WINTER 2015 FIRELINE
F A U QU I E R C O U N TY D E PA R T ME N T
OF
F I R E , R E S CU E & E M E R GE N CY M A N A GE ME N T
T HE FIRELINE NEWSLETTER F RO M T H E D E S K OF T H E C H I E F
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
THOMAS M. BILLINGTON
CUSTOMER-KARE
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EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
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BATTALION 1/MEDIC 1
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THE SOUTHERN VOICE
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THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
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TRAINING
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FAUQUIER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF FIRE, RESCUE & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Phone: 540-422-8800 www.fauquierfirerescue.org
The New Year brings new hope and reflection on the past. Upon looking at our past year, I must say “wow, our organization has prospered!” And then there is part two; the New Year resolutions! According to researcher John Norcross, approximately 50% of the population makes resolutions each New Year. Among the top resolutions are weight loss, exercise, stopping smoking, better money management, and debt reduction. The down side is that 90% do not stick to their resolutions. Research has shown that to keep to your resolutions there must be three rules in play: One resolution is best, but no more than three! Document your resolutions and let them be known. Peer pressure is a good incentive. Set realistic, specific goals. Losing weight is not a specific goal. Losing 10 pounds in 90 days would be. So here I go. I am documenting them to all of you reading this: Continue my fitness routine of going to the gym three days per week. I find a good way to do this is to add it to my calendar at the beginning of the week. It is in front of me continually. Give back to my community by volunteering or participating in a charity. Get the heck out of my office and ride on a fire truck, ambulance or visit stations at least three times a month. So, there it is. I will also post these on my Facebook page, feel free to add yours. Thank you for a great year. We have many great things to come!
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WINTER 2015 FIRELINE
MEANINGFUL WORK
B Y : AC S T E V E N S
Most often, when meeting others for the first time, our career choice becomes an early topic, career or volunteer, we are all blessed to enjoy what we do. Unfortunately, not all professions have a workforce with passion for what they do. Are you actively engaged in what you do? Researchers have found that workers with a “higher calling” have the greatest job satisfaction rates, firefighters are among the top five. Other high rated professions include law enforcement, teachers and physicians. These are all jobs that we typically assimilate ourselves with. While some extrinsic factors such as compensation and work conditions may be beyond your control, please know that your work matters, and it is important that you know this. How can you pick out a As first responders we often see the worst possible things that our community has to offer: domestic firefighter in a room full of Ask everyone violence, neglect and of course, tragic accidents. people? But every once and awhile we see people at their “what they do” and watch best. This past weekend two motorists stopped in for a smile… a snow storm (okay a snow-flurry storm) when they saw vehicle tracks going of the road. Because they took the time to follow the tracks they found a vehicle overturned with a trapped occupant in freezing water. One person entered the water and provided support to the injured party and a quick call to 911 had our responders on the way. Because these citizens took a few minutes to go above and beyond, the call had a successful outcome. It would be hard to walk away from that scene without knowing how meaningful our work can be. Have you heard the story of three brick layers working on the same job, a man approaches the first one and ask what he is doing and his short reply is I am just putting one brick on top of the other, the second bricklayer says he is making $18.00 an hour. When the man approached the third bricklayer and asked what he is doing he said “I am building a Cathedral– a house of God.” All of them have created meaning out of what they had done, but the last man said his work was meaningful. The fire service is about the why, not about the what. Which bricklayer are you?
WINTER 2015 FIRELINE
CUSTOMER-KARE
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BY: DEPUTY CHIEF KIGHT
Our department has seen many things change in the last 24 months. Many of our newest members were actually beginning their Fire and EMS careers with us here in Fauquier County. As we reflect on the great strides we have accomplished in these few months, one can’t help but look forward with excitement to the next few years and wonder what new changes and opportunities are just around the corner. Most of our members were able to talk with Chief Billington during our last in-service training sessions that were held on November 18th, 19th, and 20th. During these discussions, Chief Billington talked about the expectations that would be forthcoming for everyone in the DFREM family in early 2015. We are excited about the opportunity to yet again enhance and improve upon the service we provide the citizens and visitors of Fauquier County on a daily basis. We have set the path towards future months and years of further enhancement of the great services already provided by our department. This will be accomplished through new EMS protocols, advanced Fire and EMS training, and individual personal growth among our members. Remember, we are all here to provide the best customer care possible with our available resources, and we have some of the best human resources available anywhere to make this possible. I recently read an article that described this as Customer-KARE: • Knowledge – It cannot be emphasized enough that you must understand how to do your job and how to meet your customer’s expectations. • Attitude – The manner in which you approach and interact with others will have a lasting effect. People always remember how you made them feel. • Respect – Respect your customers at all times, otherwise your organization is destined to fail. Don’t ever forget, the customer is always right. • Excellence – This should be the overall goal for when people think about and talk about the experience they had with you and your organization (Frank Viscuso, 2012). I think you will agree, this serves to support the expectation of the WOW customer service presentation given by Chief Billington. Let’s all strive for excellence and great Customer-KARE. And remember, look for the opportunity!
WINTER 2015 FIRELINE
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E M E RG E N C Y M A N AG E M E N T : S U RV I V I N G W I N T E R W E AT H E R
Make sure your home is well insulated and that you have weather stripping around your doors and window sills to keep the warm air inside. Know some of the terms that are used to describe winter weather. Freezing Rain creates a coating of ice on roads and walkways. Sleet is rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground, causing roads to freeze and become slippery. Winter Weather Advisory: cold, ice and snow are expected. Winter Storm Watch: severe weather, such as heavy snow or ice, is possible in the next day or two. Winter Storm Warning: severe winter conditions have begun or will begin very soon. Blizzard Warning: heavy snow and strong winds will produce a blinding snow, near zero visibility, deep drifts and life-threatening wind chill. Ice Storm Warning: freezing rain will produce ¼” or more of ice, a possibly damaging accumulation that could pull down trees and utility lines Frost/Freeze Warning: below-freezing temperatures are expected. Thoroughly check and update your family's emergency supply kit before winter approaches. Include adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm. If you have a car, fill the gas tank in case you have to leave. Plan to stay inside and make it on your own, at least for a period of time. If you have a wood burning fire place, consider storing wood to keep you warm if winter weather knocks out your heat. If you use a generator or space heater, practice proper safety procedures.
Know the Road Conditions Before You Leave: Go to http://www.511virginia.org or dial 511 from any phone for real-time traffic information and road condition reports. Or visit http://www.virginiadot.org for the latest road reports or listing of closed roads during a major winter weather event.
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January Birthdays 1/07 Andrea Schaeffer 1/08 Thomas Shiflett 1/11 Charles Hunter, Sr. 1/13 Liz Bisutti 1/16 Sam Miller 1/17 James Wyne 1/19 Katherine Chrismer 1/20 Christa Brown 1/23 Gilles Bryant 1/28 Donald Jackson 1/30 Gordon Mackison 1/30 Brian Moravitz
February Birthdays 2/05 AC Stevens 2/06 Matthew Nugent 2/12 Justin Jenkins 2/17 Butch Flippo 2/18 Lisa Ooten 2/22 Jennifer Morris 2/24 Brandon Dodson
The Fireline is going quarterly! Look for our next issue in Spring 2015! Fauquier Alert Network (FAN) Fauquier County Emergency Notification System Effective July 1st, 2014 - Fauquier County has launched a new emergency notification system, Fauquier Alert Network (FAN) provided by Everbridge. Everbridge is a web based service that enables the County to provide mass notification quickly and easily. Notifications may include evacuations, missing person alerts, hazardous materials incident, flooding, and other emergency incidents where rapid and accurate notification is essential for life safety. Messages are delivered by phone call, text, and email. To ensure you receive emergency notifications, sign up by clicking on the image link below.
WINTER 2015 FIRELINE
BATTALION 1
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BATTALION CHIEF ARFT
On January 10th, members from Fauquier County Fire and Rescue, Fauquier County Sheriff’s Office and the Fauquier County School Division attended an active shooter drill. This drill was conducted to test the multi-agency policy that has been in the works for the last year. The drill started with a school intruder entering the school and claiming several victims. The first drill of the day was to test the reactions of the staff and teachers and the moving of the students based on the schools recently updated Crisis Management Plan. This was the first time that I have been able to observe this type of “real world” drill and it was an eye-opening experience for myself. It was reassuring to see members of the school division take appropriate action in a timely manner. The second drill involved Fire and Rescue and the Sheriff’s Office working together to establish unified command. This was a new feeling for all involved and went according to plan. The incident command was taxed but able to maintain accountability, command, and control of the situation. The third drill of the day involved the use of PIO’s from various agencies. This was a good group exercise and is extremely important during these types of emergencies. The next step is to train all of the Fire and Rescue members of our system on the policy that has been established. This training is being developed now and will consist of a review of MCI, Rescue Teams and how they work, along with the current operational policy that will take effect. This will lead up to a full scale exercise that we plan on conducting in the summer of 2015. Stay safe, Chief Arft
MEDIC 1
TECHNICIAN DODSON
Here at Medic 1 we would like to welcome Lieutenant Moznich to the team. As always, Medic 1 is very busy. Medic 1 has had the opportunity to use our fire suppression skills this month by assisting crews with fighting a number of structure fires. Crews are enjoying the cold weather, however, I’m sure we’d all agree we are hoping for spring to come soon!
WINTER 2015 FIRELINE
THE SOUTHERN VOICE
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BY: LIEUTENANT KIDWELL
Over the past several months the Southern Battalion has been keeping quite busy with an increase in call volume. Volunteers and career staff alike have been answering numerous calls for service ranging from illnesses to structure fires. As we move forward into the New Year it’s the time for resolutions and changes. We all know each of us has set goals for ourselves. Some may be attainable, some may not be. Whatever those goals may be it is imperative that as a group we strive to help each other better ourselves and move forward for the common good of the fire and rescue system. It is easy to preach about brother/sisterhood, it’s another thing to back those words up regularly and without fail. We are all in the fight together to keep our county and each other safe on a daily basis. So the officer’s of Battalion 2 ask each of you for one simple resolution… Before you jump to conclusion, complain, or criticize one of our own, ask yourself, “What have I done to help this person better themselves or positively influence the situation?” Although we have some very outstanding employees, everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. We are in fact only as strong as our weakest link.
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WINTER 2015 FIRELINE
NORTHERN LIGHTS
BY: TECHNICIAN SMITH
This month has brought a lot of new changes up in the great north. The new protocols have gone into effect; which has kept us busy with training the stocking of new supplies. We have also welcomed (and welcomed back) some new/old faces. There have also been several other personnel who have stepped up to help us out while some of our Third Battalion personnel has been healing and welcoming new family into the world. We would like to welcome Paisley Hunter to our DFREM Family! We would also like to welcome Technician Graham back to the North; he has been assigned to Co 4/11. Over the last couple of months, we have been quite busy with calls. Fires within the county seem to have been plentiful of late, and we are glad to have been able to offer our assistance! We even had an engine compartment fire on a Norfolk Southern Train. Our crews from Co.3 got some action on the house fire in Co 11’s first due. Also we have had some good EMS calls as well to include several fly outs. In other news, old W3 has been sold and new W3 is at Atlantic Emergency Solutions getting the equipment mounted. Chief 3 has stated that it will be in service in the next few weeks. Check out the pictures below! Upperville has also purchased a new ambulance which should be in service any day. We are grateful to The Plains for letting us use their spare unit while we have been getting the new ambulance ready for service.
We have started a lot of new weekly training. All of our staff at Co.9 has been hard at work completing the training. Crews have developed weekly fire operations, rescue operations, and EMS training. All of the information and Powerpoints are available if anyone else would like copies to share. Some of the training sheets are unit specific, but it is still good information. Please contact Lieutenant Jeff Bates if you are interested.
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WINTER 2015 FIRELINE
T R A I N I N G D E PA R T M E N T Open House for the SIM Lab was a huge success. We had County officials, County Board of Supervisors, media, and our very own Dr. Michael Jenks stop by, who also assisted with a special delivery. We recently had a weekend ACLS class and just completed 3 days of CE/ACLS classes for DFREM folks. Hopefully, everyone learned something new and several babies were delivered by our EMT’s and Enhanced providers. They will be a little more prepared for a delivery in the field! The EMT class was able to go to the SIM lab as well and they delivered a few babies on their own. What a great experience for them! Since the open house, we are going full steam ahead with training in our new facility!