Saturday, February 18, 2017

Weekly Update for Friday, February 17, 2017

OPEN SHIFTS: This Monday 2/20 0700-1300. Saturday night 2/25 1900-0700 (Must be EMT). March: Saturday 3/4 0700-1900; Sunday 3/12 0700-1900; Thursday 3/30 0700-1900.
----
The blog is late this week because on Friday I was in North Attleboro, Massachusetts. (Comparatively speaking, there is no snow in Massachusetts.)  I was at SVI's facility to see our new ambulance. It's a nice truck. It's much different than the two we have now.  But, it will be an improvement. We're looking at early April to have it here. There are six ambulances ahead of ours and they put out roughly 1 or 2 a week.
----
Washing Apparatus:  I am very happy to see vehicles getting washed or a least "hosed down" when they return from a call. Getting the winter road grime off them is great. Thank you! Don't forget the underside of the truck too. Keep in mind, we have hard water. Water spots develop quickly and are hard to remove. Please, squeegee (and that's how spell checker spells it) all the glass. Mirrors too. Wipe down the chrome and polished aluminium. If we don't stay ahead of the water spots our equipment is going to look terrible.
-----
Winter Storms Niko, Orson and Pluto:  Thanks to everyone who stepped up to help with storm coverage, snow removal, run calls. etc. The students did a lot of the heavy lifting. These 3 storms were definitely a team effort. The Dayton Snow Fighters did a terrific job too! Speaking of snow, if you've been at the station, you've seen our mammoth snow banks. Parking is confined. Especially out front in the responder spots. You may have to park at an angle so not to block the ladder bay. The access road to the back parking lot it tight. Please be careful.
------
Driving fire dept vehicles, wearing a FD uniform;  I want everyone to keep this in mind; you are always being watched! If someone sees a dept vehicle driving too fast, or it's someplace it should be, or it's doing something unsafe, that someone will most likely report it. And, I encourage them to do so!  You are representing this fire department. You are a living example of our mission; public safety! If you're seen doing something deemed unsafe by a member of the public, what does that say about our organization?
-----
Ice Fishing Derby:  Another great success!  Pictures and details are on the GMFRA facebook page.
Thank you Phil Daniels for all your hard work!
-----
Awards Banquet:  Plans and preparations are well underway. The date is April 15 at the Ramada in Saco.  A big part of the banquet is the awards ceremony. Please submit nominations for awards.  Fire-Rescue award nomination for Firefighter of the Year, Outstanding Service Award and Outstanding Junior Firefighter can be submitted by going to this site Fire Rescue Awards. Nominations for the Association's Outstanding Member can be submitted at this link GMFRA Award
-----
Ambulance Contamination:  Two weeks ago I put some info in this blog about cleaning our ambulances.  Back to Basics; How Clean is Your Ambulance?   This article Contamination: Don't Pass It On  brings up some good points about this matter in the USA.  Infection control is something we need to get better at. I'm looking for ideas, products, procedures, information on how we can make our ambulances cleaner. If you have any ideas, read or heard something, lets talk.
-----
Basic Fire School: We had some scheduling set backs because of the storms. Lt Sarto will have things back on track asap. These classes are open to anyone. If you want to participate in any of the classes you may.  The schedule is on the bulletin board. We'll be having more training props as we move along. This is a great opportunity to brush-up on basic skills.
-----
CPR Classes: This month is CPR training month. Also, drills on cardiac codes are part of our training. If your CPR card has expired, this is the time to renew it. Even if you have a valid CPR card, this is a great time to practice our cardiac code procedures. SOG 3342  and get some practice time with the Lifepak 15.  The next class is Tuesday, 2/21 at 1900 hours, with another on Wednesday 2/22 at 1000 hours and another at 0900 on Friday 2/24.
-----
EMT Skills CEH's:  If you're in need of skills CEH's to renew your EMT licences, Hollis FD will be having a Skills Night on 2/28.  There will be 10 instructors going over several practical skills. If you're interested in going, please send me an email so I can give Hollis a head count.
-----
Physicals and Fit Tests:  Please get these done at your earliest opportunity.  I've notified everyone who needs a physical. If you're not sure if you do, please ask me.
-----
The EMR-ISAC InfoGram for February 16, 2017 contains the following articles:
1. Preliminary 2016 Law Enforcement Fatalities Report
2. Zoning and Disaster Recovery Through Imagery
3. National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day
4. Hurricane Virtual Tabletop Exercise Schedule
-----
And where is Chief 8-3?:   No, I'm not starting a Facebook page to track sightings.  AChf Harris is at the National Fire Academy all next week.
-----
Events Next Week: Monday: President's Day. Tuesday: 1900 CPR Class; Wednesday: 1000 CPR Class. Thursday: 1600 Fire Commission, 1800 Joint Select Board at Lyman Town Hall, 1800 Basic Fire School, 1830 Junior Company.  Friday: 0900 CPR Class.
-----

Stay safe and warm,
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
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

No comments:

Post a Comment