Sunday, January 25, 2015

Weekend Update, Sunday, January 25, 2015

We finished up here Thursday afternoon and have been in the "hurry up and wait" mode since. We finalize things Monday and I fly home on Tuesday. Weather permitting. I suspect I'll be spending Tuesday night in the Philly Airport.

The Deputy has kept me in the loop with what's been going on over the past couple weeks. I want to thank everyone for stepping up and getting things done. You handled 31 calls for service in the past 15 days!

Annual BLS Core Training:  27 of our 40 Firefighters have completed the annual BLS training requirements! That's incredible to get 68% of the department done in one session! Hat's off to the training branch for organizing and getting it done! I'm guessing we've saved the best for last? The remaining 13 of us who need to complete the BLS training need to be at the station on Saturday, Jan 31st 0900 to compete this requirement.

The Flu: I understand we have a bout of the flu going around. If you're sick, don't respond to calls. This means our number of "in-service" responders is less. Those of you who have stepped up to fill this gap either by covering shifts or responding to calls, THANKS!  Regarding the flu, Workwell gives flu shots and the department will pay for them.

Old Orchard's 4th Alarm:  Awesome job in OOB! E84 was assigned to pump a hydrant assist valve (HAV). This time we were supplying the master stream for Saco's Ladder 1. At December's company meetings we borrowed Saco's HAV and a training aid hydrant to learn more about how these valves work. We'll be doing more HAV training at the January and February company meetings.  Pumping a HAV may become a more common role for us at fires in the water district sections of Biddeford and Saco.

Radios: In OOB some problems were noted with the frequencies programmed in our portables. We need to add OOB's tactical channel.

Happy Customer: We received a thank you note and a coffee basket from the family at 89 Williams Road. Your services at their chimney fire on 1/17/15 were very much appreciated!  Thank you!

Students:  Cole Tarbell and Rocky Sanfilippo have moved into the station.  Until we get their Maine BLS training requirements completed there on-scene functions will be a limited.

Workwell Physicals and Respirator Fit Tests: Some of you will be receiving a letter from Workwell to schedule your physical. This letter may be a little misleading. All you need to do is schedule your physical with Workwell. This letter DOES NOT prevent you from working or responding to calls. Fit tests will be scheduled following physicals. More to follow on Fit testing.

Quarterly Activity Reports: 4th Quarter reports have been provided to company officers. Company officers will be scheduling meetings with those effected.

Engine 83: Final drawings have been received. Construction should start early February. Once our engine is in production I'll be receiving updates with photographs of the building progress. I'll be sure to forward those photos.  Final inspection is tentatively scheduled for April 26-28.

Budget:  I did manage to attend last Thursday's Fire Commission meeting via Skype. The commission approved a budget proposal to send forward to the selectmen and budget committees. A joint Lyman/Dayton budget meeting is scheduled for February 12th at 1830 at the Lyman Town Hall. This budget is pretty much the same as last year.  Personnel funding has a zero increase from last year. Operations shows an increase over last year. This increase is caused by added funding to complete body work on E81 and R86. It also has funding to repair the leveling hydraulic cylinders on L82.  The FC voted to request to fund the fire truck account at the same level and to put a sum from surplus into the ambulance account. The FC voted not to replace R86 this year. It was voted to request funding to replace the Lifepak 12 and Zoll M cardiac monitors and establish an capital equipment replacement fund.

Awards & Banquet:  Please log onto the website www.gmfd.org and submit your nominations for the 2014 awards. The GMFRA has formed a committee to organize this year's banquet.

Events Next Week: Monday: Rte 5&35  MDOT hearing. Dayton Town Hall 1900. Tuesday: Alpha Co. 1830. Thursday: Bravo Co. 1830 Lyman Charter Commission 1830. Saturday: Annual BLS Core Training (make up) 0900.

OPEN SHIFT: FEBRUARY: Sunday 2/8; 0700-1900.


Be safe, enjoy the Snow!
Chief

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