Midlothian Fire Department 2015 Annual Report

Midlothian Fire Department 2015 Annual Report

FIRE CHIEF S MESSAGE The members of the Midlothian Fire Department are pleased to offer you this annual report for the fiscal year, of 2015. This is a working document that addresses your fire departments daily activities and accomplishments. It is our goal to offer the highest level of service possible for the citizens and business community of Midlothian As the Fire Chief, I am privileged to lead a fire service organization with such committed and skilled members. The Firefighters of Midlothian are unwavering in their commitment to protect the lives and properties of the citizens and visitors of Midlothian. The #1 priority of this agency s management team is to ensure that the members of our department are equipped with the skills, tools, and training to provide this service in a safe and effective manner. I would also like to thank the Mayor Sharon Rybak and the Village of Midlothian Board of Trustees for their continued support. Without their dedication to the fire department and its goals, we would not be able to continue to provide the quality of service to the citizens that they expect from us. Finally, I would like to thank you for allowing me to be your Fire Chief. I am blessed to be able to serve in this capacity and lead such a dedicated organization. I value the people I work with and witness their commitment every day. I am honored to be a member of this organization and of this community. I do not take this responsibility or the safety of our residents lightly. Our doors are always open, so please feel free to stop by or contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Sincerely, Stephen M. Hotwagner Fire Chief Midlothian Fire Department 14801 S. Pulaski Road Midlothian IL 60445 (708) 489-4742 (office)

Midlothian Fire Department 2015 Response Total= 2,037 EMS (1430) AUTO AID (218) FIRE/PFA (164) SPECIAL DUTY (150) MUTUAL AID (61) HAZ-MAT (14) 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 0 2012 2013 2014 2015 EMS FIRE OTHER Call Volume (2012-Present) 2012-1,922 2013-1,995 2014-2,111 2015-2,037

2015 Incident Breakdown by Month 160 140 120 100 80 60 EMS FIRE 40 20 0

FIRE STATIONS AND APPARATUS STATION 1 - Fire Department Headquarters 14801 S. Pulaski Road Midlothian, Illinois 60445 708-489-4742 (phone) 708-389-2436 (fax) Emergency 911 Apparatus - Station 1

STATION 2 14700 S. Homan Midlothian, Illinois 60445 708-489-4740 (phone) 708-389-2436 (fax) Emergency 911 Apparatus Station 2

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) The program is designed to provide trained and properly equipped paramedics in the event of a medical emergency. The goal of the EMS Program is to increase the level of Advanced Life Support (ALS) and basic life support (BLS) emergency medical care to the Village of Midlothian, in accordance with the policies and procedures set forth by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Ingalls Hospital EMS System. The Illinois Department of Public Health mandates that each paramedic complete continuing education each year. The Midlothian Fire Department, in addition to daily continuing education, focuses on specific areas of emergency medicine such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Trauma classes. 2015 ACCOMPLISHMENTS State and South Cook EMS Training requirements for 2015 were met by all Paramedics. In 2015, 4 paramedics completed the CPR instructor course allowing members to keep CPR training in house and look to conduct classes for the public in the future. (CPR information on website) Our paramedics instructed several classes on AED use, basic first aid, and CPR to Village employees (Police Officers etc.) and outside organizations (i.e. Bremen High School Teaching Staff). Continuing education classes included: Ethics, SIDS, CISM, Blood-borne pathogens, Critical thinking skills, Airway management, CPAP, Respiratory Disease, CPR recertification, Pediatrics, Hands on skills with scenarios, SOP Exam, Cardiac, Stroke, and LVAD Training. Our Paramedics also performed blood pressure checks every month at the Midlothian Park District for the Senior Lunch. We successfully wrote a State of Illinois EMS Grant which funded new King Vision Airway/Intubation Equipment! During our long transition to Advanced Life Support services with transport capabilities many of our senior Firefighters have had to lead by example. 18 year veteran Firefighter/Paramedic Joe McClelland (Shift Commander of 3 rd Shift) was the last but not least to finish Paramedic School last August!

THE FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU The Fire Prevention Bureau manages very important functions which include: fire inspections, plan reviews, working directly with the building department, public and private education and data collection and analysis. In 2015, Midlothian Firefighters completed 328 Business Fire Inspections. The Bureau is overseen by Deputy Chief Martin Rita and supported by all shift personnel who provide fire inspections to every existing/new business in the Village of Midlothian annually. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of the Fire Prevention Bureau is to promote prevention and awareness through a proactive approach to fire and life-safety. SPECIFIC DUTIES: Provide public education and fire safety awareness programs. Enforce fire, building, and life-safety codes and ordinances. Conduct fire and life-safety inspections. Review plans for fire protection systems and life safety concerns. Witness the testing of fire protection and life safety equipment. Maintain public relations and respond to citizens concerns regarding fire-safety. Evaluate and update codes to stay current with village needs. NEW CONSTRUCTION AND SPRINKLER PLAN REVIEW: Plans for fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems, and hood and duct suppression systems, are reviewed for compliance in relation to adopted codes and regulations. PUBLIC EDUCATION: The most effective method of fire prevention is public education. Through the Department s public education program, the members of the Public Education Committee visit both private and public schools to promote fire safety to every class, every year. In the past few years the Department has started visiting block parties to better educate our residents. The Public Education Team also participates in many of the Park Districts programs to promote fire safety. Participation in both parades held in town is another activity the Department does annually. The Fire Safety House, a mobile classroom regularly visits schools and other community events further promoting fire safety.

FIRE TRAINING The goal of our training program is to provide quality, realistic training for the members of the Fire Department that meets both the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association and the State Fire Marshal s Office while also filling the needs of the community. Each year the Department annually assesses the duties that are performed in the community, the needs of fire personnel and provides training that meets those requirements. 2015 ACCOMPLISHMENTS Personnel participated in multiple certification classes providing comprehensive training for all areas of firefighting techniques. (Fire Apparatus Engineer, Fire Service Vehicle Operator, Fire Service Instructor etc.) We are proud to report that our 2015 Fire Training totaled 8,492 hours. All personnel completed our annual Fire Service Vehicle Operator Driver Training Course. Our Department continues to evolve with the new training opportunities that are available. In 2016, we will be looking to increase our knowledge in the following areas: Terrorism Awareness, Mass Casualty Incidents and Active School Shooter Drills. The Shift Commanders must coordinate training into their already busy daily assignments: Company preplan inspections, hydrant testing, hose testing, driver/operator training, paramedic continuing education, and many more. Our department has recently integrated documenting all commercial business fire inspections using I Pads. There were many training sessions completed to implement this progressive change.

HYDRANTS / WATER SUPPLY Our hydrant program guarantees that all fire hydrants in the Village of Midlothian are located, inspected for damage/defects and are accessible. All fire hydrants are then flushed and the caps are greased. Every year department shift personnel teste all hydrants and enter the test results into our database. By comparing these numbers from year to year, water system problems can be found and corrected much quicker than in the past. Any defects or mechanical problems found are documented and reported to the Public Works Department for repairs. The data collected is also used in pre-plan development and for fire water-flow calculations. 2015 ACCOMPLISHMENTS All hydrants were manually located and our hydrant flushing program was conducted using ipads in the field. On duty fire crews inspected, flowed and tested over 500 fire hydrants in the Village. All data was recorded, analyzed and entered into a database. The Public Works Department continued to repair all reported defects and damaged hydrants on a timely basis. The Midlothian Fire Department shovels out every hydrant after significant snow amounts to ensure we can access them quickly and efficiently. Is there is a hydrant in your parkway? Please KEEP IT CLEAR!

Community Outreach In 2015, The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago & Northern Illinois and the Midlothian Fire Department teamed up to install FREE SMOKE DETECTORS in the Village of Midlothian! We successfully installed over 250 (10 year maintenance free) smoke detectors to residents of the Village of Midlothian and continue to hand them out at Fire Station #1. Fire Prevention Week In 2015, Midlothian Firefighters visited 7 daycares / schools and educated over 560 students in age-specific topics of Fire Prevention from September 27 th October 29 th.

What is in store for 2016? Management is collectively working with Midlothian Professional Firefighters Local 3148 to establish a structured rank system that will allow us to create a Captain, Lieutenant and 3 Engineer positions! This will improve department organization, delegation of responsibility and establish a new rank system for the department. Thanks to the Federal Emergency Management Agency s Assistance to Firefighters Grant, the Midlothian Fire Department was awarded $141,905.00 for the purchase of a BRAND NEW 2016 Ambulance! We are very excited to receive such a great opportunity and hoping to take delivery sometime in late January or early February. Stay Tuned. More good news is also on the horizon The Midlothian Fire Department is preparing to take delivery of a NEW Pierce Engine (very similar to 2743) sometime in the summer months of 2016! We were able to secure great financing options and an affordable payment plan due to the revenue collected from ALS/BLS Ambulance Transports. Thank you for your continued support and stay safe! The Officer s & Members of the Midlothian Fire Department