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Congratulations to Chad Johnston on his promotion to Captain at Portland FD!
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Recent call to Kennebunk Pond: Earlier this week we responded to Kennebunk Pond for what turned out to be a body recovery. Those who responded did a tough job, quite professionally. This type of operation isn't normal. It's understandable if it may bother you. If it does bother you, now or months from now, talk it out. Find someone you trust, and discuss it. That goes with all types of trauma. It may not bother you today, but some day it may hit you. In any case, talk about it.
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Basic Fire School: The BLS class will run from August 1 to October 3, on Monday and Wednesday evenings. A flyer and application is on the bulletin board and on our website. Applications are due to AChf Harris no later than 1600 on June 28th.
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Kennebunk FD Summer Per Diem: KFR is hiring 2 part time FF/EMT for the summer months. Application deadline is June 15th. A flyer is on the bulletin board. KFR is also looking for lifeguard this summer.
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CPR Instructors: Thanks to all who completed the CPR Instructors course this week. CPR classes are in high demand. Having more instructors in our department will help us meet this community demand. Thank you!
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Digital Imagery & Social Media: The Deputy and I spent Wednesday and Thursday this week in a class on writing fire department policies and procedures. The instructor was a retired Deputy Chief from Providence, RI, turned lawyer. A dry as it was, it was a very informative class. So, I think I can read everyone's mind....new policies are on the way. Well....maybe. We've have some good policies in place, some adjustments are going to be make. First....SOCIAL MEDIA...a great tool which has been a great public relations tool for us. How would it make you feel, if you discovered on Facebook that your Mom was in an accident and taken to the hospital? We've got to set the standard. LDFC Regulation 1401 sets policy on internet use. Section 5.5 addresses social media specifically. I've posted a copy on the bulletin board. Digital imagery and videos, IE: HELMET-CAMS, are an area we don't have a policy on, yet. I'll be putting out a general notice soon as interim guidance. I have no intention of banning cameras or helmet-cams. We just have to have some way to manage it. Ultimately, we have to be sure we're respecting the privacy and dignity of those we serve.
Everyone in our department has been very responsible and cooperative with pictures, social media and presenting a positive image of our department in cyberspace. I very much appreciate that. Please keep it up.
Keep this in mind: As a FD employee, you cannot post images of what you do or see on the job. Any picture that you take, even on your personal phone or camera, is a public record and is fire department property. That photo or video is subject to the Freedom of Information Act and in certain circumstances could be criminal evidence (IE: arson).
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Safety Stand Down: The week of June 20 is the National Safety Stand Down. Jake Cole, Cole Tarbell and Joe Demers have agreed to set up some Safety Week activities for us. http://www.safetystanddown.org/
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Muster Team: AChief Harris is organizing a muster team. A sign up is on the refrigerator.
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Hose Bed Nets: Installed on E81 and Sq87.
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Wash Your Turnout Gear: You may have seen the article on channel 6 about firefighter cancer.
http://www.wcsh6.com/news/local/changing-the-culture-within-the-fire-service/218071300 One thing you can do to help prevent cancer, is to wash your turnout gear. As you know, we have an extractor for washing gear and a dryer. Prep your gear, and the day crew will wash it for you. Don't forget your helmet, boots, gloves and hoods need to be washed too. Dirty gear isn't cool!
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ACLS Class: June 21 at 1700 at the station. This class is open to all A-EMTs and Paramedics. It is a CEH rich program, that many will need for relicensure. All are welcome to attend, but only A-EMTs and Paramedics will receive cards. The class will be taught by Dr. P. J. Tangney M.D. and Jeff Kurkel R.N. both are Dayton Residents who work for York Hospital. We have a limited number of spots, so please contact AChief Harris ASAP if you are interested.
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PAT Day: June 11th. Lt Roma is organizing the PAT. We'll be testing 11 people. If your available to assist please contact Lt Roma.
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The EMR-ISAC InfoGram for June 2, 2016 contains the following articles:
1. Carbon Monoxide Still a Risk in Summer
2. Helping Victims of Mass Violence and Terrorism
3. Social Media Practices for Fire Departments
4. 9-1-1 Regionalization Resources Available
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Events Next Week: Monday Lions 1930; Tuesday 1600 Chiefs; 1900 GMFRA; Wednesday 0900 Live in program Mtg; 1600 Ambulance RFP Opening, Thursday 1830 All Officers, Joint Selectmen @ Dayton Town Hall; Saturday 6/11 PAT Testing 0900.
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COMMENTS: I've enabled comments on this blog. I'm looking for some feedback on the usefulness of the Chief 8-1 Blog. Is it helpful? Is there something you'd like me to include? What can I do to improve it or make it more useful?
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Have a great 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
