july 2019

City of Rochester Hills Fire and Emergency Services Monthly Report for July 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 July 2019: 648 (Approximately 30% of these incidents occurred in Senior Congregate Housing / Skilled Nursing Facilities) Total number of mutual aid coverage / requests: 4 - No Rochester Hills Fire Department units were available during these times. Total Incidents Year-to-Date: 4,384 Year-to-Date comparison 2018 to 2019: 4,202 (2018) 4,384 (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 648 incidents that occurred in July, 324 times (50 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 133 calls for service. The Department responded to fourteen (14) incidents that resulted in $187,400 in damages. On July 25, 2019, the Rochester Hills Fire Department Engine 1 and Alpha 23 was dispatched to M-59 and Squirrel Road for a multi-vehicle accident with fire and entrapment. Rochester Hills units were requested due to Auburn Hills Fire Department already being on other incidents. Rochester Hills Chief 1 went enroute and was advised that approximately eight (8) to ten (10) vehicles were involved along with a box truck, one (1) vehicle was on fire, and one (1) Priority 1 patient heavily entrapped. Chief 1 requested Rochester Hills Rescue 1, Rochester Hills Engine 2, and a Medic Unit from Bloomfield Township to respond as well. Rochester Hills Chief 1 arrived on-scene to find several vehicles involved in the accident, with most occupants being uninjured. Rochester Hills Alpha 23 and Engine 1 arrived and began patient care and extrication of the one (1) trapped patient, assisted by Rescue 1’s crew. Rochester Hills Engine 2 arrived and assisted with securing vehicles. Members quickly extricated the patient and transported to McLaren Hospital in Pontiac.

On July 28, 2019, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched for a residential structure fire located at 3310 Longview Lane. Rochester Hills Engine 2 was the first unit to arrive and reported heavy fire showing from the front and the rear of the home. Battalion 1 arrived and was informed by an Oakland County Sheriff’s Deputy that the home had extreme storage conditions inside. Crew members tried to make an interior attack but encountered item’s stacked to the ceiling with very limited ability to navigate unobstructed. Battalion Chief Quaine advised all companies to perform an exterior attack until the bulk of the fire was knocked down. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Fire Investigations Unit was called to the scene. The fire at this time has been undetermined. No firefighter or civilian injuries occurred at this incident.

Many fire departments are experiencing serious fires, injuries, and deaths as the result of compulsive hoarding behavior. A particular concern of the fire service is the chaotic nature of the material in many hoarding households, where blocked windows and exits can make fire attack and rescue difficult. The excessive accumulation of materials in homes poses a significant threat to firefighters fighting fires and responding to other emergencies in these homes and to residents and neighbors. Often, the local fire department will be contacted to help deal with this serious issue. Since studies suggest that between three

and five percent of the population are compulsive hoarders, fire departments must become familiar with this issue and how to effectively handle it. Why is hoarding an issue for the fire service? •Hoarding can be a fire hazard. Many occupants die in fires within these homes. Often, blocked exits prevent escape from the home. In addition, many people who are hoarding are injured when they trip over things or when materials fall on them. •Responding firefighters can be put at risk due to obstructed exits, falling objects, and excessive fire loading that can lead to collapse. Hoarding makes fighting fires and searching for occupants far more difficult. •Those living adjacent to an occupied structure can be quickly affected when a fire occurs, due to excessive smoke and fire conditions. Emergency Medical Services Division Division Head - Captain Tim Matz Total number of EMS runs: 515 Total number of cardiac arrest: eight (8), the ages ranged from 49 to 90. Two (2) of the patients were transported to a hospital for continued care. Total number of Narcan Administrations: 0

EMS Training In July, several members of the department attended the North American Active Assailant conference in Troy Michigan. One of the courses offered was Advanced Medical Skills for Trauma Patients. This month the department held training that reviewed the skills learned from this course, which will help improve patient care. Department members learned techniques to include tourniquet application, Rapid BATH assessment, (BATH standing for the four area’s that most trauma patient’s succumb to death being Bleeding, Airway, Tension Pneumothorax (Lung injury), and Hypothermia.), needle decompression of the chest, junctional tourniquet, surgical airway, and hypothermia care. Each member went through each station as well as lecture on each skill. Please see the short video on the EMS Rescue Task-Force Concept. This is very similar to the training several department members attended along with Deputies from the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0OHoBIanpM Additionally this month, the department attended a Medical Team meeting for the Brooksie Way Half Marathon. This allows each organization involved to prepare for the event and assists in the creation of the operational plan as well. Community Risk Reduction Division Division Head - Assistant Chief Bill Cooke The Community Risk Reduction Division highlights for the month of July 2019 included the following: Fire Safety Inspections: 146 Follow-up Inspections: 13 Plan Reviews: 13 FOIA Requests: 4 Professional Development (Training Hours): 13 hours Infant Car Seat Installation and Checks: 17 Burn Permits: 22 Public Education Activities American Heart Association CPR: 1 presentation totaling 10 individuals This month, Community Risk Reduction members began the annual fire and life safety inspections in our multifamily apartment complexes throughout the community. Annual inspections assure that the citizens of Rochester Hills are provided with a safe environment within these facilities and our division verifies working operation and maintenance of key fire and life safety features. Last year at this time, it was determined 28% of all types of fires had occurred within apartment complexes and 69% of those fires were caused by careless cooking. Through an aggressive door hanger program, the division is proud to announce the dramatic decrease in these types of fires. So far in calendar year 2019, it has been determined that only 4% or two (2) fires, of this year’s total fires have occurred within apartment complexes, both caused by careless cooking. Due to the success of this program, our division will continue to promote this system of better informing our citizens on the dangers of cooking and better prepare them with information they can use to stay safe in the

kitchen. Congratulations again to our members for accomplishing this task as well as providing opportunities to educate our citizens. Also during the month of July, Community Risk Reduction Division members installed an additional 54 smoke alarms and 17 carbon monoxide detectors. This is a continuation of the smoke alarm initiative the State Fire Marshal has implemented this year, providing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to local fire departments for their distribution. These alarms are free of charge to the citizens of Rochester Hills who are in need of smoke alarms and/or carbon monoxide detectors. These detectors come with a 10-year maintenance free battery and are sealed to prevent tampering and false alarms. Finally, during the month of July, the Community Risk Reduction Division welcomed Fire and Life Safety Educator John Lyman to our team. John recently retired from the Waterford Area Fire Department after 33 years of service and as the Fire Chief. He has spent his entire career making decisions for his community and is now here with ours to help make the City of Rochester Hills a safer community to live and work. The division is excited to watch John as he puts his numerous years of experience and knowledge to use in Rochester Hills as many challenges are soon to be addressed. Good luck to you John as you start your latest journey with our organization! Training Bureau Division Head - Captain Larry Gambotto During the month of July 2019, members of the Rochester Hills Fire Department received nearly 600 hours of Fire and EMS professional development. Year-to-date, members have completed over 4,400 hours of training. This month’s training topics included Truck Operations, Multi-Trauma Skills and Practical drills, and Hand-Line Movements for Battalion Training. Fire Training During this month’s Fire Training, the Rochester Hills Fire Department hosted Lieutenant Mike Ciampo from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Tower Ladder 46. Lieutenant Ciampo has over 30 years of practical experience in the fire service and the RHFD was proud to bring him in to train with our members. Lieutenant Ciampo first instructed crews on tips and tricks of Ladder Company Operations. After a classroom in the morning, members headed to the training ground to practice the skills learned that morning. Crews practiced working out of Tower Ladder 4 Platform cutting roofs and roll-up doors. Operators also practiced placement of Ladder 3 to different locations. Members worked with Lieutenant Ciampo on ground ladders carries, raises and placement, and learned efficient techniques for working off ground ladders. Members also practiced utilizing ladders to remove downed firefighters through a window. Lieutenant Ciampo wrapped training up with some forcible entry techniques and downed firefighter carries. Lieutenant Ciampo presented the same class two (2) days in a row. Many members of the OAKWAY mutual-aid departments were able to attend these training days as well.

Truck Company Operations Lieutenant Mike Ciampo Fire Department City of New York Tower Ladder 46



Battalion Training This month crews worked on hand-line movements and hose movements. The RHFD has been working over the summer on the Nozzle Forward theory of fire attack and hose deployments. Administration Bureau At the July 29 City Council Meeting, Captain Larry Gambotto, IAFF Local 3472 President Paul Wright and th Vice President Lee Mayes invited members of City Council to participate in the FIRE OPS 101 program. This program is being hosted by the OAKWAY MABAS 3202 group. This event exposes participants to the rigors of the fire service, giving them an opportunity to experience the challenges that fire fighters face every day

serving the citizens and the community of Rochester Hills. In addition, participants gain a better understanding of adequate and safe staffing, as well as the need to have up-to-date protective equipment and apparatus. Attached is a brief video on the Fire Ops 101 program. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74hUBTPIaeI Finally, Fire Department Administration along with members of the Public Safety and Infrastructure Committee (PSIC) presented information relative our Strategic Plan Goal #1B- Developing a Staffing Analysis and Needs Plan. Fire Department Administration provided a brief overview of the information that was given to the PSIC to consider. This information included current and anticipated incident volume, the population as related to an aging community, as well as the financial implications. The PSIC recommended Phase 1 of the Staffing Analysis Plan, which would be to hire eight (8) additional personnel in 2020. The remaining Phases of the plan will be evaluated at a later time. City Council supported the hiring of the eight (8) new members, which will take place next year. Thank you to City Administration, City Council, and the Public Safety and Infrastructure Committee for their support of the Rochester Hills Fire Department.