Friday, February 5, 2016

Weekly Update for Friday, February 5, 2016


OPEN SHIFTS: February: Fri 2/19 0700-1900, Fri 2/26 0700-1900. March; Fri 3/18 0700-1900, Sat 3/19 0700-1900 need 2, one must be EMT. Sun 3/27 0700-1900 must be EMT. April Sat 4/19 0700-1900.
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Congratulations!  FF  Nicki Fowlie is now a licensed Basic EMT and FF Jeff Sargent is now an EVO1.  
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Ambulance Demo's:  A PL Custom Ambulance will be here on Tuesday February 9 at 1300. A Braun will be here sometime on Wednesday 2/10.
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Ice Fishing Derby: Well, it doesn't look promising, pray for cold! Updates will be out soon.
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Annual Banquet:  At the GMFRA meeting last Tuesday a committee was put together to organize the 2016 banquet.   As you all know, a big part of the banquet is the annual awards. PLEASE, go to our website and nominate some who you think is deserving of recognition. Here's the link https://sites.google.com/site/gmillsfr/fire-rescue/award-nominations
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EMS Licence Renewals and CEH's: On May 1, 2016, the required number of CEH's needed to re-new your EMS license is going to increase. I've posted a listing of the new requirements on the bulletin board. A basic EMT's recertification requirement will go from 38 to 52 CEHs.  If your license expires in May, get your CEHs completed and renewal form submitted before April 30th.
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MDEA Methlab class: On Wednesday, 2/10 at 1830,  Maine DEA will be in Buxton delivering a class covering One Pot Meth Labs.  The class will be at Groveville Station (31 Turkey Lane, Buxton Maine).  Police and Fire-Rescue members from surrounding agencies are welcome to attend.  We have requested CEH’s through MEMS for this class.  The class objectives are listed below:
      To understanding the manufacturing of Methamphetamine via the “One Pot” method.
      To understand the dangers associated with the manufacturing of Methamphetamine “One Pot” Method
      To understand some of the underlining causes of the Heroin crisis in Maine
      To understand drugs trends as seen throughout the State of Maine
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Maine State Weekend at the NFA:  May 13-15.  The flyer is on the bulletin board and a copy is here.  If you're interested in attending, please submit a training request in Data Trac. Priority is given to officers, then Firefighter II's who've never attended, then any others. The total number of attendees will depend on available funds.
IMPORTANT: STUDENT IDENTIFICATION NUMBER  is required to attend the NFA. Each student must obtain a Student Identification Number (SID) in lieu of using your Social Security number for registration. The process is very easy.  If you already have an SID, you must use that number.  Do not reapply for a new number!  Go to https://cdp.dhs.gov/femasid/Register.aspx and register. You will instantly receive your SID.  Use your SID number when filling out the FEMA Form 119-25-2, (2/12).  NOTE: Keep your SID number!  Use this SID for all future courses, as well as pre-/post-courses, affiliated with NETC-NFA at the NFA in Maryland or for Maine in-state NFA programs.
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There are some great training opportunities happening locally. Please, take advantage of them. Log on to Data Trac and submit a TRAINING REQUEST asap......or send me an e-mail.
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Fire Instructor Course: Class starts February 10th. http://www.mfte.org/february-10-2016-fire-service-instructor-nfa-y101-y102-to-be-hosted-by-old-orchard-beach-fire-department-registration-is-open/
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Leadership II and III at Saco FD in March & April. This is a great opportunity for some NFA level training very close to home. This 16 hour course provides the Company Officer (CO) with the basic leadership skills and tools needed to perform effectively in the fire service environment. The course addresses ethics, use and abuse of power at the CO level, creativity in the fire service environment, and management of the multiple roles of the CO. (Leadership 1 is not a prerequisite)
http://www.mfte.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/National-Fire-Academy-MFSI-Leadership-Series-SACO.pdf
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Mike Kucsma Symposium: February 26, 27, 28. Flyer and application is on the bulletin board.
http://www.portlandfirefighters.com/aaa2015/Kucsma/kucsma.html
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ICS 300 and 400: York County EMA is going to host these classes in May. All officers, and those to aspire to become officers, should seriously consider attending the ICS 300. Those who aspire to be a Chief Officer should attend both. A class flyer is on the bulletin board.
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APEMS on line:  If you haven't checked out APEMS website, do so. Lots of good info for EMS providers.  They have some good on line training classes, a bit more interesting than MEMSED.
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National Volunteer Fire Council:  We have a department membership to the NVFC. There website has some fantastic resources for volunteer and combination fire department. Several on-line classes, some are free, others have a small fee, Check it out http://www.nvfc.org/training/education/courses
NVFC hosts the National Junior Firefighter Program and the "find the firefighter in you" recruiting site.
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Zika:  We've been hearing a lot about the Zika virus in the news.  This mosquito borne virus typically, isn't seen in North America, but, with the way travel is today, it's no surprise that it's here. There have been 7 cases reported in Florida.  This disease has "flu like symptoms" This link has more information http://www.cdc.gov/zika/symptoms/index.html
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The EMR-ISAC InfoGram for February 4, 2016 contains the following articles:
1. CSB: West, Texas Explosion and Fire Final Report
2. Training Recommendations for 9-1-1 Personnel
3. Tactical Emergency Casualty Care Webinar
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Events Next Week:  Tomorrow; 0900-1400 Blood Drive. Tuesday 1300 PL Custom Ambulance Demo, 1830 Training; Wednesday TTBD Braun Ambulance Demo; Thursday 1830 Fire Commission, Junior Company.
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Have a great weekend!  Go Broncos!

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