Saturday, December 17, 2016

Weekly Update for Friday, December 16, 2016

OPEN SHIFTS: December: Monday 12/26 0700-1900, Tuesday 12/27 0700-1900. Saturday 12/31 1900-0700 (2nd). January: Tuesday 1/3 0700-1900, Saturday 1/7 1900-0700, Saturday 1/14 0700-1900.
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New Hire:  James Gambino has been hired to fill our current full-time vacancy. Congratulations James!
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Hollis FD's New Deputy Chief:  Thom Hooper has been hired to fill the full-time Deputy Chief's position in Hollis. Congratulations Thom!
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Last Saturday: Great job everyone for a really busy weekend. The blood drive was a great success and the Santa Claus visit was fantastic. Several positive comments on our Facebook page. A big thanks to Lyman Parks & Rec for the work they put into it.
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New Parking Lot Lights:  Thanks to Gregg Robert all our outside lighting are working!  They've all been changed over to LEDs too. Gregg was also able to get the lighting control system working properly so lights come on and go off at the right times.
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Cold Weather:  I'm sure I don't need to remind anyone of how cold it is. Please be sure to dress for the weather. Carry a spare pair of gloves and a hat with your turnout gear.  Probably reading the protocol book on treating cold injuries would be a good idea too.
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Ice Fishing Derby: Speaking of the cold....things are underway for the 2nd Annual Ice Fishing Derby. The date is February 11th on Kennebunk Pond. Raffle tickets are ready for sale. Each of you should have some in your mail slots. If you need more tickets, see Lt Daniels.
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GMFRA Facebook page: Our relief association now has a presence on Facebook!   https://www.facebook.com/GoodwinsMillsFRA/          Go click "Like"
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Marijuana use: Regulation 1103, formerly our Alcohol and Drugs policy, it is now titled "Smoking and Intoxicating Substances". It has been updated to cover recreational and medicinal marijuana. It addresses recreational marijuana in the same manner as alcohol. Medicinal marijuana the same as any other prescription medication. Bottom line, don't respond to calls impaired. Don't bring these substances onto fire department property.  If you have any questions, please ask. Regulation 1103 can be found by clicking here.
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Minimum Wage:  Regulation 1105, Appendix 1 has be updated to comply with the new minimum wage law that becomes effective on January 1, 2017.  During the upcoming budget process we will be discussing the long term effect of the new law.
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Electric Vehicles: No matter what you think of the Prius, alternative fuel and electric cars are becoming more popular. The NFPA has developed a really good website that provides training and info on alternative fueled cars.    www.evsafetytraining.org 
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Maine EMS Update: MEMS would like to update you about several process improvements they are implementing on January 1, 2017. To improve the efficiency of the licensing process (initial licensure, and renewals) of EMS and EMD Personnel Licenses, they are moving to the online verification tool and will no longer be issuing a physical license card.  You can find this tool at  www.maine.gov/ems.   CLICK HERE to follow the steps provided to look up a provider.
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Annual Awards:  Think back on 2016. Who in our department is deserving of special recognition? Nominate a deserving member for a service award.  CLICK HERE to link to the nomination site.
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Firefighter Injuries:  A new NFPA study is out on firefighter injuries. Improvement is being made. 2015 was the third lowest year for FF injuries since record keeping began in 1981. CLICK HERE to see the report.
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Pearl Harbor Day;  I meant to put this in last week.  As you may know this year is the 75th Anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. December 7, 1941. The Honolulu Fire Department responded to assist. Several HFD Firefighters were killed or injured in the line of duty that day. At Hickam Air Field all firefighting apparatus was knocked out, Honolulu Fire companies responded, mutual aid. At 0826 a Japanese aerial bomb was dropped on HFD Engine Co.1, 4, and 6. 3 Firefighters, Captain John Carreira, Captain Thomas S. Macy, and Hoseman Harry T.L. Pang were killed in the Line of Duty. An additional 6 were wounded from shrapnel. They were Honolulu Fire Lieutenant Fred Kealoha, Hoseman Moses Kalilikane, Hoseman John A. Gilman, Hoseman Solomon H. Naauao, Hoseman Patrick J. McCabe, and Hoseman George Correa. In 1944, they all were awarded the Order of the Purple Heart. They are the only civilian Firefighters to have ever received this award.
  On the morning of December 7, 1941, Japanese air forces attacked U.S. military facilities on Oahu Island, Hawaii. More than 16 major warships were sunk or heavily damaged, 350  U.S. aircraft were damaged or destroyed, 2,402 personnel were killed and 1,282 were wounded. More on Pearl Harbor as we remember those lost on December 7, 1941:  http://www.nationalgeographic.com/pearlharbor/
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Events Next Week: Thursday 1800 Basic Fire School meeting.
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Calls: In the first 14 days of December we responded to 37 calls for service. We are well over 715 calls for the year. This past Monday alone we had 8 calls in a 24 hour period.
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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

"Like leaders in many walks of life, my business has been to serve with, and for, others."
    -General Stanley McCrystal, US Army

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