HomeMy WebLinkAbout04/15/2014 05B 2013 Fire Department Annual ReportBUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No.
For Meeting of: 4/15/2014
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2013 Annual Report for the Yakima Fire Department
Bob Stewart, Acting Fire Chief
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Description
YFD 2013 Annual Report
City Manager
Upload Date
3/24/2014
Type
Cover Memo
YAKIMA FIRE
DEPARTMENT
ANNUAL REPORT
2013
Cover Photos: Firefighters open a wall at a fire in a metal structure. Firefighter on
Engine -91. YFD engines at a night incident.
013 Annual Report designed by Rita Mantey, Department Secretary.
YAKIMA FIRE DEPARTMENT
ANNUAL REPORT
2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction:
Chief's Letter to the Citizens of Yakima
Administration 1
Organizational Chart 2
Personnel List 3
New Employees 4
Badge Ceremony 5
Retirements 6
Rusty Hauber Memorial
Outstanding Achievement Award 7
Operations 8
2013 Alarm Statistics 9
Response Time Standards, 10
HB -1756 Report 2013 11-12
Training 13
Investigation Division 14
Public Education & Safety 15-18
Reserves 19
Administration
Fire Suppression
Fire Investigation
& Education
Training
Communications
March 18, 2014
401 North Front Street, Yakima, WA 98901 (509) 575-6060
Fax (509) 576-6356
www.yakimafire.com
To the Mayor and members of the Yakima City Council,
As we wrap up the year 2013, there are several areas of triumph that are worthy of sharing with
you. First and foremost, every one of the dedicated men and women responders of YFD went home
safely. Perhaps some of them went home with a bruise, a strained muscle or an abrasion, but each
one went home — and for that we are thankful.
Always alert for methods to improve the level of service and operational economy, while at the
same time providing improved safety for citizens and responders, YFD changed the method in
which we deploy fire apparatus for structure fires. To more effectively manage this risk, together
with our partners at SunComm, we developed a triage system that allows for more specific control
measures for fire apparatus response. In the instance of smoke or fire in a building, a multi -
apparatus response is utilized, but incidents such as overheated appliances, electrical problems or
burned food (confined) on the stove, they now consist of a single -apparatus response. This system
of triage has significantly reduced the exposure risk to our citizens as a direct result of reducing the
number of responding fire apparatus for incidents that don't warrant such a heavy response.
Similarly, we applied that concept to EMS responses by implementing a Criteria -Based Dispatching
model. Today, 911 call -takers and dispatchers at SunComm utilize a dispatching protocol based
upon a model that deploys resources corresponding to the actual need rather than a one -size -fits -
all model. For example, incidents that are relatively minor in nature receive an EMS response from
the closest private ambulance only, whereas an incident where the patient is complaining of chest
pain or breathing difficulty will trigger a dual, fire apparatus/private ambulance response. This
system has resulted in an approximately 30% reduction in fire apparatus responses to EMS
incidents which in turn keeps resources in a state of readiness for a concurrent fire or EMS incident.
As we move into 2014, we thank you for your support as we continue our forward momentum that
focuses upon safety, stewardship, and customer service.
Respectfully,
tewart, A 'ung Fire Chief
"The Yakima Fire Department is dedicated to providing
quality public safety services to our community."
ADMINISTRATION
The administrative staff and their respective functions remained generally unchanged
from the 2012 organizational structure.
The Fire Chief has the overarching responsibility for the department's operations, and
serves as the interface for council, city manager and city staff communication and
collaboration. Two Deputy Chief officers directly oversee the emergency and non-
emergency response operations as well as ancillary supporting functions and
infrastructure needs. New for 2013 is a Fire and Life Safety Inspection program that
includes two inspectors — who report directly to the Support Deputy Chief.
Rounding out the administrative staff are one Administrative Assistant to the Fire Chief
and one Secretary II. These two positions provide multi -faceted support to the three chief
officers, and play a key role in the overall success of the department's mission.
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City of Yakima Fire Department
Organizational Chart — 2013
ADMINISTRATIVE
ASSISTANT
Connie Mendoza
DEPUTY CHIEF OPERATIONS
Bob Stewart
Emergency Ops, Budgeting,
Apparatus, Logistics,
Strategic Planning, Labor
Negotiations, Disaster
Planning & Mitigation, ARFF,
HazMat, EMS
FIRE CHIEF
Dave Willson
SECRETARY II
Rita Mantey
DEPARTMENT MECHANIC
Mark Frey
SHIFT COMMANDER
Mitch Cole Tom Sevigny Vacant
Captains — 6
Lieutenants - 12
Firefighters — 55
DEPUTY CHIEF SUPPORT
Mark Soptich
Training, Strategic Planning,
Human Resources, Facilities
& Equipment, Labor
Negotiations, Accreditation/
RCW 52.33.010, Budgeting,
Purchasing, Safety, Codes
Interface, Inspections, Info
Systems, Fire
Investigations, Tech
Rescue. Reserves
TRAINING
CAPTAIN
Ted Vander
Houwen
PUBLIC
EDUCATION
CAPTAIN
Tom
Schneider
FIRE
INSPECTOR
Chuck Heath
Tony Doan
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YAKIMA FIRE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL
Administration
Chief of the Department Dave Willson - 1984
Deputy Chief - Operations Bob Stewart — 1988
Deputy Chief — Support Services Mark Soptich - 2012
Administrative Assistant Connie Mendoza - 2007
Secretary II Rita Mantey — 1987
Battalion Chiefs
Captains
Lieutenants
Mitch Cole — 1988
Tom Sevigny — 1984
Vacant Position
Bruce Drollinger — 1990
Brandon Dorenbush — 1998
Jennifer Norton — 1993
Joe Riel — 1985
Rocky Willette — 1985
Don Wolterstorff — 1996
Day Positions
Greg Ahmann — 1990
Joe Chinco — 1993
Charlie Derrick - 2000
Don Dexter — 1985
Gary Gefre - 1992
Alex Langbell — 1995
Bruce Newell — 1983
Jeff Pfaff — 1995
Jason Ray - 2001
Jeremy Rodriguez — 1996
Hans Solie — 1986
David Stark — 1996
Tom Schneider — Public Education Captain - 1988
Ted Vander Houwen — Training Captain — 1992
Mark Frey — Department Mechanic — 1989
Chuck Heath — Fire Inspector - 2013
Tony Doan — Fire Inspector - 2013
Firefighters
JoAnna Albrecht - 1992
Mark Ancira — 1998
Dan Apodaca — 1996
Joe Armstrong - 2004
Brent Bauer — 1996
Andrey Belza - 2007
Bob Benner — 1998
Kari Brown — 1994
Ty Brown — 2002
Joe Burbank - 1998
Cody Burton - 2007
Chris Casey - 1992
Ryan Croffut - 2011
Pete Day - 2006
Adrian de Mestre - 2007
Travis Dexter - 2007
Pete Duthie - 2001
Jay Elmo — 1988
Jeff Feen - 2002
Tim Gese - 2005
Travis Hellewell - 2004
Jonathan Hood - 2006
Brad Hopkins - 2005
Jason Horton - 2012
Marcus Hudson - 1996
Dan Jensen - 2004
Jeff Jones - 2000
Tim Kerns - 2004
Brian Kneisler - 2001
Bill Kotzin — 1997
Bil Lealos - 2006
Steve Lockwood - 2006
Chris Manion — 1997
Dan Mansfield — 1996
Ed Moore - 2002
Andrew Morales - 2011
Shannon Needham - 1997
Kai Nishida - 2003
Reserve Support Members
Harlan Petersen — 1988
Randy Raschko - 1999
Brian Robertson - 2006
John Shahan - 2004
Kory Simmons — 1993
Nick Sloan - 2006
Brian Smillie - 2009
Kris Stark- 1989
Jeremiah Stilley - 2005
Jeff Stone - 2004
Mike Trujillo - 2003
Mike Wagner - 2004
Brian Williams - 2002
Chad Williams — 2004
Rob Williams - 2005
Jason Wilson - 2008
2 Vacant Positions
Eferon Betancourt
Stephanie Black
Scott Eier
Leisa Garrett
Robert Kransberger
Delbert Miles
Cynthia Parsons
Kamy Patten
Francis Razey
Caroline Rowe
Laurel Sherman
Cody Tusler
Susan Whitman
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NEW EMPLOYEES -
FIRE CODE INSPECTORS
As a part of the 2013 budget City Council approved the addition of two Fire Code
Inspectors to the staffing of the Yakima Fire Department.
Chuck Heath joined the department in May as one of the Fire Code Inspectors. Chuck
was formerly a Captain on the Yakima Fire Department, retiring in 2000 after 30 years of
service. He later became a Fire Code Inspector with the City of Yakima Code
Administration Office.
Tony Doan was hired in August as the second Fire Code Inspector. Tony was formerly
employed by a local fire protection equipment company.
By the end of the year the Fire Code Inspectors had conducted 2,669 inspections and re -
inspections of local businesses. A major emphasis was placed on the North First Street
corridor.
Chuck Heath and Tony Doan
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BADGE CEREMONY
The Wolterstorff Family
Lieutenant Don Wolterstorff was promoted to the rank of Fire Captain on June 1, 2013.
Captain Wolterstorff began his career as a Firefighter with Yakima Fire Department on
Octoberl, 1996. He was promoted to Fire Lieutenant on July 1, 2008.
The Derrick Family
Firefighter Charlie Derrick was promoted to the rank of Fire Lieutenant on June 1, 2013.
Lieutenant Derrick began his Firefighter career on December 18, 2000.
The Horton Family
Firefighter Jason Horton completed his one-year probation on May 31, 2013 and received
his badge and a certificate of achievement.
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RETIREMENTS
Captain Rod Vetsch retired from YFD on February 28,
2013 after 33 years, 4 months of service. He began his
career as a probationary Firefighter on August 7, 1978.
Following the loss of several positions due to budget
cuts in December 1979, Rod was rehired on February
20, 1981. On January 1, 1990 he was promoted to Fire
Lieutenant and on July 1, 2006 to Fire Captain.
Battalion Chief Abel Castilleja retired from service on
June 30, 2013 after 30 years, 6 months with the
Yakima Fire Department. He was hired as a
probationary Firefighter on December 20, 1982. He
was promoted to Fire Lieutenant on April 1, 1990. He
served as Drill Captain in 1992. On November 1, 1997
he was promoted to Fire Captain and on October 1,
1998 to Battalion Chief assigned to Training Division
where he served two years. On August 1, 2000 he was
assigned as Shift Battalion Chief. He acted as
temporary Deputy Fire Chief during parts of 2000 and
2002.
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RUSTY HAUBER MEMORIAL
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Rusty Hauber Memorial Outstanding Achievement Award for 2013 was presented to
Firefighter Nick Sloan.
Firefighter Sloan has been a member of the Yakima Fire Department since September
2006. He is a member of the Technical Rescue Team and has attended specialized rescue
training. His special assignment is drawing prefire plans utilizing a computerized
drawing program. He continues to gain knowledge about the program and improve upon
the drawings, making sure they are completed in a timely manner.
Firefighter Sloan took charge of the 2013 Firehouse Spaghetti Feed to benefit the local
chapter of American Red Cross, spending a lot of his off-duty time to ensure that the
event was a success.
He is known by his officers and peers as a Firefighter who performs his duties with
professionalism and dedication.
Firefighter Nick Sloan accepts his
award from Chief Bob Stewart and
Lieutenant Jeremy Rodriguez
The Sloan Family
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OPERATIONS
Activities of the Operations Division comprise the overwhelming majority of what the
general public associates with their fire department's mission. These activities include
emergency response for fires, Emergency Medical Response (EMS), motor vehicle
accidents, and a multitude of non -emergency responses for customer service -related
incidents. In addition to these more conventional responses, YFD maintains several
"Special Teams" — with members who train and prepare for responses to low
frequency/high risk incidents. These special teams respond to incidents that involve
Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF), Hazardous Materials (HazMat), Technical
Rescue and Fire Investigation.
Effective May 31, 2013, YFD - in conjunction with SunComm - implemented a Criteria -
Based EMS Dispatch protocol. This system employs a pre -defined triage system that
provides 911 call -takers and dispatchers with the tools to dispatch fire and private
ambulance units corresponding to the actual emergency medical need. Prior to
implementation of this system, EMS incidents were dispatched in a one -size -fits -all
fashion that included both a fire engine and private ambulance to every incident - without
consideration to the severity of the emergency medical need. During the 7 months since
implementation, fire apparatus response to EMS incidents has been effectively reduced
from 76% of the total annual call volume in 2012 to 69% in 2013. Benefits of this
system include accuracy in matching resource deployment with the EMS need, reduced
wear and fuel consumption on expensive fire apparatus, and keeping fire apparatus in a
ready -to -respond status for concurrent incidents.
New Rosenbauer fire engine
under construction for YFD.
In December 2013 YFD took delivery of a new fire engine. This new engine is part of an
ongoing replacement cycle for fire apparatus that have reached the end of their useful and
reliable lifespan. This engine was funded through the support of the city council utilizing
a 10 -year, low-interest loan with a manageable annual debt service.
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TOTAL ALARMS 2013
Rescue & Emergency Medical...
69.68%
Hazardous Condition (No Fire)
'1.86%
Service Call
7.10%
Good Intent CaII
X10.00%
False Alarm & False CaII
6.44%
Severe Weather & Natural...
0.02%
Special Incident Type
0.15%
Fires
4.60%
Overpressure rupture. explosion,...
0.1546
MAJOR INCIDENT TYPE - # INCIDENTS % of TOTAL
Fires
379
4.60%
Overpressure rupture, explosion, overheat - no fire
12
0.15%
Rescue & Emergency Medical Service
5737
69.68%
Hazardous Condition (No Fire)
153
1.86%
Service Call
584
7.10%
Good Intent Call
823
10.00%
False Alarm & False Call
530
6.44%
Severe Weather & Natural Disaster
2
0.02%
Special Incident Type
12
0.15%
TOTAL
8232
100.00%
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RESPONSE TIME STANDARDS
Response time involves several components that affect the overall time it takes to arrive
at an emergency scene. The standards that were chosen by Yakima are industry standard
across the nation. Each municipality in Washington sets their own standards of response
times and must report these standards each year. Below is an explanation of each
component.
CALL PROCESSING TIME: This time is not a function of the Fire Department and is
not listed as part of the HB -1756 report. Call processing is a function of the dispatch and
911 call taking center. Call processing time starts at the time the 911 call taker receives
the emergency call and ends after the dispatcher notifies the proper responder of the call.
TURNOUT TIME: Turnout time is measured from the time the station alarm sounds
until the apparatus begins to respond. Turnout time is affected by the type of call (a fire
requires full donning of firefighting gear before apparatus begins to respond.) Medical
call turnout time is generally less because fire gear is not donned.
TRAVEL TIME: Travel time is the time measured from the time the dispatched
apparatus begins to respond (wheels begin to roll) to the time the apparatus arrives at the
scene. Travel time is affected by distance between stations or travel distance, an
apparatus responding into the area of another station due to simultaneous calls, road
conditions, traffic and topography.
INITIAL FIRST ALARM ASSIGNMENT: At emergencies such as structure fires where
multiple apparatus are dispatched, it is important that secondary apparatus arrive in a
timely manner to facilitate important simultaneous tasks. These tasks include securing a
fire hydrant water supply, forcible entry, securing utilities, search and rescue, ventilation
and extinguishment. The FIRST ALARM ASSIGNMENT is the time it takes the last
apparatus to arrive at the scene from time of dispatch. Factors that affect this time are
distances away from the emergency by all apparatus, simultaneous alarms, and all other
travel conditions.
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HB 1756
ADOPTED STANDARDS
"Every fire jurisdiction shall adopt service delivery objectives in a written statement for all
services that are provided in an emergency mode." These include the following, if appropriate:
FIRE SUPPRESSION
Turnout Time:
The Yakima Fire Department has adopted a turnout time standard of 120 seconds (2:00) for a
structure fire incident, which the department should meet 90% of the time.
• 2013 Average 177 seconds (2:57) met standard 57%
Travel Time:
The Yakima Fire Department has adopted a travel time standard of 240 seconds (4:00) for the
arrival of the first engine company to a fire suppression incident, which the department should
meet 90% of the time.
• 2013 Average 289seconds (4:49) met standard 79%
Initial First Alarm Assignment:
The Yakima Fire Department has adopted a response/travel time standard of 480 seconds (8:00)
for the arrival of the full complement of a first alarm response to a fire suppression incident,
which the department should meet 90% of the time.
• 2013 Average 586 seconds (9:46) met standard 80%
EMS
Turnout Time:
The Yakima Fire Department has adopted a turnout time standard of 90 seconds (1:30) for an
EMS incident, which the department should meet 90% of the time.
• 2013 Average 128 seconds (2:08) met standard 67%
Travel Time:
The Yakima Fire Department has adopted a travel time standard of 240 seconds (4:00) for a BLS
unit, which the department should meet 90% of the time.
• 2013 Average 284 seconds (4:44) met standard 79%
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SPECIAL OPERATIONS
(Hazardous Materials, Technical Rescue)
Turnout Time:
The Yakima Fire Department has adopted a turnout time standard of 120 seconds (2:00) for a
Hazmat incident, which the department should meet 90% of the time.
• 2013 Average 149 seconds (2:29) met standard 76%
Travel Time:
The Yakima Fire Department has adopted a travel time standard for "Operations" level personnel
on scene in 240 seconds (4:00), which the department should meet 90% of the time.
• 2013 Average 338 seconds (5:38) met standard 65%
AIRCRAFT RESCUE & FIREFIGHTING
Turnout Time:
The Yakima Fire Department has adopted a turnout time standard of 120 seconds (2:00) for an
aircraft incident at the airport, which the department should meet 90% of the time.
FAA Requirement = 180 seconds (3:00)
• 2013 Average 1 seconds (0:01) met standard 100%
Travel Time:
The Yakima Fire Department has adopted a travel time standard of 240 seconds (4:00) for an
aircraft incident at the airport, which the department should meet 90% of the time.
• 2013 Average 2 seconds (0:02) met standard 100%
WILDLAND
Turnout Time:
The Yakima Fire Department has adopted a turnout time standard of 120 seconds (2:00) for a
wildland fire incident, which the department should meet 90% of the time.
• 2013 Average 176 seconds (2:56) met standard 45%
Travel Time:
The Yakima Fire Department has adopted a travel time standard of 240 seconds (4:00) for a
wildland fire incident, which the department should meet 90% of the time.
• 2013 Average 423 seconds (7:03) met standard 56%
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TRAINING DIVISION
The goal of the Training Division is to develop and deliver ongoing training to Fire
Fighters and Officers, promoting a work force that is confident in the skills and
knowledge needed to deliver services for every type of emergency.
In 2013 an Officer Development program was implemented with the intention to create
personnel ready for the succession of their supervisors' positions. The program is still in
process and should be completed within the next year.
In 2013, approximately 15,000 hours of training were completed by our personnel. The
number of disciplines needed for today's emergency service providers is growing every
year. Our staff is committed to excellence in knowledge, commitment to skills, and to
personal growth.
Other duties of the Training Division include: Wednesday Drill Day, Medical Exposure
Control Officer, training facility management, Emergency Vehicle Operator Training,
Wildland fire training, EMS agency supervisor, and Emergency Medical Equipment
Officer.
Aerial drill at Yakima Fire Training Center
The Training Division will
continue development of
materials for our training
program and improve
training opportunities with
neighboring departments.
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INVESTIGATION DIVISION
In 2013 the Yakima Fire Department Investigation Division conducted a total of 68 fire
investigations in the city. 26 of the fires were determined to be accidental, 18 of the fires
were determined to have been incendiary and in 24 of the fires the cause was
undetermined.
In 2013 the city had a total of 4 civilian fire deaths in 3 separate fires.
An accidental fire in a vacant house on February 1, 2013 resulted in the death of two
adult males. The house was being used by transients for shelter. Fire Fighters were able
to get both men out of the structure and they were taken to Harborview Hospital in
Seattle where they later died.
On October 14, 2013 an adult male died in a fire on Browne Avenue in a second floor
apartment. The cause of that fire is undetermined.
On December 7, 2013 an adult female died in an arson fire from smoke inhalation. This
case is open and is a joint investigation with YPD detectives who are investigating it as a
homicide.
Fireworks caused several fires in July and August including a fire on August 8 that
caused $265,000 estimated damage to a home on Scenic Drive. The fire started when
fireworks landed on a dry cedar roof and strong winds aided the fire, enabling it to spread
into the structure.
1717 Monroe Avenue fire July 27, 2013
The largest fire loss in 2013
was on July 27 at 1717
Monroe when a brush fire
burning in very dry
vegetation spread into two
occupied apartments. Fire
Fighters rescued two males
from one of the units during
the fire. The estimated loss
for this fire was $500,000.
The cause of this incident is
under investigation.
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PUBLIC EDUCATION & SAFETY
Public Education has been a very exciting and challenging venture for this organization during
2013. Our department successfully provided a vast array of public education events to our
community in an attempt to meet the needs of those we serve. As we move forward, it has been
established that the Yakima community very much wants to us to be a part of their daily lives —
beyond responding to the emergency event. In 2013 the following facts and figures were
produced.
Public Education Events
96
Total Adult outreach
31,147
Total K — 12 kids
28,635
Total Firefighters Hours
646
The Yakima Fire Department participated in approximately 96 separate events in the city of
Yakima from March to December. A breakdown of these events is posted in the chart below.
One particular group we plan to expand our operations into is the business community, assisting
them with free educational classes in matters dealing with Emergency Evacuation and
Preparedness, Fire Extinguisher use and using Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs).
IIF
STATION TOUR & SAFETY TALK
SCHOOL EXIT DRILLS
FIRST AID STATION
FIRE SAFETY BOOTH
FIRE SAFETY - WATER SHOW
GENERAL FIRE SAFETY CLASSES
FIRE EXTINGUISHER CLASS
COMMUNITY FIRE EDUCATION
BUSINESS FIRE EDUCATION
Public Education Events
1
KM
5 10 15 20 25 30 35
One other area where we will provide a concentrated Fire Prevention effort is in the education of
our children using the 911 Emergency System. Each year we provide Fire Safety Education to
all second grade children in the City of Yakima via the EDITH house (Exit Drills in the Home).
We have found that nearly 75% percent of all second graders do not know how to call 911.
Furthermore, they do not know their address or telephone number. The Yakima Fire Department
and the SUNCOMM Dispatch Center, along with faculty and staff of the Yakima School
District, are in the process of developing a program to educate kids on how to use the 911
Emergency System. We hope to have a pilot program in place for the 2014-15 school year that
reaches out to our kids in the K thru 3rd grade levels. This sort of program is new to both our
15
Firefighter Pete Duthie
presents a fire safety talk to
a kindergarten class
organizations and will not be without challenges. However, we are optimistic that we can move
forward with this project with a progressive strategy to impact this knowledge deficit.
2013: Breakdown in children served
Pre - K
Elementary
Jr. High
High School
. All ages - mixed
In the chart above you will see a rough breakdown of the children we came in contact with
throughout the year. The area of most concern is the elementary grade levels of Kindergarten
through 4111 grade. Those grade levels are of key interest to the Fire Service due to the students'
age of development and our ability to effectively influence their behaviors with real impact. The
Public Education division is exploring what we can do annually to make contact with all students
during those formative years so that we can address problems early, before adolescent and adult
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stages are reached. This too is a challenge which we are trying to find creative solutions to
secure resources to fund an education position to focus on our youth fire and injury prevention
initiatives.
Here are just a few of the topics we cover when public event opportunities present themselves:
✓ Smoke Detectors in the home
✓ Cooking Fire Prevention
✓ Carbon Monoxide Detectors in the home
✓ Responsible cigarette smoking
✓ Anti -Fireworks Campaign
✓ Fire Extinguisher Classes
✓ Monitored Fire Exit Drills
✓ Home Fire Evacuation Planning
✓ Stop, Drop and Roll
Apparatus Presentation at
First Presbyterian Vacation
Bible School
In 2013 the Yakima Fire Department had the opportunity to provide educational outreach to
several thousand persons in our Yakima community. We made contact with nearly 60,000 adults
and children in various public events. These public events allow us to engage all age groups and
cultural backgrounds in an effort to address significant issues regarding Yakima' s fire problem.
Our fire problem, like many communities, can be affected by further advancing our efforts in
Community Risk Reduction or Fire Education and Prevention.
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The Public Education Division aspires to reach more people in 2014. We want to significantly
expand our efforts in smoke detector presence in homes as well as lower the number of fires in
our community. At the same time we must provide more awareness, through education, on the
dangers of fires to everyone in our Yakima Community. These efforts will require constant
attention and vigilance in order for the contributing negative behaviors to be transformed. With
solid public Fire Education and Prevention we can move forward to make change happen. The
men and women of the Yakima Fire Department are committed to making Yakima a safer
community and we look forward to challenges that we face in the future.
Firefighter Kris Stark demonstrates
firefighting turnout gear
Fire is
Everyone's
Fight "'
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RESERVES
The Yakima Fire Department Reserve Program has a long standing history with the City
of Yakima. Reserve personnel come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.
Most are employed by companies in closely related fields.
Rehab -90 Mobile Rehab Unit
Reserve personnel are vital to our daily
operations by supporting various functions
within the department such as Operational
Response, Fire Prevention, and Community
Relations. Reserve members volunteered a total
of 494 hours in 2013.
In addition to emergency responses with Air
Support and Rehab units, some of the
department activities in which Reserves
participated in 2013 include EDITH Fire
Safety House, Polar Plunge, Cinco de
Mayo, Firehouse Spaghetti Feed, Sunfair
Parade, Central Washington State Fair, and
numerous public education presentations.
Inflatable Rehab Tent used at
large emergency scenes
Air Support -90 Mobile Cascade System
Our goals in 2014 are to continue
strengthening the numbers of the Reserve
core members, enhancement of apparatus
appearance and equipment, and to continue
to provide the best possible service to our
community and department through prompt
response, education, and high level training.
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