NOVEMBER 2014 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
AC STEVENS
2
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
3
BIRTHDAYS
4
BATTALION 2
5
BATTALION 3
6
TRAINING
6-7
ANNOUNCEMENTS
8
FAUQUIER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF FIRE, RESCUE & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Phone: 540-422-8800 www.fauquierfirerescue.org
The summer flew by and the cooler weather is coming. I wanted to take this opportunity to discuss some updates. November 18, 19, and 20 during the career training rotations, I will be doing a “state of the organization” meeting with everyone with, of course, an open question and answer period for questions, concerns, or grapevine. Our training section is gearing up for new protocol roll-outs, EMT classes, fire classes, and the kitchen sink. I am very proud of these few individuals and the work product that they deliver to all of us. As you are aware, the Board of Supervisors worked effortlessly to adopt a two year budget plan that spread out needs of multiple agencies, including us. However with that, our career staffing plan is in arrears. Fauquier County is unique as we have both our volunteer and career side requesting more career staffing collectively. In review, our options it is noted that the opening period for the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant should be in the near future. We will be working diligently to seek approval to apply for the grant in an attempt to “catch-up” our career staffing plan. Other than that start thinking about any questions for me at our November sessions!
2
NOVEMBER 2014 FIRELINE
E V E RYO N E ’ S A L E A D E R …
BY: ASSISTANT CHIEF STEVENS
Each of our departments have formal and informal leaders, both of which meet the definition seen on the right. But which leader often carries the most noun influence? Who has had the most meaningful 1. a person or thing that leads. effect on your development?
leader
2. a guiding or directing head, as
of an army, movement, or political Informal leaders often carry the most influence, and within the fire service we must understand the group. power of our informal leaders and how firefighters model their behavior after others. As senior leaders, we look out and down throughout the workforce to determine who has the skills necessary to lead, succeed, and eventually move up in the organization. However, young men and woman look up ever so slightly within the organization, usually at the next level, and think, “I want like to be like them.”
Everyone in the organization has the potential to be an informal leader, it’s up to you to make sure you’re a positive one. Every day you have an opportunity, often only two words can make a difference in how people view you...
Two words that deflate: you’re screwed, who cares?, and you lose. Two words when thing’s go wrong: it happens, let go, don’t quit, and I understand. Two words that move forward: why wait?, what’s next?, and what else?
Two words when things go right: great job and thank you. Two words that challenge others: reach higher, try again, go large, and think again.
Have a safe month and remember everyone is looking to you to make a positive difference, please choose your words carefully and stay strong. If you can't be a good example, at least be a horrible warning– Aileen Wuornos
3
NOVEMBER 2014 FIRELINE
E M E RG E N C Y M A N AG E M E N T
BY: SARA MAKELY
Get Ready for Winter Weather! Winter Preparedness Week in Virginia is Nov. 30-Dec. 6 Recent Virginia winters have been cold and snowy, and many people had power outages. It’s so important to be winter-ready that the National Weather Service and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management have set aside Nov. 30-Dec. 6 as Winter Preparedness Week. No matter the predictions, a significant winter storm is always possible. With an El Nino weather pattern expected this season, there could be a wetter than normal winter. And El Nino winters can be snowier if atmospheric conditions are right…just like the winter of 2009-10. Remember: an important part of winter weather planning is being prepared to stay where you are until conditions improve. To be ready, take these steps: Get a kit. Basic emergency supplies include: Three days’ food that doesn’t need refrigeration or electricity to prepare it Three days’ water (a gallon per person per day) A battery-powered and/or hand-crank radio with extra batteries For businesses and offices, some bottles of water, food bars and a radio or TV to hear local information about whether or not it is safe to travel A power pack for recharging cell phones and other mobile devices Make a plan. Everyone needs an emergency plan: Decide who your out-of-town emergency contact will be. Where will you meet up with family members if you can’t return home? Get an emergency plan worksheet at ReadyVirginia.gov. Stay informed. Before, during and after a winter storm, you should: Listen to local media for information and instructions from emergency officials. Be aware of winter storm watches and warnings and road conditions. Get where you need to go before the weather gets bad. Get road condition information 24/7 by calling 511 or checking www.511Virginia.org Download the Ready Virginia app. F ree app for iPhone® and Android™ features: Location-specific weather watches and warnings issued by NWS Disaster news from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management A customizable family emergency plan that can be easily shared A checklist for gathering emergency supplies Links to register for local emergency alerts, and more
4
NOVEMBER 2014 FIRELINE
11/07—Lt. Grogan 11/12—Jessica Saunders 11/13—Dawn MacAllister 11/24—Jeremiah Leonard 11/26—Nicholas Baer
5
NOVEMBER 2014 FIRELINE
THE SOUTHERN VOICE
BY: BC LICHTY
It is amazing that it is November already and the holidays are just right around the corner. The Southern Battalion continues to be busy as ever with house fires, brush fires, auto accidents, and EMS calls. This month we have also added an addition to our DFREM staffing in the south with a daytime unit that rotates between Goldvein and Lois. As the winter months come upon us we would like to remind everyone to start thinking about all the little things that come with the winter months. These things include making sure your onspots are working appropriately, that you rinse the salt off your rigs after each call, and always remember that SCBA’s must be kept out of the snow and water to avoid freezing problems. Halloween is the holiday for October, can you identify the DFREM employee in this picture?
This month, new staffing went into service. This new staffing consists of a 12-hour daytime unit that rotates between Goldvein Company 8 and Lois Company 13. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays this crew staffs Company 8; on Tuesdays and Thursdays the crew staffs Company 13. On behalf of Fauquier County Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management I would like to thank both Chief Woodburn and Chief Weeks for their help in getting this crew up and running with needed equipment and supplies. A special thank you to Chief Woodburn and the members of Goldvein for allotting funds for new office furniture for the crew. We look forward to working with these stations in enhancing the staffing in the Southern Battalion.
NOVEMBER 2014 FIRELINE
NORTHERN LIGHTS
6
BY: TECHNICIAN LATIMER
Over the past month, there have been several new faces in the Third Battalion. We have been training hard with all of the new Technicians to get them accustomed to the apparatus, stations and first dues. Lots of training will continue over the next few months to complete everyone's Technician books. We have had a few fly-outs over the past couple of months including cardiac emergencies and traumas. Company 5 will be getting their new Medic unit soon and Wagon 3 will be delivered soon. Everyone is looking forward to arrival of these new units. Wagon 3 will have training days to follow and those days will be open to anyone. We hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. Remember if you’re deep-frying a turkey, make sure the turkey isn't frozen!
T R A I N I N G D E PA R T M E N T Thank you all for the high-spirited participation in the three days of training we held at the burn building. This was an absolute success and a great opportunity for the entire department to come together and have fun while training to become more proficient in our careers. Everyone was willing to help and eager to participate. We had some great suggestions and several compliments on the training over the three days of scenarios. Coming up in November (18th, 19th & 20th) we have EMS training and look forward to getting together with everyone again.
NOVEMBER 2014 FIRELINE
PROTOCOL TRAINING
7
BY: LT. SHIELDS
The online portion of the 2014 Protocol Training has been created and disseminated, and many members have participated in the training. The Training Division is receiving very valuable feedback from those of you who have completed the training. If you have not yet completed the Training the web site is www.fauquieremsprotocols.myicourse.com. Once you have completed the appropriate modules online please remember to print out your certificates of completion, these certificates will act as an invitation to allow you to attend the in-person skills session. If you have completed the online portion of the training, the next step is to attend the skills portion. This is the final portion of the protocol rollout training. The trainers have been submitted to the training division and will be attending a train the trainer on Nov. 10th or Nov. 13th. The turn-on date for the new treatment protocols in the field is expected to be January 2nd 2015.
8
NOVEMBER 2014 FIRELINE
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Chief 3 says he is a Dallas fan, but not according to this picture!! Marshall Fire’s (Co. 3) new pumper
Company 10 hosted students from Ritchie Elementary School last month 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.