----
Chief's Call: We had a very good turnout for the Chief's Call last week. 21 out of 38. Thank you to everyone who attended. For those of you who couldn't make it I'll post the presentation on the website. The primary topics of discussion were; our mission areas, new organization chart, role of the new assistant chief position, changes to the functional roles of captains and a new point system to measure call force activity. More detail on these topics can be found in Directives 2101 and 2102. We also discussed the budget for next year. After some adjustments, the Fire Commission voted to send the budget proposal onward. The Budget Committees will meet on March 17th to review and hopefully approve it. It contains a 2% wage adjustment for all employees. Overall a 3% reduction in operations. Overall a 0.4% ($2900) increase over last year. We've asked for an increase in capital equipment. And authorization to replace Rescue 86. The next step is both Boards of Selectmen and both Budget Committees to vote to send it to Town Meeting.
----
Awards & Banquet: Please submit your nominations for 2015 awards. https://sites.google.com/site/gmillsfr/fire-rescue/award-nominations
----
New Members: We have 4 new members. Their orientation night is set for Monday, 2/29. These new members will be joining the department as "observers" under regulation 1109. Once they've completed observer training requirements, they may request to be come candidates and fully participating first responders.
----
New Junior Officers: Jr Lt Jake Boyden is the newly appointed Junior Captain. Jr FF Issiac Hooper is the new Junior Lieutenant. Thanks to Capt Lang and FF Martin, our junior program is doing very well. We have 11 juniors and meetings/trainings are very well attended. The tasking to the new junior leadership is to; formalize the junior training process and get junior firefighters more involved in the routine around the station.
----
Annual Core Training, Respiratory Physicals: We have a small handful of folks who haven't completed these requirements yet. Please get this done ASAP. After March 31st, I will have to suspend those who have not completed this BLS requirement.
----
Annual FIT Testing: This is another annual requirement from the Bureau of Labor Standards. We're set up to start this. The on-duty crews will help you get this done. Just stop by the station.
----
Annual PAT: By local regulation, we all have to complete an annual physical agility test. It has to be task related to your skill sets. Basically, we'll be doing an air management/maneuverability drill in the form of a game of dodge ball in full PPE. The first session will be Tuesday, March 8th at 1830. A second session will be scheduled later in the month.
----
Minimum Activity Requirements: Directive 2102 will change on April 1st. We'll be going away from a specific number of calls, meetings, trainings, etc. We'll use a point system to monitor activity and participation. More to follow.
----
Thermal Imager Usage: On Tuesday, March 1st, a webcast will be presented on-line from FDIC. Registration and details on the webcast are at; http://newsletters.pennnet.com/utility_products_enl/364863431.html It starts at 1500 Eastern Time and runs for about 90-minutes.
----
Road Postings: This is a sure sign of Spring! Unless responding to an emergency, fire apparatus needs to stay off posted roads. From Lyman's Website: "Road Posting: Please be aware the Town roads will be posted for the spring thaw on Monday February 29, 2016. For questions please call Road Commissioner Maurice St. Clair at 205-3981. Visit our website at www.lyman-me.gov for a full list of roads posted. (See 'Public Documents' for list)"
----
Hill Road & Alfred Road Lights: They're now blinking. I understand they will blink for about a month before going onto normal operation. It appears that traffic interrupters have been installed in these lights too.
----
Run sheets at MMC: Got this the other day from Chris Pare; "Please remind your crews that are leaving run sheets at MMC to please leave them in the wooden box across from Triage 5 if the registrar is not there to directly hand them to. Recently, we have had several that have been left out on the registrar's desk as they were elsewhere in the department attending to other duties, which leaves PHI exposed. Thanks for your help with this, in all other regards this system seems to be working well.
----
Is Goodall ER Closing? NO!. Another rumor not grounded in truth. Mercy Hospital is not closing either.
----
New Radio Frequency for Hollis F/R: Hollis is no longer being dispatched on YC Fire 2. Their new frequency is 460.600Mhz. It's already programmed in our radios as "Hollis Rptr" Their fireground frequency is also in our radios as "Hollis Dir".
----
National Fire Academy Course Vacancies: NFA recently posted vacancies for upcoming classes scheduled for April 1 through September 30. To view the complete list, visit: https://apps.usfa.fema.gov/nfacourses/vacancies For details on applying for a class, visit http://www.usfa.fema.gov/training/nfa/admissions/apply.html or contact the Admissions Office via email netcadmissions@fema.dhs.gov or by phone at (301) 447-1035. Completed applications may be faxed to (301) 447-1441.
Note: The NFA policy of only 1 stipend-supported trip per fiscal year remains. However, a qualified individual may seek to participate without stipend assistance. PLEASE INDICATE with your application that you are aware of this restriction when you apply for the course.
You are the key to our success! Let us help you achieve your own success!
----
Maine State Weekend at the NFA: Get your application in ASAP!
----
National Volunteer Fire Council: We have a group membership to NVFC. Check it out! If you'd like the password to the Members Only side, please let me know.
----
Navy time: I will be away for the Navy from March 6 to March 11.
----
Events next week: Monday; 1800 New member orientation. Tuesday; 1900 GMFRA. Wednesday; 1800 Asst Chief candidate interviews. Thursday; 1800 Joint Selectmen/Fire Commission meeting at Dayton Town Hall, 1830 All Officers meeting.
----
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
