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Great job on Wednesday's room fire! Who would've thought a room fire started by a magnifying glass and the sunrise. Smoke detectors again saved the day.
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Banquet: I trust everyone had a good time at the banquet. Thanks again to the GMFRA for hosting the event. This Tuesday, 4/26, we'll hold a Chiefs' Call and hand out the awards to those who weren't at the banquet. Class A's are required for Officers, encouraged for all others, at this chiefs call.
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2015 Award recipients were;
Fire Officer of the Year: Lt Phil Daniels.
Firefighter of the Year: FF/EMT Rocky Sanfilippo.
Outstanding Service Award; FF/EMT Dylan Martin.
Outstanding Junior Firefighter: Jr Lt Issiac Hooper.
Medal of Merit: DChf Mike Lord.
Chief's Letter of Commendation: FF Jamie Mouzas, AChf Ben Harris.
GMFRA Award: Lt Phil Daniels.
GMFRA President's Commendation: Jr FF Ethan Littlefield.
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Lieutenant and Engineer Vacancies: We are creating an Eligibility List for officer promotions and engineer assignments. If you're interested please look over Temporary Operating Guideline 3910-02 on the website or posted on the bulletin board. Applications deadline is 1600 on May 3rd.
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Organization Chart: A temporary organization chart has been posted on the bulletin board. There will be upcoming changes to our org chart over the next few weeks. Currently, the Captains have been assigned to new functional duties. Lieutenants will head up each company. Company assignments remain the same, for the time being. I'll go over this more at Tuesday's Chief's Call.
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Fire-Police: Our Fire-Police Unit may be in a resurgence. Thanks to John Leeman. We will begin to actively recruit new fire-police. If you know of anyone who may be interested in serving in a fire-police capacity, please have them contact Norm Bilodeau, John Leeman, or me. The Responder Safety Learning Network has some great on-line courses in regards to Fire-Police duties; IE: "Traffic Incident Management".
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Fire Danger: I know I'm speaking to the choir on this topic, as you know the fire danger is extreme right now. We need a good soaking rain for a week. We've done a good job getting the message out. We've had some calls from concerned citizens on potential problems. Were able to resolve them and provide some education before we had a problem. This weekend may set up to be a RED FLAG day. Pray for rain!
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Portable Pumps: This week we did some training and operational testing of all the portable pumps on Squad 87. The small trash pump had trouble holding a draft. The pair of Coles took the pump apart, cleaned the impellars and now the pump is working fine. So, all our portable pumps are in peak operating condition. Let's hope we don't need them.
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Warm Weather & PPE: As you all know turnout gear isn't really good in warm weather. Woods/Brush fires we should be wearing long pants, leather boots, nomex forestry shirts, helmet and gloves. Avoid wearing turnout gear. At MVC's I'm OK with dropping the turnout coat and wearing a reflective vest instead. Let's make sure we're looking out for each other. Drink Water!
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Dress Code: Now that warm weather is here, let's make sure we're dressing appropriately for running calls. Directive 2121/Dress Code give the guidelines for how we should dress on calls and other department events. A copy is also posted on the bulletin board.
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Thank you to Brendan Byther and Hunter Daniels for cleaning up the gravel on the lawn by the front side entrance. Looks much better!
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Chief's Reports: My report for the First Quarter of 2016 is posted on the website. Also the Annual Report for 2015 is available on the website. The 2015 Annual Report is dedicated to the service of DChf Mike Lord.
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Communications & Mentoring for Company Officers: The Fire Hero Learning Network has introduced a new course called "Communications & Mentoring for Company Officers" is it located at this link CLICK HERE. Lieutenants, and aspiring Lieutenants, I strongly encourage you to complete this course. It is self-paced completed on-line. The course is right on queue with the role that I intend for you to fulfill within our department.
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Leadership I Class in Saco: NFA Leadership I course will be held in Saco on May 17, 19, 24 and 26 from 1800-2200. This is a great opportunity to get NFA classes locally. Line Officers, or aspiring line officers, should attend this class.
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ICS 300 and 400: These classes will be taught in Alfred at EMA headquarters on May 13, 14, and 16. These ICS 300 is a requirement for senior line officer (captains) and ICS 400 is required for Chief Officers. (or anyone aspiring to those ranks.) Again, a great opportunity to get this done locally.
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The EMR-ISAC InfoGram for April 21, 2016 contains the following articles:
1. OPSEC Program Assists Local Agencies
2. Intelligence Guide for First Responders in Print
3. Arson Awareness Week 2016: Wildfire Arson
4. EMS Webcast - Got Questions?
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From the U.S. Fire Administration.......
Interested in a snapshot of your state’s fire loss? USFA created snapshot pages to share state NFIRS reporting information. You can browse your state’s information about fire departments and firefighter and home fire fatalities. Browse state profiles Click Here for MAINE
USFA has joined Campus Firewatch, CPSC, and NFPA to raise awareness about campus fire safety. This new campaign encourages parents to make sure off-campus housing is fire-safe before signing a lease for their child. Information includes a video public service announcement, fire statistics, and an off-campus housing fire safety checklist. See It Before You Sign It
Is your community prepared for a wildfire? Take action to prepare your community for the possibility of a wildfire. Don’t forget about the 2016 Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on Saturday, May 7th.
If you would like more information about Fire is Everyone's Fight or USFA, please email FEMA-FireisEveryonesFight@fema.dhs.gov
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Driver and Detail for Squad 87: A driver is needed to take Squad 87 to Acton for the FF2 wildland burns on April 30th. Event starts at 1930.
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Engine 81: A butter fly valve has been added to the driver's side intake on E81. We drafted with it this morning, pulled a draft just fine.
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Radios: Engine 83 and Rescue 86 repeaters: R86 Repeater isn't working on Tac 1. Dirigo Wireless will be here on Wednesday to fix it. And try to filter out the noise on E83's radio.
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Events Next Week: Saturday Engine 83 to FF2 Academy. Tuesday; 1830 Charlie Co. 1900 Chief's Call. Wednesday; 1000 Globe Turnout Gear demo. Thursday; 1830 Delta Co.
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Have a Safe Weekend,
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
"Only you can prevent forest fires!"
-Smokey Bear
