Victoria Fire Department 2017 Annual Report We Got This!
In Loving Memory Charles "Chuck" Zajicek June 4, 1961 -June 25, 2017 The Victoria Fire Department dedicates this year s Annual Report in loving memory of Charles Chuck Zajicek for 25 years of dedicated and caring service provided to the City of Victoria, the Victoria Fire Department and the Citizens of Victoria. His contagious smile and loving personality will never be forgotten.
Message from the Chief 2017 was a challenging year for emergency responses in the department. We saw a 10.6% increase (11,224 in 2017 vs. 10,146 in 2016) in calls for service. The number of responses of fires, in general, increased by 13.2% and EMS calls increased by 4.1%. The largest increase (76.3%) came in the category of Service Calls. False Alarms also increased by 35.4%. Our department responded to a very complex and vast array of events that truly challenged our skill set and continues to strengthen our resolve to develop our employees with thought-provoking and meaningful training. Benchmarking continues to be an area of emphasis and exploring opportunities of performance improvement. One performance mark that we fell short on this year was the Property Loss vs. Saved Performance Indicator. Our goal is a 95% or greater save rate and we dipped to 71%. The results are misleading and are not a reflection of the efforts of our firefighters. There were several significant events (resulting in very high-dollar losses) that were well involved or fully involved in fire on our arrival that skewed the performance data for the year. Response times within 5 minutes from all 6 fire stations for emergency services continues at a rate of approximately 80%. The department continues to exceed expectations in the delivery of medical care to the community. Our employees continue to shine and excel in all aspects of emergency service delivery. They encountered a vast array of call types in 2017 and did so with poise, humility, and compassion. 2017 reminded us all that there are no normal days in emergency response and each day we have an incredible opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of those that we serve! ~ Fire Chief, Victoria Fire Department Vision The Leader in Emergency Service Excellence Mission To preserve Life and Property with Dedicated and Caring Service. The members of the Fire Department will achieve the Mission by maintaining a positive, productive work environment filled with a professional and highly trained staff.
By the Numbers Emergency Responses 2015 All Calls 2016 All Calls 2017 All Calls 2015 County 2016 County 2017 County Fires - Includes Structures, Vehicles, Grass, Trash, etc. 308 364 412 146 180 211 Overpressure - Includes Fireworks, Excessive Heat, etc. 49 53 37 1 1 1 Rescue & EMS - Includes EMS calls, Motor Vehicle Accident, Rescue, etc. 7,544 7,667 7,979 1,432 1,409 1,510 Hazardous Conditions - Includes Arcing, Power Line Down, etc. 354 327 436 47 59 74 Service Calls - Includes Assist Patient, Assist Police, Unauthorized 215 371 654 28 47 72 Burning, etc. Good Intent Call - Includes Cancelled Enroute, No Incident 870 1,023 1,245 281 318 447 Found, etc. False Alarm - Includes Alarm System, Smoke Detector, Sprinklers, 446 339 459 45 36 42 etc. Severe Weather - Includes Wind, Lightning, etc. 1 1 1 1 0 0 Special Incident - Includes Other, Citizen Complaint, etc. 3 1 1 0 0 0 TOTALS 9,790 10,146 11,224 1,981 2,050 2,357 CALL VOLUME STATION 2017 2016 1 2,239 2,227 2 2,500 2,273 3 2,186 1,954 4 1,803 1,571 5 1,635 1,380 6 826 736 FMO 35 41 County 2,357 2,050 ALL 11,224 10,146 Unit Response Unit Response B3 82 M1 2,033 B5 117 M2 2,084 BAT1 522 M3 1,821 E1 111 M4 1,714 E2 1,466 M5 1,288 E3 1,414 M6 779 E4 76 OPS1 1,008 E5 1,109 Q1 508 E6 408 SV1 501 L4 380 SV4 470 [Goal is < 5:00] District 1 Disrict 2 District 3 District 4 District 5 District 6 Achieved 81% 88% 80% 80% 81% 71% 90% 6:50 5:25 6:25 5:59 6:10 7:02
By the Numbers Performance Indicators Benchmark Achieved 90% Medic Unit Availability > 75% 81% N/A Fire Apparatus Availability > 75% 87% N/A Property (only) Value Saved/Loss (City) > 95% 76% N/A ALS Response Time (City) < 8:00 91% 7:39 Full Alarm Response to Fire (City) < 9:00 85% 10:38 Turnout Time (Fire) < 1:20 80% 1:39 Turnout Time (EMS) < 1:00 71% 1:24 Call Processing Time - Dispatch < 2:00 73% 2:35 Incidents by Group 11224 Total Incidents Rescue & Emergency Medical Services 7978 Good Intent Call 1245 Service Call False Alarm & False Call Hazardous Condition (No Fire) Fire 654 459 436 412 Overpressure Rupture, Explosion Severe Weather & Natural Disaster Selection Status Calendar Year 2017 Special Incident Type 37 1 1 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000
E mergency Medical Services In 2017, the EMS Division continued to see an increase in calls for service, growing 4.1% as compared to 2016. The Division started utilizing a Code STAT Program to measure the refraction rates for CPR in an effort to ensure provision of proper CPR compressions. The EMS Division administered the first Tranexamic Acid (TXA) medication in a field setting and continued with the Rapid Sequence Intubation advanced skill training. A Diabetic Protocol change was implemented as VFD continues to stay on the cutting edge of Best Practices in emergency medicine. The Division held its first Open House at Fire Station #4 during EMS Week. Those in attendance were trained in hands-only CPR, Stop the Bleed, and experienced a close-up view of the helicopter from AirLife. The department hosted a first of its kind mobile Critical Care Skills Lab to enhance the skills of our frontline paramedics. The Division continues to see that the medical supply vending machines are proving to be efficient and cost effective. Advanced Decontamination machines were purchased this year that enable us to properly decontaminate an ambulance, fire apparatus, or fire station(s) to ensure we create as clean of an environment as possible. The American Heart Association awarded the 2017 Mission Lifeline: Gold Plus Award to the VFD for the treatment and care of patients suffering from STEMI events.
Fire Operations 2017 was a very busy year for Victoria Fire Department emergency responses. The department saw an overall increase of 10.6% in calls for service from 2016 to 2017. Fire calls in general increased by 13.2%. The largest increase (76.3%) came from Service Calls. False Alarms also increased by 35.4%. The department moved to a validated Physical Fitness testing platform for new hire candidates and incumbents alike. Hurricane Harvey tested our personnel with various levels of preparedness. The decision was made to move all operations to 3 stations that are built to sustain hurricane strength winds. That level of construction decision proved to be a great choice when designing new fire stations. The personnel did a fantastic job in response and recovery during this hurricane. The department was able to add a new set of Holmatro electric tools, many new nozzles, new MDTs for all of the fire apparatus and new Automated External Defibrillators. This Division was tasked with some of the most challenging and significant fires in the history of our department in 2017, including the Victoria Islamic Center fire, Diamond Fiberglass and Victoria Transit Bus fire, to name a few.
Fire Marshal's Office In 2017, the Fire Marshal s Office (FMO) was busy with very complex fire investigations and time dedicated to assessing fire protection systems following Hurricane Harvey. The FMO conducted 54 investigations with 35 focused on cause and origin and 19 being illegal burns, fireworks, and licensing investigations with the State Fire Marshal s Office. The FMO continues monitoring its performance via several indicators for benchmarking. Expectations are as follows: All plans are reviewed within 10 days of receipt 90% of time (achieved in 2017 at 98.6%); All fire code violations are corrected within 90 days 90% of time (achieved in 2017 at 97%); Complete all fire inspections Annually (Not Achieved in 2017 69.6%); and Fire cause determination - 75% of Investigations (Not Achieved in 2017 54.1%). However, nine cases remain open or are still under investigation that could adjust the benchmark. The FMO received a grant from State Farm in the amount of $7,500 for the purchase and distribution of smoke alarms. In 2017, 447 smoke alarms protecting 351 residents were installed.
Training In 2017, the Training Division was tasked with training all officers in the department on the Blue Card Incident Command Program. This program has been highly useful in developing a standard approach to all emergency events that can be duplicated for virtually any emergency scene. The Training Division also implemented the first Haz-Mat full drill assessment that will become the standard going forward. Department members attended over 1,100 classes of training in 2017. Thirty four members completed a program leading to a certification. The Police Dispatchers were taught CPR as well as 18 civilians. Training also continued the advanced driver training program that was initiated in 2016. The Training Division achieved all benchmarks for 2017 at 100%. Those include: Ensuring all Safety procedures are followed for all training events; Providing a minimum of (2) Professional Development Programs Annually; and Providing CE training for our employees to meet all requirements for recertification Annually. The Training Division was awarded the 2017 Crew of Year Award for Employee Development that helps ensure the department is the Leader in Emergency Service Excellence!
Fire Engineer Promotions: Promotions Fire Captain Promotions: Battalion Chief Promotion: Andrew Goss Gerald Pelkey Fire Lieutenant Promotions: Dana Woodward Emilio Reyes David Kahlich Bill Curlee Craig Schmidt Marshal Kitchens Fire Medic Promotions: Aaron Janssen Weston Martin Jonathan Novella William Rollf Marcus Tudon James White Administrative Assistant Promotion : Jacob Hanks Adam Strelczyk Andrew Sherman Connie Delgado
New Employees Adrienne Miles Inventory Andrew Moon Firefighter/EMT Caleb Lemke Firefighter/EMT Carter Robertson Firefighter/EMT Christian Price Medic Christopher Robbins Medic Clay Von Roeder Firefighter/EMT Danny Munselle Medic Devon Lyssy Firefighter/EMT Robert Pena Fire Medic Tyler Copeland Firefighter/EMT William Rollf Fire Medic William Stolle EMT
Awards and Recognition Edward Benoit Firefighter of the Year Carter Robertson Rookie of the Year Dale Hartman Member of the Year Tim Decker Medic of the Year Kevin Allen Officer of the Year Debbie Breeden Fire Chief Commendation Crew of the Year - Training Division Michael Belt (above left) and Tim Hunter (above right) Joel Gomez Hispanic Heritage Award DeLeon Club Emilio Reyes Completion of Managing Officer Program National Fire Academy Thomas Legler Robert A. Kubena Award GCRPC
Significant Events Victoria Islamic Center Fire & Press Conference January 28, 2017 Diamond Fiberglass Fire July 1, 2017 City/County-Wide Flooding from Hurricane Harvey Aug. -Sept. 2017 Victoria Transit Bus Fire December 23, 2017
Volunteer Support Groups The Victoria Fire Department is blessed to be supported by outstanding volunteer groups. These dedicated groups of individuals are available to assist department members in our time of need. Fire Corp. The Fire Corp. is a wonderful group that provides rehabilitation services to the department members when they have been on extended emergency scenes. This is a critical function in properly hydrating and providing nourishment to firefighters emerging from super-heated environments. They also provide this service during physical agility testing for new hire candidates Fire Chaplains The department Chaplains fill a critical role in ensuring we are providing for the emotional support of our employees and for the families who have been affected by tragedy. They perform an outstanding service to our department and community. Medical Director Dr. John McNeill has filled the role of Medical Director for the department for almost 20 years. He is an outstanding leader and provides the support and direction needed for the department to continue to strive for emergency service excellence. Fire Corp. Fire Corp. Medical Director Fire Chaplain
This Year's Retirees James Dearman Captain 33 Years Shawn Hoff Engineer 25 Years Elaine Mayer Computer Specialist 25 Years Roger Hempel Battalion Chief 19 Years
Victoria Fire Department 1703 E. Airline Victoria, TX www.victoriatx.org/departments/fire facebook.com/victoria-fire-department the leader in emergency service excellence