2019 FD Annual Report Draft 2020

FORSYTH COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT 2019 ANNUAL REPORT

Forsyth County Fire Department Goals Mission Statement Prevent incidents from occurring The Forsyth County Fire Department through code enforcement, protects life, property and the public education and fire environment from the ravages of prevention activities. fire and all other emergencies, both Mitigate hazards by handling natural and man made, and provides all service requests in a citizens and visitors with emergency professional manner. medical pre-hospital care in a highly Provide the highest quality of service effective manner with the best trained in a professional and caring manner. personnel possible. Encourage and support employee development, enhancing proficiency and professionalism. Promote the heath and safety of our employees. Fire Department Command Staff Barry Head Brenda Green Ronald Fagan Jason Shivers Jason Stover Jason Stover Chief of Division Chief of Divison Chief of Division Chief of Division Chief, Division Chief, Department Fire Administration Operations Techinical Services Fire Marshal’s Office Fire Marshal’s Office Chief of Department Division Chief of Fire Chief of Department Division Chief of Division Chief, Fire Chief of Department Barry Head joined Administration, joined is responsible for all Technical Services, Marshal Jason Stover is responsible for all Forsyth County in 1986 the department in 1995, aspects of fire and joined the department joined the Forsyth aspects of fire and as a volunteer serving for 18 years as rescue operations for in 1998, holding the County Fire Department rescue operations for firefighter, and has an administrative Forsyth County. director positions of firefighter/ as Division Chief in Forsyth County. director since held the titles specialist; in 2002. He has served EMT, fire lieutenant and 2019 with more than 25 in 2002. He has served of firefighter, fire administrative as chief of depart- inspector general. years of local and as chief of depart- inspector, fire specialist, senior; and ment since July 2003. Shivers has the honor international ment since July 2003. investigator, lieutenant, administrative Starting his career as a of holding a seat on the public safety-related Starting his career as a captain and battalion assistant, senior. firefighter for the Atlan- National Fire Protection experience.Stover has firefighter for the Atlan- chief. He also served Green also served in ta Fire Department in Association (NFPA) served as a volunteer ta Fire Department in previously in the the Forsyth County 1968, Bowman worked 1901, 1906, 1911 and firefighter, patrol officer, 1968, Bowman worked positions of deputy Tax Commissioner’s his way up the ranks, 1912 committees investigator, his way up the ranks, sheriff, corporal and Office prior to joining eventually serving in governing national fire accreditation manager, eventually serving in sergeant for the Forsyth the department. She is the chief administrator apparatus standards. division commander the chief administrator County Sheriff’s Office a board member of the capacity for the newly and law enforcement/ capacity for the newly and Division Chief, Fire Benefit Fund, which formed Fulton County investigations subject formed Marshal’s Office. provides assistance Fire Department and matter expert. to families of fallen later as the deputy fire firefighters. chief, th the 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4. Command Staff 5. Goals/Mission Statement/Budget 6. Message from the Fire Chief 7. Organizational Chart 8. Fire Department Divisions 14. Existing Fire Stations 18. Fire Department Facilities 19. Future Fire Stations 20. Fleet/Specialty Apparatus 22. 2018 Year in Review 30. Historical Overview 2020 Board of Commissioners Molly Cooper Dennis T. Brown Todd Levent Cindy Jones Mills Laura Semanson District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 Secretary Member Member Vice Chairman Chairman County Administration Eric Johnson Tim Merritt Garrin Coleman County Manager Deputy County Manager Assistant County Manager 3

A message from the FIRE CHIEF Photo: Chief Head speaking with Public Facilities director, Dan Callahan before Fire Station #11 groundbreaking ceremony GREETINGS FORSYTH COUNTY. 2018 once again and authority in our ranks. proved to be a very dynamic year of progress and thoughtful growth A significant step forward for our service delivery strategy occurred for your Forsyth County Fire Department. It also was a year when in 2018 as the long-awaited design work began on future Fire we said “thank you” to now-retired Fire Chief Danny Bowman. Station #11. Three acres of pasture on Pittman Road just west of its intersection with Bethelview Road will become a new fire sta- I would be remiss if I didn’t begin by mentioning that Chief Bowman tion to serve the western-central portion of the county and can be hung up his white helmet and retired from our ranks on October 16 expected to open early in 2020. Also, thanks to the ardent support after 50 years of faithful service to Georgia and Forsyth County. of the Board of Commissioners, in 2018 we purchased a tract of Coming here fresh off of a full career with the Fulton County Fire land on Martin Road in northern Forsyth County that will be the system in 2001 he was named our third fire chief in July of 2003. future heartbeat of the fire department’s training and logistics During his 15 years serving as Forsyth County’s fire chief he oversaw operations. the largest expansion and modernization of the department’s 46- year history. The men and women of the fire department join me in Always conservative and thoughtful in our budgeting we were proud congratulating Chief Bowman on his well-deserved retirement but, to be the recipients of two major grant awards in 2018. more importantly, thanking him for his service. The FEMA-managed SAFER Grant was awarded for funding of the 12 firefighter positions that will be needed at Fire Station #11. On March 23 the department’s first career firefighters, hired in 1998, Those troops have already been hired and are currently in our celebrated their 20th anniversary with the department. As of this writing, 15 of those 30 still serve in various positions of leadership 4

arduous 36-week recruit program that we manage in-house. We treat, vial of life, and aerial’s house toy drive programs as well as also received a gracious Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation our ever increasingly popular child safety seat instruction. grant for a full complement of personal flotation devices and rescue throw bags that will outfit every fire apparatus with these lifesav- In closing, please allow me this humbling opportunity to express ing tools during heavy rains and urban flooding. how honored I am to serve as your fire chief, the fourth in the proud history of the Forsyth County Fire Department. Our department Our community outreach and education efforts, one of our most motto, service through tradition, excellence, and integrity, perfectly important functions as public servants, also had a banner year. sums up how your firefighters carry themselves as they work for Working with our partners in the Forsyth County School System we you day in and day out. With an eye on the future… embarked on an aggressive campaign to give our area teachers and bus drivers critical training in the Stop-the-Bleed campaign. The Respectfully, training and kits that each teacher and driver received arms them with the knowledge and confidence to save a life in the event of a traumatic bleeding injury. Finally, our community risk reduction team once again saw record Barry G. Head participation as we conducted the successful citizens’ fire academy, junior fire academy, ghost out, safety town, trunk-or- Chief of Department Forsyth County Fire Department 5

Organizational Chart 6

Budget The Forsyth County Fire Department 2018 budget was $23,164,901. The Fire Department’s primary funding source is the Fire Department millage rate. Additionally, funds from both Impact Fees and the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) provide the department funding for special projects and capital purchases. MILLAGE RATE FIRE MILLAGE RATE 2013-2019 The Fire Department is funded by a separate property tax, or 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 millage rate, rather than through the use of Forsyth County’s General Fund resources. The Fire Department’s 2018 millage 1.975 1.975 1.975 1.975 1.975 1.975 1.975 rate remained at 1.975. Forsyth County’s millage rates continue to be among the lowest in the metro Atlanta area. SPLOST IMPACT FEES Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) is a one- percent county sales tax used to fund capital projects such The Fire Department also receives funding from the as buildings and other public facilities. The current SPLOST county’s Impact Fee program. Impact Fees are a charge on program, SPLOST VII, was approved by Forsyth County voters development to pay for the construction or expansion of in November 2011 and went into effect July 1, 2013. The capital improvements that are necessitated by and benefit SPLOST VII program anticipates $3.9 million in funding for the development. Forsyth County’s Impact Fee program scheduled fire apparatus replacement. began in January 2004 and, as of April 30, 2019, has collected $16,187,936.49 for the Fire Department. These funds can only The current SPLOST program will run through June 30, 2019. be used to construct capital facilities such as fire stations or to In November 2018, thanks to voters, the Fire Department was purchase capital firefighting equipment. included in the SPLOST VIII program. 7

Fire Divisions Forsyth County Fire Department is divided into five divisions, Fire Administration, Fire Marshal, Technical Services, Training and Field Operations. Fire Administration 1 Division Chief 2 Financial Operations Supervisor Division Chief of Fire Administration Brenda Green 1 Administrative Assistant oversees the day-to-day operations of Fire Department Headquarters. The Fire Administration Division manages human resources, payroll, reporting, budget control, statistic and public assistance. Fire Marshal 1 Division Chief 1 Deputy Fire Marshal Division Chief, Fire Marshal Jason Stover 5 Fire Investigators oversees and manages the Fire Marshal’s Office to include fire code 2 Plans Reviewers enforcement, plan review and fire investigations, as well as the 2 Arson Investigators department’s public safety education efforts. 3 Fire Prevention Training Officers 1 Administrative Specialist Fire Marshal’s Office Through building plans review and fire inspections, this division plays an integral role in the construction of new buildings and ensuring those structures are built to meet or exceed current fire codes. This division also investigates any fire that is suspicious in nature, unlawfully set or of which the cause cannot be immediately determined. Public Safety Education Educating community members about fire prevention and the dangers of fire is an important initiative of the Forsyth County Fire Department. Each year, the department’s Public Safety Education efforts reach thousands of people, educating them about fire prevention and the dangers of fire, as well as the many services offered to the community by the Fire Department. This division works routinely in local schools and offers fire safety education to any interested party. Additionally, this division installs smoke alarms for elderly and needy citizens and operates the department’s Fire Safety House. This division also manages the department’s C.A.R.S. (Children Are Riding Safely) program which, through its nationally certified Child Safety Seat Technicians, provides the public with free child safety seat inspections and installations. Photo: Photo: Courtesy Courtesy of of Ben Ben Hendron Hendron Photography Photography 8

Technical Services 1 Division Chief 1 EMS Coordinator Division Chief of Technical Services Jason Shivers 2 Motor Maintenance Staff oversees and manages the emergency medical services, motor 2 Quartermaster Staff maintenance, quartermaster and training missions of the department. He is also the department’s primary point-of-contact for new apparatus design and specifications and new firehouse design and specifications, and serves as the department spokesperson. Emergency Services Coordinator This office oversees all medical training and emergency medical services quality control, acting as the liaison with the county emergency medical transport contractor. The coordinator ensures all Fire Department Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) functions follow procedures and maintain state of Georgia requirements. Additionally, the coordinator is designated as the official ambulance service contract administrator for any provider doing business with Forsyth County. Motor Maintenance Motor Maintenance serves as the critical link keeping the department operable, ensuring all department vehicles are maintained and repaired properly and efficiently. The technicians perform all preventative maintenance and overhauling of department equipment including emergency apparatus, staff vehicles and small tools and equipment, and have the ability to perform in-house metal fabrication. Quartermaster This office ensures the field is supplied with tools and uniforms, and maintains the stock of supplies for all fire stations and the Fire Department Headquarters. Additionally, the quartermaster acts as the primary point-of-contact for the fire chief on Fire Department facility needs and is also responsible for the annual testing of all automatic external defibrillators in county facilities. Training 1 Division Chief 3 Full-Time Training Staff Division Chief of Technical Services Jason Shivers 1 Part-Time Training Staff oversees and manages the emergency medical services, motor maintenance, quartermaster and training missions of the department. He is also the department’s primary point-of-contact for new apparatus design and specifications and new firehouse design and specifications, and serves as the department spokesperson. Training This division trains personnel in all matters of field suppression and rescue functions. This division maintains training records and ensures appropriate personnel are up-to-date with technology, methodology and receiving the required number of training hours for their level of expertise. 9

Fire Divisions (continued) Field Operations 1 Division Chief 6 Battalion Chiefs Division Chief of Field Operations Ronald Fagan 39 Fire Lieutenants oversees and 51 Fire Apparatus Operators manages all suppression activities and emergency response provided 67 Firefighters by the department’s two battalions, 13 companies and special 1 Systems Analyst operations sections. Suppression All administration functions of the department ultimately are conducted to support the Suppression Division, which is the backbone of the Fire Department. This division contains field personnel working in fire stations and responding to the constant requests for assistance from the citizenry. Field personnel are supervised by lieutenants, and lieutenants are supervised by battalion chiefs. Each shift is assigned two battalion chiefs. These officers maintain field personnel records, field payroll and clock times, and command fire scenes and major rescues. All field personnel work on the traditional 24/48-hour schedule. They report to their workstation by 7 a.m. and are in-service working for the citizens for 24 hours. At the end of their shift, they are relieved at 7 a.m. the following morning by the next oncoming shift. Their days off begin and continue for 48 hours. At the end of 48 hours, they return for the next 24-hour shift. Dive Unit Responding out of Fire Station 15, this unit is responsible for rescue and recovery involving deep water. The personnel are highly trained in safely searching for and recovering victims of drownings and routinely assist law enforcement in the recovery of vehicles and evidence from Lake Lanier and surrounding bodies of water. Hazardous Materials Unit This unit is Forsyth County’s first line of defense to the potential ravages of hazardous materials, responding from Fire Station 2 with a full complement of hazardous materials response tools and equipment. Fire personnel at Station 2 are registered as hazardous materials technicians and can respond to and mitigate most any hazardous materials incident. 10

Special Events Unit This specially trained and equipped team is designed for large crowds and events where there is very little room for vehicle access. The bicycle unit participates in parades and high- attendance events at the Cumming Fairgrounds and can be used for response along the Big Creek Greenway. The primary mission is to arrive quickly on the scene of a medical emergency and render aid well before a fire apparatus or ambulance can make access to the patient. Honor Guard This unit is responsible for honoring fallen public safety professionals and military veterans, with the training and services provided on a voluntary basis by members of the Fire Department. The Honor Guard responds to service requests for funerals, flag presentations and parades and is selected annually to participate in the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Memorial Weekend at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Swift Water Rescue Unit This unit responds out of Fire Station 15 and is responsible for rescues involving victims trapped in swiftly moving waters. Primary responses of this unit involve the Chattahoochee River south of Buford Dam and fishermen or boaters stranded in the quickly rising waters. Wildland/Urban Interface Unit This unit responds out of Fire Station 5 and is responsible for combating wildland and brush fires and incidents where wildland meets urban housing. 11

Existing Fire Stations Battalion One STATION 1 234 Castleberry Industrial Drive 2.41 acres 2007 5 firefighters (min) 24-hours Four stalls. Houses the Office of the First Battalion, Engine 1, Truck 1 and Med 1. STATION 2 4055 Carolene Way 3.04 acres 2007 3 firefighters (min) 24-hours Four stalls. Houses Engine 2, Haz-Mat 2, the Hazardous Materials Decontamination Unit and Med 2. Home of the Forsyth County Fire Department Hazardous Materials Unit STATION 4 3910 Evans Road 3.32 acres 2012 3 firefighters (min) 24-hours Two stalls. Houses Engine 3, Light/Air 4 and Med 4. STATION 6 3190 Caney Road 2.92 acres 2017 3 firefighters (min) 24-hours Four stalls. Houses Engine 6 and Brush Truck 6. Construction of the new station was funded by a combination of SPLOST VI funds and Impact Fees. 14

Forsyth County has 13 fire stations strategically located for effective coverage across the county. While each station has a designated service area, they fre- quently respond together on large-scale incidents requiring response by multiple units and also back one another up when a company is unavailable to respond. STATION 15 STATION 14 STATION 10 3680 Old Atlanta Road 1.5 acres 1999 3 firefighters (min) 24-hours Two stalls. Houses Engine 10 and Med 10. Station expected to last through 2020 800 McFarland Parkway 1 acre 1994 5 firefighters (min) 24-hours Two stalls. Houses Engine 14 and Truck 14. Station expected to last through 2019 1525 Buford Highway 1 acre 1999 3 firefighters (min) 24-hours Two stalls. Houses Engine 15, Rescue 15 and the Dive and Swift Water Rescue Units’ equipment Battalion One Home of the Forsyth County Fire Service Area Fire Department Dive and Swift Water Units Station expected to last through 2018 15

Existing Fire Stations Battalion Two STATION 3 6495 Wallace Tatum Road 3 acres 2013 3 firefighters (min) 24-hours Two stalls. Houses Engine 3, Brush Truck 3. STATION 5 2720 Holtzclaw Road 2 acres 2005 3 firefighters (min) 24-hours Two stalls. Houses Engine 5, Tanker 5 and Brush Truck 5. Home of the Forsyth County Fire Department Wildland/Urban Interface Unit. 1.25 acres are owned by Forsyth County and 0.75 acres is leased from the Forsyth County Board of Education. STATION 7 6320 Dahlonega Highway 3 acres 2011 3 firefighters (min) 24-hours Two stalls. Houses Engine 7 and Tanker 7. 16

STATION 8 6015 Keith Bridge Road 3 acres 2017 3 firefighters (min) 24-hours Four stalls. Houses Engine 8 and Tanker 8 Construction of the new station was funded by a combination of SPLOST VI funds and Impact Fees; constructed adjacent to former station, which was razed in 2016. STATION 9 7385 Browns Bridge Road 1 acre 1989 3 firefighters (min) 24-hours Two stalls. Houses Engine 9 and Med 9 Current station not designed for 24-hour occupancy; expected to last through 2018. STATION 12 3530 Settingdown Road 3 acres 2006 3 firefighters (min) 24-hours Battalion Two Four stalls. Houses the Office of the Fire Service Area Second Battalion, Engine 12, Rescue 12, Technical Rescue Vehicle and Med 12. Home of the Forsyth County Fire Department Technical Rescue Unit. Station is part of the Public Safety Complex. 17

Fire Department Facilities • L•o3 c5Haa2otlu0elsddSeeiesnptatttrhihtneemgOdPeofunfwbticlndieciRvoSoisfaaitfdoehntesyFCiroemCphleiexf at and • LHCoUseaocStuanniacplddisthpzqetererurdeeddaussuacrfcstldoteeuiejroadrednasc,riecetvnrnpaoaptrlniaihnfetciaiotnnesyegtmedho,seefhsnsifpFgtiiraohnetcrc-osaeteynrbrattgeehhilnesefCiucnrmoneugudesipdnecart-duo1nye9gbdF,yr9riraro0oSmeposPsDfeLesOirnepiSmcasTlrucutlVduamiIetnIe,Iigosnnfteiarerch • • • • Located adjacent to the Forsyth County Fire Department Headquarters • Constructed in the mid-1990s • Services all Fire Department apparatus and vehicles • Includes a pump testing facility, three parts rooms, one light duty lift and six heavy truck lifts 18

Future Fire Stations ADDITIONAL STATIONS PLANNED AND PROPOSED REPLACEMENT STATION CONSTRUCTION BY YEAR 19

Specialty Apparatus Brush Trucks Light and Air Truck The light and air unit was put in service in 2016, Brush trucks are capable of reaching remote areas and areas not easily The light and air unit is a specialized apparatus equipped with a large generator, replacing a very outdated accessible by fire engines and trucks. They are highly effective vehicles extensive lighting capabilities, a hydraulic truck from the 1980s, and that are smaller and more maneuverable, allowing them to negotiate light tower and breathing air cascade system. is housed at Fire Station 4. narrow pathways, off-road trails and golf cart paths. Three brush trucks were specially designed The unit is specifically built to work as a They are equipped with and put in service in 2005, one each housed at stand-lone tool at large scale incidents that require additional lighting or foam capabilities that, in Fire Stations 3, 5 and 10. While the three units call for firefighters’ breathing air to be produced on site. wildland fires, suppress can work in concert on large fires, they are better than water alone. strategically distributed throughout the county Hazardous Materials Truck and One decontamination unit is to ensure proper coverage of all areas. Decontamination Unit housed at Fire Station 2 and was purchased using grant Dive Van Apparatus of the Hazardous Materials Unit funds in 2005. respond to any hazardous material incident The dive van is utilized by the Dive Unit for all One dive van is housed at or scare in Forsyth County. dive rescue and recovery operations. Fire Station 15 and was put into service in 2006. In 2009, the Hazardous Materials Unit received a refurbished apparatus redesigned by Fire Department Motor Maintenance. It was converted from an engine to become the primary vehicle, replacing an old truck and trailer vehicle. Our Fleet Battalion Brush Truck Dive Van Light and Air Heavy Vehicle Unit Rescue 20

ATV Technical Rescue Vehicle The versatile ATV assists in responding to medical emergencies or small fires The Technical Rescue Unit’s primary vehicle is a truck and trailer during events in and around the Cumming Fairgrounds, Sawnee Mountain combination unit containing the tools and equipment necessary to and other locations. This ATV performs these perform extremely dangerous and complicated rescues and recoveries. missions well on recreational trails and in One ATV, put in service This rescue vehicle responds to manufacturing, construction and crowded, compact environments. in 2011, is housed at Fire storm-related incidents resulting in injury and Station 1. will be on site of any disastrous occurrence This unit, housed at Fire where life is or could be at stake. It is capable Station 12, was put in Mini Ambulance of supporting high-angle, confined space, trench service in 2006. The gas-powered mini-ambulance is specifically designed as a collapse and structural collapse operations as well as accomplishing lightweight vehicle for emergency medical response along the Big Creek Greenway and One mini ambulance, put in the urban search and rescue mission of the department. The truck within the Fowler Park complex. service in 2012, is housed at portion of the unit is detachable and used to transport personnel and Station 2. supplies into areas requiring off-road capability. This need is common Special Events Unit Bicycles on construction sites and during utility right-of-way construction. The bicycles of the Special Events Unit are specially designed for Wildland ATV One wildland ATV, purchased emergency medical response. They are rugged tools designed for the in 2005, is housed at Fire demanding rigors of public safety and require operators who are specially The smaller, highly maneuverable wildland Station 3 and has a 60-gallon trained for this unit’s mission. ATV assists brush trucks in fighting wildland capacity tank with a fires. The ATV’s firefighting capabilities can be 60-gallon per minute pump. Swift Water Rescue Boat The swift water rescue boat replaced with a medical response skid unit, enabling it to perform emergency medical The Forsyth County Fire Department was is stationed at Fire Station transport in off-road environments. honored in 2010 to receive a $20,000 15, which is home to the grant toward the purchase of a swift water Swift Water Rescue Unit. rescue boat, which allows for effective operations in shallow and quickly moving waters. Tanker Hazardous Engine Ladder Truck Materials Truck 21

Citizen’s Fire Academy Gives Residents a Look at the Day-to-Day of Firefighting The annual 10-week long Citizens’ Fire Academy Participants learned about the firefighter profession and its program for adult residents interested in learning more multiple divisions, types of training received, and the about what career firefighters do was held in the spring. equipment used – some of which they got to operate first-hand. 22

Chief Barry Head with both the Forsyth County Fire De- partment and Sheriff’s Office. He most Sworn in as Forsyth County’s Fourth Fire Chief recently held the position of division Barry Head was sworn in as chief, field operations prior to Forsyth County’s fourth fire being named fire chief. In chief during a ceremony that role, Head was direct- on Jan. 17. Head previ- ly responsible for the ously served as interim daily field operations fire chief following of the department and the retirement of supervision of the six Fire Chief Danny battalion chiefs. In ad- Bowman in Oct. dition, all fire station 2018. Chief Head operations and emer- has protected gency response were Forsyth County under his command. for more than 25 years and has served in various public safety roles Ninth Annual Poster Contest Gives Third Graders Chance to Educate on Fire Safety The Forsyth County Fire Department invited all local third grade students to participate in the ninth annual Fire Safety Poster Contest. Students were given the opportunity to display their creativity and artistic talents while promoting a commitment to fire safety in one of three themes; Two Ways Out, Firefighters Are Our Friends and Get Low and Go. The three winners of the contest enjoyed a pizza party with their class and local firefighters. The winners and runners-up also had their artwork displayed in county buildings and received a certificate of accomplishment from the Forsyth County Fire Department. Junior Fire Academy Seventh and Eighth Graders Learn the Ins and Outs of Firefighting For the past nine years, the Forsyth County Fire Department has welcomed Forsyth County youth interested in learning what it takes to be a firefighter to sign up for a free week-long daytime summer camp program. The Junior Fire Academy, which is for students entering seventh and eighth grade, was held in June at the Forsyth County Fire Department Headquarters. Campers had the opportunity to experience the different aspects of being a career firefighter, from firefighting to CPR. 23

Annual Boot Drive Benefits the Georgia Firefighter’s Burn Foundation The Fire Department joined more than 100 fire departments across Georgia to help “Give Burns the Boot” ® during their annual boot drive. Donations collected during the boot drive were presented to the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation and are used annually for fire safety and prevention education as well as burn survivor services. A portion of the funds raised was also used to support local fire prevention and education efforts in Forsyth County and to help support Camp Oo-U-La®, a week-long summer camp for burn-injured children and their siblings. Department Recognizes and Promotes Personnel, Welcomes New Firefighters and and Graduates Recruit Class Department Recognizes and Promotes Personnel, Welcomes New Firefighters, and Graduates Recruit Class In ceremonies held March 15, and Oct. 11, the Forsyth County Fire Department presented awards, promoted personnel, swore in new firefighters and grad- uated a recruit class. Family, friends and Fire Department staff attended the ceremonies held in the Forsyth County Administration Building (March 15) and Mountain Lake Church (Oct. 11). During the two ceremonies, 12 Life Saved awards were presented to Fire Department personnel in recognition of outstand- ing actions over the past several years, 24 members of the department were formally promoted to new positions, and one probationary firefighter and nine firefighters new to the county officially became Forsyth County firefighters. Also, during the Oct. 11 ceremony, 25 recruits graduated to the rank of firefighter after completing 18 weeks of intense training. 24

Ground Broken for Fire Station 11 on Pittman Road Ground was broken on Aug. 6, for the department’s newest facility, Forsyth County Fire Station 11. The new station will be located on Pittman Road in western Forsyth County. Construction of the new station is funded by the voter-approved Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) VI program and by Impact Fees. Fire Station 11 will be a 12,000 square foot, four-stall station, designed to accommodate the personnel and equipment that will operate out of the facility and to allow for future growth. The station is expected to open in the summer of 2020. In Sept. 2018, the Forsyth Coun- ty Fire Department was awarded a grant from the Department of Homeland Security/Federal Emergency Management Agency to support the staff cost at Fire Station 11. The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant will fund the hiring of 12 new firefighters for the new station. The grant will provide funding for 2019, 2020 and 2021 that was not otherwise fully funded in the fire department’s budget. Construction of new Fire Station 11 was awarded to Cooper & Co. General Contractors, Inc. of Cumming in the amount of $4,261,607. The architect for the project is Croft and Associates. 25

Forsyth County Fire Hosts Summer Water Safety Media Events Prior to the Independence Day and Labor Day holiday weekends, representatives from the Forsyth County Fire Department, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, National Parks Service, Army Corps of Engineers and other local public safety agencies addressed topics surrounding lake and river safety. The first media event held July 2 along the Lake Lanier shoreline at Mary Alice Park highlighted life-saving water safety information such as boating under the influence, life jacket use, general boating safety and holiday road traffic. The second media briefing, at Buford Dam’s Lower Pool West Park, was held Aug. 27 and focused on water safety on the Chattahoochee River, particularly near the dam. 26

Annual Toy Collection Impacts Local Children Over 22,599 toys were collected during the holiday season for local children in need during the Fire Department’s annual Aerial’s House toy collection. Donations of these toys, plus cash and gift cards, helped make Christmas possible for more than 2,081 local children who may otherwise have not received any gifts. Donations from the community were collected at all fire stations, the fire department headquarters, the county administration building, and county libraries. Larry Mitro One of the County’s First Full-Time Firefighters, Passes Firefighter Larry Mitro passed away on Christmas morning at the age of 56 following a battle with cancer. Mitro served Forsyth County since 1998 and was one of the county’s original 30 full time career firefighters. As a mark of respect following his passing, flags at Forsyth County Fire stations flew at half-staff. 27

RESPONSES 2.57% Fires BY INCIDENT TYPE IN 2018 .80% Brush Fires | .94% Structure Fires .49% Vehicle Fires | .34% Miscellaneous Fires 5.91% Motor Vehicle Accidents 52.34% 1A0la.r1m5s% Medical 10.15% Alarms 11.27% 7.27% Fire Alarms Canceled .75% Carbon Monoxide 1.06% Gas Leak 17.76% 1.07% Investigation of Smoke Miscellaneous Calls INCIDENT HOT SPOT ANALYSIS The map to the left shows the fire incident response density from January 1 - December 31, 2018. Lowest density Highest density In 2018, the Fire Department responded to 14,441 incidents. The total number of Fire Department emergency apparatus movements (a movement is any time an apparatus is dispatched from a station) was 18,247. As is evident, the demand for the county’s emergency fire services has grown steadily over the years and this pattern of growth is expected to continue. 28

2,047 1,316 712 1,466 863 1,424 442 791 651 1,110 1,039 1,066 1,364 4:31 5:44 6:07 5:53 5:06 4:57 4:57 6:08 4:47 4:44 4:55 5:10 5:21 The Forsyth County Fire Department’s 2018 average response time for on-scene arrival was five minutes 16 seconds, down from five minutes and 18 seconds in 2017. Fire station response times vary as a result of travel distances and other factors. 29

Symbolic Elements The Patchof the The American flag in the upper left corner represents the patriotism and the pride of Forsyth County firefighters in being dedicated public servants. The black field in the lower half of the patch represents mourning and remembering the loss of fellow public safety professionals. The department has experienced three line-of-duty deaths since its inception. The Maltese Cross incorporates the tools and symbols of the modern Forsyth County Fire Department and the services provided. Photo: Courtesy of Ben Hendron Photography Forsyth County Fire Department Annual Report 3520 Settingdown Road • Cumming, Georgia 30028 • forsythco.com • (770) 781-2120 • (770) 781-2194 fax Now in its 15th year, the Forsyth County Fire Department Annual Report is prepared jointly by the Forsyth County Fire Department and Forsyth County Department of Communications. For news and up-to-date information about Forsyth County, including the Forsyth County Fire Department, follow us on social media: / forsythcounty @forsythcountyga @ForsythCoGov TVForsyth.com government