January 2021

City of Rochester Hills Fire and Emergency Services Monthly Report for January 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 January 2021: 592 (Approximately 35% of these incidents occurred in Senior Congregate Housing / Skilled Nursing Facilities) Total number of mutual aid coverage / requests: 7 - No Rochester Hills Fire Department units were available during these times. Total Incidents Year-to-Date: 592 Year-to-Date comparison 2020 to 2021: 596 (2020) 592 (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 592 incidents that occurred in January, 318 times (53 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 63 calls for service that resulted in estimated $196,540 in damage. On January 17, 2021, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to the 100 block of Stratford Lane for a reported

residential structure fire. Initial reports by the first arriving company (Tower Ladder 4) reported a working fire in the kitchen area of the home. Additional crews from Ladder 3, Rescue 1, Ladder 5, and Alpha 22 assisted with fireground activities to include laddering the building, R.I.T., and ventilation. Crews from Auburn Hills and the City of Rochester were also on scene but were released relatively quick. Members extinguished the fire limiting damage to the first floor however there was smoke damage to the second floor. The cause of this fire was investigated by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Fire Investigation Unit and determined to be started by unattended cooking.

On January 22, 2021, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to the 2700 block of Hickory Lawn Street for a reported residential structure fire. This was the location of a fire in December 2020. Rochester Hills Engine 2 arrived on-scene and reported heavy fire showing through the roof of the structure. Rochester Hills Engine 1 arrived and provided a water supply, as companies placed a ground monitor and multiple handlines in-service. The cause of this fire is currently under investigation by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Fire Investigation Unit. Emergency Medical Services Division Division Head – Captain Tim Matz Statistics Total number of EMS runs: 529. During January, the department responded to 60 incidents that were either determined as potential COVID-19 or the patient was positive with COVID-19. Total number of Cardiac Arrest: ten (10) Cardiac arrests - ranging in age from 68 to 89. We were able to transport one (1) 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

For EMS training this month, members of the department received their yearly blood borne pathogen training as well as HIPAA training. These are important trainings because they remind us of proper technique and procedures when dealing with blood borne pathogens. HIPAA training refreshes us and updates us on the laws and rules of patient information. This ensures that we are able to enact the highest standards for patient privacy. Community Risk Reduction Division Division Head - Assistant Chief Bill Cooke The Community Risk Reduction Division highlights for the month of January 2021 included the following: Fire and Life Safety Inspections: 52 Follow-up Inspections: 17 Plan Reviews: 7 FOIA Requests: 8 Professional Development (Training Hours): 41.25 hours Appearance Citations: 1 Public Education Activities School Programs: one (1) presentation totaling 24 individuals Smoke Detector Program(s)/Installation(s): 15 During the month of January, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was awarded the opportunity to work together with the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) on a Community Risk Assessment Pilot Program. Our organization was fortunate enough to be one (1) of 250 fire departments in the nation that will be participating in this program. The goal of the process is to gather emergency response and community data to help our organization target true risks within our community. This data will guide Fire and Life Safety Educator John Lyman to develop educational programs based on our community’s needs rather than assumptions. Our preliminary meetings have just begun with NFPA and we look forward to see the results of our study.

In addition, Fire Inspectors began the fire and life safety inspection process in buildings that our organization have not had the ability to visit in many years. Last year’s addition of two more Inspectors are making a difference as we can now educate our community on fire and life safety requirements as well as decrease the level of risk for our firefighters. Unfortunately, last year’s COVID-19 stay at home order delayed the inspection process, but now we are on the right track and look to make a difference in our community this year. Finally, staff have been finalizing the details on the electronic plan review system that is being implemented throughout city departments. The software allows developers to submit their site plan documents in an electronic format to the Planning Department. From there, the Fire, Building, Engineering, and Parks & Forestry Departments all have the opportunity to look at the plans and mark deficiencies on the drawings electronically. This method not only saves time in not having to deliver paper copies to each department, but also allows staff to work together and collaborate on ideas during the review process. Our plan reviewers received new hardware at the end of 2020 to help view and edit the documents and now are working through the final details before we fully move to electronic plan review. Thanks to staff for their hard work and attention to details during this monumental changeover. Training Bureau Division Head - Captain Larry Gambotto During the month of January 2021, members of the Rochester Hills Fire Department received 366 hours of Fire and EMS professional development. Year-to-date, members have completed 366 hours of training. This month’s topics included Hazardous Materials and Dangers of Smoke, Community Risk Reduction, and RHFD Firefighters. Fire Training Members completed an online training assignment covering the dangers of fire ground smoke and other hazardous materials encountered on the fire scenes. Training was delivered via the Fire Rescue 1 Academy training platform. Special Training During Community Risk Reduction week, Fire and Life Safety Educator John Lyman instructed members on Community Risk and Reduction and RHFD firefighters. The training discussed the five E's of CRR as Education, Engineering, Enforcement, Economic Incentives/Disincentives, and Emergency Response and how our firefighters can have influence on the community. Fire Academy Rochester Hills Fire Department brought on a new member, Alex Gutierrez, on January 11, 2021. Recruit Gutierrez comes to the RHFD from Washington bringing several years of fire service experience and he will be going through a mini fire academy.