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Thank you everyone for your commitment and service to our community. Over the Christmas weekend alone, we handled 14 calls. Three cardiac codes, a car fire, MVCs, mutual aid, lines down, lift assists, a little bit of everything. Thank you everyone who gave up some of your holiday to cover those calls. As 2018 comes to an end, we have responded to over 815 calls for service! We've treated over 485 patients! 2018 will be remembered as a tremendous year for progress in our department. Most significantly, we added overnight staffing. That is a testament to how much importance the Townspeople place on fire & EMS services and the confidence they have in us to deliver. Keep up the good work! Thank you!
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DUTY OFFICER: Tonight; Capt Johnston. Tomorrow day & night; Capt Daniels. Sunday; DChf Harris. Duty Chief: Chf Hooper. Duty Chief next week: AChf Duross.
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CONGRATULATIONS: FF Corey Boucher and FF Shevaughn Shay have passed there Basic EMT class! Both are now in the license testing phase.
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LADDER 82: Steady progress is being made putting the truck in service.
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CHRISTMAS TREE BONFIRE: Drop off your old Christmas tree behind the Dayton Town Hall. On Saturday night, January 5th at 1800, we're going to have a post-Christmas tree bonfire.
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ANNUAL MANDATORY TRAINING: A schedule will be coming out soon. These mandatories are required by the Bureau of Labor Standards.
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BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUPPORT: From the staff at the National Volunteer Fire Council. Posted 12/24/2018. The holidays can be a difficult time, especially for volunteer responders and their families. If you or a fellow responder needs someone to talk to or assistance for any behavioral health issue, the Fire/EMS Helpline is always available at 1-888-731-FIRE (3473). It is confidential and free to call. You can learn more about it at https://www.nvfc.org/fireems-helpline/. Also remember to be there for your brothers and sisters in need. If you see someone struggling, reach out. This video provides tips for talking to a fellow responder in need: http://bit.ly/2PRw2w2, and this article provides 5 steps for communicating with someone who is suicidal: http://bit.ly/2SZn6Xx. Also check out these articles on managing stress: http://bit.ly/2PTKIea and on building resilience: http://bit.ly/2LuCUid. -Matt Piechocki, Community Manager, National Volunteer Fire Council. matt@nvfc.org
This a tough topic. We've had some difficult calls in December. If something is bothering you, if something just doesn't seem right. Talk with someone you trust.
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ALFRED FD Radio Numbers: Chief Carpenter has informed me that Alfred has changed it's apparatus radio call signs. All apparatus numbers will start with the number 9. IE: Ambulance 91, Engines 92 and 93, Tanker 95, Forestry 94 and 98.
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CDL Incentive: The Fire Commission approved an update to LDFC Regulation 1105 that now allows for a 5% incentive for CDLs. That translates to about 50 cents per hour. CDL with tanker and air brake endorsements are required for this incentive.
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Lead Firefighter: As part of the revision to Regulation 1105, the fire commission has authorized the Lead Firefighter position for full-time employees. Directive 2218 as more details a copy is posted on the bulletin board. An equivalent goal for call force members is Engineer (Directive 2216), and soon to be published, Advanced Firefighter and of course Lieutenant (Directive 2215). Lead Firefighters, Advanced Firefighters and Engineers will rank just below Lieutenant. Some might call that a sergeant.
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Firefighter Near Miss: Additional Safe Zone Needed in Snow.
Summary: Roadway incidents in snow are already an added hazard. When the terrain obscures an approaching motorist’s view, it compounds the risk.
Event Description: We were dispatched to a motor vehicle collision (MVC) with injuries on the interstate. The weather conditions were below freezing with falling snow over ice. The incident involved a jack-knifed semi across all lanes of traffic at the bottom of the mountain. We spotted about halfway down the slope and began setting cones and flares to establish a safe work zone.
Wearing reflective safety gear, I began walking to the top of the hill to provide early warning to approaching drivers. About halfway up, I saw an SUV crest the ridge at a high rate of speed. I climbed over the guardrail for cover and radioed to the crew at the engine as a warning. The driver bounced off the guardrail and narrowly missed the engine. When the SUV finally slid to a stop, I approached the driver to find he was on his phone as he crested the hill. I called for an additional company to block traffic at the top of the hill while my crew provided medical attention for the jack-knifed driver. Take-Aways: The lessons shared by this reporter are obvious. During inclement weather, close as many traffic lanes as necessary to provide a safe zone. This may mean closing all lanes of travel in both directions. View the Report: Vehicle Slides into Safety Zone
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PICO: Preparations for Initial Company Operations Course. March 12, 14 & 16 in Scarborough. Registration required. A flyer is on the bulletin board.
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DMICO: Decision Make for Initial Company Operations Course. February 5, 7 & 9 in North Yarmouth.-----
DMICO, PICO and STICO are courses required for promotion.
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DRESS CODE: I've updated our dress code, Directive 2121. This revision prohibits sweat pants and spandex being worn. These items may be worn underneath turnout gear. Keep in mind turnout gear is not to be worn on medical calls. We must present a positive professional image to the public.
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FIRE-POLICE: If you know of anyone who may be interested and motivated to serve as fire police, please give them my cell number.
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PICTURES for the BANQUET: Please forward any pics you have that you may have, that are suitable for family viewing, to FF Boucher for the banquet picture show.
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SAVE THE DATE: February 9th. Ice Fishing Derby Day!
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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
Cell: 207-432-0390
Station: 207-499-2362
Fax: 207-499-2893
www.gmfd.org
"Experience is the name we give our mistakes."
-Oscar Wilde
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