October 2019

City of Rochester Hills Fire and Emergency Services Monthly Report for October 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 October 2019: 667 (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: 6,305 Year-to-Date comparison 2018 to 2019: 5,971 (2018) 6,305 (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 667 incidents that occurred in October, 345 times (51 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 124 calls for service. The Department responded to seven (7) incidents that resulted in $1,502,500.00 in damages. On October 6, 2019, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to assist the Oakland Township Fire Department with a residential structure fire at 1620 Silverbell Road. Rochester Hills Tower Ladder 4, Tanker 5, Ladder 2 and Battalion 1 assisted at the incident. Due to this incident being in an area without fire hydrants, continuous water supply was an issue. The home received significant damage, and most likely is a complete loss. Residential Structure Fire Oakland Township 1620 Silverbell Road On October 4, 2019, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to 1017 Barneswood Road for a reported residential structure fire. Rochester Hills Tower Ladder 4 was the first unit to arrive and found a ceiling fan in the second floor bathroom had caught fire, falling to the floor igniting nearby combustibles. The fire was quickly contained and crews checked for extension in the ceiling. No firefighter or civilian injuries occurred.

On October 21, 2019, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to 3684 Warwick Drive for a reported residential structure fire. Rochester Hills Ladder 3 was the first unit to arrive and found a ceiling fan in the basement bathroom had caught fire. The fire was quickly contained and crews checked for extension in the ceiling. No firefighter or civilian injuries occurred. This was the second fire to occur in October related to bathroom ceiling fans. A bathroom exhaust fan relies on air moving through the fan to cool it down. When the fan is clogged with lint and dust, airflow can be severely restricted, which makes the fan run hotter. Once the hot fan motor comes in contact with lint and dust, and you have a fire hazard. Below you will find some important information related to care and caution with using a bathroom ceiling fan. The following photos demonstrate exhaust fans that need cleaning to prevent overheating and possible unintentional fire in your home.

ACTION STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO PREVENT THIS: 1. Inspect and clean all bathroom exhaust fans as necessary and per the manufacturer’s recommendations, be sure to place on a regular cleaning schedule. 2. When cleaning, remove the fan cover to clean and remove lint from around the motor, paying careful attention to all air-flow areas. 3. Wash the fan cover in warm soapy water to remove all lint. If there is any mold growing, add bleach to the cleaning mixture. Make sure the cover is completely dry before putting it back up. 4. If some fans are not easily accessible for regular cleaning, appear to have evidence of heat damage, or do not turn freely, they should be replaced with thermally protected units. 5. Please remember that bathroom fans should only be used for brief periods of time, such as during a shower. Many people run them excessively or even forget that they are on. Consider installing a timer switch instead of a manual switch to limit the unnecessary use of the fan. Turn off all fans as soon as they have done the job. Yes, this adds some time to your cleaning routine … but it’s worth it to decrease your risk of a fire. So please work it into your routine, keep it clean and be safe. On October 21, 2019, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched for a commercial structure fire at 173 South Livernois Road. As units were going enroute to the scene, a column of smoke could be seen from

Rochester Hills Fire Station 1. Chief 1 quickly requested a “Box Alarm” assignment. Dispatch advised they were receiving multiple calls and a City of Rochester ambulance crew at Ascension Providence- Rochester Hospital reported heavy fire showing through the roof. Rochester Hills Chief 1 along with multiple fire companies simultaneously arrived and due to the size of the structure as well as being unsuppressed (no sprinkler system) Command requested a 2 Alarm. Crews began fire extinguishment and found a working nd fire in the kitchen area. The fire did extend to the roof, however was quickly contained. Damage remained in the occupancy of origin. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Fire Investigation Unit. No firefighter or civilian injuries occurred at this incident. On October 24, 2019 Lieutenant/Fire Inspector John Mills was completing an annual fire and life safety inspection at 1444 Walton Blvd. While inside the business, Liuetenant/Fire Inspector Mills noticed sparks coming from the roof into the business. As this was happening a flash fired occurred igniting lint on top of the ceiling. Lieutenant/Fire Inspector Mills evacuated the building and notified Dispatch. Prior to the arrival of the Fire Companies, Lieutenant/ Fire Inspector Mills found a contractor welding on the roof, which was quickly stopped. Rochester Hills Engine 1 and Battalion 1 arrived and found smoke in the building, but no active fire. Ventilation was initiated and crews continued to check for hot spots. It was determined that the contractor was working without a “Hot Work” permit and was taken off the site. No firefighter or civilian injuries occurred at this incident.

Emergency Medical Services Division Division Head - Captain Tim Matz Total number of EMS run reports filed: 543 Total number of Cardiac Arrests: 13 - The age range of these patients was 35 to 95. Six (6) of these patients were transported for further care at a local hospital. Total number of Narcan Administrations: 0 for this month This month we completed another football season of EMS Stand-by at our local high schools. Since 2008, we have been putting an EMS crew at the high school for home Varsity games. Most games are manned by two (2) of our EMT’s with a Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance and at Stoney Creek we utilize the Gator due to the design of their stadium. Our crews arrive early and make sure to meet with the Athletic Trainers and Physicians of both teams, and let them know where our crews will be posted. The crews bring their stretcher and equipment on the field and to stay in visual contact with the trainers, and they wear their high visibly vests used for traffic accidents. This allow the trainers to enter the field to check on a player who has been injured, and if needed, can quickly scan the sideline to find the EMS crew and wave them onto the field. If the EMS crew is needed, they come on the field and very quickly assess the patient. If the player has a significant injury they can contact Dispatch to send an Advanced Life Support (ALS) unit from quarters. Many times if they are not busy, the ALS crews may go the game in their district while still in service, and be present at a community event. Several times we have been approached by a parent or school official and they comment how nice it is to see their Fire Department at the games. Twice this year we had to cover all three

(3) high schools on the same night, but we were able to do this with little effect on our service to the community. EMS training for the month of October was 12-lead Electrocardiogram (EKG) review. As a crucial skill when treating a chest pain patient, a 12- lead EKG allows the Paramedic to see that the patient’s heart is operating properly or if their heart may be showing damage. The equipment that Rochester Hills Fire carries not only allows our crews to take a 12-lead EKG, but then we can transmit it to one (1) of our local hospitals that have a cardiac intervention center. Rochester Hills is fortunate to be surrounded by these centers and just a few examples include Ascension Providence Rochester, Troy Beaumont, and Saint Joseph Mercy Oakland. The transmitted EKG gives the hospitals an alert and allows them to prepare for the patient, saving precious time in patient care. Many heart attack patients are able to receive lifesaving procedures like a cardiac catherization within 90 minutes of arrival at one (1) of these facilities. Below is a short video to help you understand what exactly is being recorded during an EKG. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYZ4daFwMa8 Community Risk Reduction Division Division Head - Assistant Chief Bill Cooke The Community Risk Reduction Division highlights for the month of October2019 included the following: Fire Safety Inspections: 69 Follow-up Inspections: 73 Plan Reviews: 8 FOIA Requests: 9 Professional Development (Training Hours): 12 hours Infant Car Seat Installation and Checks: 21 Burn Permits: 2 Public Education Activities Day Care Programs: 2 presentations totaling 44 individuals Senior Program: 1 presentation totaling 200 individuals School Programs: 4 presentations totaling 697 individuals Community Business Programs: 5 presentations totaling 675 individuals During the month of October, Community Risk Reduction members welcomed residents and visitors of Rochester Hills to our annual Fire Prevention Week Open House. This year, hundreds of guests had the opportunity to experience our firefighters in action as members of our department demonstrated what it is like to respond to a building fire, rappel from a building and use hydraulic rescue tools to disassemble a vehicle. Opportunities for our guests to interact with our staff also took place in and around the apparatus bay where visitors could see our emergency equipment up close, learn how to properly conduct CPR, and the rules and regulations for proper car seat installation. If that wasn’t enough, the obstacle course for our youngest guests was a real hit as well as Yates cider and donuts. Thank you to all of our staff members for

the outstanding work in representing our organization to the public! Your professionalism was certainly appreciated. Training Bureau Division Head - Captain Larry Gambotto During the month of October, members of the Rochester Hills Fire Department received 440 hours of Fire and EMS professional development. Year-to-date, members have completed over 6,586 hours of training. This month’s training topics included Ladder Rescues, Driver Vehicle Competency Course, Battalion training and Rapid Intervention Team training. Special Training Members completed the annual driver competency course with different classes of department vehicles. Successful completion of a competency course, each member spends sufficient time on the competency course to demonstrate proficiency in the operation of an emergency vehicle. Members demonstrate competency on each emergency vehicle they operate. Specific tasks to be measured: · Use of Mirrors · Turning

· Blind Right Side and Rear Positioning · Backing · Braking and Stopping · Depth Perception (front and rear) · Height Clearance · Proper Communication Battalion Training The Battalion Chiefs covered different topics for each of their shifts, including Ladders, Ropes and Knots, Records and Reports. Battalion training is for each Battalion Chief to work with their crews and cover topics the BC feels is important for the members of their shift. Fire Training For October’s fire training, members reviewed and practiced rescues of victims using ground ladders. Gaining access to roofs and upper stories of multistoried structures is essential for rescue, ventilation, and other fire Suppression activities. In this respect, the firefighter’s dependence on ground ladders is obvious. There is probably no more basic fire service tool than the ladder but also none more dangerous when improperly used. Lack of knowledge of proper ladder procedures can result in sustaining severe injuries that can be permanently disabling or even fatal. Every firefighter must know how to lift, carry, position, raise, secure, climb, maintain, and inspect fire service ladders .Also this month, members reviewed and practiced basic Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) tactics. RIT is an essential fire ground function, which provides rescue to fire fighters. A RIT is a company or crew that is assigned to stand by at the incident scene, fully dressed in in PPE and SCBA, equipped for action, ready to deploy immediately when assigned to do so by the Incident Commander. Members assembled SCBAs with their masks smoked out and their fire gloves on. Then members reviewed, moving downed firefighters up stairs.

Administration Bureau In an effort to bring awareness to the dangers of breast cancer, Rochester Hills firefighters and administration wore pink badges and T-shirts, and drove a pink Ambulance in October. The department, in partnership with International Association of Fire Fighters Local 3472, has long shown support for breast cancer awareness by allowing our staff to purchase and wear T-shirts with breast cancer awareness ribbons throughout October and donating the proceeds to charity. This year, 215 T-shirts were sold — with $824 going to the New Day Foundation for Families, which provides emotional and financial help for families going through cancer. Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of death in women, according to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, which says 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. New Day Foundation

On October 31, the department closed the posting for Firefighter and Lieutenant/Fire Inspector. The department received over 100 applications for these positions. In short order, the department will review the applications and determine the number to be interviewed. The intention is to start the recruit class in early January 2020. Additionally, the department received a letter from Congresswoman Haley Stevens congratulating Rochester Hills on our SAFER Grant.

Finally, in conjunction with the Rochester Hills IAFF Local #3472 and the OakWay Mutual Aid Association, City Council members David Walker, Dr. Susan Bowyer, and Public Safety & Infrastructure Committee member Ryan Smith attended FIRE OPS 101 at Oakland Community College on October 2 . The Fire Ops nd 101 Program exposes participants to the rigors of the fire service, giving them an opportunity to experience the challenges that firefighters face every day serving their communities. In addition, participants gain a better understanding of adequate and safe staffing levels, as well as the need to have up-to-date protective equipment and apparatus. From Left to Right Councilman David Walker, Councilwoman Dr. Susan Bowyer, and PSIC Member Ryan Smith