Planning to Protect...

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WEST BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT Planning to Protect......Acting to Save Inside this issue: Fire & EMS Run Review 1 Fire Department Operations 2 EMS Bureau Report 3 Fire Prev.

1 WEST BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT Planning to Protect......Acting to Save 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 ~March LT. D McCreary. 03/22/00 MPO K Demler.03/02/08 March 2018 Volume 6, Issue 03 Brush Fire Season Is Here As the winter season turns into spring, the robins return to the State of Wisconsin and the days grow longer after the onset of the vernal equinox. The landscape dries out after the snow melts but before the spring thunderstorms begin. As the remains of the undergrowth become parched and withered, so increases the chances that the The aftermath of a brush fire that raged out of control at Riverside Park on March 22nd, Access to the area of the inferno was limited. Firefighters had to battle the blaze on foot with water back packs and brooms to suppress the flames. vegetation would catch fire from natural causes or malfeasance. The end result is a scorched earth barren landscape that resembles an apocalyptic vision of the future. Continued on Page 4..Acting to Save Emergency Activities Types of Calls March 2018 March 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 Grass Fire Operations Require Special Equipment Page 6 Spring in Wisconsin usually means fire departments are busy fighting grass fires.

One errant spark, cigarette or match can ignite a fire that can burn thousands of acres and structures.

standing on the tracks. Instead crews attack grass fires by extinguishing the flanks, or sides, and moving towards the head.

2 Fire Department Operations By Battalion Chief John Spartz Grass Fire Operations Require Special Equipment Page 6 Spring in Wisconsin usually means fire departments are busy fighting grass fires. The retreat of the winter snow reveals left overs vegetation from the previous summer. However, spring winds dry the vegetation and low humidity in the air cause a highly combustible situation. One errant spark, cigarette or match can ignite a fire that can burn thousands of acres and structures. West Bend Fire Department s Brush rig stands ready to respond to grass fires at Station #1 too dangerous to approach a fire head-on because this would be like trying to stop a freight train by standing on the tracks. Instead crews attack grass fires by extinguishing the flanks, or sides, and moving towards the head. Crews will use water carried by smaller vehicles called grass, or brush, trucks. West Bend has a four-wheel drive pick-up truck with a slide in water tank, pump, and hose unit to fight these fires. The lighter vehicles are required because fields in spring may have dry vegetation but are muddy underneath. Brooms, rakes and shovels are also used to move grass and other vegetation away from the flames. Control of the fire s edges is a priority and then crews will go back over the burned area to extinguish any hotspots. Prescribed burning of vegetation is a wildlife management tool and is commonly used by professionals and home owners. Grass fires can move extremely fast across and open field and are as dangerous as a structure fire. Don t attempt to put one out by yourself. It isn t worth getting burned over dry grass. Wildland broom, shovel and water backpack used by firefighters to extinguish grass fires. Southern Wisconsin, including the West Bend area, doesn t have the heavy pine forests found in Northern Wisconsin so we don t see the big forest fires shown in the media. However, we do have marshes and grasslands that burn just as fast and can cause serious air quality issues around the cities. Local fire departments follow the same principles used in forest fires to extinguish grass fires. Wildland crews know it is Forestry hose and wildland nozzle. The lighter hose is easier to move than normal firehose through heavy brush.

3 Emergency Medical Services Bureau Battalion Chief Tom Thrash Stop the Bleed March 31 st was National Stop the Bleed day. Stop the Bleed is a national program endorsed by the American College of Surgeons and the Committee on Trauma. Page 3 This program is based on the Presidential Policy Directive 8, which is a directive for national preparedness. The design of the program is to offer a short class on the important concepts of stopping major arterial or venous bleeding. Currently we have 2 West Bend Fire Department members who are trained as instructors as well as several members from the West Bend Police Department. BleedingControl.org is the website for more information about Stop the Bleed. The program is endorsed and supported in our area by the Regional Trauma Advisory Council (RTAC) region 7. They have purchased the training kits and have placed 1 kit in every county in Southeast Wisconsin. The kit has everything that is need to teach the roughly 1 hour class. The class entails learning how to stop bleeding using direct pressure, tourniquet, and hemostatic gauze. For more information contact the West Bend Fire Department at

Page 4 Fire Prevention & Public Safety Bureau Fire Safety Education, Code Enforcement and Fire Investigation Deputy Chief Chuck Beistle and Captain Kenny Asselin Spring Wildfires Rage On Continued

4 Page 4 Fire Prevention & Public Safety Bureau Fire Safety Education, Code Enforcement and Fire Investigation Deputy Chief Chuck Beistle and Captain Kenny Asselin Spring Wildfires Rage On Continued from Page 1 According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), every year wildfires burn across the United States, and a growing number of people are living where wildfires are a real risk. In 2016, a total of 4,312 structures were destroyed by wildfires, including more than 3,000 homes and more than 70 commercial buildings. In 2017, the U.S. saw more than 56,000 wildfires burn more than 9 million acres of land, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. There are a number of wildfire prevention tips that can be followed to help prevent the spread of wildfires: Check the website of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for burning danger. topic/forestfire/ restrictions.html Cigarettes, matches, and smoking materials should never be thrown on the ground A spring wildfire burned a large area of land between Sleepy Hollow Rd. and the US Hwy 45 onramp in the Town of Barton on March 23rd. Firefighters from several departments were called to assist. Thank you to the Jackson Fire Department for the photo. Completely extinguish any outdoor fire you create with water and dirt Be mindful when operating equipment outdoors that can create heat or sparks Speak up and alert authorities if you suspect someone is in danger of starting a wildfire The Insurance Information Institute has a great deal of information available regarding wildfires ( In 2017 there were 66,131 wildfires in the United States compared to only 65,575 in About 9.8 million acres were burned in 2017 versus only 5.4 million acres burned in The West Bend Fire Department asks for the help of the public to help prevent wildfires. Using best practices and not burning during extremely dry periods will greatly help reduce the number of the wildfires in the West Bend area. As Smokey the Bear says, Only you can prevent forest fires!

Fire Prevention & Public Safety Bureau Fire Safety Education, Code Enforcement and Fire Investigation by Deputy Chief Chuck Beistle and Captain Kenny Asselin Page 5 Even though Mother Nature has

The robins have returned, the trees are starting to bud, and Bob Uecker is on the air with Milwaukee Brewers baseball play by play. These are sure signs that summer is right around the corner.

Pictured are examples of manufactured fire pits that are acceptable according to section 5.223 of the City of West Bend municipal code.

5 Fire Prevention & Public Safety Bureau Fire Safety Education, Code Enforcement and Fire Investigation by Deputy Chief Chuck Beistle and Captain Kenny Asselin Page 5 Even though Mother Nature has decided to fool us with unusually cool early spring temperatures, the sights, sounds, and smells of spring are near. The robins have returned, the trees are starting to bud, and Bob Uecker is on the air with Milwaukee Brewers baseball play by play. These are sure signs that summer is right around the corner. We will once again be outside enjoying all the joys that summer in Wisconsin brings to families in the West Bend area. Pictured are examples of manufactured fire pits that are acceptable according to section of the City of West Bend municipal code. A manufactured burn pit can be made of a maximum 3 foot wide ring and blocks with a spark arrester dome or spark arrester screen and cover. They can also be on wheels or have legs. Acceptable components are those that help reduce the spread of fire from the burn pit. to a nuisance ordinance Only non-chemically treated wood is to be burned in a burn pit Burning of trash in a burn pit is prohibited Burning of yard waste in a burn pit is prohibited Burn pits shall be placed on a flat and level area on the ground The intent of the ordinance is to prevent structure fires from happening in the City of West Bend. Following these helpful hints should help to reduce damage from fires as Along with warm spring and hot summer nights comes a right of passage known as evening fires. There is no open burning in the City of West Bend other than in manufactured burn pits. The intent of the City of West Bend municipal ordinance is to prevent any outdoor fires from damaging homes and other buildings. There are a few safety tips that are the intent of the burning ordinance: Any burn pit must have a spark arrester screen and cover or a spark arrester dome Any manufactured burn pit must be at least 10 feet from a lot line Any manufactured burn pit must be at least 10 feet from a structure Any smoke from a burn pit is still subject well as any injuries or deaths. We thank you for your diligence and cooperation throughout the summer.

Maintenance Bureau Battalion Chief Jeff Gustafson Fire Extinguisher Recall Page 6 Kidde Fire Extinguisher Recall could affect the extinguisher that you have.

dating back to over 15 years. Included below is a guide on which extinguishers are and are not affected.

6 Maintenance Bureau Battalion Chief Jeff Gustafson Fire Extinguisher Recall Page 6 Kidde Fire Extinguisher Recall could affect the extinguisher that you have. In November of 2017 Kidde has identified a potential product safety issue related to certain extinguishers that have affected over 37 million extinguishers dating back to over 15 years. Included below is a guide on which extinguishers are and are not affected. This guide will assist you in identifying whether your fire extinguisher is included in the recall as well as assist you in your request for a FREE replacement. There are two styles of fire extinguishers included in the recall: Certain plastic Handle extinguishers and push button Pindicator fire extinguishers. Please see the links below for more information on the recall as well as a detailed video or call Kidde directly at w a t c h? v=x5xmh1vmzho&feature =youtu.be

Fire Instruction & Training Bureau Deputy Chief Chuck Beistle & Captain Bob Monday Cold Water Rescue Page 7 Spring is here and with that warmer temperatures can cause dangerous and unpredictable ice

People should be on the lookout for thin ice conditions that can hide cracks and weak spots such as slushy ice, any ice with water on it and snow-covered ice.

7 Fire Instruction & Training Bureau Deputy Chief Chuck Beistle & Captain Bob Monday Cold Water Rescue Page 7 Spring is here and with that warmer temperatures can cause dangerous and unpredictable ice conductions on our lakes, ponds, and waterways in the city. West Bend Fire Department personal have been training to rescue people who have ventured onto the spring ice and are in need of assistance. People should be on the lookout for thin ice conditions that can hide cracks and weak spots such as slushy ice, any ice with water on it and snow-covered ice. Ice that has thawed and re-frozen is weaker and will appear milky. As the snow melt increases, ice will become thinner and more dangerous, and may melt faster due to an increase in water flow and stronger currents as lakes and rivers rise. If you should fall into near-freezing water and begin to gasp for air and hyperventilate, don t thrash. In the first minute, get control of your breathing. The next 10 minutes is your window of meaningful movement to escape. You will have up to one hour to escape or be rescued before you become unconscious. Take that first minute in the water to slow your breathing. Look around and determine where the ice is the thickest. Usually, you ll want to turn to and face the way you came from. In that direction, the ice had been strong enough to hold you (until it wasn t). Stretch your arms atop the ice surface. Flutterkick your feet until your body is horizontal, like a swimmer kicks. Kick harder, using your hands and arms to pull yourself onto the ice. Roll away from the hole, and then crawl until you can safely stand. Watch out for thin ice conditions that can hide cracks and weak spots such as slushy ice, any ice with water on it and snow -covered ice. Ice that has thawed and re-frozen is weaker and will appear milky. As the snow melt increases, ice will become thinner and more dangerous, and may melt faster due to an increase in water flow and stronger currents as lakes and rivers rise. If you do see an emergency on the ice or near bodies of water, always call 911. Fire Department personal are trained and equipped for ice rescues.

Department are always dedi- residents a positive experience.

Whether it is during an cation assignment, the members of the West cated to making their contact with

Fire Department in 1993. Chuck is a Slinger native and graduated from Slinger High School.

While attending MATC, Chuck was a Cadet with the Fitchburg Fire Department.

Chuck has held positions of firefighter, motor pump operator, lieutenant, battalion chief, and is now

8 In Their Own Words... that we have received from our custom- ambulance call, fire call, or a public edu- Bend Fire Department are always dedi- residents a positive experience. The back page of our newsletter features a note or card ers.the people we serve. Whether it is during an cation assignment, the members of the West cated to making their contact with area Personnel Spotlight: Deputy Chief Chuck Beistle Deputy Chief Chuck Beistle joined the West Bend Fire Department in Chuck is a Slinger native and graduated from Slinger High School. He attended MATC in Madison for his associate degree in fire science. While attending MATC, Chuck was a Cadet with the Fitchburg Fire Department. After graduating from MATC, Chuck was hired full time by the Jackson Fire Department in Chuck has held positions of firefighter, motor pump operator, lieutenant, battalion chief, and is now the deputy chief in charge of operations. He holds a bachelor degree in Public Administration from Mount Scenario College. Chuck is married to his wife Leslie, has two daughters, Erica and Maya, and his step son Brandon. WEST BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT Planning to Protect...Acting to Save 325 N 8th Ave. West Bend, WI

Emergency Medical Services Bureau BC Todd Van Langen and Captain Tom Thrash

Emergency Medical Services Bureau BC Todd Van Langen and Captain Tom Thrash WEST BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT Planning to Protect......Acting to Save Inside this issue: Fire & EMS Run Review 1 EMS Bureau Report 2 Fire Prev./ Public Safety 4 Operations Bureau 6 Training Bureau 7 In Their