WEST BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT

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Rodney Summers
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1 WEST BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT Planning to Protect......Acting to Save July 2016 Volume 4, Issue 7 Inside this issue: Fire & EMS 1 EMS Bureau Report 2 Fire Prev./ Public Safety 4 Operations Bureau 6 Training Bureau 7 In Their Own Words 8 July 4th, School, and 9-11 Memorials West Bend celebrates July 4th with a parade and ends the day with fireworks. This past Fourth went smoothly with no reported fires during the day. Members of the blue shift drove the fire trucks through the parade and responded to several medical calls. Captain Tammy Lamberg, the department s fire inspector spent the afternoon and evening working with Bartolotta Fireworks to insure the display was going to be a safe show. Firefighters are present when the fireworks are set off but they don t get to see a lot of the show. Crews watch where the embers land to insure there aren t any fires. Everyone deemed the day a great success. YEARS of SERVICE ~July POC FF S. Rusch..07/05/95 MPO M. Forster...07/07/97 LT. R. Hasse /07/97 MPO R. Monday....07/07/97 FF S.Stockhausen..07/19/10 West Bend schools start during the last week of August. Please use extra caution and slow down when driving near schools and bus stops. Finally, September 11, 2016 marks the fifteenth year since the World Trade Center attacks. Area departments often have memorials to remember the fallen. Please check the local papers to find an event near you to remember the fallen. You can also check our department Facebook page at facebook.com/westbendfiredept/ for events and updates Memorial at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, MD..Acting to Save Emergency Activities Types of Calls July 2016 June 2016 Year to Date (2016) Year to Date (2015) Fires Calls Emergency Medical Calls Paramedic Intercepts Interfacility Transports Totals Town of Barton Calls Town of West Bend Calls

Emergency Medical Services Bureau Page Page 22 BC Todd Van Langen and Captain Tom Thrash Back to School Safety by BC Van Langen Hard to believe but summer is coming to an end.

Kids are not always paying attention when they are ap- proaching and crossing streets, so it is up to the operator of a motor vehicle to be extra cautious when children are present.

org, 61 children are struck by cars everyday in the US. Most often knowledge an effort is underway to eliminate distracted walking, especially walking while texting.

Remind kids to be aware of their surroundings and look left, right, than 3,400 texts per month. That s 7 messages during every hour they are awake.

2 Emergency Medical Services Bureau Page Page 22 BC Todd Van Langen and Captain Tom Thrash Back to School Safety by BC Van Langen Hard to believe but summer is coming to an end. Along with many things this also means that soon school will begin and our sidewalks will be full of kids going to and returning from school. Kids are not always paying attention when they are ap- proaching and crossing streets, so it is up to the operator of a motor vehicle to be extra cautious when children are present. Also parents should review safety principles with their children who ride bikes or walk to school. Nothing is more important than making sure they get home safely. According to a study by SafeKids.org, 61 children are struck by cars everyday in the US. Most often knowledge an effort is underway to eliminate distracted walking, especially walking while texting. According to a study by the Nielson Company, kids age send more phones on, always walk on the sidewalk, if you must walk on the street walk facing oncoming traffic. Remind kids to be aware of their surroundings and look left, right, than 3,400 texts per month. That s 7 messages during every hour they are awake. Before your children head out remind them of these safety tips. Never text or talk on the phone while walking, never cross a street while using an electronic device, don t walk with head- then left again before crossing the street. during the hours before and after school and peaking in September when kids are first going back to school. It is now more likely a teenager will be struck by a vehicle than younger ages. With this Drivers also need to remember there is never an occasion that justifies taking your eyes off the road to use a phone. One call or text can change everything. Eliminating distractions is the key to keeping kids safe.

Emergency Medical Services Bureau Battalion Chief Todd Van Langen & Captain Tom Thrash Regner Park & WBFD Page 3 The West Bend Fire Department did some training in the month of June with the

That training in June led our members to want to continue training at Regner Park for July. This time we conducted dive training in the fish pond at Regner Park.

3 Emergency Medical Services Bureau Battalion Chief Todd Van Langen & Captain Tom Thrash Regner Park & WBFD Page 3 The West Bend Fire Department did some training in the month of June with the lifeguards at Regner Park. The training involved the lifeguards locating a submerged victim and providing CPR until WBFD Paramedics arrive and take over care. That training in June led our members to want to continue training at Regner Park for July. This time we conducted dive training in the fish pond at Regner Park. Our dive mannequin was placed in the pond and we utilized some bystanders to act as witnesses. Our members interviewed the witnesses to determine a last seen location, we then deployed the divers to that location. Within minutes we located the mannequin. Thank you to those that were at the Regner Park pond those days and worked with our Firefighters on this important training. West Bend Fire Department Diver preparing to conduct a search Future EMS Training With the start of another school year soon to be upon us the WBFD will be doing training with the Johnson Bus Company. The bus company will be allowing the use of a bus for the Firefighter/ Paramedics to review the techniques needed to perform extrication and get injured students off of a bus. We hope we never have to utilize these skills but also have to be ready for any situation. Firefighter/Medics will review the construction of the bus and the best locations to cut into the bus if doors and windows are damaged. This is important for situations where we need to access the patients via alternative strategies. We will also be practicing scenarios involving creative ways to remove injured patients from the damaged bus. Some of our own fire department members children will be posing as patients to help with this part of the training. Having live Patients gives our paramedics a chance to practice their pediatric assessment skills. Our goal is to be prepared for any emergency situation that could occur during transport of our area students.

350 300 250 200 150 100 50 Page 4 Fire Prevention & Public Safety Bureau Fire Safety Education, Code Enforcement and Fire Investigation Deputy Chief Chuck Beistle & Captain Tammy Lamberg July

4 Page 4 Fire Prevention & Public Safety Bureau Fire Safety Education, Code Enforcement and Fire Investigation Deputy Chief Chuck Beistle & Captain Tammy Lamberg July Prevention & Inspection Activities Periodic Inspections Reinspections/Follow-ups Violations System Acceptance Tests Requests/Complaints Meetings/Consults Permits Home Smoke Alarm Installs Community Safety Presentations Plan Reviews Understanding Fire By Captain Tammy Lamberg Many Americans realize the risk and damaging potential of fire but most people don't fully understand fire. Fire is FAST! There is little time! In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house or for it to be en- Continued on Page 5

Page 5 Fire Prevention & Public Safety Bureau Fire Safety Education, Code Enforcement and Fire Investigation Understanding Fire Continued from Page 4 gulfed in flames. Most will scorch your lungs.

5 Page 5 Fire Prevention & Public Safety Bureau Fire Safety Education, Code Enforcement and Fire Investigation Understanding Fire Continued from Page 4 gulfed in flames. Most will scorch your lungs. produces black smoke and gases that are lethal. deadly fires occur in the This heat can melt clothes complete darkness. If you Breathing even small home when people are to your skin. In five wake up to a fire you may amounts of smoke and asleep. If you wake up to minutes, a room can get be blinded, disoriented toxic gases can make you a fire, you won't have so hot that everything in and unable to find your drowsy, disoriented and time to grab valuables it ignites at once: This is way around the home short of breath. The odor- because fire spreads too less, colorless fumes can fast and the smoke be- lull you into a deep sleep comes too thick. Don t before the flames reach gamble on the quickly your door. You may not changing conditions wake up in time to escape. Nothing is worth your life or the life of your family. Fire PREVENTION and There is only time to es- FIRE SAFETY is key. cape. Once you get out, Only when we know the stay out! true nature of fire can we prepare our families and Fire is HOT! called flashover. When that you've lived in for ourselves. In the event of Heat is more threatening flashover occurs chances years. This is why having a fire, remember that eve- than flames. A fire's heat of survival are minimal. an escape plan and prac- ry second counts, so you alone can kill. Room tem- This is true even for fire- ticing it is so important. and your family must al- peratures in a fire can be fighters who are wearing ways be prepared. Next 100 degrees at floor level protective gear. Fire is DEADLY! month we will talk more and rise to de- Smoke and toxic gases kill about preventing fires grees at eye level. At the Fire is DARK! more people than flames and the importance of ceiling, temperatures can Fire isn't bright, it's pitch do. Fire uses up the oxy- knowing what to do be- exceed 1000 degrees. In- black. Fire starts bright, gen you need and produc- fore a fire, during a fire haling this super-hot air but as it grows it quickly es smoke and poisonous and after a fire occurs.

Fire Department Operations Bureau Battalion Chief John Spartz Summertime Means Construction Page 6 Work has begun on the much anticipated West Bend Kwik-Trip.

Fuel tanks were received during the first week of July and were quickly set and buried after inspection.

A fire department tank inspector, who is certified by the state, visits the site and checks all of the equipment to insure it doesn t leak. Any problems are fixed prior to approval.

Station #1 Gets Tagged... Two Car Fires in One Week Only a coincidence WBFD responded to two car fires within a week during July.

6 Fire Department Operations Bureau Battalion Chief John Spartz Summertime Means Construction Page 6 Work has begun on the much anticipated West Bend Kwik-Trip. Excavation started in late June and will continue until the store opens in late September or early October. Fuel tanks were received during the first week of July and were quickly set and buried after inspection. Crews are setting spill containment, fuel islands, and underground piping in the pictures above. Tanks and all of the adjoining equipment are installed by Wisconsin certified tank installers. A fire department tank inspector, who is certified by the state, visits the site and checks all of the equipment to insure it doesn t leak. Any problems are fixed prior to approval. Once all of the equipment passes the inspection, it can be buried. Crews buried this equipment the next day. The store foundation can be seen in the background of the left picture. Station #1 Gets Tagged... Two Car Fires in One Week Only a coincidence WBFD responded to two car fires within a week during July. Some people were wondering if there was something suspicious going on but it was only coincidence as they were not related. Summer months can be a time where overheated vehicles can become a hazard. It is a good idea to check all of your fluids and have your car serviced when needed. Most importantly be sure not to ignore any warning lights that may come on while you are driving....but it wasn t in a bad way. Apparently some graffiti artists decided to say Thank you to members of the West Bend Fire Department during the day on July 29. Crews found sayings of thanks and appreciation on the apron of Fire Station #1 s apparatus floor. Apparently this was done while the on duty shift was out of the station and they found the nice surprise upon returning. We would like to thank the nameless graffiti artists for the appreciation and are glad we can do what we can to help.

Fire Instruction & Training Bureau Page 7 Deputy Chief Chuck Beistle & Captain Tom Thrash Helping the Community: You may have seen the West Bend Fire Department out at

Many people from kids to senior citizens love to talk with the firefighters and look at a fire truck when it is out at these events.

task that otherwise may not have been able to be achieved or done safely.

At this event we assist the West Bend Parks and Recreation Department with their event in a few different ways.

7 Fire Instruction & Training Bureau Page 7 Deputy Chief Chuck Beistle & Captain Tom Thrash Helping the Community: You may have seen the West Bend Fire Department out at several of our local events this year. We are happy to contribute to the success of community activities. Many people from kids to senior citizens love to talk with the firefighters and look at a fire truck when it is out at these events. Along with being on display for our residents to see, many times our apparatus will be performing a function such as spraying water or using the ladder to complete a task that otherwise may not have been able to be achieved or done safely. One of West Bend s summer events that has become a very popular attraction for families is the Regner Park Dirty Ninja Mud Run. At this event we assist the West Bend Parks and Recreation Department with their event in a few different ways. We start the races with our air horn and siren, and then we provide a water stream for the participants to rinse off all of the mud after the race. This is a fun and effective way to clean up the kids before parents take them home. We were also recently in downtown West Bend assisting Habitat For Humanity by hanging the flags for Germanfest. The West Bend Fire Department looks forward to helping make these events a success whether it is on scene or behind the scenes.

Bend Fire Department are always dedicated to making their contact with area residents a positive experience.

working at the Eau Claire Airport Fire Department.

Thomas College in St. Paul, MN. He played four years of football while attending school.

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 Mark Forster Mark Forster joined the West Bend Fire Department on July 7, 1997 after working at the Eau Claire Airport Fire Department. Mark completed his Fire Fighter I & II certifications as well as his EMT-Basic course at Madison Area Technical School. Prior to becoming a fire fighter, Mark also received a Bachelor s Degree in Advertising and Marketing at St. Thomas College in St. Paul, MN. He played four years of football while attending school. Mark was promoted to MPO in 2000 and also is an Acting Lieutenant. He obtained his paramedic license in Mark grew up in Eau Claire and still has family in the area. He still visits and spends time deer hunting on the family farm. Mark has two children; Gavin and Storey. Gavin attends UW -Oshkosh and Storey is a Senior at West Bend East. WEST BEND FIRE DEPARTMENT Planning to Protect...Acting to Save 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