Vacaville Fire Department. Annual Report

Transcription

1 Vacaville Fire Department 2017 Annual Report

2 1 Message from the Fire Chief City of Vacaville Fire Department 2017 Annual Report This report provides a summary of another eventful year for the Vacaville Fire Department. As you will see in the following pages, 2017 was full of proud achievements and milestones for the hard working men and women of the VFD. Throughout the year, our people remained focused on our mission, to reduce the impact of emergencies in a caring and competent manner. In 2016, the Vacaville Fire Department reached the 10,000 annual incident milestone for the first time in our long history. We had a 6.64% increase in calls for service in 2017, and finished the year with 10,664 incidents. Although the number of medical emergency responses increased to 7,422 in 2017 (a 4.7% increase), the number of medical emergencies as percentage of overall incidents dropped to 69.5% - the first time in five years that figure has been below 70%. After almost nine years of being browned out, we were able to staff our fourth ambulance again beginning on July 16, Our fourth ambulance has been placed at Station 75 in South Town. This brought our daily staffing to a minimum of 24 personnel. Staffing the fourth ambulance was a much needed restoration of services as medical emergencies continue to increase and it was not uncommon for our three ambulances to all be busy at the same time. We celebrated an important anniversary in 2017, as it marked 40 years since the start of paramedic services in our community. In 1977, Vacaville became one of the first agencies in Northern California, and likely the smallest, to begin delivering paramedic services. In that year, four firefighters Gene Gantt, Brian Lopez, Lynn Norman, and Tony Ramos successfully completed training at Stanford University and started the paramedic program in Vacaville. A program that has grown to 45 budgeted paramedics responding to 7,422 medical emergencies last year. We welcomed 13 new firefighters in 2017 to replace retirees and fill other vacancies. This was the first time in two years we were able to hold a recruit academy. The 13 recruits went through 14 weeks of rigorous training and were finally able to hit the floor on December 10, This brings our Operations Division to near full staffing. According to Cal Fire, 2017 was considered to be the most destructive wildfire season on record. Although the City of Vacaville was not directly affected by any of the catastrophic fires, 76 of our personnel responded to 16 different incidents throughout the state, logging a total of 602 days of mutual aid provided. Thank you for taking time to read our 2017 Annual Report. I am honored to serve the nearly 96,000 residents of Vacaville, and work alongside the tremendous group of people that is the Vacaville Fire Department. We look back at 2017 with pride and look forward to another great year in 2018, as we know it will afford us new opportunities to improve on what is already a first-class fire service agency. Respectfully, Kristian Concepcion, Fire Chief Cover photo: Courtesy of Joel Rosenbaum, The Reporter, Vacaville

3 City of Vacaville Fire Department 2017 Annual Report 2 Mission, Values, and Goals Department Mission Statement Reducing the impact of emergencies in a competent and caring manner. Our Core Values: The Vacaville HILLS Honesty Integrity Leadership Loyalty Superior Service Department Goal Statements Ensure prompt, appropriate response to emergency incidents. Recruit, hire, and retain only the best people and support them through development and maintenance of their knowledge, skills, and abilities. Deliver fire and life safety programs to all segments of the community. Gain fire code compliance in partnership with others. Determine the causes of fires by thoroughly investigating them. Provide and maintain high quality apparatus and equipment in well designed, strategically-located fire stations.

4 3 Leadership City of Vacaville Fire Department 2017 Annual Report Fire Department Staff and Managers Kristian Concepcion Fire Chief Alan Hartford Fire Deputy Chief Alex Nourot Battalion Chief (A Shift) Matt Lage Battalion Chief (B Shift) Gary Mahlberg Battalion Chief (C Shift) Jill Childers Fire Prevention Bureau Manager Lluvica Altamirano Management Analyst Sheryl Williams Administrative Assistant

5 City of Vacaville Fire Department 2017 Annual Report 4 Organization Organizational Chart Office of the Fire Chief/ Fire Marshal Kris Concepcion Management Analyst (1) Administrative Assistant (1) Administrative Clerk (2) DEPUTY CHIEF EMS PROGRAM SUPPORT OPERATIONS TRAINING Fire Prevention Bureau Manager (1) OPS A Battalion Chief (1) OPS B Battalion Chief (1) OPS C Battalion Chief (1) Fire Training Captain (1) Code Enforcement Fire Prevention VCERT 5 Stations Captain (5) 5 Stations Captain (5) 5 Stations Captain (5) Code Enforcement Technician (3) Fire Plans Examiner/ Inspector (1) Engineer & Engineer/PM (5) Engineer & Engineer/PM (5) Engineer & Engineer/PM (5) Fire Prevention Specialist (2) Firefighter & Firefighter/PM (13) Firefighter & Firefighter/PM (13) Facilities Firefighter & Firefighter/PM (12) Fire Stations and Administrative Headquarters Fire Safety Coordinator (1) Administration Station Merchant Street 111 South Orchard Avenue Built: January 10, 1996 Administration Prevention Bureau Training 2017 Unit responses: 3,781 Station 72 Station Ulatis Drive 650 Eubanks Court Built: February 3, 1989 Built: February 5, Unit responses: 7, Unit responses: 1,347 Station 74 Station Alamo Drive 111 Cogburn Circle Built: January 1, 1994 Built: May 16, Unit responses: 4, Unit responses: 3,316

6 5 City of Vacaville Fire Department 2017 Annual Report 2017 Fire Academy The Vacaville Fire Department held a 14-week academy for its 13 new firefighters and firefighter/paramedics in The group, who called themselves, the Wolfpack, were hired to fill vacancies and began their employment with the City of Vacaville on September 1, The 752-hour academy challenged them, both physically and mentally. Studies have shown that recruits that are more physically fit are more successful in the academy both in academics and hands-on skills. As a result, each day of the academy started with a tough workout coordinated by one of our Peer Fitness Coordinators. During the 14-week academy, the recruits were trained in a wide array of topics because the term, firefighter, has become a bit of a misnomer. Today s firefighters are really all-risk emergency responders. They have to be just as adept at treating a heart attack patient as they do in attacking a grass fire. They have to be equally skilled in mitigating a hazardous materials spill as they do in rescuing someone trapped in a car. The academy included training in all these subjects, and many more. It was designed to build a good foundation of not only hands-on skills, but also reinforcing character and ethical decision-making that is necessary to become a Vacaville firefighter. After their graduation on December 7, which was attended by about 300 people, each probationary firefighter was assigned to one of our five stations on one of three shifts. Each will go through an 18- month probationary period where they will be evaluated every three months through a battery of manipulative and written tests. The firefighters must pass each exam with a score of 80% or better in order to successfully complete probation. This newest group of firefighters and firefighter/paramedics is a strong, cohesive group. They are ready to take on the most challenging tasks. They are ready, willing, and able to serve the community of Vacaville and provide the excellent service to which our residents have become accustomed to receiving from the fire department. The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle!

7 City of Vacaville Fire Department 2017 Annual Report 6 Celebrating 40 Years of Paramedic Services in Vacaville In 1967 the Vacaville City Council voted to purchase two station wagons instead of patrol cars so police officers could have a dual purpose vehicle to transport patients to the hospital. Police officers were the ones trained in basic first aid. In 1971, the fire department eventually took over the transporting of patients after every member completed an 84-hour course to become emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Vacaville, at the time, had no hospital and despite the work of EMT's operating from station wagons, lives were being lost, and injuries and illnesses were intensified by the delay in patients receiving hospital care. The service needed an upgrade and even though paramedic services were relatively new the Wedworth-Townsend Paramedic Act was only signed into law in 1970 the City of Vacaville recognized it as a necessary service to save lives. A paramedic program was expensive, so in order to fund this critical service, Vacaville residents were asked to support a special property tax. The paramedic tax was established on November 2, Four Vacaville firefighters Gene Gantt, Brian Lopez, Lynn Norman, and Tony Ramos started paramedic school at Stanford University in February, By July, 1977, Vacaville was one of the first cities, and likely the smallest, to have a paramedic service. A great deal of the credit for the success of the program goes to our four original paramedics. Four paramedics had to cover three shifts, so a great deal of responsibility was bestowed on them. If any one of them had failed or left the department, the success of the program would have been in jeopardy. What started with four paramedics has now grown to 45 budgeted paramedic positions four fully staffed paramedic ambulances and at least one paramedic on each of our engines and truck company. The paramedic tax that was expected to bring in $144,000 in its first year, now generates about $4 million in revenue to be used for paramedic services. Last year, Vacaville paramedics responded to 7,422 medical emergencies and transported 6,273 patients to hospitals. Vacaville remains the only city in Solano County that has a fire department based ambulance program something that every Vacaville resident can be proud of.

8 7 Fleet City of Vacaville Fire Department 2017 Annual Report Our Current Fleet Engines E Pierce E KME E Pierce E Pierce Reserve 2005 KME Reserve 2001 KME OES Type HME Ambulances M Ford E450 M Ford F450 M Ford F450 M Ford E450 Reserve 2003 Ford F450 Reserve 2003 Ford F450 Aerial Truck T Pierce Special Callout Squad Pierce Boat Achilles Boat Achilles Brush Units B KME F550 Type 5 B Ford F550 Type 5 B KME Type 3 B Ford F550 Type 5 B Pierce Type 3

9 City of Vacaville Fire Department 2017 Annual Report 8 Services Services Provided by the Vacaville Fire Department Structural Fire Suppression Wildland Fire Suppression Technical & Confined Space Rescue Swift Water Rescue Motor Vehicle Accident Extrication Emergency Incident Management Advanced Life Support Response Ambulance Transport Fire Safety Building Inspections Code Enforcement School Fire Safety Education Building Plan Review Fire Safety Training Public Service/Assistance Car Seats Inspections Hazardous Materials Response Smoke Alarm Installation

10 9 City of Vacaville Fire Department 2017 Annual Report Response Performance Measurement and Incident Statistics Vacaville Fire Department Unit Responses All Calls for Service EMS\Rescue Calls In 2017, the Vacaville Fire Department responded to 10,664 incidents. This continues the upward trend in calls for service in the last five years. Since 2013, incidents (24.4%), unit responses (29.5%), and medical emergencies (23.5%) have all increased significantly. While most fire departments can attribute service increase to a growing population, the increase for calls for service in Vacaville has significantly outpaced population growth a 4.9% increase in the last five years in the same timeframe. Medical emergencies and rescue incidents continued to account for the large majority of VFD s emergency response 69.6% of all calls in This trend remained largely unchanged as medical emergencies and rescue incidents have hovered between 70% and 72% of total incidents in the last five years. We anticipate this pattern to continue in the coming years. The City of Vacaville has an advantage over neighboring agencies because we are the only public agency in Solano County that provides ambulance transport services to our community. Each of the four ambulances in Vacaville are staffed with one emergency medical technician and one paramedic who are both also trained and equipped as firefighters. Patients transported by Vacaville are continuously cared for by our personnel from the emergency scene all the way to the hospital without the need for transfer of care. This also allows Vacaville to have more firefighters at the scene of a fire much quicker than neighboring jurisdictions. The patient transports provide revenue through a fee-for-service model that largely offsets the operations costs of the ambulances.

11 City of Vacaville Fire Department 2017 Annual Report 10 Cause of EMS Incidents Illness 79% Injury 21% the situation and assess the need for training for facility staff. Vacaville Fire Department has experienced a significant increase in the number of lift assists. These are calls where a person is not injured but simply needs assistance up after a fall. A large majority of these are seniors many at skilled nursing facilities where the staff will call the fire department rather than helping the patient themselves. Our Fire Prevention Bureau has actively engaged our senior population with fall prevention education delivered by fire department personnel free of charge. As these calls for service increase at skilled nursing facilities, we will continue to monitor In addition to EMS calls, the fire department responds to a wide variety of other emergencies and requests for service including fires, smoke investigation, wires down, hazardous materials spills, and lift assists. While non-ems calls only account for 30% of our total service volume, these incidents often require a much larger utilization of department resources to mitigate. For example: a house fire requires six apparatus and 15 personnel (often augmented with an additional engine, with three personnel), a medical aid only requires two apparatus and five personnel. Percent change since Percent change since Fires % -25% Ruptures, overheat % 250% EMS/Rescue % 24% Hazardous conditions % -9% Citizen assistance % 48% Good intent % 33% False alarms % 24% Other % 43%

12 11 City of Vacaville Fire Department 2017 Annual Report 9% Call Location by Response Area 22% 7% 23% 39% Station 72 was, once again, the busiest firehouse in Vacaville accounting for 39% of all incidents within the city. Even though Station 72 s service area is no larger than those of our other stations, it does include Leisure Town, the Factory Outlet Stores, the Nut Tree Plaza, and residential neighborhoods in the eastern part of the city. The addition of Station 75 was expected to relieve some of Station 72 s call load but Station 74 actually experienced the drop down 5% to 22% of total incidents within the city Average Daily Call Count by Month The 2017 average daily incident count remained pretty consistent throughout the year, with very slight increases in June and December. The increase in December can be attributed to a particularly severe flu season. These numbers increased by 6.3% as compared to 2016.

13 City of Vacaville Fire Department 2017 Annual Report Firestorm Supporting communities across the state during wildfire season 2017 was considered the most destructive wildfire season on record (1). Our firefighters were deployed to several fires throughout the State for several weeks at a time. The deployment of our crews creates overtime costs that are reimbursed by CAL OES thru the California Fire Assistant Agreement. In 2017 the Department was reimbursed $1,799,000 and this amount was used to help to offset the VFD overtime Winters Fire 2. Alamo Fire 3. Detwiler Fire 4. SLU July 5. Modoc July Complex 6. Orleans Complex 7. Eclipse Complex 8. Helena Fire 9. Railroad Fire 10. Central Fire 11. Nuns Fire 12. Southern LNU 13. Creek Fire 14. Skirball Fire 15. Lilac Thomas Fire (1) CAL Fire - Dept of Forestry and Fire Protection

14 Millions Millions 13 City of Vacaville Fire Department 2017 Annual Report Fiscal Operating Expenses FY 13 FY 14 FY 15 FY 16 FY 17 Salaries & Benefits $ 16,148,130 $ 16,882,768 $ 17,629,196 $ 19,838,553 $ 21,160,708 Services & Supplies 414, , , ,204 $ 897,976 Indirect Costs 1,048, , , ,540 $ 1,021,550 $ 17,611,443 $ 18,492,197 $ 19,238,078 $ 21,473,297 $ 23,080,234 $25 $20 Fire Department Operating Expenses $15 $10 $5 $- FY 13 FY 14 FY 15 FY 16 FY 17 Salaries & Benefits Services & Supplies Indirect Costs Revenues FY 13 FY 14 FY 15 FY 16 FY 17 Paramedic Taxes $3,191, $3,204, $3,529, $3,621, $3,972, Ambulance Services 2,704, ,479, ,766, ,207, ,650, Fire Fees (Fire Prevention, Code Enforcement) 293, , , , , GEMT - 137, , , , IGT , , , $6,189, $6,138, $7,337, $8,058, $8,783, Fire Department Revenue $4.0 $3.5 $3.0 $2.5 $2.0 $1.5 $1.0 $0.5 $- FY 13 FY 14 FY 15 FY 16 FY 17 Paramedic Taxes Ambulance Services Fire Fees (Fire Prevention, Code Enforcement) GEMT IGT

15 City of Vacaville Fire Department 2017 Annual Report 14 Community Risk Reduction Fire Prevention Bureau The Fire Prevention Bureau s primary function is to prevent fires by enforcing standards, referred to as the Fire Code. The Fire Prevention Bureau functions include: Fire Inspections and Code Enforcement Fire and Life Safety Education Fire Protection Construction / Systems Review Inspections and Issuance of Fire Permits Annual Business Inspections Fire Inspections In 2017 we completed: 1,061 Construction Inspections 1,189 Fire Inspections 430 Plan Reviews 1500 Fire Prevention Bureau Inspections & Reviews Fire Inspections Construction Inspections Plan Reviews

16 15 Code Enforcement City of Vacaville Fire Department 2017 Annual Report 41% Code Enforcement Cases 21% 1% 0.11% 2% 20% 10% 5% 0.37% 0.27% Weed Abatement Graffiti Other (oil spills, odor, etc) Vacant Buildings Property Maintenance Homeless Encampments Chickens/Animals Vehicle, boat, trailer Obstruction PRW Planning/Zoning The Code Enforcement Division works under the Fire Prevention Bureau. In 2017 our officers responded to 1,884 complaints regarding specific municipal code violations which affect the safety, quality of life and appearance of the city. Public Education - Media Public education is an integral part of our community risk reduction efforts. The department provides several forms of public education, ranging from school site visits to impromptu contact while out in the community. We are happy to report our programs reached nearly 9625 Vacaville community members in In addition, our Fire Safety Coordinator is a certified child passenger safety technician and inspected 34 car seats. Also, we have a presence in multiple social media sites including Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor. Our goal is to provide information to all Vacaville citizens. Number of Residents in Prevention Education Events Educated in Emergency Preparedness Received Fire/Life Safety Information

17 City of Vacaville Fire Department 2017 Annual Report 16 Lifelong Learning Training Division The training division of the Vacaville Fire Department supports our goal statement of recruiting, hiring, and retaining only the best people and supporting them through the development and maintenance of their knowledge, skills, and abilities. The training division is responsible for three major areas of training for the department: new personnel training, in-service training and special operations training. Training also assists the City s human resources division in the hiring and promotional testing of personnel up to and through the rank of Captain for the Department. Special operations training improves our service capabilities in handling the events that pose the greatest risks to our firefighters and our community. It is extremely important that we conduct training in Hazardous Materials releases, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Confined Space Rescue and other technical rescues due to their infrequency and specialization. Training in these areas is often mandated by federal, state, or local laws as well. Achievements: In 2017 the department completed approximately 11,005 hours of training. This is an average of 15.3 hours of training per member per month. Scenario based training drills were conducted by members of our Hazardous Materials team, Technical Rescue team and Water Rescue team members. One new member was selected for the water rescue team and successfully completed the swift water/flood water rescue technician class. Additionally, three members of the Technical Rescue team completed a heavy lifting and vehicle stabilization class. Our Training Division also manages our California Firefighter Joint Apprenticeship program. Eighteen employees fully completed the program at journey level. Established the City of Vacaville Fire Department as a training facility for the American Heart Association. Conducted annual wildland/urban interface training which updates all personnel in safely operating on grass and brush fires that threaten homes and personal property. Sent three employees to the California Joint Apprenticeship Conference

18 17 City of Vacaville Fire Department 2017 Annual Report Sent three members to become trainers in a program geared to reduce vehicle collisions by distracted teen drivers. We took part in the first class in Solano County to train teen drivers in the Impact Teen Driver s Program. Sent four employees to California Fire Mechanics academy Hosted a county wide rescue drill with the Emergency Response Team from Genentech, Fairfield Fire, Dixon Fire, Vallejo Fire and Vacaville Fire. Conducted a table top drill for all of our Battalion Chiefs, Captains and acting Captains at Genentech. The scenario covered how on-site staff and arriving units would work together to isolate a structure fire in the facility. The organization supported our members attending many different classes over the last year Goals: Continue development of training plans to include more multi-company and multi-agency drills that continue to meet federal and state training mandates. Continue California Joint Apprenticeship program oversight including apprenticing new and promotional employees and ensuring all journey level completion requirements are met. Continue hosting an increased number of fire and EMS training classes in the department training room. Recertify all of our Emergency Medical Technician-1 department personnel with Solano County. Complete the development of a formal driver training program meeting all requirements as set by the National Fire Protection Agency and the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Increase participation of fire department employees at the National Fire Academy as well as local training opportunities. Encourage and foster additional employees to obtain certifications with State Fire Training at all levels. Continue the updating of department training performance standards. Complete probationary training and testing of thirteen new Firefighter / Paramedic employees.

19 City of Vacaville Fire Department 2017 Annual Report 18 Community Involvement We care about the Vacaville Community Every year members of the fire department participate in numerous charitable events in the community. These are some of the events our employees and members of the Local 3501 participated in 2017: A few of the 2017 programs and events we have supported: Fill the Boot for Muscular Dystrophy Christmas Toy Drive & Food Baskets IAFF Children s Burn Camp Fisher House Fundraiser Pink Heals Cancer Support Society Baskets of Hope Vacaville Boys & Girls Club

20 19 City of Vacaville Fire Department 2017 Annual Report City of Vacaville Fire Department 650 Merchant Street Vacaville, CA 95688