Planning to Protect...Acting to Save

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Primrose Ross
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1 WEST BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT Inside this issue: Fire & EMS Run Review 1 Fire Department Operations 2 EMS Bureau Report 3 Fire Prev./ Public Safety 4 Maintenance Bureau 6 Training Bureau 7 In Their Own Words 8 YEARS of SERVICE ~ December Lt Alan Hefter...12/28/88 Bat Chief J Spartz..12/28/88 Lt. A Whitmore..12/03/95 POC J Schwieso..12/04/01 FF J Kammueller...12/14/15 Planning to Protect..Acting to Save Emergency Activities Types of Calls Planning to Protect......Acting to Save December 2018 Volume 7, Issue 12 We Kept The Wreath Green in 2018 The West Bend Fire Department s annual Keep the Wreath Green Program is utilized to remind residents to stay safe during the Holiday season. A red bulb is placed on the wreath every time the fire department responds to a fire. This year there were not any red bulbs placed onto the wreath! This made 2018 one of the fire safest holiday seasons on record. We would like to complement all of our residents on their efforts to make this a safe holiday season. December 2018 December 2017 Year to Date (2018) Year to Date (2017) Fires Calls Emergency Medical Calls Paramedic Intercepts Interfacility Transports Community Paramedics Totals Town of Barton Calls Town of West Bend Calls

Fire Department Operations By Battalion Chief John Spartz Page 2 Future Community Leaders Learn About the Fire Service

The group learned about the different jobs performed by firefighters and what a day at the fire station entails.

medical services, daily routines, and a fire fighting protective clothing challenge.

This may be low as most civilian injuries aren t reported.

2 Fire Department Operations By Battalion Chief John Spartz Page 2 Future Community Leaders Learn About the Fire Service Leadership West Bend spent a few hours at Station #1 on December 13. The group learned about the different jobs performed by firefighters and what a day at the fire station entails. The session begins with Lunch and followed by four different learning stations that include; fire prevention, emergency medical services, daily routines, and a fire fighting protective clothing challenge Fire Experience By The Numbers: There were 14,670 civilian fire injuries. This may be low as most civilian injuries aren t reported. Of these, 12,160 (83%), of all civilian fire injuries occurred in structure fires. Home fires were responsible for 10,600 (72%), of all civilian fire injuries. Another 1,370 (9%) civilian injuries occurred in highway vehicle fires. Nationwide, a civilian fire injury occurred every 35 minutes and 37 seconds. Source: National Fire Protection Association

3 The West Bend Fire Department finished 2018 with another record year for number of calls answered. On the EMS side of the Fire Department Operation we responded to over 3,700 calls for service and transported Emergency Medical Services Bureau Battalion Chief Tom Thrash EMS for 2018 almost 3,000 people to area hospitals. Our average time for an ambulance call is over 47 minutes, while our average time for an inter-facility transport is 1 hour and 36 minutes. We responded to 135 Paramedic Intercepts with an average call time of 1 hour and 7 minutes. Our Paramedic Intercept program sends 2 of our Paramedics to respond to and assist one of our neighboring departments to provide paramedic level skills. Page 3 All of our dedicated personnel do their best to continuously provide the highest quality prehospital care to our residents and visitors of the West Bend area.

Page 4 Fire Prevention & Public Safety Bureau Fire Safety Education, Code Enforcement and Fire Investigation The West Bend Fire Department spends countless hours conducting fire prevention activities

4 Page 4 Fire Prevention & Public Safety Bureau Fire Safety Education, Code Enforcement and Fire Investigation The West Bend Fire Department spends countless hours conducting fire prevention activities as part of an aggressive Community Risk Reduction (CRR) program. The prevention activities include but are not limited to: fire inspections, fire sprinkler system acceptance tests, fire alarm acceptance tests, cooking hood suppression acceptance tests, Fire Prevention Week school visits and open house, smoke detector installations, witnessing of school fire drills, assistance with evacuation plans for multi-family residential and business occupancies, as well as presentations to different community groups. Fire Inspections The West Bend Fire Department conducts fire inspections on every business and multi-family residential building in the City of West Bend as well as the fire coverage areas in the Town of Barton and the Town of West Bend. These inspections are required per Chapter of the Wisconsin State Statutes. In 2018, West Bend Fire Department personnel conducted 2,769 annual and semiannual fire inspections in those occupancies Deputy Chief Chuck Beistle and Captain Kenny Asselin 2018 Fire Prevention Review where they are required. The fire inspections found 1186 fire and building code violations. The most common deficiencies found during fire inspections include: Exit lights and emergency lighting not illuminated or nonfunctional per the test buttons (back up batteries that needed replacement. Fire extinguishers that were in need of annual testing and maintenance Blocked exits Fire alarms requiring an annual test Sprinkler systems requiring quarterly tests and annual inspections Extension cords running under rugs, through walls, over ceiling tiles, or through doorways Other Activities MPO/Paramedic Larry Schwechel installs a smoke detector in a residence as part of an aggressive Community Risk Reduction Program Many of the other activities that were conducted throughout the year include 30 residences where one or more smoke detectors were installed. Battery operated smoke detectors are donated by the American Red Cross. We were also able to install hard wired interconnected smoke detectors as part of a grant from State Farm Insurance. That grant also allows us to install carbon monoxide detectors in homes. We were able to visit every public and private grade school for Fire Prevention Week in the month of October. Children in kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grades were taught about the history of Fire Prevention Week and also taught how to prevent fires. We will continue our aggressive campaigns to help reduce the amount of loss from fire to save lives and keep property loss at a minimum in the future.

Fire Prevention & Public Safety Bureau Fire Safety Education, Code Enforcement and Fire Investigation by Deputy Chief Chuck Beistle and Captain Kenny Asselin BURN AWARENESS WEEK Page 5 National Burn

5 Fire Prevention & Public Safety Bureau Fire Safety Education, Code Enforcement and Fire Investigation by Deputy Chief Chuck Beistle and Captain Kenny Asselin BURN AWARENESS WEEK Page 5 National Burn Awareness Week, the first full week of February, is a window of opportunity for burn care organizations, burn survivor support groups, public safety professionals and injury prevention activists to increase awareness among the general population of the frequency and causes of burn injury in America, and the advances in and sources of burn care available today. The theme for the 2019 campaign is Scalds. A scald is an injury to the layers of the skin from hot liquids or burns. Scald injuries are very painful and very costly. According to pmc/articles/ PMC /, *The majority of burn injuries in children are scald injuries resulting from hot liquids, occurring most commonly in children aged 0 to 4 years old. *Scalds resulting from hot liquids are most common (80%), occurring five times more frequently than those resulting from flame in the first three years of life. *Scalds also result in injuries of greater severity as reflected by nearly 25% of cases requiring hospital admission compared to less than 1% of thermal burns requiring admission following initial treatment. *Scald injuries can be caused by any type of hot liquid including tap water, tea and coffee, and thicker liquids such as soups, grease, and tar. The American Burn Association has several tips to help prevent scalds from occurring: Set the water heater to no higher than 120 degrees, or just below the medium setting Create a no kid zone in the kitchen around stoves, ovens, and hot items Keep hot drinks away from the edge of tables and counters Use a travel mug with a tight-fitting lid for all hot drinks Place pots and pans on the back burner with handles turned away from the edge of the stove The American Burn Association also has some additional tips of what not to do to help prevent scald injuries. DON T leave a child unattended in the bathtub; if you must leave, take the child or children with you DON T allow young children to adjust the water temperature or sit near faucet handles DON T set anything hot on tabletops within reach of young children who can pull them down DON T allow appliance cords (slowcookers, deep-fryers, coffee makers) to dangle over the counter edge. For more information on scald or burn injuries, visit the American Burn Association website,

Maintenance Bureau Battalion Chief Jeff Gustafson Page 6 The arrival of cold weather means that firefighters will be in a constant battle with slippery roads, frozen hose lines and buried or hidden

6 Maintenance Bureau Battalion Chief Jeff Gustafson Page 6 The arrival of cold weather means that firefighters will be in a constant battle with slippery roads, frozen hose lines and buried or hidden hydrants due to snow. To help insure your own safety and allow us to act quicker, the West Bend Fire Department is requesting residents to help keep the areas around fire hydrants free of snow as well as any other obstructions such as weeds, shrubbery or trees. If the unthinkable does Keep Area Around Fire Hydrants Clear happen, it is extremely important for us to be able to locate the fire hydrant and be able to get water from the hydrant as fast as possible. Being able to access water quickly can mean the difference in saving a life or a structure. Large amounts of snow or other obstructions that are impeding our use of the hydrant can take several valuable minutes for firefighters to clear the area to do their job. Residents with a fire hydrant located in front of or near their home are asked to clean snow away from the hydrants when they clear their sidewalk or driveway. Please also consider assisting others in your neighborhood who are unable to do this on their own. When clearing snow or other obstructions from a hydrant please follow the guideline below and THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE! Remove the snow from all connections on the hydrant. (Melting snow may freeze the connection). Clear the front of the hydrant all the way to the street Clear an area at least 3 feet away from the hydrant in all directions.

7 Fire Instruction & Training Bureau Winter comes as no surprise in Wisconsin, yet many of us are not ready for its arrival. Storms and cold temperatures can be dangerous, especially when traveling, but you can stay safe and by planning ahead. About 70% of winter deaths related to snow and ice, occur in automobiles. Travel by car in daylight, do not travel alone, keep others notified of your schedule and stay on the main roads. Avoid back road short cuts. Winterize your car with a battery check, antifreeze, wipers and Deputy Chief Chuck Beistle & Captain Bob Monday Winter Safety Tips windshield washer fluid, lights, flashing hazard lights, heater, defroster, and snow tires, snow tires with studs, or chains. Keep your car s gas tank full. When a blizzard traps you in your car: Pull off the highway or road. Turn on your hazard lights and hang a distress flag from the radio aerial or window. Remain in your vehicle where rescuers are most likely to find you. Do not set out on foot unless you can see a building close by, where you know you can take shelter. Distances are distorted by blowing snow. A building may seem close but be too far to walk to in deep snow. Run the engine and heater about ten minutes each hour to keep warm. When the engine is running, open a window slightly for ventilation. This will protect you from possible carbon monoxide poisoning. Periodically clear snow from the exhaust pipe. Exercise to maintain body heat, but avoid overexertion. In extreme cold, use road maps, seat covers, and Page 7 floor mats for insulation. Huddle with passengers and use your coat for a blanket. Take turns sleeping. One person should be awake at all times to look for rescue crews. Drink fluids to avoid dehydration. Be careful not to waste battery power. Balance your electrical energy needs. At night, turn on the inside light so work crews or rescuers can see you. Stay home. If you really don t have to go out, don t.

the West Bend Fire Department are always dedicated to making their contact with area residents a

Jim was promoted to MPO on December 30 th.

DEPARTMENT Planning to Protect...Acting to Save and is now a 21 year veteran here at the WBFD.

been a registered Paramedic since 2009. Jim spends his offduty time staying active in the community.

8 In Their Own Words... The back page of our newsletter features a note or card that we have received from our customers.the people we serve. Whether it is during an ambulance call, fire call, or a public education assignment, the members of the West Bend Fire Department are always dedicated to making their contact with area residents a positive experience. Personnel Spotlight: MPO Jim Goeldner Congratulation to MPO James Goeldner. Jim was promoted to MPO on December 30 th. MPO Goeldner came to us from the Town of Brookfield Fire Department on January 4, 1998 WEST BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT Planning to Protect...Acting to Save and is now a 21 year veteran here at the WBFD. He earned his Associate degree in Fire Science in 1997, became and Intermediate EMT in 2001, and has been a registered Paramedic since Jim spends his offduty time staying active in the community. He has been involved with West Bend Youth Football for 12 years as a head coach for the West Bend East Suns. He has met a lot of our community while coaching and is know as "Coach Goldy". It isn't uncommon for kids he coached to say hello while he is out serving our community. 325 N 8th Ave. West Bend, WI

WEST BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT

WEST BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT Planning to Protect......Acting to Save December 2016 Volume 4, Issue 12 Inside this issue: Fire & EMS Run Review 1 EMS Bureau Report 2 Fire Prev./ Public Safety 4 Operations