Friday, March 6, 2015

Weekly Update for Friday, March 6, 2015.

Open Shifts:  MARCH 29; 0700-1900. MAY 13; 19-07. MAY 14; 07-19. MAY 30; 07-19.

Spring Break: The Students are on spring break next week. Rocky has headed home to LA. He's promised to bring back some California Sunshine!

Water Rescue Class: This Sunday we have an outside instructor coming to conduct an Ice Water Rescue class. Class starts at 0800.  I know it doesn't seem possible, but, before you know it we'll have open water on the several lakes in town. This weekend is a great opportunity to get re-familiarized with our equipment. Even if you're not a "technician" getting some awareness training will be a big benefit.

Annual Physical Fitness Assessment and SCBA Refresher;  A physical fitness assessment is an annual requirement of the Personnel Policy (Section 6.2). ALL employees must participate. Additionally, Maine BLS and our Respiratory Protection Program, requires annual refresher training on SCBA. To accomplish both of these requirements, for interior qualified Firefighters, your physical assessment will be done wearing SCBA.  This is no different from previous years. The assessment will consist of tasks routinely done as part of your job assignment within the department.  Certain tasks for Firefighters, certain tasks for EMTs and another set of tasks for an EVO. For those of us qualified in all 3 skill sets, well.....we're going to be tired.  Dates for the PAT are; March 19 at 1830, March 21 at 0930, March 24 at 0930 and again at 1830

Clean Turnout Gear:  I highly recommend that you get your turn out gear in the washing machine soon. If you haven't done so already.  Keep it clean and ready. The day crew would be more than happy to assist you.  Meaning; if you empty your pockets, separate the inner liner from the outer shell, the day crew will put them into the washer and dryer for you. They'll let you know when they are finished so you can reassemble your gear. Remember, it's YOUR gear! It's going to protect you! Kind of like packing your own parachute.

EVO qualification update: This afternoon I met with the Deputy and the Training Officers. We worked on streamlining our EVO training and qualification process. More to come soon.

Fit testing: If you're SCBA qualified, please get your fit test done ASAP. Stop by the station any time.

Lighting Project:  The Fire Commission has authorized the go ahead with a project to replace the florescent lights in the apparatus bays with LED lighting.  Through Efficiency  Maine we'll be able to be get the cost of the project reimbursed. This will also have a significant effect on reducing our monthly electricity bull. The work should begin by the end of this month.

LDH Feeder Lines: Each engine now has a 30 foot piece of 5 inch for use as a feeder.

New Street in Lyman:  HAVEN WAY
Cross Streets:  50 Roberts Pond Road  To  Dead End
Directions:  So Waterboro Road; right on Clarks Woods Road; right on Fryes Bridge Road; Left on Roberts Pond Road; 1st Road on left.

USFA  fire reports: One- and Two-Family, Multifamily Residential Building Fires (2010-2012)
03/05/2015 09:09 AM EST  http://www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/reports.html
These reports look at the characteristics of one- and two-family and multifamily home fires using data reported to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). Sixty-five percent of all residential building fires occurred in one- and two-family homes, while 28 percent occurred in multifamily homes. Download the free reports from the U.S. Fire Administration's website at www.usfa.fema.gov/data/statistics/reports.html.

Summer Job Opportunity for an EMT at Funtown:  Funtown Splashtown USA is looking for licensed EMT's at any level.  We will be holding a job fair on Saturday, March 21st from 9am to 4 pm at the Ramada Inn in Saco.  All interested individuals should attend the job fair with a completed application which may be found at www.funtownsplashtownusa.com  FMI contact Matt Cyr at mattc@funtownusa.com

Update cell phone numbers and carriers: If you change cell phone carriers or cell phone numbers, please inform the Deputy Chief so we can keep phone rosters and text lists up to date.

National Fire Academy, Volunteer Incentive Program Course Vacancies,
Vacancies for June 14-19, 2015, and September 13-18, 2015.
Courses include:
R810 Leadership and Administration,
R0811 Fire Cause Determination for Company Officers,
R0814 Hazardous Materials Incident Management,
R0815 Challenges for Local Training Officers,
R0822 Safety Program Operations,
R0824 Management Strategies for Success,
R0825 Command and Control of Fire Department Operations at Target Hazards, R0826 Presenting Effective Public Education Programs,
R0827 Fire Protection Systems for Emergency Operations,
R0831 Command and Control of Incident Operations,
R0847 Emergency Medical Services: Incident Operations.
 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.
(Scroll down and select the link in the blue box to view the vacancies.)

Events Next Week: SUNDAY; 0800 Ice Water Rescue.
MONDAY; 1600 B Co. Officers w/ Chief.
TUESDAY; 0930 A Co. Officers w/ Chief.  1830 EMS Training Airway Management (in Arundel) WEDNESDAY; 1900 Banquet Committee.
THURSDAY: 0830 D Co. Officers w/ Chief.

Upcoming Events:  PAT/SCBA Refresher 3/19, 21 &24. Chief's Call 3/31.

Duty Officer:   Friday: Lieutenant Daniels.  Saturday and Sunday: Captain Duross.

Navy Reserve: I'll be out of town this weekend for the Navy.


Have a safe weekend,
Chief


-----
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