Fiscal Year 2004 City of Brentwood Fire Department
MEMORANDUM 2004-15 August 20, 2004 TO: THROUGH: FROM: SUBJECT: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission Michael W. Walker, City Manager Kenny Lane, Fire Chief FY2004 ANNUAL REPORT September 1, 2004 begins Brentwood Fire Department s eighteenth year of service to the citizens of Brentwood. Of the original twenty-six employees, ten remain with the fire department. In the eighteen years since the department was formed, this number has grown from twenty-six employees staffing two fire stations to fifty-two employees and four full-time staff positions staffing four fire stations. Through the use of state-ofthe-art technology and equipment and advanced training, we have continued to enhance the services that we provide to our citizens. I am pleased to present the FY-2004 Annual Report which summarizes activities in the Department over the past twelve months. For the first time, this report covers the fiscal year from July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004 rather than the calendar year as we ve reported in the past. The performance of the dedicated men and women that make up this department continues to amaze me. Every member performs extra duties that far exceed those typically associated with their job. Our department and its members continue to be recognized statewide as icons of today s progressive fire service. Other departments across the state often implement programs that were developed by the men and women of the Brentwood Fire Department. 5211 Maryland Way P.O. Box 788 BRENTWOOD, TN 37024-0788 (615) 371-0170 Fax (615) 661-7074
Organizational Chart Brentwood Citizens City Commission City Manager Fire Chief Administrative Secretary Fire Marshal Training & Safety Officer A SHIFT B SHIFT C SHIFT Station 1 Captain, 6 FFs Engine, Ladder, Command Station 2 Lieutenant, 4 FFs Rescue, Engine & Tanker Station 3 Lieutenant, 2 FFs Engine & 1 Reserve Engine Station 4 Lieutenant, 2 FFs Engine & 1 Reserve Engine Station 1 Captain, 6 FFs Engine, Ladder, Command Station 2 Lieutenant, 4 FFs Rescue, Engine & Tanker Station 3 Lieutenant, 2 FFs Engine & 1 Reserve Engine Station 4 Lieutenant, 2 FFs Engine & 1 Reserve Engine Station 1 Captain, 6 FFs Engine, Ladder, Command Station 2 Lieutenant, 4 FFs Rescue, Engine & Tanker Station 3 Lieutenant, 2 FFs Engine & 1 Reserve Engine Station 4 Lieutenant, 2 FFs Engine & 1 Reserve Engine Page 1
NON-ROUTINE WORK PLAN Open Burning Policy Due to the many complaints received regarding health and air pollution problems, effective 10/1/2003 Brentwood passed a new ordinance placing stricter restrictions on open burning within the city limits. ISO Inspection / Recommended Improvements This year we improved our overall scores from the Insurance Services Offices (ISO) on our ability to deliver services to the community, however our class 4 rating did not change. This score is based upon the fire department s equipment, staffing, training and record keeping, the city s water system and the emergency communications system. Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) Software We worked closely with the Police and Technology departments to convert to the new CAD program. Citizens Fire Academy The Citizens Fire Academy was a huge success this year. Twenty five enthusiastic students participated in this program as they learned what being a firefighter entails. Disaster Plan Drill The Disaster Recovery plan was reviewed and updated to ensure that all department heads are aware of their duties in the event of a disaster. Replacement of Engine #3 The equipment needs and specifications for the replacement of our 13 year old Engine #3 were developed, bids were solicited, and the new truck was ordered in July 2004. Salaries $2,585,040 62% Budget FY2004 (Total $4,197,300) Benefits $915,100 22% Hydrant Rental $100,000 2% Operations $382,200 9% Equipment Replacement, Capital Outlay $53,000 1% $185,000 4% Page 2
Annual Grant Program The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFGP) was the first ever direct federal funding to local fire departments. The FIRE (Firefighter Investment and Response Enhancement) Act of 2001 authorized the AFGP. The Brentwood Fire Department has made request to the AFGP all four years of its existence and we are pleased to report we ve been successful in the first three years. We are eagerly awaiting word from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on our 2004 request which is funding for a Paramedic Training program and the associated equipment to implement such a program. In 2003, the Brentwood Fire Department was one of 8,630 fire departments, out of a total of 33,000 in the country, to be awarded a grant under the AFGP. Our request consisted of $96,000 for a mobile cascade unit and upgrades to our existing self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). The mobile cascade unit will be Mobile Cascade Unit used to refill firefighter s air tanks (SCBA) when on the scene of emergencies and training events. This new piece of equipment will negate the need of having to shuttle air cylinders back to fire stations for refills. The upgrades to our existing SCBA will ensure greater firefighter safety by keeping our equipment current with national standards. The AFGP transitioned from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to the Department of Homeland Security in 2004. The United States Office for Domestic Preparedness in cooperation with the United States Fire Administration is the deliverer of the 2004 AFGP. Fire department personnel followed and supported this legislation for years before funding was officially appropriated. The Brentwood Fire Department is very grateful to the President and Congress for continuing this vital program. We are also very grateful to the city manager and city commission for allowing our participation in a program that provides access to resources not easily available to the fire department. To date, the Brentwood Fire Department has received $140,831 through the AFGP. This federal funding and local match of only 10% has provided and increased level of safety to the firefighters in Brentwood and ultimately the citizens of Brentwood by making fire operations safer while improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the fire department. Page 3
Training The Brentwood Fire Department continually strives to insure that our members receive the very best Fire, Rescue, EMS, Haz-Mat, and Physical Fitness training available. Our training program provides training in the following areas: new hire orientation, safety training, inservice training, career development, promotional testing, certification and EMS continuing education. Advanced and specialized technical training, along with professional development, are also provided to members of the department. It is our intent to provide the highest level of safety and service to the public and the department through quality education, attention to innovation, and vigilance in recruitment and promotion of qualified personnel. This year provided a unique opportunity for the fire department to provide training at advanced levels. The department received a federal grant for $10,000 to provide fire fighter survival training. A 6,000 square foot home on Franklin Road was utilized to train over 200 fire fighters from across the state. The remaining funds were utilized to send members to Norfolk, Virginia and Indianapolis for specialized courses. During 2004 the firefighters participated in over 26,108 hours of training. Specific training that occurred during the year included: 1. Fire fighters had the opportunity to participate in six live fire training sessions. 2. A three-story home scheduled for demolition at 1530 Sunset Road was utilized for safety training on each shift. Live Training Burn The home was also utilized for structural collapse procedures. 3. In addition to local in-house training department members attended the following classes: 16 members Three week Pump Operations class 36 members Fire and Building Code Enforcement classes 5 members Four week Fire Officer series 3 members Fire Pump Maintenance 2 members Eight week Recruit Firefighter course 4 members Fire Instructor course 6 members Smoke Diver course 3 members Two week courses at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland 4 members Advanced Auto Extrication training at the University of Georgia 1 member International Association of Fire Chiefs Conference in Dallas 5 members Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis 21 members Accomplished Tennessee Fire Fighting Commission testing during the year 8 members Annual TN Fire Safety Inspectors conference Page 4
Training TRAINING Fireground 1772-6% Apparatus Practices 3269-12% Administration 4924-18% Certifications 2342-9% EMS 3180-12% Hazardous Materials 1047-4% Safety 6945-25% Fire Prevention 2423-9% Rescue 1436-5% CERTIFICATIONS 35 30 33 25 20 15 26 18 19 10 5 0 7 10 3 4 Paramedics EMT IV EMT Safety Officers Fire Officer II Fire Officer I Inspectors Instructors Page 5
Fire Prevention Preventing fires before they begin is the most cost effective way to protect lives and property. Based on this fact, fire department personnel continue to conduct fire and life safety inspections of all commercial buildings in the city on an annual basis. As a department we enforce the fire codes equally in all businesses in order to maintain our low incidence of fire. We know that businesses are continually changing. We strive to keep up with those changes and monitor each building in order to preserve the built-in life safety and fire protection features required by codes and ordinances of the City of Brentwood. We consider this an important part of our job primarily for the public s safety, but also our own. Fire department personnel also update pre-incident plans during the inspection process, noting features and unique characteristics of the building that could hamper firefighting efforts or endanger lives in the event of a fire. In addition to the annual inspections, fire department personnel began conducting quarterly life safety walkthroughs in all of the local restaurants in 2004. These walkthroughs are conducted unannounced during peak business hours to check for overcrowding and key safety violations. On the fire code front, the City of Brentwood enacted a more restrictive open burning ordinance, adopted the 2003 edition of the Uniform Fire Code and all referenced NFPA codes, and required all new construction as well as buildings undergoing major renovations in the proposed Towne Center Zoning area to be protected by automatic fire sprinkler systems. In the area of public education, the Fire Department along with Commissioner Reagan and Senator Bryson honored the Kenrose elementary first grader who was selected as the statewide winner in the First Grade Category, of the 2003 Fire Prevention Week poster contest. A major public education project accomplished during the year was the first Citizens Fire Academy Class which graduated in October with flying colors and a better understanding of the operations of a fire department. Senator Bryson, Fire Marshal Nancy Jones, Commissioner Joe Reagan and 1st grade winner, Sloan Radford of the statewide Fire Prevention Poster Contest. Citizens Fire Academy Graduating Class of 2003 Page 6
Fire Prevention Fire Safety Inspections Cause & Origin Investigations Home Inspections Recall Inspections Commercial Inspections 5 14 0 421 608 1649 1668 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 Special Events 36-20% Birthday Parties 18-10% Public Education Station Tours 53-30% Safety Class 12-7% Fire Safety House 32-18% School Visits 23-13% CPR Class 4-2% Permits Burn Permits Blasting Permits 100 80 60 40 20 0 90 2 Jul-03 Aug-03 69 3 77 9 91 Sep-03 Oct-03 Nov-03 41 10 15 13 18 7 10 13 1 1 1 2 3 5 0 1 1 Dec-03 Jan-04 Feb-04 Mar-04 Apr-04 May-04 Jun-04 Page 7
Incident Response Incident Analysis Hazardous Condition 6% - 142 Service Calls 7% - 157 EMS / Rescue 47% - 1047 Good Intent 10% - 230 Fire 3% - 78 Other 1% - 17 False Calls 26% - 590 Breakdown of False Calls Unintentional 299-37% Malicious 14-2% Good Intent 230-28% Malfunction 191-23% Other 86-10% Page 8
Incident Response Incidents by District Station 2 547-24% Station 1 1092-49% Station 3 320-14% Station 4 296-13% Average Response Time Jul-03 Aug-03 Sep-03 Oct-03 Nov-03 De c-03 Jan-04 Feb-04 Mar-04 Apr-04 May-04 Jun-04 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 6.5 7 Minutes Page 9
Incident Response Jul - 03 Aug- 03 Sep- 03 Oct-03 Nov - 03 Dec - 03 Jan- 04 Feb - 04 Mar - 04 Apr - 04 -May Jun- 04 Incident Run Count by Month Time of Day 206 197 181 186 212 172 177 Incidents by Day of Week 172 188 193 197 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0 Incidents by Day of Week 383 365 342 304 314 298 255 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Summary of Incidents by Time of Day 160 120 80 40 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Page 10
Incident Response Total Value of Property Involved in Fire Incidents: $14,430,340 Value of Property Saved $14,045,015 97% Value of Property Lost to Fire $385,325 3% Types of Fires Other 2 Brush/Grass 10 Trash 16 Structure Vehicle 25 25 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Page 11
Significant Incidents September 5th, 2003 at 11:09 p.m. Split Log Road Vehicle Extrication C-Shift firefighters from Station 4 responded to a report of an auto accident with one person not breathing. Upon arrival, Engine 4 found the driver of a pick-up truck unresponsive and not breathing. A 1 ¾ hand line was laid and scene lighting erected. The patient was extricated from the vehicle using hand tools. Patient was transported to Southern Hills Medical Center. October 31 st, 2003 at 4:44 p.m. Ward Circle Commercial Fire B-Shift firefighters responded to a Ward Circle eatery on a report of a fire. Upon arrival, units determined that there was a fire in one of the restaurant s ovens. Gas to the oven was shut off and the fire was extinguished using a pressurized water extinguisher. Fire loss was minimal. November 22 nd, 2003 at 9:22 p.m. Plymouth Drive Residential Fire C-Shift firefighters responded to a reported residential structure fire at this Plymouth Drive home. E-3 arrived on the scene to find a 2 by 10 wood plank covering a light fixture causing it to overheat and produce smoke. The plank and light fixture were removed and fire loss was limited to an estimated $2,000 dollars in this $500,000 home. December 26 th, 2003 at 5:14 p.m. Waller Road Residential Fire Fire loss was limited to an estimated $15,000 in this post-christmas fire in a Waller Road structure. A- Shift Station 4 firefighters were the first on the scene to find smoke and flames coming from the roof of the residence. The fire apparently started in an electrical panel which was inside a kitchen cabinet. The fire burned through the roof and was spreading through the attic when Engine 4 arrived. All occupants safely evacuated the residence and content loss was estimated at $5,000. February 18 th, 2003 at 11:58 a.m. Sunset Road Vehicle Extrication A-Shift firefighters responding to an automobile accident arrived to find a vehicle that had gone over a bridge into a creek. Rescue 1 s winch was used along with a tow strap to further stabilize the vehicle. The occupants of the vehicle were removed using ground and roof ladders. The Williamson County Emergency Management Agency was advised of fuel spilling into the creek from the vehicle. Automobile accidents such as these on Interstate 65 require alert thinking and prompt action of the Brentwood Fire Department personnel as they respond 1st to save lives. Page 12
Significant Incidents February 27 th, 2003 at 5:41 p.m. Fischer Drive Residential Fire A-Shift firefighters arrived on the scene of this residential fire to find smoke coming from the eaves and the back door. Firefighters found the residence was unoccupied. Station 1 firefighters extinguished the fire and loss to property and contents was minimized at an estimated $50,000 in this home valued at $600,000. March 20 th, 2003 at 8:51 p.m. Crockett Hill Blvd Residential Fire Station 2 firefighters on B-Shift made a quick stop after finding flames coming from the roof of this $300,000 home. The fire was determined to have been caused by lightning striking the structure. The occupants were awakened to the smell of something burning and found flames in the attic. Loss was estimated at $50,000 to the property and $25,000 to contents. April 10 th, 2003 at 11:53 a.m. Tattersall Court Residential Fire B-Shift firefighters arrived on the scene to find heavy smoke coming from the attic vents of this $300,000 home. Due to fire conditions, Engine 2 performed a trench cut on the roof to ventilate heavy smoke. The source of the fire was found to be a fan in the attic. Loss was estimated at $90,000. May 22 nd, 2003 at 11:23 p.m. Sunset Road Vehicle Extrication Station 4 and Rescue 1 firefighters arrived to find one vehicle off the road and head-on into a tree. The B- Shift firefighters, with the assistance of Engine 2, removed the patient from the vehicle after 15 minutes of extrication. The patient was transferred to Williamson County Emergency Medical Services who treated and transported the patient to the hospital. May 31 st, 2003 at 00:23 a.m. Jones Parkway Residential Fire A-Shift firefighters, assisted by B-Shift firefighters who had been recalled, responded to a fire after this house had been struck by lightning. Units responded through heavy rains, wind, and lightning to find light smoke coming from the house. Upon entering the residence, interior crews found high heat in the attic and requested that the roof be ventilated. Due to large amount of materials stored in the attic, off-duty B-Shift firefighters were recalled to assist with salvage and overhaul efforts. Estimated property loss was $100,000 to this $600,000 home. An example of how thick the smoke was at the Tattersall Court fire Damages after the fire on Fischer Drive Page 13