April 2020

City of Rochester Hills Fire and Emergency Services Monthly Report for April 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 April 2020: 587 (Approximately 35% of these incidents occurred in Senior Congregate Housing / Skilled Nursing Facilities) Total number of mutual aid coverage / requests: 2- No Rochester Hills Fire Department units were available during these times. Total Incidents Year-to-Date: 2,320 Year-to-Date comparison 2019 to 2020: 2,519 (2019) 2,320 (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 587 incidents that occurred in April, 281 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. 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 103 calls for service. On April 5, 2020, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to the 2100 block of Collins Avenue in Shelby Township for a reported residential structure fire. Rochester Hills Engine 2 and Battalion 1 responded on the initial alarm as Shelby Township Fire Department was already at a residential structure fire in another part of their city. Rochester Hills Engine 2 assisted with fire attack and overhaul operations. No firefighter or civilian injuries were reported. On April 8, 2020, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to the 2200 block of Walnut Road in Auburn Hills for a reported residential structure fire. Rochester Hills Ladder 3 and Battalion 1 responded as part of the Box Alarm assignment. Rochester Hills Ladder 3 crews assisted with fire attack, ventilation, salvage and overhaul. The fire was possibly caused by an unattended turkey fryer, but was still under investigation. No firefighters or civilian injuries were reported. Emergency Medical Services Division Division Head - Captain Tim Matz The Fire Department continued responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in the month of April. This virus can cause mild to severe respiratory illness. Currently, there is an effort to better understand the disease transmissibility, infectivity, and severity associated with this pandemic. Regardless of specific exposure risks, it is always a good practice to:  Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and running water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand rub with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands that are visibly soiled.  Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.  Practice good respiratory etiquette, including covering coughs and sneezes.  Avoid close contact with people who are sick.  Stay home if sick.  Recognize personal risk factors. According to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), certain people, including older adults and those with underlying conditions such as heart or lung disease or diabetes, are at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID- 19.



Statistics Total Number of EMS Reports for the month: 496 Total number of Cardiac arrests: seven (7). The age range for those patients is between 59 and 93 years old. One (1) patients was transported to a local hospital for further care. This month found a slight decrease of transports to hospitals due to the amount of concern patients had about COVID disease being in the hospitals. A number of patients called 911 for an evaluation, but then refused transport due to a concern of COVID at hospitals. The increase was about 35 more refusals this month compared to the last few months. This month members of the Rochester Hills Fire Department participated in several Solidary/Appreciation Drives at local hospitals including Henry Ford West Bloomfield, Royal Oak Beaumont, Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital, all three Pontiac Hospitals, and Troy Beaumont. The Rochester Hills Fire Department supports the Doctor, Nurses, and Allied healthcare workers during this trying time and appreciates their service.

Community Risk Reduction Division Division Head - Assistant Chief Bill Cooke During the month of April, members of the Community Risk Reduction Division were very busy preparing for the up and coming building construction and road construction season. With some of the restrictions being lifted from the COVID-19 pandemic, the construction trades are ready to go and their services will be requesting our assistance with their projects. Staff also spent time engaging with each other and training on the basics of fire and life safety inspections as well as inspection documentation. These training sessions allowed for members to have open conversation which leads to a consistent method and delivery of fire and life safety Code matters that they will encounter in our community. Also during April, Fire and Life Safety Educator John Lyman was very busy not only providing educational opportunities but providing a little bit of fun for our citizens. As the statewide shelter in place was in effect due to the COVID-19 pandemic, families throughout our community looked for new ways in providing excitement for their children’s birthdays. John began taking requests from our citizens and throughout the month of April, and conducted 57 fire truck drive-by displays. These community displays were critical in providing our public with a sense of security in knowing the Fire Department was here for them and was not going away during this pandemic. These programs were a huge success as we reached an estimated 651 children and adults during this time when people were contained in their homes. In addition to providing a fire truck for birthday celebrations, Fire and Life Safety Educator John Lyman also provided Zoom meetings with seven (7) different elementary school classrooms in the Rochester School District. These meetings allowed John to spend valuable time with our community’s children, reiterating the importance of fire and life safety as well as giving them a little break from the online learning environment. Sparky the Fire Dog also made a few appearances, which put a smile on all of their faces. This program was also successful in reaching approximately 119 children and 11 adults. Hats off to John and his success in continuing to support our community during these difficult times.

Training Bureau Division Head - Captain Larry Gambotto During the month of April 2020, members of the Rochester Hills Fire Department received over 1,620 hours of Fire and EMS professional development. Year-to-date, members have completed over 4,300 hours of training. This month’s topics included the Salvage and Overhaul, Tourniquets and Trauma Patients. With the COVID-19 pandemic in full effect, training has been restricted to online and company level only. Members completed online courses in Salvage and Overhaul, and Tourniquets for Trauma Patients via Fire Rescue 1 Academy. Several podcasts from Oakland County Medical Control Authority were completed and the new protocols were reviewed. Fire Academy #004 Fire Academy #004 had another busy month. Training continued as scheduled for the recruits as their training is essential to the services provided by the RHFD. Topics included Water Supply, coordinated with members of the Department of Public Services. Nozzle Forward instruction on the advancement and placement of fire attack lines, including different nozzles, appliance and hoses. Recruits were also instructed in basic swift water and technical rescues, Traffic Incident Management, and were introduced to Department air monitoring equipment. Recruits finished out the month of April learning Hydraulics for the Fire Service and pressure calculations used for pumping fire apparatus. Recruits were introduced to all the Department’s apparatus, reviewing pump and aerial operations. The Fire Academy is taught by several members of the department, each of whom have special interest in different areas and share their interest with the recruits.

Administration Bureau The Department continues to provide the highest levels of service to our community during this COVID-19 pandemic. We have also seen several of our members become affected with the virus and placed off work. With the help of the Rochester Hills Purchasing Department, we were able to secure the needed PPE for our members to be able to safely respond and continue to safely respond to this pandemic.