February 2020

City of Rochester Hills Fire and Emergency Services Monthly Report for February 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 February 2020: 552 Total Incidents Year-to-Date: 1,148 Year-to-Date comparison 2019 to 2020: 1,255 (2019) 1,148 (2020)

Operations Bureau Deputy Chief - Todd Gary Shift Commanders - Bat. Chief Jason Murray, Bat. Chief Rogers Claussen, Bat. Chief Jerry Yurgo Fire Suppression Division Members responded to 73 calls for service. The Department responded to four (4) incidents that resulted in $29,950 in damages. On February 3, 2020 a resident stopped by Rochester Hills Station #5 to report a fire that happened the evening prior. Rochester Hills Ladder 5 responded non-emergent to the 6000 block of Blue Beech Road to find a small area of damage to the exterior of the structure, and upon further investigation determined the fire was caused by improperly disposed cigarettes. Ladder 5’s crew performed overhaul of the area and took a report. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports smoking materials, including cigarettes, pipes, and cigars, started an estimated 17,200 home structure fires reported to U.S. fire departments in 2014. These fires caused 570 deaths, 1,140 injuries and $426 million in direct property damage. Smoking materials caused 5% of reported home fires, 21% of home fire deaths, 10% of home fire injuries, and 6% of the direct property damage.

On February 14, 2020, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to the 1400 block of Walton Blvd. for a reported commercial structure fire. Rochester Hills Tower Ladder 4 arrived on-scene and reported smoke in the building and staff reporting a fire in room #110. Upon investigation, crews found an electrical fire that had been somewhat extinguished by facility staff. Rochester Hills Engine 1 and Ladder 5 assisted with moving patients from the affected area and assisted with ventilation. Mutual Aid companies were released prior to their arrival. No firefighters or civilian injuries were reported. On the morning of February 29, 2020, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to the 1700 block of Frick Road in Addison Township to assist with a residential structure fire. Rochester Hills Ladder 5 and Battalion 1 arrived to find a single family home with fire extending from the garage into the living area. Rochester Hills Ladder 5 assisted with fire attack and Battalion 1 was assigned as the Safety Officer. Unfortunately, later that evening Rochester Hills Ladder 5 and Battalion 1 were re-dispatched to assist with a rekindle at the same address. Ladder 5’s crews assisted with fire attack and Battalion 1 was again assigned as the Safety Officer. Once the fire was knocked down Rochester Hills units were released. No firefighters or civilian injuries were reported.

Emergency Medical Services Division Division Head - Captain Tim Matz Statistics Total Number of EMS Reports for the month: 479 Total number of Cardiac Arrests: 10, the ages of these patients ranged from 13 to 95. Four (4) of the cases were transported to the local Cardiac Care Hospitals for further care. Training for the month of February was Emergency Airway Management. The members of the department were given a very small lecture on emergency airway management and then performed practical skills stations including: ventilating, basic airway adjuncts, king airways, intubation, and surgical airway. Each member worked their way through each medical station confirming their knowledge and skills for intervention. Finally, each member separately performed a low light scenario that required them to intubate with artificial “stress” added to the environment. Everyone was able to complete the skill even in the stressful simulation.

The department has been aware of the COVID-19 situation in China, and started to shore up our supply chain of infection control products. The department placed an order for several cases of N-100 respiratory masks and hand sanitizer. Both orders have put us in a que for future distribution. Gloves have been ordered, with some being sent in the near future. Additionally, we have started placing procedure masks on patients exhibiting the following signs: cough and/or fever and/or shortness of breath. If the incident dictates, we are also asking about travel histories and ill family contacts. The department has been in contact with the local hospital and discussed the present plans that of course, as the future evolves, will change. Finally, the EMS Division has started the process to get quotes for two (2) new ambulances. The Department of Public Services-Fleet (DPS-Fleet) informed the department that the two (2) current reserve ambulances are showing major wear after many years of service. Working with DPS-Fleet and the Purchasing Department, we have started working on an outline for new and improved units including improved construction and upgraded products. If all goes well these units will be received late summer / early fall. Community Risk Reduction Division Division Head - Assistant Chief Bill Cooke The Community Risk Reduction Division highlights for the month of February 2020 included the following: Fire Safety Inspections: 34 Follow-up Inspections: 22 Plan Reviews: 10 FOIA Requests: 3 Professional Development (Training Hours): 119 hours Infant Car Seat Installation and Checks: 6 Subpoenas: 1 Public Education Activities School Programs: four (4) presentations totaling 148 individuals Senior Programs: two (2) presentations totaling 53 individuals Camps/Scouts Programs: two (2) presentations totaling 15 individuals Smoke Alarm Installs/Programs: eight (8) During the month of February, members of the Community Risk Reduction Division completed a very busy month of training. Assistant Chief Cooke and Captain Mayes traveled to Murfreesboro, Tennessee for a three-day conference which was titled Model Performance in Community Risk Reduction Symposium. This event was hosted by Vision 20/20 and is funded by FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety Grant. This conference is held every two (2) years and has a lot of networking from other communities around the world to show how Community Risk Reduction works in their areas. Topics of discussion included data collection, enhancing educational programs and conducting a community risk assessment, which are all critical functions of developing a sound Community Risk Reduction Division.

Fire and Life Safety Educator John Lyman traveled to Alabama Fire College in Tuscaloosa Alabama. This was a three-day conference offered by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA). This conference was based on NFPA 1035: Standard on Fire and Life Educator, Public Information Officer, Youth Firesetter Intervention Specialist. This course is designed for the individuals who will coordinate and deliver comprehensive community fire and injury prevention programs designed to eliminate or mitigate situations that endanger lives, health, property, or the environment. John successfully completed the testing and now holds the certificate confirming his expertise in Fire and Life Safety Education. In addition, this month members of the Community Risk Reduction attend the annual Pipeline Training. This annual training brings different agencies together such as Fire, Police, Contractors, and Department of Public Works. This training allows these various agencies to meet the pipeline companies that have pipelines running through their communities. In addition, there are round top table exercises on how agencies would react if there were a pipeline leak or explosion. The Community Risk Reduction Division has installed fourteen smoke alarms this past month. So far in this calendar year, 30 Michigan residents have lost their lives in house fires. This is an 88% increase over the same time period in 2019. Community Risk Reduction want’s everyone to have working smoke alarms in their homes and to check them every month. Training Bureau Division Head - Captain Larry Gambotto During the month of February 2020, members of the Rochester Hills Fire Department received 702 hours of Fire and EMS professional development. Year-to-date, members have completed over 937 hours of training. This month’s topics included the Pittsburgh Firefighter Search and Rescue drill, Airways, Firefighter Right-to- Know, and Battalion Training. Fire Training During this month’s fire training members practiced searching and rescuing a downed firefighter. The Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) is the fire fighters last resort. Members trained in rapid intervention techniques, practiced removing a downed firefighter through, over and around several obstacles. This drill requires members to work as a team and communicate to perform the rescue as these are skills are essential for all fire fighters. Special Training This month’s special training was delivered from members of the Community Risk Reduction Division. Firefighter Right-to-Know is based on Federal regulations and allows fire fighters to ask what businesses are using in their processes and manufacturing. Battalion Training The Battalion Chiefs’ drills included Ice Rescue and Rescue 1 equipment review.

Fire Academy #004 The Rochester Hills Fire Department began Fire Academy #004 on February 24, 2020. The nine (9) new recruits were instructed in History of the Fire Service, Firefighter Health and Safety, Firefighter Rehabilitation, Departmental Standard Operating Procedures, Maps, HIPAA, Blood borne Pathogens and EMS Documentation. Recruits spent an afternoon at City Hall reviewing employee benefits and programs, and a morning with IAFF Local 3472 members. Administration Bureau I apologize for just sending out the February Monthly Report, obviously things got a little hectic very quickly. We were in the process of completing our 2019 Annual Report, however that has been slowed due to other priorities.