multiple staff members present for the safety of all the guests at the Village. The event ran very smoothly and no medical emergencies occurred. Community Risk Reduction Division Division Head - Assistant Chief Bill Cooke The Community Risk Reduction Division highlights for the month of November 2019 included the following: Fire Safety Inspections: 17 Follow-up Inspections: 70 Plan Reviews: 6 FOIA Requests: 3 Professional Development (Training Hours): 30 hours Infant Car Seat Installation and Checks: 6 Subpoenas: 2 Public Education Activities Day Care Programs: 1 presentation totaling 18 individuals Senior Program: 1 presentation totaling 25 individuals School Programs: 4 presentations totaling 384 individuals Camps and Scouts: 5 presentations totaling 108 individuals During the month of November, Community Risk Reduction members began this year’s fire and life safety inspections in our site-specific locations. These facilities have been identified as high hazard facilities based on the amount of hazardous chemicals the location uses or produces. The State of Michigan Bureau of Fire Services, Fire Marshal Bulletin 9 requires our staff to produce a plan indicating pertinent information related to the facility, which is available for our staff to in an emergency situation. There are currently 33 site-specific locations located in all geographical areas of our community. Also during the month of November, Community Risk Reduction members teamed up for the annual tree lighting event at the Village of Rochester Hills. This event has many activities that go throughout the evening, from on stage performances of Christmas songs, bounce houses, food trucks, fireworks from the rooftops and the arrival of Santa Clause. All of these items require permits, inspections and approvals which take place behind the scenes prior to the crowd’s arrival. During the event, members of the department are assigned to providing Fire and EMS protection to the spectators. This event has become an annual tradition

for the City of Rochester Hills and brings in over 5,000 spectators throughout the area. It takes a team to pull off the event, consisting of partners from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, the Rochester Hills Building Department, as well as assistance from the Mayor’s office and The Village of Rochester Hills staff. Our division thanks you all for assisting in providing a safe environment for all visitors to enjoy. Finally, during the month of November, Fire and Life Safety Educator John Lyman represented our department at many different neighborhood and school programs, with Boy Scouts and with future firefighters at career day events. These events allowed John to interact with an estimated 1,500 members of our community in helping to spread the word of fire and life safety. John was also able to represent our organization in Valparaiso, Indiana at the NFPA Great Lakes Fire Safety Summit. At this meeting, the State of Michigan Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer recognized the Rochester Hills Fire Department as an organization who successfully completed a data collection and smoke alarm installation campaign in our state for calendar year 2019. As of this date, 561 smoke alarms and 149 carbon monoxide alarms have been installed in residential occupancies all throughout the City of Rochester Hills. These efforts would not have been such of a success this year without all members of the Community Risk Reduction Division’s staff dedication for fire a life safety. Congratulations and hats off to all members! Training Bureau Division Head - Captain Larry Gambotto During the month of November 2019, members of the Rochester Hills Fire Department received over 450 hours of Fire and EMS professional development. Year-to-date, members have completed over 6,992 hours of training. This month’s training topics included Hazmat Medical and Operations review, Battalion Trainings and select members attended the Midwest Area Fire Academy. Fire/EMS Training For November’s fire training, members, lead by Firefighter Rich Welch, reviewed Emergency Medical Protocols for suspected HAZMAT and CBRNE (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive) incidents. They practiced basic size up of hazardous material incidents and initial on scene operations. By necessity, hazardous materials or hazmat response has become another critical incident category for the fire service. Like other fire department disciplines, a hazmat crisis requires a measured, deliberate and intensive approach. Unlike other fire department calls, however, a hazmat incident is a low frequency, high consequence situation. Successful resolution of a hazmat incident involves the right equipment – and the education and training to use it effectively. Midwest Area Fire Academy Four (4) Station No. 3 members traveled to Rockford, Illinois to attend the Midwest Area Fire Academy on November 8 - 11. Firefighter/Paramedic Loren Mitchell attended the 22 hour Nozzle Forward Class which was hosted on November 9 - 10. Nozzle Forward is the ongoing development of an in-depth study of all things engine. It is not a “what if” class, it is a program designed to engrain the nozzle team to make the right choice and be able to accomplish whatever task is necessary for a successful interior attack. It is not theory; it is proven on fire-grounds around the country. Adapted from a variety of sources, but reconstructed to be based around simple principles that maximize mechanical advantage. The class answers the “whys,” not just

the “what’s,” and quickly creates a system that can be adapted to fit any engine company from the urban to the rural. The goal of the “The Nozzle Forward” is to help craft more efficient Engine Companies by increasing the individuals’ competency with their tools and expanding on the conceptual aspects of the fire environment. The course integrates the three major components of engine company work; fire behavior, hose management, and fire attack. On November 9 Lieutenant/Paramedic Justin Boks, Lieutenant/Paramedic Rich Markovitch and Firefighter/Paramedic Philip Thomas attended The First Due Truck Company. The First Due Truck Company was instructed by Mike Torres and his cadre of instructors from Take the Door Training. The class focused on ground ladders, search/rescue, ventilation and forcible entry. Lieutenant/Paramedic Justin Boks, Lieutenant/Paramedic Rich Markovitch and Firefighter/Paramedic Philip Thomas attended Flowing for the Win on November 10. Flowing for the Win was instructed by Capt. Chris Sleigher of the Mesa Fire Dept, Justin Mann and the Elkhart Brass team, made up of Jerry Herbst and Andy Plofkin. This class informed the members on Engine Company Operations, flows, nozzles and master streams. In the afternoon participants worked on utilizing 2.5 inch hose line deployment and applications for fire attack. In all 96 hours of training were completed by these four members in two days of Hands on Training. Each member will be passing along the information learned to their respective shifts over the course of the next few weeks.

Battalion Training The Battalion Chiefs covered different topics for each of their shifts, including reviewing instruction received and Midwest Area Fire Academy and Low Angle Rescues with Rochester Fire Department members. Administration Bureau Each night in December, volunteers from around Metro Detroit gather in front of the Pediatric Unit of William Beaumont hospital. Volunteers bring flashlights, glow sticks, wear glow necklaces and glow hats to light up the night in a rainbow of color. At exactly 8:00 pm for 10 minutes, the crowd then falls in to Christmas Carols while shining the lights at the window of the patient’s rooms. Each patient in the pediatric unit has their own flash light and shines it down to the crowd below. This year the Rochester Hills Fire Department participated in the event.

Finally at the November 18th City Council meeting, Fire Department Administration asked City Council to approve the purchase of two (2) Pierce Enforcer Engines. These engines will be set-up identical to the current Engine 2. One of the biggest benefits to these units is the ability to carry a full array of Advanced Life Support equipment and will be licensed through the State of Michigan Division of Health and Human Services. These new engines should arrive August/September of 2020.