August 2020

City of Rochester Hills Fire and Emergency Services Monthly Report for August 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 August 2020: 561 (Approximately 28% of these incidents occurred in Senior Congregate Housing / Skilled Nursing Facilities) Total number of mutual aid coverage / requests: 6 - No Rochester Hills Fire Department units were available during these times. Total Incidents Year-to-Date: 4,487 Year-to-Date comparison 2019 to 2020: 5,026 (2019) 4,484 (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 561 incidents that occurred in August, 279 times (49 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 107 calls for service that resulted in $4,528,416 in damage. On August 2, 2020, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to the Clinton River behind Rochester University for a Swiftwater Rescue. Rochester Hills Ladder 3, Engine1, Rescue 1, Alpha 23, and Battalion 1 responded and

staged in the Rochester University area until the incident could be located. Rochester Hills Chief 1 met with a Rochester Police Officer on the Clinton River Trail and was advised a child was stranded on an island and the parent was on other side of river. Chief 1 assessed the situation and found swiftwater surrounding the island with a 12 y/o male on the island. Chief 1 advised crews that operation would be a boat on tether operation due to the swift deep current and that no personnel were to enter the water. Crews began boat tether operation, and also placed upstream and downstream safeties in place. Once crews placed lines across the river and anchored them, a boat was moved to the island where the child was placed in a PFD and moved to safety. Rochester City Fire and Shelby Township Fire assisted. Swiftwater Rescue Clinton River behind Rochester University Swiftwater incidents are dynamic and require rapid and effective decision-making to perform a successful and safe rescue. Situational awareness is critical during water rescue incidents to ensure safety for the victim(s) and for the rescuers. It’s important for personnel to understand the hazards of swift water in the event they respond to these incidents. Swift water rescue is a specialized rescue discipline, which has principles and techniques that involve a difficult and dangerous environment. Only highly trained rescuers should enter and attempt to rescue an individual caught in swift or flood waters. Rochester Hills Fire Department has equipment and several personnel trained as Swiftwater Rescue Technicians.

On August 16, 2020, the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to the 3600 block of Galloway Court for a residential structure fire. Rochester Hills Fire Department Tower Ladder 4, Ladder 3, Engine 2, Rescue 1, Alpha 25, and Battalion 1 responded on the Box Alarm. Rochester Hills Chief 1 was the first unit to arrive on-scene of a two-story multi-family dwelling with heavy fire showing from the attic area. Chief 1 assumed Command and was advised that all occupants were out of building except possibly one apartment. Command requested an extra Engine and Ladder company. Tower Ladder 4 prepared for aerial operations and established a water supply. Ladder 3 arrived and was advised to perform a quick search of the apartment, however they were unable to fully complete due to fire conditions. Rochester Hills Rescue 1 and Auburn Hills Engine 2 were assigned to the Bravo second floor exposure. Command advised Dispatch to strike out a 2nd Alarm. Auburn Hills Engine 1, Troy Engine 6, Orion Ladder 1 and Waterford Tower 8 performed fire ground tasks to include fire attack and overhaul. Crews deployed multiple handlines and ground ladders. No civilian or firefighter injuries occurred at this incident. One (1) firefighter was transported and later released for heat exhaustion. The Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Fire Investigation Unit was notified and preliminary investigations point towards a lightening strike. Residential Structure Fire 3600 block Galloway Court

Residential Structure Fire 3600 block Galloway Court

On August 16, 2020 the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to the 3300 block of Crooks Road for a residential structure fire. Rochester Hills Ladder 3 was first to arrive on-scene to find a Michigan State Police Trooper with the homeowner in the front yard. The Michigan State Trooper was driving by the home when he noticed smoke coming from the dwelling. Rochester Hills Ladder 3 performed a 360 survey and found smoke coming from a window on the north side of the structure. The homeowner stated his kitchen is on fire. The MSP officer stated he emptied his fire extinguisher into the window where the smoke is coming from. Rochester Hills Ladder 3 crews entered the residence and found a smoldering fire on the stove top. Fire damage was also noted to the wall behind the stove and microwave above the oven. Additional crews performed ventilation and overhaul. No firefighter injuries occurred, however the homeowner was evaluated for smoke inhalation.

On August 31, 2020 the Rochester Hills Fire Department was dispatched to the area of Walton Blvd. and Adams Road for a motor vehicle accident with an ejection, vehicle on fire, and possibly one (1) individual still trapped in the vehicle. Rochester Hills Battalion 1 was first on-scene and found a single vehicle crash, one (1) patient on the ground and the vehicle fully involved. Rochester Hills Alpha 22 arrived on-scene and began patient care. Rochester Hills Ladder 3 arrived and extinguished the vehicle fire and determined no other occupants were in the vehicle. Alpha 22 transported the patient to a Trauma Center for further care. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department.

Emergency Medical Services Division Division Head - Captain Tim Matz Statistics Total number of EMS runs: 454. We have seen a decrease in calls (we believe) due to the COVID pandemic. Many narratives in EMS have shown that people are more willing to call their primary care Physician and report their symptoms rather than call 911 and transport to a hospital where they could be exposed to the potential of COVID. We did respond to 29 incidents that were either determined as potential COVID-19 or the patient was positive with COVID-19. Total number of Cardiac Arrest: Four (4), the age range for these patients is 54 to 90. One (1) of these patients were transported to hospitals for further care. Total number of Opioid calls: Four (4), all four patients were treated and transported to a local hospital 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



Due to the COVID pandemic, National EMS week was rescheduled for a week in August instead of May. Many local hospitals had treats and gifts for our EMS providers. Beaumont Troy went a little further and presented four (4) of our members with a Certificate in Patient Care Excellence, which included Lieutenant/Paramedic Todd Beckett and Firefighter/Paramedic Daniel Cooper, Firefighter/Paramedic Stephen Jelsch, and Firefighter/EMT Kevin Palaian. These providers responded to a report of a person struck by a vehicle. Upon their arrival, they quickly assessed the patient, loaded them in an Ambulance and provided care during transport to Beaumont Troy. When it comes to trauma care the less on scene time the better and this crew were en route to the hospital within ten minutes of arrival to the scene. Their quick and efficient care allowed the patient to get the necessary treatment at the hospital within the “Golden Hour”. The golden hour is the period of time following a traumatic injury during which there is the highest likelihood that prompt medical and surgical treatment will prevent death. While initially defined as an hour, the exact time period depends on the nature of the injury and can be more than or less than this duration. It is well established that the person's chances of survival are greatest if they receive care within a short period of time after a severe injury. Training for August had us introducing new and upgraded airway management equipment. Airway management is one of the first things EMS providers try to control and maintain. Patients can only survive a

few minutes without an airway, so this is a very important skill set to have. One of the new devices, the “I- Gel”, can be used by every member of the department and allows the provider to open a patient’s airway, maintain it, and oxygenate the patient. The other tool is an advanced airway device utilized by our Paramedics. This device uses a fiber optic camera to allow placement of the advanced airway. The quicker an airway is controlled the better chance of survival for the patient. Both tools will help with that most important situation of airway control. Community Risk Reduction Division Division Head - Assistant Chief Bill Cooke The Community Risk Reduction Division highlights for the month of August 2020 included the following: Fire Safety Inspections: 159 Follow-up Inspections: 68 Plan Reviews: 6 FOIA Requests: 3 Professional Development (Training Hours): 57.3 hours Burn Permits: 5 Public Education Activities Home Fire and Life Safety Inspection(s): 3 Station Tour(s): 1 totaling 40 individuals Smoke Detector Program(s)/Installation(s): 8 Fire Extinguisher Program(s): 1 totaling 35 individuals Other Event(s): 3 totaling 22 individuals This month, Community Risk Reduction members completed 160 annual fire and life safety inspections. This has been another busy month of inspections as we continue to work to meet our adjusted annual goal of inspecting all high-risk facilities in Rochester Hills this year. Senior living complexes have been completed. Fire and life safety inspections are continuing within our multifamily apartment complexes and High Hazard buildings. Strong efforts from our staff is making a difference in our community; our businesses have the opportunity to learn fire and life safety suggestions and recommendations from our professionals. As COVID 19 continues to change our safety education delivery methods, Fire and Life Safety Educator John Lyman hosted the division’s first virtual fire station tour for Sandcastle Children’s Museum. This museum is located in Ludington, MI and is where children can come to create an environment that encourages and inspires children and families to explore their world. Since the pandemic, we have not able to conduct fire station tours, so we hosted our first virtual fire station tour with 40 children in attendance. There were many questions asked as you could imagine from young, enthusiastic children and the event was a great success. Also during the month of August, John began developing methods of providing fire and life safety messages to our community during this year’s fire prevention week. Stay tuned, as there will be exciting new social media opportunities to watch John and additional fire department staff in action during the month of October!

Finally, during the month of August, the Community Risk Reduction Division would like to congratulate Lieutenant/Fire Inspector Ann Echols for graduating and receiving her Master’s Degree in Emergency Management and Homeland Security with a focus in Community Resilience from Arizona State University. Lieutenant/Fire Inspector Echols started her Master’s program in October 2018, and has worked very hard during these difficult times to graduate with a 4.10 GPA. Congratulations Lieutenant/Fire Inspector Echols as you continue to excel in your professional development! Training Bureau Division Head - Captain Larry Gambotto During the month of August 2020, members of the Rochester Hills Fire Department received over 1,350 hours of Fire and EMS professional development. Year-to-date, members have completed over 8,800 hours of training. This month’s topics included Ground Ladders, Swift Water Awareness and Battalion drills. Fire Training For August’s monthly fire training, members were instructed in the use of fire service ground ladders. Ground ladders are an essential piece of equipment and best thrown safe, effective, and efficient when needed. Ladders are used as part of several task’s on the fire ground including rescues, vent-enter-search, vertical ventilation and rescuing downed fire fighters. The RHFD prides its self on the ability to throw ladders with minimal number of members with the understanding of the proper time and location for the task at hand.

Fire Academy #005 Recruits of Academy #005 had a very busy month learning several different topics including Driver’s Training, Nozzle Forward, advancing hand lines, and drafting / shuttle operations. At Oakland Township Fire Department, Hazmat, Rapid Intervention Teams and Fire Fighter Survival, Hydraulics for the Fire Service, Pumper and Ladder Operations.

Special Training Members completed Swift Water Awareness training via online platform. Battalion Training Battalion drills included review of technical rescue equipment, Incident debrief, and stand pipe operations Administration Bureau The Rochester Hills Fire Department is set to take delivery of our two (2) new Pierce Enforcer Pumpers this September. The units will be sisters to the current Engine 2 with the exception of a few minor changes. We receive weekly updates keeping us abreast of the production status. Below you will find a few pictures. Engine 1 Engine 4