Porterville Fire Department 2011 Annual Report Mario G. Garcia, Fire Chief
Table of Contents Fire Chief s Message 3 Historical Summary 4 Organizational Structure 5 About the Prevention Division 6 Prevention Division Overview 7 Prevention Division Activities 8-9 Code Enforcement 10-11 Public Education 12 Fire Investigation 13 About the Operations Division 15 Operations Division Overview 15 Operations Division Activities 16 Emergency Response Statistics 17-18 NFPA 1710 Response Performance Standard 19 Response Time Elements (Cascade of Events) 19-20 Response Time Definitions 21-22 Time-Temperature Standard 21-22 Cardiac Arrest Survival Standard 22 Porterville Fire Department Response Standards 23 Porterville Fire Department 2011 Response Performance 23 Response Coverage by Area Maps 23-25 Blank 26 2
Chief s Message Welcome. As Fire Chief, it is my pleasure to provide you with an overview of the operation and services that the Porterville Fire Department provides to the citizens of Porterville. The City of Porterville is served by a modern and progressive Fire Department which utilizes the latest technology and available resources as well as state-of-the-art fire apparatus and equipment. The Porterville Fire Department and its personnel strive to carry on the fire service tradition as well as to provide the best fire protection service possible for the City s current and future needs. Thanks to the citizens of Porterville and Measure H, our staffing levels have increased, allowing us to provide a higher level of response capability and service to the citizens of this community. Our department has deep roots in our community. Since June 9, 1890, with the organization of the Porterville Volunteer Fire Department, the Porterville Fire Department has a longstanding dedication and commitment to ensure the safety and well-being of the citizens of this city. The Porterville Fire Department provides an array of services: emergency response to all man-made and natural disasters, fire suppression, emergency medical services, hazardous material incidents, search and rescue and investigation of all fires that are suspicious in nature. Other services provided by the department are public education programs, fire prevention activities, station tours, plans review, weed abatement and code enforcement. The Porterville Fire Department s motto is Committed to Quality Service. The Porterville Fire Department will continue its diligent efforts to train and maintain our personnel to the highest level possible, as well as to effectively respond to all emergency calls within our community and surrounding areas. Our interest, as well as yours, is to keep this community safe. Help us to prevent fires by maintaining proper housekeeping in your homes and businesses, and by abating all overgrown native vegetation which constitutes fire hazards. Your conscientious effort to comply with Fire Department requirements greatly reduces the risk of fire and loss of life. Be Safe - Fire Safe! Mario G. Garcia Fire Chief 3
Historical Summary The Porterville Fire Department is committed to providing quality service to the public. The department s primary mission is to provide a range of programs designed to protect the lives and property of the inhabitants of the City of Porterville from the adverse effects of fires, sudden medical emergencies or exposure to dangerous conditions created by either man or nature. The Porterville Fire Department s motto is Committed to Quality Service. The Porterville Fire Department will continue its diligent efforts to train and maintain our personnel to the highest level possible, and continue to effectively respond to all emergency calls within our community and surrounding areas. The Porterville Fire Department provides an array of services: emergency response to all man-made and natural disasters; fire suppression; emergency medical services; hazardous material incidents; and search, rescue and investigation of all fires that are suspicious in nature. Other services provided by the department are public education programs, fire prevention activities, station tours, plans review, weed abatement and code enforcement. In 1934, the new fire station was built at 40 W. Cleveland Avenue (current location of Station #1). A second story was added in 1964, which gave the department additional space to accommodate an increase in Fire Department personnel. In 1992, Fire Station #2 was built at 500 N. Newcomb Street; this also included a drill tower and training grounds. In 2009, a training facility was built behind Station #2 on the training grounds, and is comprised of two offices and two large classrooms. The Fire Department has developed joint partnership agreements with Porterville College, Cal Fire, Tulare County Fire, Tule River Fire and the Sequoia National Forest. Numerous classes and training events are hosted by our training facility annually. The following is a 2011 Annual Report of the services that the Porterville Fire Department has provided to the citizens of this community. 4
Organizational Structure 5
Prevention Division About the Prevention Division The Prevention Division implements a variety of programs within the Porterville Fire Department. Prevention division personnel oversee and manage construction inspections and plans review for all commercial projects within the city. They provide fire and life safety inspections for commercial businesses. The annual fireworks lottery and 4 th of July illegal fireworks detail is also conducted by prevention personnel. David C. LaPere Battalion Chief / Fire Marshal The Public Education Officer provides a variety of programs from school presentations to fire extinguisher training. Arson investigations court preparation and juvenile fire setter intervention programs are conducted by the full-time Arson Investigator. Code Enforcement supports all departments of the city in obtaining compliance with any number of code violations and handles the annual weed abatement program. In addition to their day-to-day responsibilities the fire prevention safety personnel provide emergency response to assist the Operations Division during critical incidents. Prevention Division Staff Larry Newby, Clayton Dignam, Dave LaPere, Roberta McGuire, Mitch Sandoval 6
Prevention Division Overview Services provided by the Prevention Division include: Commercial construction plan review Commercial construction site inspections Commercial business fire and life safety inspections All school fire and life safety inspections Public education presentations Fire extinguisher training Arson investigations Code Enforcement Annual fireworks lottery Annual illegal fireworks detail Annual weed abatement program Fire Investigation Vehicle Funded by Measure H Public Education Vehicle Funded by Tule River Local Indian Gaming Grant Prevention Division Personnel (2011) Battalion Chief / Fire Marshal: 1 Fire Captain / Deputy Fire Marshal: 1 Fire Captain / Arson Investigator: 1 Public Education Officer: 1 Code Enforcement Officer: 1 Roberta McGuire Public Education Officer 7
Prevention Division Activities New Porterville Fairgrounds Commercial Construction Inspection The Fire Prevention Division has aggressively provided a high level of fire and life safety to the citizens of Porterville. This has been accomplished by concentrating our efforts on the three basic elements of fire prevention, which are enforcement, education, and engineering. These elements and the actions the Prevention Division utilized are as follows: Enforcement: This element has been achieved by conducting 284 fire and life safety inspections with 693 violations resolved for the year of 2011. All code compliance issues have been mitigated with a comprehensive business-friendly atmosphere, seeking the most efficient and cost-effective methods for compliance. Enforcement has also been carried out during hazard abatement of tire storage and excessive combustible vegetation. The division has also conducted inspection of amusement rides and fireworks booths for compliance with City and State regulations. Education: This element has been addressed by programs delivered by the Public Education Officer and with daily contact with the general public. The division has also provided education on the new residential sprinkler requirement, safe and sane fireworks sales and use, and has maintained a mind set of providing education to gain compliance. Engineering: This element has been accomplished through plans review of new buildings and fire life safety systems. Plans review has been followed by 148 on-site inspections of projects with a comprehensive commitment to be a team player with all parties involved. The division has also provided code interpretations to architects, developers, and the general public to handle any engineering issues before they hit the design phase of the project. 8
Prevention Division Activities 9
Prevention Division Activities Code Enforcement The Code Enforcement Officer works with each city department to develop cooperative relationships within the community, remove hazards, mitigate the appearance of blight and achieve code compliance. Fire hazards continue to be mitigated through effective weed abatement practices. The number of property owners achieving voluntary compliance upon receiving the initial notice of abatement is increasing. In 2011 thirty-two properties required additional action to achieve compliance and were assigned to a weed abatement contractor for hazard mitigation. This is significant improvement compared to previous years. Weed Abatement Before & After Neighborhoods are becoming cleaner in appearance with blight disappearing. The code enforcement office received approximately 232 general nuisance complaints during 2011, which is on average with last year. They performed 233 business license checks and checked 131 building permits. During the year 2011, Code Enforcement only served 1 warrant to clean up a blighted property. Clean-up of Property Before & After 10
Prevention Division Activities Code Enforcement With continued support, Code Enforcement can assist the citizens of Porterville to become more understanding of the City of Porterville s Municipal Code, the role of Code Enforcement within our community, and the benefits and services it provides. As Code Enforcement continues to develop, policies and procedures will be created so we may better serve the community. We are thankful for the wonderful support that everyone has given us along with their ideas and cooperation. We look forward in continuing to serve Porterville as we all strive to keep Porterville a beautiful All-America City. 2011 CODE ENFORCEMENT YEAR END STATS Inspection W arrant, 1 Zoning Violations, 237 Building Permit checks, 131 Itinerant Vendor and Peddler Permit checks, 77 Business License checks, 233 Solid W aste Violations, 80 Contacts and Follow ups, 1825 Annual Notice Properties List, 1040 Adm inistrative Citations Issued, 37 Notice of Violation Issued, 66 C om plaints Received, 232 Contacts and Follow ups Com plaints Received Notice of Violation Issued Administrative Citations Issued Annual Notice Properties List Business License checks Itinerant Vendor and Peddler Permit checks Building Permit checks Inspection W arrant Zoning Violations Solid W aste Violations 11
Prevention Division Activities Public Education The Public Education Officer functions in the Fire Prevention Division and is overseen by the Fire Marshal. Personnel are primarily responsible for fire prevention education and outreach services in the City of Porterville. Preschool Fire Safety Education Emphasis is placed on specific fire safety knowledge and actions. This program teaches fire safety awareness and skills to children aged 3-5 years in the local pre-schools. Elementary School Fire Safety Education Fire Safety at this level is based on the E.D.I.T.H. (Exit Drills in the Home) programs. Behaviors include, but are not limited to: Stop, Drop, and Roll, playing with matches, crawl low under smoke, calling 911, kitchen fire safety and testing and maintaining smoke alarms. Fire Station Tours We open our doors to interested groups and schools that want to view our fire stations. An age appropriate fire safety message is included in all fire station tours. Every visitor leaves with a better understanding of fire safety and fire department operations. Fire Extinguisher Training Retired Public Education Officer Dan Holloway, Sparky and Current Public Education Officer Roberta McGuire Having a fire extinguisher on the wall of your office is a good thing, but do you know how to use it? Is it the right type? Do you know what it's there for? The Public Education staff of the Porterville Fire Department will help provide the answers to these and other important questions about fire extinguishers. Our Fire Extinguisher Training Program is a digital, interactive, hands-on program that's fun, exciting and informative. This hands-on class is also offered to local businesses. Different types of fire are discussed, as well as how to choose the correct fire extinguisher. Using the P.A.S.S. technique (pull, aim, squeeze, sweep), participants are instructed on proper and safe use of extinguishers. Our realistic, self-generating digital flames respond directly to the trainee s actions. The self-contained system can be safely operated where live fire training is not possible. Public Education Stats 2011: Public education presentations: 479 Community projects: 197 Children served 2011: 13,649 Adults served 2011: 13,250 12
Prevention Division Activities Fire Investigation Unit Another important function of the Fire Prevention Division is the investigation of fires to determine the origin and cause. The division has established a Fire Investigation Unit (FIU) for that purpose. The FIU is staffed with 1 fire captain/arson investigator and is supplemented with 3 shift investigators from the Operations Division. The unit responds to fire and/or hazardous incidents when called out by an on-scene Incident Commander. Fire investigators generally respond to incidents involving: Fires believed to be intentionally set Fires involving juveniles (including gang activity) Fires involving a fatality or injury to civilians and/or firefighters Fires involving high dollar loss Acts of terrorism (i.e. fire bombing, other related types of bombings, structural sabotage, etc.) Other related hazards and/or fires when requested by an on-scene incident commander Fire Investigation Stats for 2011 Structure Related Fires: Arson: 15 Accidental: 30 Undetermined: 6 Mutual Aid: 7 Property Related Fires: Arson: 2 Vehicle Fires: Arson: 21 Accidental: 27 Wild Land Fires: Arson: 15 Accidental: 18 Undetermined: 18 Dumpster/Trash Fires: Arson: 11 Accidental: 7 Undetermined: 6 Arson Investigator Captain Mitch Sandoval Illegal Burns: 3 Juvenile: T-Bolt Citation: 2 Counseled: 1 13
Operations Division About the Operations Division The Operations Division has primary responsibility for emergency response and preparedness within the City of Porterville. The division staffs two fire stations and responds to a wide variety of emergencies including fires, rescues, emergency medical incidents and hazardous conditions. Glenn Irish Battalion Chief of Operations The Operations Division is comprised of 32 full-time and 20 Reserve Firefighters. The Division is organized into three shifts, A, B, and C. Each shift is staffed with 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 3 Engineers and 5 Firefighters. Reserve Firefighters provide additional staffing for emergency response and contribute several hours each month toward completion of department activities. The division includes a Training Captain who manages the department s annual training programs and coordinates emergency management response and preparedness activities with City staff. Firefighter Chris Pisani, Main Street Fire 14
Operations Division Overview Truck 71 Engine 71 Services provided by the Operations Division include: Fire and emergency medical response Technical rescue Wild land interface firefighting Emergency preparedness planning and coordination for the City of Porterville Hazardous Materials response Mutual aid response to neighboring jurisdictions Public education Fire prevention inspections NIMS, EOC training and preparedness Area Served: Population Protected: 54,843 Population Density: 3102 per square mile Land Area: 17.679 square miles Firefighters per 1000:.66 ISO PPC Rating: Class 3 Operations Division Personnel (2011): Uniformed Personnel: 32 Reserve (part-time) Firefighters: 20 Average Daily Shift Strength: 10 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT): 33 Fire Station 1 Apparatus Profile (2011): Engines: 6 Ladder Trucks: 1 Patrols: 2 Rescue: 1 Mobile Communications/Command: 1 Fire Stations: Station 1, 40 W. Cleveland Station 2, 500 N. Newcomb Fire Station 2 15
Operations Division Activities Engineer Allen Diviccaro, Commercial Fire City of Porterville EOC Golden Guardian Exercise Apparatus & Equipment: The Operations Division maintains a fleet of 16 vehicles that are outfitted with a broad array of tools and equipment. Preventive maintenance is critical to ensure the vehicles and equipment are ready to perform at a moment s notice. During 2011, the division accomplished 3,468 hours of fleet and equipment preventive maintenance. Facilities: The Operations Division maintains two Fire Stations, the Fire Prevention Building, and the department's Regional Training Center. During 2011, the division performed 2,601 hours of facility maintenance. Fire Prevention Activities: The Operations Division conducted 630 Fire and Life Safety inspections in 2011. Reserve Firefighter Activities: In 2011, Reserve Firefighters contributed 1,374 hours toward emergency incidents and Fire Department programs. Training Activities: During 2011, Fire Department personnel participated in 546 drills and classes, including basic firefighter skills, emergency medical technician, hazardous materials response, technical rescue, and disaster management. The Department s regional training facility hosted 24 courses, providing more than 1100 hours of instruction to 598 students from throughout the region and state. These courses ranged from State Fire Training courses, a National Fire Academy course, Public Works courses, and Police Officer SWAT. The Fire Department s training division is also responsible for the City of Porterville s National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliance program. During 2011, more than 400 personnel hours were dedicated to the training of city staff on emergency management activities and participation in the State s 2011 Golden Guardian Exercise. 16
Operations Division Emergency Response Statistics Incident Summary by Incident Type Date Range: 01/01/2011 12/31/2011 17
Operations Division Emergency Response Statistics Dollar Loss From Fire by Property Use Date Range: 01/01/2011 12/31/2011 Emergency Incidents by Month Date Range: 01/01/2011 12/31/2011 18
Operations Division Response Performance 2011 NFPA 1710 NFPA 1710 is an American National Standard for evaluation of Fire Departments that establishes guidelines for response performance, staffing levels and other factors vital to a fire department s duties. The purpose of NFPA 1710 is to report to the Governing Body, as well as to the citizens, on how the fire department is doing in meeting its established emergency response standards. The NFPA 1710 response time standard for the First Arriving Engine when responding to a fire suppression incident is five (5) minutes and thirty (30) seconds, 90 % of the time. The NFPA 1710 response time standard for the arrival of the first emergency medical unit with two Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) is five (5) minutes, 90% of the time. With adoption of the 2030 General Plan and Implementation Policy PHS-i-24, the Porterville Fire Department has direction to strive for response times and staffing ratios that meet or exceed this National Standard. The department began providing response performance reports conforming to NFPA 1710 in 2009. This annual report includes information relative to: Defining response time Evaluation of response times to fires Evaluation of emergency medical response times Evaluation of response performance per geographic subdivision of the community. Importance of Response Time Short response times to fire and emergency medical incidents significantly improve incident outcomes. With structure fires, arrival of units prior to flashover provides the greatest probability of saving lives and property. For emergency medical incidents, arrival of trained and equipped medics within five minutes of cardiac arrest is essential toward achievement of successful resuscitation. The Cascade of Events, Time- Temperature Standard and Cardiac Arrest Survival Standard provide additional detail and understanding of the importance of response time for fire and EMS units. Cascade of Events The Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) has defined response time elements as a cascade of events. This cascade is similar to that used by the medical community to describe the events leading up to the initiation, mitigation, and ultimate outcome of a cardiac arrest. It is imperative to keep in mind that certain intervals described, such as turnout and travel time, can be directly influenced by the fire service via station locations and design, staffing levels, as well as local rules and procedures for response. Others factors, such as the alarm interval, can be influenced indirectly through public education and engineering initiatives. The fire service can also influence the call-processing interval through its ability to define standards and compel performance by its dispatch centers. 19
Cascade of Events - General Overview Diagram NFPA 1710 IFAA Time Factors that lead to calling 911 Alarm Time Dispatch Time NFPA 1221 Turnout Time + Travel Time IFAA + Time = Response Time Event Initiation Point Emergency Event Awareness Public safety answering point (PSAP) receives call PSAP notifies emergency responders Initial Arriving Company enroute (wheels rolling) Initial Arriving Company arrives Initial full alarm assignment arrives Alarm Interval Processing Interval Turnout Interval Travel Interval Definitions The following definitions are standardized for discussion of response performance parameters within the Fire Service: Event Initiation Point: The point at which factors occur that may ultimately result in an activation of the emergency response system. Precipitating factors can occur seconds, minutes, hours, or even days before emergency event awareness is reached. An example is the patient who ignores chest discomfort for days until it reaches a critical point at which he/she makes the decision to seek assistance (emergency event awareness). It is rarely possible to quantify the point at which event initiation occurs. Emergency Event Awareness: The point at which a human being or technologic sentinel (i.e., smoke detector, infrared heat detector, etc.) becomes aware that conditions exist requiring an activation of the emergency response system. This is considered the emergency event awareness. Alarm Interval; Measured time between emergency event awareness and the alarm time. Alarm Time: The point of receipt of the emergency event at the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP); the point where sufficient information is made known to the dispatcher so that applicable units can be deployed to the emergency. Call Processing Interval: The first ring of the 911 telephones at the dispatch center and the time the Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) operator activates station and/or company pagers, bells, etc. Dispatch Time: Is the time when the dispatcher, having selected appropriate units for response with assistance from the CAD system, initiates the notification of response units. Turnout Interval: Measured time between dispatch time and turnout time. Turnout Time: When units acknowledge notification of the event to the beginning point of response time (wheels rolling). Travel Interval: Measured time between turnout time and on scene time of initial company. 20
Initial Company Time: The point at which the initial company arrives on scene. Initiation of Action: The point at which operations to mitigate the event begin. Initial Full Alarm Assignment Interval: Measured time between initial company on scene time and arrival of the balance of the Initial Full Alarm Assignment. Initial Full Alarm Assignment: Time when all of the personnel, equipment, and resources ordinarily dispatched upon alarm arrives on the scene. Response Time: The combined measured time from dispatch time, and includes turnout and travel intervals, to initial company arrival time. Controlled Time: The point at which fire growth has been stopped and/or when initial basic life support concerns have been addressed. Termination of Event: The point at which units have completed the assignment and are available to respond to another request for service. Time Temperature Standard The time-temperature curve standard in the figure below is based on data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Insurance Services Organization (ISO), which have established that a typical point source of ignition in a residential house will flash over at some time between 5 and 10 minutes after ignition, turning a typical room and contents fire into a structural fire of some magnitude. 21
The utility of the time-temperature curve for fire station placement is limited to a number of factors, including but not limited to the following: It does not account for the time required for the existence of a fire to be discovered and reported to the Fire Department via the 911 system. The time from ignition to flashover varies widely (5-30 minutes depending on building characteristics); thus it cannot provide a valid basis for the allocation of resources. The curve is constantly shifting, given the numerous changes in building construction, built-in suppression systems, the increased use of fire-resistive materials for furniture, and other items typically found in the interior of occupied buildings. Cardiac Arrest Survival Standard In communities where the fire service is the provider of Basic Emergency Medical Services (EMS) first response, the chain of survival standard shown in the figure below was developed by the American Heart Association and is often used to provide guidance for distribution of resources. The chain of survival suggests that basic life support (CPR and defibrillation) should be available to the victim of a cardiac arrest within 4 minutes of the event, and that advanced life support (paramedic service) should be available within 8 minutes or less of the event. Early notification, distribution and concentration of emergency response services are thus paramount to successful resuscitation efforts. 22
Porterville Fire Department Response Standards The Porterville Fire Department Response Standards specify the minimum criteria needed to effectively and efficiently deliver fire suppression and emergency medical services. These Response Standards protect the citizens of Porterville and the occupational safety and health of Porterville Fire Department employees. National Fire Protection Association Standard 1710 - Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments, was used as a guideline in the development of the Porterville Fire Department Response Standards. Response time starts with receipt of dispatch at the fire station and ends with arrival of the first engine company at scene. Porterville Fire Department Response Performance - 2011 First Arriving Engine Company at Fire Suppression Incident The Porterville Fire Department response time standard for the First Arriving Engine to a fire suppression incident is five (5) minutes and thirty (30) seconds, 90 % of the time. The Porterville Fire Department met the response time objective 62% of the time in 2009 The Porterville Fire Department met the response time objective 71% of the time in 2010 The Porterville Fire Department met the response time objective 81% of the time in 2011 First Arriving Engine Company at Basic Life Support - EMS Incident The Porterville Fire Department response time standard for the arrival of the first emergency medical unit with two Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) is five (5) minutes, 90% of the time. The Porterville Fire Department met the response time objective 75% of the time in 2009 The Porterville Fire Department met the response time objective 75% of the time in 2010 The Porterville Fire Department met the response time objective 81% of the time in 2011 Emergency Response Coverage Area Maps A significant consideration in emergency response is how long it will take the firefighters and/or medics to arrive at an incident. In fires and medical emergencies minutes can, and often do, make the difference between life and death. This is why fire stations are located central to their response areas and in consideration of traffic flow patterns. The following color-coded maps show emergency response coverage for two types of responses: Fire Suppression - First Arriving Engine Company and Basic Life Support Emergency Medical Coverage. In general, the further away from a fire station the incident occurs, the longer it takes for firefighters and/or medics to get to the emergency. The green shading indicates geographic areas with response times that meet or exceed the NFPA standard 90% of the time. The yellow shading indicates response times that meet the NFPA standard 75 to 89% of the time. The red shading indicates response times that meet the NFPA standard less than 75% of the time. 23
2011 First Arriving Engine Coverage - Fires Requiring Suppression Action 90 to 100% 75 to 89% Less than 75%
2011 Basic Life Support (BLS) Coverage 90 to 100% 75 to 89% Less than 75% 25
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