2022 Buckeye Fire Department's Annual Report

MESSAGE FROM FIRE CHIEF JAKE RHOADES

It is an honor and pleasure to present the 2022 BuckeyeFire-Medical-Rescue Department Annual Report. This report summarizes the effort and commitment of department members as they experienced a year of transition and change. The change in leadership and expectations provided opportunities for growth of our members and increases in service delivery.

Building upon a foundation of professionalism and customer service that is second to none, 2022 allowed for members to participate in the future direction of the organization from Relationship by Objective committees to developing a comprehensive, community-driven strategic plan, the members of the department truly helping guide the improvements that are reflected in our service delivery.

An expectation of continuous improvement combined with an approach of total service delivery, the men and women of the department have established a mission that reflects our organization with a vision that is “be the best and build for the future.” This is a simple, yet complex statement as we meet the needs of an ever-changing industry and a community that is one of the fastest growing in the nation.

We are proud of the services that we have provided over the course of the last year responding to major incidents including hazardous materials, structure fires and natural disasters in the form of major storms. We are equally proud of the way services were provided professionally and with the empathy and care our community deserves.

As you will see within the report, the demand for service continues to increase not only in Buckeye but throughout the valley. As demand increases, so does our preparedness in training for our members in all-hazards. This is in addition to building inspections, pre-planning, community paramedicine, public education and other activities that not only prepare our members to be ready when they are called to action but also prevent emergencies before they occur.

The last year has allowed the department to look at our performance metrics and identify deficiencies in our response model to help plan for the future. This led to the establishment of an annual planning cycle focused on data based decision-making and an understanding what the future of Buckeye looks like as the city continues to grow. With residential growth increasing the population to

over 110,000 along with both industrial and commercial growth increasing at an unprecedented rate, planning is more important than ever so that the department is prepared to serve the community.

With this challenge comes an excitement that is visible throughout the organization. The excitement of adding fire stations, personnel and other resources are the dreams of some departments and the reality of ours! Blue Horizons Fire Station 707 will undergo construction in 2023 and 15 members are joining our ranks and will attend Paramedic School before attending the Firefighter Academy in the fall. This unorthodox approach is a necessary move for our present and our future as emergency medical service delivery is more critical than ever. These additions bring new promotions throughout the ranks along with increased expectations among our members. Our members embrace their roles and continually prepare for our day-to-day challenges but also have an eye on the horizon preparing for the challenges that lay ahead.

I would like to thank the Mayor and Councilmembers, city management and the residents of Buckeye, for their unending support for the Buckeye Fire-MedicalRescue Department. The department is a key component in the city’s efforts to provide a safe community for its residents, visitors and businesses.

The future of Buckeye looks tremendous, and it is my honor to be a part of this great department and city. I encourage you to contact us if you have any questions, or if you have suggestions to improve our services to you.

I invite you to visit our website (buckeyeaz.gov/fire) to read further information about your Buckeye FireMedical-Rescue Department. We are here to help and contribute to this vibrant, progressive, responsible and safe community for all who call Buckeye home.

Jake Rhoades

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

122 TOTAL PERSONNEL

105 SHIFT PERSONNEL 17 PROFESSIONAL STAFF

ACCREDITATION MANAGER

COMMUNITY PARAMEDICINE MANAGER

FIRE CHIEF ASSISTANT CHIEF ADMINISTRATION

MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT

PROJECT MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT

FIRE MARSHAL CHIEF EMS DIVISION

ASSISTANT CHIEF OPERATIONS

COMMUNITY PARAMEDICINE PARAMEDIC

EMS CAPTAIN DEPUTY CHIEF

BATTALION CHIEF RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

BATTALION CHIEF TRAINING

SHIFT COMMANDERS

FIRE PLANS REVIEWER

FIRE INSPECTION SPECIALISTS

CAPTAINS ENGINEERS FIREFIGHTERS

OUR MISSION OUR VISION

IDENTIFICATION AND REDUCTION OF COMMUNITY RISK, WORKING TOGETHER AS A REGIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY TEAM TO PREPARE FOR AND RESPOND TO EMERGENCY INCIDENTS FOR THE BUCKEYE COMMUNITY.

WE ASPIRE TO BRING OUR BEST EVERY DAY WHILE INVESTING IN THE FUTURE GROWTH AND SAFETY OF THE BUCKEYE COMMUNITY. HERE TODAY, READY FOR TOMORROW.

CORE VALUES (FIRE)

F I R E

BUCKEYE FIRE-MEDICAL-RESCUE DEPARTMENT BY THE NUMBERS...

110,000 $22,150,120

7

PERSONNEL ACHIEVEMENTS

DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT

In 2021, E705 responded to a call of a pediatric choking. Upon arrival, Buckeye Police Officer Radloff was already on scene performing chest compressions as “little Logan” was in full arrest, and crew members immediately initiated ALS interventions on the 2-year old. The young patient regained a pulse upon transport and has made great progress in his recovery but still has a long road ahead of him. One year later, the family returned to Fire Station 705 for an emotional reunion with the crew members who “never gave up” on little Logan. The family is forever grateful for the crew’s life-saving actions that day and we are reminded that we do make a difference - be ready for it, train hard and never give up!

TRAINING/CERTIFICATIONS

Brett Gunsalus

Certified Materials Technician

Jackie Gutierrez

Certified Materials Technician

David Burtch

Certified FAA Drone Pilot

Aron Webster Certified Technical Rescue Technician

Stuart Esh

Certified FAA Drone Pilot

Brian Smith

Certified Technical Rescue Technician

2022 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

January

• Adopted local amendments to the International Fire Code 2018.

• An Emergency Operations Center exercise was held to simulate a major flood in downtown Buckeye. The Fire Department and Public Works successfully worked together on response and recovery operations.

February

• Sworn members began cancer screening through Vincere Cancer Center.

March

• Pinning & Swearing-In Ceremony

• 4 new sworn members

• 17 promotions

• 6 non-sworn members

• Established the Firestrong Program within the department. The following members completed Firestrong Peer training provided by Public Safety Crisis Solutions.

• Aaron Stone

• Ely Rivera

• Bill Tolmachoff

• Jeff Miller

• Brett Gunsalus

• McKenzie Hess

• Chrissy Yates

• Tim Hodges

• Cory Wenzl

• Tyler Milakovich

facilities and provided training to city employees.

June

• Seven members successfully completed Venomous Snake Training through the Phoenix Herpetological Society. These members will train other department members in the handling, capturing and relocating of these reptiles.

July

• Awarded 100 Club of Arizona Safety Enhancement Stipend for the purchase of four StormStick Decon Systems. This “decontamination” system reduces firefighters’ cancer risk by quickly and effectively removing toxins from protective equipment.

• The department kicked off the Strategic Planning Process with internal stakeholders.

August

• The Preparedness Division held an exercise to simulate a storm and power outage in downtown Buckeye with the goal of opening cooling stations and emergency shelters. Each department was assigned tasks to help us better prepare for the response and recovery efforts from the impacts of monsoon storms.

November

• The department coordinated efforts with Risk Management to conduct a successful fire drill exercise at City Hall.

December

• The department hosted Tempe Fire Chief Greg Ruiz who gave a presentation on the importance of accurate documentation to defend against claims and litigation.

• Department members completed annual physicals with the highest percentage of Tier 1 employees in a fire department the physician has ever seen!

• Module 1 for Standards of Cover was submitted and is under review by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI).

• Completed interview and selection process of 15 firefighters to begin in January 2023. Many of these new hires were members of the department’s Fire Cadet Program.

• By December, a total of 35 AEDs were installed in city facilities and 34 new AEDs were assigned to Buckeye Police vehicles.

April

• Implemented RQI Training (Resuscitation Quality Improvement). RQI carts are available in the stations and will help members maintain BLS, ALS and PALS cards.

• Adopted the Brycer Compliance Engine for code compliance in commercial occupancies.

• The Preparedness Division participated in numerous training exercises including various hazmat exercises, Wireless Emergency Alert training and Battery Energy Storage System training.

May

• Presented the Community Paramedicine Program to multiple agencies from across the west as a solution to reduce 30-day hospital readmissions and unnecessary ER visits.

• Updated 12 Continuity of Operations

Plans to ensure each city department can operate during times of emergencies and have backup facilities in case primary facilities become unavailable.

• Members from the Preparedness Division participated in a tabletop exercise with local, county, state and federal partners to exercise the response to radioactive materials.

• Installed more than 20 AEDs in city

• Completed a 3-day tour and training with the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) in the first steps in the accreditation process for the department.

• Awarded grant funds of $204,450 to enhance fire personnel’s radiological and nuclear detection and interdiction.

September

• The department participated in several events in honor of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

• Cadet Program began with a total of 21 enthusiastic individuals.

• Secured a UASI Regional Grant (CBRNE) for a Hazardous Materials robot. The robot is set-up with features that allow first responders to analyze hazardous situations remotely keeping personnel safe.

• WVRP partners, including Buckeye Fire, were awarded funds to send 35 members to Fire Officer Training.

October

• The department becomes the first fire department in Arizona to have a Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Trained Officer in its department. Robert Garza completed 40 hours of training in behavioral health and mental health crisis. This is a partnership effort with members of the Buckeye Police Department with a focus to better assist individuals with a mental illness and/or addiction disorders.

COUNCIL ACTIONS

• City Council approved local amendments to the 2018 International Fire Code. The adoption of the amendments brings the department in compliance with the 2018 International Fire Code and provides for the continuance of well-planned communities and ensures responsive, accountable and effective public services for the citizens of Buckeye.

• City Council ratified the submission of a grant application to FEMA for the acceptance of grant funds for the purchase of 50 P-25 compliant multi-band radios to replace outdated radios. Replacement of these outdated radios with P-25 compliant dual-band 800MHz radios will enhance the health and safety of the public and fire personnel.

• City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the department and Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management for its Securing the Cities (STC) Program. The department will benefit from the MOU allowing our members to participate in exercises and training that enhances radiological and nuclear detection and interdiction capabilities in the city and surrounding communities.

• City Council ratified the submission of a grant application to FEMA for Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program for the staffing of future Fire Station 707 in Blue Horizons.

• City Council approved a resolution authorizing the department to participate with other West Valley Regional Partners for the purpose of training officers up to the NFPA 1021, Fire Officer 1 Level. West

Valley Regional Partners include Arizona Fire and Medical Authority; Buckeye Valley Fire District; Daisy Mountain Fire District; and Sun City Fire District.

• City Council approved a resolution to adopt the 2021 Maricopa County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The department is part of the MultiJurisdictional Planning Team. The team updated and completed the 2021 Maricopa County MultiJurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan in order to remain compliant with federal regulations and to obtain Arizona State and FEMA approval of the Plan.

• City Council approved the acceptance of grant funds, not-to-exceed $204,450, from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for the Securing the Cities (STC) Program. This allows for the reimbursement of certain personnel costs relating to exercise, training to enhance fire personnel’s radiological and nuclear detection, interdiction capabilities in the city of Buckeye and surrounding communities in Maricopa County and for the use of certain equipment purchased by Maricopa County with STC grant funds.

• City Council approved the Automatic Aid Agreement between the department and Luke Air Force Base relating to fire protection and emergency responses.

• City Council approved the IGA with the City of Phoenix and other jurisdictions for the Regional Metropolitan Phoenix Fire Service Automatic Aid for the purpose of providing assistance for fires and other emergency services.

• City Council approved the IGA with the City of Surprise for sharing fire-medical record software.

• Honored Fire Chief Bob Costello, one year after his passing, with a City Proclamation renaming the Sundance Crossing Courtyard as the Bob Costello Public Safety Courtyard, and announcing the Courtyard as the future home of the Buckeye Public Safety Memorial to include the names of Chief Costello and Police Officer Rolando Tirado who also lost his life in the line of duty.

• Cory Wenzl helped roll out the Fire Safety Sleeve Program. The fire hose safety sleeve can be use on certain doors that would provide access to students and faculty members in the event of a lockdown due to an active shooter situation. We have started delivering fire hose safety sleeves to over 20 Buckeye schools so far.

• Two Labor Management Retreats were held with department RBO members and representatives of United Buckeye Firefighters Local 4311, to discuss and revisit internal processes and how to improve those processes.

• The department participated in the Arizona Burn Foundation fundraiser “Cook like a Firefighter” competition. In all, the department raised a total of $4,683 in donations.

• The department held a Community Stakeholder Input Session with the assistance of Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) in the next steps of the accreditation process for the department.

Wanell Costello, the spouse of Chief Costello, receiving City Proclamation.

Fire Safety Sleeve Program Video Demostration

2022 COMMUNITY & SPECIAL EVENT PARTICIPATION

JANUARY

• Liberty Elementary School fire safety visit

FEBRUARY

• Buckeye’s Block Party at the Buckeye Senior Center

• Barket Pet Fair in Verrado

• 2023 Buckeye Air Fair

• C.O.P.S. Walk Southwest 2022

MARCH

• Read Across America at the Sequoia Pathfinder Academy

• 2022 Diabetes Tour de Cure

• Verrado Chili Cook-off

• Bike Buckeye events hosted by Mayor Orsborn

• Verrado Vipers Baseball Military/First Responder Night held at Verrado High School.

• Marionneaux Elementary School

PTA Spring Carnival

• Verrado Founders Day Block Party

• Odyssey Institute Color Run

APRIL

• April Pool’s Day event at the Buckeye Aquatic Center

JUNE

• Charity Golf Ball Drop at the Sundance Golf Course

• Spring Celebration held at the Sundance Recreation Center

• Buckeye Hawks Baseball Military/Fire Responder Appreciation Night held at Buckeye High School

• Compassion Buckeye Health Clinic

MAY

• Charity Golf Ball Drop hosted by the Helping Others Together

(HOT) Community Foundation

• McCain Elementary School visit

• Water Day event at Verrado Elementary School

• Memorial Day Ceremony at the Louis B. Hazelton Memorial Cemetery

• Annual Flag Retirement Ceremony held by the American Legion Post 53

JULY

• Independence Day Celebration held at the Buckeye Airport

• Spirit of Independence Celebration held in Verrado

• Ladies of Verrado Rock Bingo Fundraiser

AUGUST

• Monsoon storm clean up in Verrado

Verrado Clean Up

Trinity School Station Visit

Memorial Day – Flag from Tiller Truck

C.O.P.S. Walk in Verrado

April Pools Day

SEPTEMBER

• The department participated in several events held on Patriot Day to honor the heroes and remember the fallen of 9/11.

• Verrado High School

Homecoming Parade

• Storytime at the Buckeye Coyote Library Branch

• Buckeye Union High School

Homecoming Parade

OCTOBER

• Tartesso Community Clean up

• Rockin’ and Shoppin’ Event

• Trunk n’ Treat hosted by Abrazo Buckeye

• Career Fair at Skyview High School

• G.A.I.N. Family Night

• Fire Pals Program visit to Bales Elementary School

• Verrado High School’s Trunk n’ Treat

• Fall Festival at Grace Fellowship Church

• Trunk n’ Treat event at Festival

• Trunk n’ Treat Tartesso Community Sports Park

• Odyssey High School Homecoming Game

• 82nd Annual Halloween Carnival

NOVEMBER

• Buckeye Veterans Day Parade

• Fire Pals Program visit at John S. McCain Elementary School

• Palm Valley Church Community Outreach Event

• 2nd Annual Kidzona Festival event

• 2nd Annual Preschool in the Park event in Verrado

DECEMBER

• Fire Pals Program visit to Verrado Elementary School

• Cotton Festival in downtown Buckeye

• Verrado Holiday Community Market at Verrado High School

• We Heart Christmas Park Tour with charitable proceeds going to Buckeye Superheros

• Skyview High School Career Day

• Grinchmas Festival hosted by Marionneaux Elementary School

• Sun City Festival Annual Christmas Parade

• 5th Annual Christmas Parade in Tartesso

• 19th Annual Glow on Monroe Electric Light Parade in downtown Buckeye

• Delivered Santa to the Giving Tree Pavilion at Verrado’s Heritage Swim Park

• Fire Pals Program visit to Buckeye Elementary School

• Delivered Santa to the Leaf Verde RV Resort Holiday event

• A Christmas Cause event at Buckeye Elementary School

BUCKEYE FIRE EVALUATION OF CURRENT DEPLOYMENT PERFORMANCE 2022

Over the course of 2022, the department kicked off the accreditation process and work began with members coming together to collaborate on the first steps of the process. As a fire department actively seeking accreditation through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), the Buckeye Fire-Medical-Rescue Department is in the midst of developing its Standards of Cover. Within it is the following analysis of the overall health of our response capabilities. This includes the assessment of four individual metrics: resource distribution, concentration, reliability, and comparability. The data aids in the evaluation of response capabilities provided by the department to its primary response area. To ensure this is accomplished, the primary response area has been divided into six individual response zones (FRZs) that correspond with the department’s six Fire Stations. These FRZs are evaluated by first due fire apparatus 90th percentile travel time compliance, reliability, and unit commitment factor (UCF).

In addition to the primary response area wide analysis, the department evaluates travel time within an FRZ by the primary response apparatus assigned to it. In the case of FRZ three, this includes both the engine company and the ladder company assigned to it. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1710, Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, EMS and Special Operations in Career Fire Departments defines the emergent travel time standard as 240 seconds, 90% of the time. Distance traveled during a response, and physical response barriers are the primary influencers of travel time. The following tables reflect response time by both the primary response apparatus assigned to the FRZ, and all other apparatus when they are first on scene.

Tartesso Clean Up

2022 EMERGENCY RESPONSE

9:13 FIRST UNIT ON SCENE (90TH PERCENTILE)

2022 TRAINING DIVISION

ISO:

• Total training hours: 31,882.86

• Total average 120 members: 265

• Hours required per member: 240

NFPA:

• Total training hours: 45,391.66

• Total average 120 members: 378

• Hours required per member: 190

• Total training hours: 77,274.52

• Total average 120 members: 643.95

• Total +/- per member: +213

AT A GLANCE

• 75 percent of training was conducted in-house and facilitated by the Training Chief with assistance of either O.T. personnel or on-duty members.

• 20 percent of training was facilitated by outside agencies primarily consisting special operations training, (Haz-Mat and T.R.T).

• 5 percent of training by attending regional training exercises.

TECHNICAL RESCUE

• Requires 200 hours of class and proficiency confined space, high angle, trench and swift water rescue

• An additional 43 hours required yearly to maintain certifications

AIR RESCUE TECHNICIAN

• Buckeye Fire is one of only four departments in the valley trained specifically for air rescue operations

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TEAM

• Requires 200 hours of class and proficiency in hazardous material recognition/mitigation, meter reading and decontamination procedures

• An additional 43 hours required yearly to maintain certifications

Buckeye’s Parks and Recreation offers CPR classes throughout the year.

For class information, visit buckeyeaz.gov and search for CPR classes to register.

EMS DIVISION

Vehicles Schools

• About 70% of cardiac arrests happen in homes.

• Nearly 90% are fatal.

• Administering immediate CPR can double or triple the chance of survival. Sources: American Heart Association

FIRE CONTAINMENT

3 Contained to object where fire started

3 Contained to room where fire started 0 Fire spread from where it started $1,906,500

Total value of properties before fire $355,000

Total dollar loss

16 FIRE-MEDICAL-RESCUE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT

FIRE METRIC CONT.

Travel time to urgent responses 90th percentile by the department’s primary response apparatus (Engine Company) within its assigned zone.

Travel time 90th percentile to urgent responses by first arriving primary response apparatus within a zone, regardless of zone assignment or agency. This is the cumulative effect when the department’s primary response apparatus are not the first on scene

Reliability by FRZ, 2022

Unit Committment Factor, 2022

Total Reliability Matrix by FRZ, 2022

buckeyeaz.gov/fire