WCFD
Activity Report
04/22/09
Fires: We responded to 12 fires in March for a total of 12 fires from March 1-March 31.
*See additional spreadsheets
Rescues: We responded to 22 rescues in March a total of 22 rescues from March 1-March 31.
*See additional spreadsheets
Trainings: There were four (5) trainings in March
1. EVOC – Classroom
2. EMS – Compartment Syndrome & Crush Injuries
3. EMS – Medical/Legal
4. Kubota/Trailer Training
5. Salvage & Overhaul
Year-to-date comparison: March 1, 2008 – March 31, 2008 – 29 calls
March 1, 2009 – March 31, 2009 – 34 calls
Difference in calls: +5
Percentage Increase/Decrease 17%
The skid unit for the RTV will be delivered this week. All brush fire apparatus is in a ready condition to meet the challenges of the brush fire season. All other apparatus is current with maintenance and inspections.
We are continuing to cover all our calls as well as responding to Central Coventry to assist them with their calls.
I received notice from Scott Pollard (State Rep) that he will be delivering a state legislators grant check for $750.00. I also received a $1,000 legislators grant from Rep. Scott Guthrie. Both grants are dedicated to communications equipment purchase. The department officers are working on the AFG and will be targeting a replacement for E-9 which is a 1978 American Lafrance Engine (pumper). Scott Mooney has offered his assistance to respond to several grants for the department as well. He is working on a Plima vent system and a FM Global grant for formal firefighting training to name a couple. The department received the grant from the state for the pedi equipment. Captain Guastini attended an evening seminar in Providence in order to secure that grant. Deputy Chief Hall and Captain Guastini submitted a grant to the RI Firemen’s League to help offset the cost of the Firefighter I and II training.
The department continues to show a strong support of responders to calls and trainings. Lt. Yates has resigned from the department. I will be posting the fire Lieutenants position.
We are continuing with EMS recertification as well as various fire trainings. Deputy Chief Hall organized a recent Saturday training exercise, which took place at the Moosup Valley training grounds. This was a practical training involving primary and secondary search techniques in a burning building. There was a good response from our personnel and the training event was a success.
The six-day cardiac coverage has once again proved to be a success. We were recently dispatched on a Saturday afternoon to a pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle. The rescue vehicle responded immediately with the paid cardiac and 2 volunteer basics. E-9 also responded immediately with 2 EMT basics and a firefighter. We were on scene in 4 minutes and transporting the patient to the hospital within 11 minutes of arriving on scene. Scene size up, trauma assessment, rapid interventions and packaging of the patient were done in that short amount of on scene time. The hospital staff and family credited our efforts for saving the individuals life. On 4/20/09 at 22:15 the department was dispatched to Weaver Hill Road for a transformer fire. Although this call was not a life or death situation, it did take 10 minutes to get the first piece of apparatus out of the station. The American Heart Association states that irreversible brain damage begins at 4-6 minutes during a cardiac or respiratory arrest. I can not emphasize enough about the importance of having cardiac coverage in the station allowing the rescue vehicle to get out the door in a timely fashion. With the opening of our new facility I think it is time to take our service to the next level and begin with overnight shifts utilizing our volunteers.
Respectfully Submitted,
Chief Joel Pomfret