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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/16/2009 09 2008 Annual Report of the City of Yakima Fire Department USINESS •F THE CITY COUNCIL YAKIMA, WASHINGTON AGENDA STATEMENT Item No. 9 For Meeting Of: 6/16/2009 ITEM TITLE: 2008 Annual Report of the City of Yakima Fire Department SUBMITTED BY: , Yakima Fire Department CONTACT PERSON /TELEPHONE: Charlie L. Hines, Fire Chief — 575 -6060 SUMMARY EXPLANATION: See attached report Resolution Ordinance Contract Other (Specify) Report Funding Source: APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL: City Manager g STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve as. submitted BOARD /COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION: COUNCIL ACTION: Annual Report iI '� iv. i : /ow i 4 410 v * * y * I * * * * O Gti T 4f s orF 4 i E Yakima Fire Department 2008 Yakima Fire Department Annual Report 2008 Table of Contents Introduction Chief's Letter to the Citizens of Yakima Code of Ethics Mission Statement Organizational Chart Fire Department Staffing 1 -2 Statistics 3 Administration 4 New Hires 5 Retirements 6 Promotions 7 Rusty Hauber Award 8 Operations Division 8 Hazardous Materials Response Team (HazMat) 9 Technical Rescue 9 Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting (ARFF) 10 Fire Investigation 1 1 -12 Fire & Life Safety Division 13 Fire Chaplains 14 Volunteer Reserve Support Cover photo courtesy of Laurel Burk, Rimrock Reflections Photography 2008 Annual Report designed by Rita Mantey, Department Secretary Administration 01(1414 Fire Suppression h Fire Investigation & Education .1\4 401 North Front Street, Yakima, WA 98901 (509) 575 -6060 Training Fax (509) 576 -6356 Communications NE UEQZ' www.yakimafire.com May 2009 To the Citizens of Yakima, We are honored to present our annual report. In it you will find a "snapshot" of accomplishments and challenges that we experienced in 2008. The Yakima Fire Department has never lost sight or focus on why we exist — to serve fellow citizens on what is probably the worst day of their lives. We are facing an ever increasing demand for our services while, at the same time, grappling with a decline in financial resources. This reality places increased responsibilities on us and our policy makers to be more efficient and effective. However, this is not simply a math problem — it's a values problem. We have under taken a number of strategic initiatives designed to maximize our effectiveness in the delivery of services. Unfortunately we are still unable to meet the "standards of coverage" (which addresses response times) established by the City Council. This is due in large part to an insufficient number of on -duty firefighters. Yakima has the fewest firefighters per capita than any similar sized City in the State. In addition, Yakima has the poorest Washington State Survey & Rating Bureau (WSRB) Grade (4) for any professional fire department our size in the State. This is once again due in large part to a lack of manpower. Despite these handicaps, I am continually amazed at our employee's positive attitude and their willingness to embrace their role as a public servant. I am extremely proud of the people we have attracted and of the quality efforts of every member of this organization. Sinc- ely, Charles Hines Fire Chief / / Of EtilkS . I will serve with courage and compassion. I will safe - guard and preserve life and property while maintaining proficiency in my profession. . I will never allow personal feelings to deter me from my responsibilities as a professional I will re- spect the rights and beliefs of all people, and will abide by the laws of my country. I am fully accepting of the inherent dangers accompanied by this profession. . I recognize my badge as a symbol of public trust. I will uphold the traditions of my profession and will not harm or tarnish the standards set by my fellow firefighters. AS A MEMBER OF THE YAKIMA FIRE DEPARTMENT, I ACCEPT THIS CODE OF ETHICS AS MY RESPONSIBILITY AND DUTY. 9111SSiOn Statinient We will alt- riskemergency and non- emergency services to our community. We are committed to serving with courage and compassion as stewards of public trust. We shad Ceave a positive and genuine impact on all who car( upon us City of Yakima Fire Department Organizational Chart - 2008 FIRE CHIEF Charlie Hines I I ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT COMMUNICATIONS SUPERVISOR Connie Mendoza Wayne Wantland DEPUTY CHIEF OPERATIONS SECRETARY II DEPUTY CHIEF SUPPORT Bob Stewart Rita Mantey Dave Willson Emergency Ops, Budgeting, Apparatus, Training, Strategic Planning, Human HazMat, Tech Rescue, Logistics, Resources, Facilities & Equipment, Strategic Planning, Labor Negotiations, Labor Negotiations, Accreditation/ Disaster Planning & Mitigation, ARFF HB 1756, Budgeting, Info Systems, Purchasing, Safety, Codes Interface, Fire Investigations, Reserves, EMS Department Mechanic BATTALION CHIEFS TRAINING CAPTAIN DEPUTY FIRE MARSHAL A Shift B Shift C Shift Training Fire /Life Safety A. Castilleja M. Cole T. Sevigny Training Lieutenant Assistant Fire Marshal Captains Lieutenants Firefighters Rev 1/9/2008 I Fire Department Staffing as of December 31, 2008 ADMINISTRATION Chief of the Department Charlie Hines Deputy Chief David Willson Deputy Chief Robert Stewart Administrative Assistant Connie Mendoza Secretary II Rita Mantey BATTALION CHIEFS CAPTAINS LIEUTENANTS DAY POSITIONS Abel Castilleja Rocky Willette Ron Johnson Bob Burton, Training Mitch Cole Ted VanderHouwen Don Wolterstorff Supervisor Tom Sevigny Rod Vetsch Don Dexter Brandon Dorenbush, Jennifer Norton Gary Gefre Cadet Instructor Joe Riel Hans Solie Ron Melcher, Deputy Tom Schneider Greg Ahmann Fire Marshal Jeff Pfaff Jim Fuehrer, Assistant Jason Ray Fire Marshal Bruce Newell Mark Frey, Department Bruce Drollinger Mechanic Joe Chinco Alex Langbell FIREFIGHTERS JoAnna Albrecht Adrian de Mestre Brian Kneisler John Shahan Mark Ancira Charlie Derrick Bill Kotzin Kory Simmons Anthony Anserello Travis Dexter Bil Lealos Nick Sloan Dan Apodaca Pete Duthie Steve Lockwood David Stark Joe Armstrong Jay Elmo Chris Manion Kris Stark Brent Bauer Jeff Feen Dan Mansfield Jeremiah Stilley Andrey Belza Tim Gese Ed Moore Jeff Stone Bob Benner Travis Hellewell Shannon Needham Mike Trujillo Kari Brown Jonathan Hood Kai Nishida Mike Wagner Ty Brown Brad Hopkins Harlan Petersen Beau Watson Joe Burbank Marcus Hudson Randy Raschko Brian Williams Cody Burton Dan Jensen Russ Reser Chad Williams Chris Casey Jeff Jones Brian Robertson Rob Williams Pete Day Tim Kerns Jeremy Rodriguez Jason Wilson VOLUNTEER RESERVE SUPPORT MEMBERS Bill Cornwell Amanda Estes Betsy Ross, Chaplain Kim Cornwell Caroline Gonzalez Matt Vatshell Rhonda Cornwell Brian Hetzer, Chaplain Travis Vinsant Steve Elenich John Ingle Susan Whitman Jim Erixson, Chaplain Del Miles 2008 STATISTICS There were 9,288 total alarms in 2008. Of these, 6,867 were emergency medical calls equaling approximately 74% of the total. Fires and other types of assistance represented 2,421 calls. There was an increase of 294 alarms over 2007's total of 8,994. Total Incidents 2008 0.14% 0.02% 0.11% • Fires 4.44% • Overpressure rupture, explosion, overheat- ' no fire 0.11% ❑ Rescue & Emergency Medical Service 73.93% 1.54% ❑ Hazardous Condition (No Fire) 1.54% • Service Call 5.47% ■ Good Intent Call 8.88% ' • Severe Weather & Natural Disaster 0.02% 73.93% ❑ False Alarm & False Call 5.47% • Special Incident Type 0.14% The chart below indicates continued growth in number of alarms over the past four years. Four Year Alarm Totals 9400 1 9300 9288 9200 9100 • 8994 NI Alarms 9000 8947 8904 8900 8800 8700 2005 2006 2007 2008 January 1 Through April 26 3000 2900 f 2800 2700 NU Runs to Date 2600 2500 2400 = 2006 2007 2008 2009 The number of alarms January through April for the past four years indicates a trend of continuing increase in calls. 2 ADMINISTRATION Yakima Fire Administration serves the public and employees of the department by providing quality emergency services to the best of the city's financial ability. Administration is responsible for overseeing the department's annual budget, which is used to deliver fire protection, emergency medical services, technical rescue, airport protection, public safety education, fire investigation and training for department personnel. In addition, Fire Administration works jointly with the Yakima Police Department in overseeing operation of the Public Safety Communications Center. Administrative personnel include the Fire Chief, two Deputy Chiefs, an Administrative Assistant and Secretary II. The Secretary II assists the Deputy Chiefs, Training Division and Investigation Division. Funding for the Fire Department comes from the General Revenue area of the city's budget. This revenue comes from property taxes, sales taxes, utility taxes and other state and federal money. Administration oversees the Operations Division through personnel services, training, wage and benefit negotiations, compliance to local, state and federal laws related to operations, and short and long range goal planning. Other duties of Administration include acting as liaison between our governmental representatives as well as state, local and national governmental and private interests. 3 NEW HIRES Two Probationary Firefighters, Anthony Anserello and Jason Wilson, began their careers with the Yakima Fire Department on August 1, 2008. Firefighter Tim Kerns instructed their 8 -week recruit school. Newly hired Firefighters have a 12 -month probationary period during which they receive extensive and diverse on-the-job training and monthly exams and evaluation. The Yakima Fire Department probationary program is highly regarded and used as a model by other departments throughout the Northwest. • ; r Firefighter Anthony Anserello, Recruit Instructor Tim Kerns, and Firefighter Jason Wilson (pictured from left to right) 4 RETIREMENTS Lieutenant Jim Bayle retired June 1, 2008 after nearly 28 years of service. Lt. Bayle began his career with the Yakima Fire Department on March 13, 1981. He was promoted to Lieutenant July 1, 1987. Lt. Bayle specialized in Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting and was assigned to Station 94 at the airport for several years. 1Pr Firefighter Tim Esparza retired June 30, 2008. He served the Yakima Fire Department for 26 years, beginning his career on June 1, 1982. Firefighter Esparza was a Certified Fire Investigator and was a valued member of the YFD Investigation Division. 1 5 PROMOTIONS Firefighter Don Wolterstorff was promoted to Lieutenant on July 1, 2008. He began his career with the Yakima Fire Department on October 1, 1996. Lt. Wolterstorff was instrumental in bringing the Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) to the Yakima Fire Department and providing RIT training to neighboring jurisdictions. He is highly knowledgeable in all aspects of truck company operations and played an active role in helping the department to institute a dedicated truck company. Don Wolterstorff receives his Lieutenant's badge from his wife, Dianne. 6 RUSTY HA UBER MEMORIAL OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD I 1' , r III ri , , „„,„, i „s,;‘,.. _ . . .tea- I nil Fire Chief Charlie Hines presents Firefighter John Shahan with his award at the annual department meeting February 2, 2009. Firefighter John Shahan was the recipient of the Rusty Hauber Memorial Outstanding Achievement Award for 2008. Firefighter Shahan has been a member of the Yakima Fire Department since 2004. Some of Firefighter Shahan's accomplishments which earned his nomination for the award: • Active member of Hazardous Materials Team • Extrication Instructor * • Truck Company Operations Instructor • Helmet Committee Chair r ? • Apparatus Committee member • Personal Protective Equipment Committee member Firefighter John Shahan and two of his four sons 7 1 OPERATIONS DIVISION Under the direction of the Operations Deputy Chief and supervision of 3 shift Battalion Chiefs, the Operations Division functions as a 24/7 all -risk emergency services response team. The Operations Division is the very heart of the Yakima Fire Department - providing the daily point of contact in the community to control and mitigate a wide spectrum of emergency situations. The successes of the Operations Division are a direct result of a teamwork approach with other YFD divisions, such as: Training Division, Public Safety Communications, Maintenance Division, Investigations and Administrative Support Staff HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (HAZMAT) RESPONSE TEAM " _ - F 2008 proved to be another successful year ...4. '' " with YFD functioning as a satellite member t of the Tri- Counties Hazardous Materials Response Team. Based in the Tri- Cities, this cooperative team serves portions of Benton, Franklin, Walla Walla and Yakima 01 . ` = a Counties. This regional approach offers a common sense and cost - effective means to "'� provide specialized HazMat services to the IL.- I�'� citizens of Yakima and surrounding areas. ""` It 01 mss - Members of the YFD Hazardous Materials Response Team check on buckets of a possible hazardous substance discovered behind a local business, Feb. 29, 2008. 8 I TECHNICAL RESCUE __ The Yakima Fire Department -- serves as the anchor jurisdiction for the Yakima County Technical Rescue Team. The team is - al comprised of members from YFD, s Union Gap Fire Department, East ;w. = Valley, Naches and the Army 'liar Training Center. -- Nit This regional team has the specialized training and equipment Ad v' O necessary to deal with low - ( / frequency/high risk emergencies ii 1 such as water rescue, confined space rescue, structural collapse Members of YFD Technical Rescue Team and other incidents generally not responded Mutual Aid to Ellensburg 2/5/08 to within the capability of a typical assist with the successful rescue of a worker fire engine crew. trapped in a grain elevator. AIRCRAFT RESCUE & FIRE FIGHTING (ARFF) Yakima Fire Station 94 is located at 2404 W. Washington. This station provides public safety services to the City of Yakima as well as the McAllister Field Airport. It houses 2 major airport rescue firefighting apparatus • capable of delivering over 3000 gallons of aqueous film forming foam to suppress flammable vapors during airplane emergencies. There is also a 1982 . Chevy pick up stocked with supplies to facilitate � i � I medical treatment and triage in case of a mass casualty incident. - In 2008 ARFF apparatus responded to 13 aircraft emergency calls as well as numerous service calls such as wildlife interference and Emergency Locator Transmitter activations. Every year the FAA requires a live burn at Moses Lake along with monthly specialized training that is evaluated by an FAA inspector annually. 9 FIRE INVESTIGATION The Yakima Fire Department is charged with the responsibility of investigating all fires that occur in the city. The city also has a co- operative agreement with the West Valley Fire District that provides investigative services for the citizens of West Valley. 2008 proved to be another banner year for the fire investigation division. 48 fires were ruled arson with the division making 9 arrests for the crime of arson. Of these arrests all were resolved with a guilty as charged or as part of a plea agreement. Each criminal trial that the division faced was won with a victory of conviction. The investigation team is made up of its supervisor, Deputy Chief Dave Willson, Deputy Fire Marshal Ron Melcher, and 10 T 4 shift fire investigators. Also joining the team is ATF certified accelerant detection K -9 54 Wesley and his handler Capt. Jennifer Norton. Detective J. Fuehrer, who is assigned to the team from YPD, rounds out the cadre of the investigation unit. In 2008 the fire investigation team conducted l am. 243 fire investigations of various types of fire causes; Incendiary (Arson), Accidental, t . ,:�: , Undetermined, and Natural. _ • r ' - 7."71E , . • •, . � - • � '" � :;fix; * r, i l Deputy Fire Marshal Ron Melcher I gathers information at the scene of a warehouse fire. 1 4 /, 46( 34;4 ■•• k NP- ` t Captain Jennifer Norton and Wesley investigate a pickup truck fire for possible use of accelerants. 10 FIRE & LIFE SAFETY DIVISION The Deputy Fire Marshal is charged with a myriad of tasks: Investigation Division • Oversee the Division • Manage budget • Evidence Room Operator Design Services Team • Serve as an advisor for new buildings/ property developments Volunteer Reserve Support Division • Oversee the Reserves • Manage budget for Reserves and also the Race Street Station where they are housed Approve requests for Public Disclosure Interact with the Media: Radio, TV and newspaper Process requests from the Public for Fire Department interaction • 57 events attended in 2008 Provide Fire Safety Training to the General Public Assist in Background investigations Manage the Public Education Budget Interact with Public and Private Schools Y C F D 11 BROADWAY " • EDITH House training for all 2nd Exit "' ■ ■ Dries • School Exit Drills Ie The — Home Representative to other Fire /Safety Organizations 1 " „ • • Safe Kids of Yakima County • Yakima County Fire & Injury f: Prevention • Yakima County Health Dept: Child r( > Death Review EDITH Fire Safety House was presented to all 2nd Graders in Yakima schools during 2008. 11 Annual Projects: • Spaghetti Feed • Battery change for smoke detectors • Fireworks Safety & disposal of confiscated fireworks • National Night Out • Central Washington State Fair • Christmas for patients in the Hospitals • Arson Awareness Week • Coordinate: Smoke Detector program: 75 issued or Installed in 2008 m ! - , II mit , oF y A r S , ti �, I � 1 <t 1 -�7 1 • , t Patriot Day service, September 11, 2008 was held at the Yakima Regional Fire Training Center at Fire Station 95. 12 FIRE CHAPLAINS In 2008 there were three Fire Chaplains, who are nationally certified through the Federation of Fire Chaplains, and one Police Chaplain in the City of Yakima. The following is a breakdown of calls for Chaplain services. Total Calls — 19 Calls broken down by categories: Emergency Medical Response — 8 Unattended death — 4 Homicides — 4 Death notification — 1 Drowning — 1 Structure Fire — 1 13 VOLUNTEER RESERVE SUPPORT The Yakima Fire Reserves are continuing to grow and expand. There are presently 12 active Reserves in this group and they responded with 1,994 hours of service for 2008. During 2008 the Reserves moved into their own station at 1216 East Race Street. This building serves as a place for semi - monthly meetings and also houses two Reserve Apparatus: Air Support 90 and Rehab -90. y - Rehab 90 was placed in service during 2008 In 2008, thanks to a grant from Broadway Fire District and several fundraising events, Rehab 90 was placed into service. This unit enables the Reserves to take care of firefighters and victims on scene by allowing them a place to rest and recuperate away from the incident and inclement weather. The unit carries fluids for rehydration, food, medical supplies, and has running water and a microwave. A new Rehab tent was purchased REHA that creates a temporary shelter during larger incidents. It deploys quickly and is equipped with a heating system. The Reserves attended numerous public education requests in 2008, • 1 such as the EDITH Fire Safety House presentations, parades and t -1 • fire /safety information booths. 14