Weekly Update for Friday, March 27, 2015.

OPEN SHIFTS: May 14, 0700-1900; August 14, 0700-1900.

Chief Joe Warren, Biddeford Fire Department. Chief Warren retired this afternoon. He had his ceremonial  ride home from Biddeford central station to his home on Kennebunk Pond. Our on duty crew and Engine 84, rendered honors to Chief Warren as he passed by the Lyman Town Hall. Chief Warren retired with 42 years of service to the Biddeford Fire Department.

Hiring Process:  We are taking applications for the call force. As part of this process we are creating a list for possible per diem  hirings and any unanticipated future full-time positions. If you know anyone who would be a good fit for the department, please have them submit an application and/or give me a call. Application packets are in the watch desk. Deadline is April 14. Testing on April 18.
FMI..... https://sites.google.com/site/gmillsfr/news/announcements/werehiring

PAT/SCBA Refresh/Physicals:  I want thank everyone for being diligent at getting these tasks completed. With very few exceptions, everyone is completed. This is the first year in many that we've gotten this done with few stragglers.  Don't forget to get your fit test done.

N95's:  We're doing away with the N94 mask. We've added filter respirators on each ambulance. These "dog bone" style respirators fit onto a Scott AV3000 mask. Our standard SCBA mask. This means we only have to fit test to one type of  mask.

Insurance Inspection: Last Wednesday our liability insurance carrier, MMA, was in to do a safety assessment. Overall, things went very well.  A couple things we need to work on. Such as, documented maintenance procedures on our water rescue equipment, write an SOG on water rescue operations, have a policy statement saying no one is to enter the sprinkler system water tank, (I guess they don't want us to use it as a swimming pool.)  MMA will be sending me a list. Once I get that we'll come up with an action list to get the items corrected.

Awards: If you haven't yet, please submit your nomination for Firefighter of the Year, Junior of the Year, and the Leadership award.  The deadline is Friday, April 30th. Nomination forms are on the website. www.gmfd.org

Chief's Call: Tuesday will be our next Chief's Call. Some of the things I want to discuss are; SLICE(RS), Engine 83 preparations, banquet progress,

PHTLS Refresher class: 
Where:  Westbrook Public Safety Building. 570 Main Street, Westbrook, ME
 Date and Time:  April 11th and 12th from 8am-5p

Call Volume: This afternoon we answered call #201. Last year we didn't hit 200 calls until May 3rd.
Based on fiscal (budget) years, July to June, last fiscal year we answered 618 calls. So far this fiscal year, (July 1 to today) we've answered 571 calls.

National Fire Academy's Volunteer Incentive Program has vacancies for June 14-19 and September 13-18 sessions. Courses cover topics including:
R0810 Leadership and Administration (http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/nfacourses/catalog/details/56)
R0815 Challenges for Local Training Officers  (http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/nfacourses/catalog/details/58)
R0824 Management Strategies for Success (http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/nfacourses/catalog/details/62)
R0827 Fire Protection Systems for Emergency Operations (http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/nfacourses/catalog/details/10270)
R0847 Emergency Medical Services Incident Operations (http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/nfacourses/catalog/details/10432)

These classes are FREE! FEMA pays your travel to/fm and provides lodging, for free.
Don’t miss out on these free courses held at our Emmitsburg, Maryland, campus. View information on the VIP and courses at: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/training/nfa/programs/vip.html

Annual Report:  The annual run report is posted to the website.
https://sites.google.com/site/gmillsfr/public-documents

Engine 83 pic of the week: 
http://asset01.drivewebsite.com/Site/52987b61-2697-4ad0-9864-2b89db385c70/pdf/trucks-in-production/goodwins-mills-me/Goodwins-Mills-ME-28294-03-28-15.pdf?v=2

Events Next Week: Tuesday; Chief's Call at 1800. Thursday; All Officers at 1800. Saturday; Southern Maine Antique Fire Apparatus Association at 1300.

From the Code of Ethics: "Avoid situations that would adversely affect the credibility or public perception of the fire service profession."

Duty Officer: FRI & SAT: Captain Duross, SUN: Deputy Johnston.


Have a great weekend. Stay safe.
Chief


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Roger S. Hooper, Fire Chief
Goodwins Mills Fire-Rescue
481 Goodwins Mills Road
Lyman, ME 04002
Office: 207-499-7878
Station: 207-499-2362
Fax: 207-499-2893
www.gmfd.org
rhooper@gmfd.org