Kittitas Valley Fire Rescue Serving Ellensburg and the Kittitas Valley April 2017 Volume 15, Issue 4 The Bugle Report Ready-Set-Goats? By: Chief John Sinclair This past week, as part of my presidential duties I attended the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Conference in Reno, NV. Chief Elliott also attended because he has been appointed to the National Wildfire Policy Committee. While there, one of my duties was to hand out awards and have my picture taken with the winners of innovative practices awards and other folks that have worked hard to lessen fire on the landscape. Ready, Set, Go, is a program that is hosted by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC). One such program hosted by South Metro Fire Department outside Denver, CO is called Ready, Set, Goats. The fire department has contracted with an owner of 350 goats from Wyoming to come in and eat down the vegetation in the green belts (that rapidly become brown belts) in the community. These are areas that are largely unattended and have grass and weeds growing up. The homeowners associations near these areas pay a small fee to have the goats brought in. This is the sort of innovative program that not only wins awards, but is replicable by other departments and districts. To that end I have asked Chief Elliott to do some research into this and he has found there is a local goat owner that has a herd for just that purpose. We will be exploring this and other ways to manage our vegetation problem in areas that have high potential. If one of you knows a shut-in without defensible space or in need of help, please let us know. I would also ask each of you to think about other ways to manage the wildland fire problem we have. These past couple of years, we have been lucky and good. Good, because we have changed our tactics on wildland fires and lucky because we haven t had a catastrophic lightning storm like we had that caused the Table Mountain Fire. That said, we need to constantly be thinking of ways to improve our strategy and tactics. Our partnership with the Conservation District and supplying the crews for mitigation efforts is a part of our strategy. We can improve. Constant learning and adapting is what we need to do as an organization. So, if you have an idea, please let us know. As a wise forester told me a long time ago you either manage the forest or Mother Nature does. Speaking of learning, KVFR has been chosen nationally to attend the Fire Department Exchange in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Capt. Joe Seemiller and FF/PM Sarah Sandman will be attending and providing them our story. They will then hear from other agencies and be able to bring back new ideas. This exchange program is being funded by the IAFC and will have no cost to the District. It is a high honor. 1
Switching topics on you, the Board for KVFR will join the Boards of Fire Districts 1 and 7, on Thursday March 30, 2017, at Station 1-1 to discuss the options for merger. This will be the first meeting of the joint boards. There have been some informal coffee meetings with some members of the different boards to discuss interest. Nothing is formal as of yet and we have more ground to cover. However, each board sees an upside to joining and merging. For KVFR, there is a great amount of front end work, but there will be a great deal of upside in the future; stable funding and growth for two excellent starters. Just like the last time we merged between the City and District there are people voicing concern and think we should not be exploring this change. While I respect their position, I don t agree. We proved that the best thing we could do for the citizens of the District and City was to merge. It helped both and allowed us to hire additional firefighters and provide a higher level of service to the community at no additional cost. For this to occur the citizens of Fire Districts 1 and 7 will need to vote to tax themselves at a higher rate. However, we will also be expanding their level of service. This will bring value to the extra tax money. Ultimately, this is for the voters to decide. The same may be happening with the City of Kittitas. They are asking for options from us and may very well put the issue on the ballot for later this year. If they do, it will be a great addition to KVFR, give them a higher quality service and take the guesswork out of a response to Kittitas. Change, evolution, and adapting to new realities are a constant. There are some things happening on the technology front that may create new opportunities and also make our work safer. However, we need to be willing to accept the change. The next 20 years will bring about such an explosion of change; I want to stick around to see what happens. Or, maybe I will get a herd of goats and travel. Stay safe, John 2
DEPUTY CHIEF S MESSAGE By Deputy Chief Elliott Operations: It appears as though we have had some luck with regards to flooding although the season is early. A reminder to all personnel to please be careful and recognize that once flooding starts, our options for property preservation are limited, we require proper PPE and water rescue falls under KCSO. EMS: We are seeing a spike in prescription overdoses intentional and accidental. This is a community problem and we are open to suggestions. Training/ Prevention: Training is focused on prepping for wild land season. We are in need of 1-2 good structures for a training burn. If you know of any such structure please contact Captain Delvo. We met with USFS, DNR, County Fire Marshal, and county fire departments regarding more consistency in fire safety burn ban application. What we have tentatively agreed on is a science-based burn ban that will use RAWS weather for this county. We think this will get all parties on same page and provide a little more flexibility for District residents. Miscellaneous: The door combinations for all stations with combination locks will have been changed effective 1700 on Saturday, March 18. If there are any delays in the switch, a sticker will be placed on the affected door indicating the door s old combination is still active. As per Chief s direction, access combination is limited to active department personnel and active local law enforcement only. You should have received an email notifying you of the new combination. Reviewed Responses Through January 2017 KVFR Fire EMS False Alarm Good Intent February 6 260 15 10 YTD 18 572 37 24 Hazard no fire 9 19 Service Other TOTALS 4 2 306 15 3 688 3
Training and Safety Notes April 2017 Annual Red Card Refresher: All personnel that have previously been Wildland Red Carded must complete the annual Wildland Refresher and Pack test, in order to remain current with your Wildland training and be issued a 2017 red card. Please remind your personnel that are not red carded that they cannot respond on natural vegetation incidents in an operational role without being red carded. We continue to see personnel on wildland incident reports that are not qualified/red carded. The wildland training is for the safety of our personnel in addition to being a legal requirement. When personnel respond to incidents they are not properly trained to respond to it puts themselves at risk and the district at great liability. We have a CD option available for people to get their red card certification rather than complete the class. They just need to successfully complete all the CD Chapters and the 8-hour field day. It is preferred that they are working on the CD before the field day so that what they learn at the field day compliments the CD lessons. The definition of wildland fire operations per WAC 296-305-07001: Wildland firefighting: The activities of fire suppression and property conservation in woodlands, forests, grasslands, brush, and other such vegetation or any combination of vegetation that is involved in a fire situation but is not within buildings or structures. SAFETY Reminder: This summer don t forget that our brush trucks need ESCAPE ROUTES and SAFETY ZONES just like our firefighters. When parking apparatus on wildland incidents always point them towards your escape route and try to place them either in the cold black or in an area of light fuels. Also never totally remove the keys from the apparatus in case they have to be moved quickly. Always save some water in the tank to protect assigned personnel and the apparatus. Wildland Fire PPE: Hardhat, nomex coveralls or nomex shirt and trousers, all leather boots with min. 8 tops, leather gloves, and fire shelter (IC). Structural bunker gear can be worn for a very short period of time not to exceed 1 hour but is not recommended. This guideline should be used for all natural vegetation fire responses. Course Announcements: Wildland Basic FF II (Red Card) Field Day: This is a requirement for personnel that have completed the CD based FF II curriculum or the classroom sessions to receive certification at the Wildland FF II level. When: May 6, 2017 at 0830-1600 Where: Station 21 *Personnel attending the Field Day will need to come to St. 21 on Tuesday May 2 nd 1400-1700 to be issued Wildland PPE. 4
Wildland Pack Test (Required): This is a requirement for all red carded personnel: When: Monday April 3, 2017 from 1800-2200 at EHS Tuesday April 4, 2017 from 1800-2200 at EHS Monday April 10, 2017 from 1800-2200 at KHS Tuesday April 11, 2017 from 1800-2200 at EHS The arduous is required if you are responding outside KVFR jurisdiction. Outside KVFR jurisdiction means responding into any other district, state or federal agency s jurisdiction. The light pack test is for personnel that will be going on wildland fires only inside of KVFR jurisdiction. Tender drivers when functioning specifically as support tender drivers are allowed to respond outside KVFR jurisdiction with completing the light pack test. Have a great April 2017 and I will see you on the drill ground! April Drills: 1 st Drill: Pack Test and Standard evolutions 1800-2000 Personnel that do not need to complete the pack test will drill on standard evolutions using the hydrant in the Valley View parking lot or KHS lot. Pack Test: Required Training for all Red Card Personnel. EHS track, April 3, 4, 11 @ 1800-2000 KHS track, April 10 @ 1800-2000 **Please feel free to attend any of the listed evenings. Wear good walking shoes and comfortable clothing. 2 nd Drill: Pump Operations, Drafting, Thermal Imaging camera and SCBA Quarterlies (you are encouraged to use the Station 21 Draft Pit for you 2 nd drill) OTEP: Module 14: April 18 th @ Station 29 Classroom B DRILL SCHEDULE: 1 st Drill: Pack Test and Standard Evolution Company: Date: Time: Location: Fairview April 3 1800-2000 EHS Track Westside April 4 1800-2000 EHS Track Badger Pocket/Denmark April 10 1800-2000 KHS Track Broadview/Reserves April 11 1800-2000 EHS Track * Bring your Engine!!!!!!!!! **If you are unable to attend the night your station is scheduled, please feel free to attend any night that you can make it. *** We are still running at 1800 for the first drill due to daylight issues with the pack test. 5