Fire Annual Report 2023 by City of Johnson City

2023 ANNUAL REPORT

MISSION STATEMENT

To be an all-hazards provider to the citizens and visitors through prevention, preparedness, and emergency response.

VISION

To provide exceptional service to our community through our core values.

CORE VALUES

Honesty - truthful in all we do

Empathy - compassion for all in need

Loyalty - devoted to serving the community

Professionalism - through valued service

The Johnson City Fire Department’s Vision, Mission, and Core Values are the foundation for everything from day-to-day operations to strategic planning.

A Message from Chief David Bell

Greetings and salutations,

This past year has been challenging yet exciting for the Johnson City Fire Department. We have faced many challenges and obstacles with many successes. As a department, we have seen an increased call volume that challenged our personnel in ways never seen before. Our exceptional staff has been highly tenacious in overcoming these demanding tasks. In every endeavor, the men and women of the JCFD have exemplified our core values: Honesty, Empathy, Loyalty, and Professionalism.

The year in review has seen many changes in equipment and operations. We have placed many new pieces of equipment in service to help our personnel with our mission. Equipment such as battery-powered extrication equipment and cribbing are now on every apparatus in service. This allows personnel to perform rescues more efficiently with less cumbersome tools. The tools and equipment have allowed our personnel to use advanced training and techniques, resulting in more positive outcomes. New vehicles and apparatus have allowed us to replace several pieces of equipment outside their anticipated life span. These apparatus employ unique technology that increases the safety of our personnel.

Finally, if not for the great relationships the JCFD has with our internal and external partners, we would not have this level of success. The City of Johnson City, our citizens, and all the businesses located within have allowed us to be one of the top fire departments in the nation. Ultimately, the face of the JCFD is our personnel, who are on the apparatus daily. They guarantee that we as a Department will always be a success story. We want to thank everyone who has made us what we are and will become.

Respectfully,

David Bell, Fire Chief, EFO, CFO, MS

Johnson City Fire Department CFAI Accredited and ISO 1

72,514 Population Served

9,975 Responses

43.43 Square Miles Protected Over $6 Billion in Assessed Property Value Fire Response Zones (FRZ) 3, 4, and 5 were classified as Significant Risk

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

JOHNSON CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT

2023 ANNUAL REPORT

JOHNSON CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT

The Johnson City Fire Department (JCFD) has established itself as the premier emergency response agency in the region. The JCFD is one of Tennessee’s only three internationally accredited and ISO 1-rated departments. In addition, the JCFD has several specially trained response teams capable of deploying throughout the state and region immediately. In 2023, the JCFD took the next steps in cementing its role as a preeminent leader in the fire service by breaking ground on a modern training complex that will rival any in the region. The training complex represents the single largest project the fire department has ever been involved in.

The JCFD is comprised of 136 team members, with 123 serving in the Suppression Division and 13 serving in the Administrative, Prevention, and Support Divisions. The Department has nine fire stations strategically located throughout the city but plans to increase this number by adding Station 10 within the next three to five years. Expansion and more efficient service delivery have become imperative for the Department to keep pace with the City’s population growth. This rapid population growth and the resulting increase in call volume has created a culture of constant evolution for the JCFD personnel. These talented individuals evolve daily into more efficient, skilled, and intelligent responders able to meet the challenges of tomorrow, today.

PROGRAMS

COMMUNITY RISK REDUCTION/FIRE PREVENTION

The JCFD operates a community risk reduction program that is committed to a comprehensive prevention and mitigation strategy through public education, both fire and life safety inspections, smoke alarm distribution, safety seat installations, virtual fire extinguisher training, risk hazard analysis, building and fire protection system plan reviews, annual life safety inspections, application of the International Fire Code, suppression, and investigation activities.

FIRE INVESTIGATION

Fire investigation, sometimes called origin and cause investigation, analyzes fire-related incidents. After firefighters extinguish a fire, an investigation is launched to determine the source and cause of the fire or explosion. Such incidents are investigated using a systematic approach and knowledge of basic fire science. The JCFD facilitates fire investigations through the Fire Prevention Division when needed.

DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS

The JCFD works in collaboration with law enforcement, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the Health Department, the Emergency Management Agency (EMA), and various other local, state, and federal organizations to maintain readiness and preparation for multiple threats.

FIRE SUPPRESSION

The JCFD responds to all types of fire emergencies. Each fire station houses at least one fire suppression pumper equipped with a 1500 GPM pump, a 500-gallon water supply tank, and a full complement of hoses and equipment to conduct an initial fire attack. Additionally, three ladder trucks are positioned strategically throughout the City to provide further fire protection and rescue capability. Low-risk fires will get a single-unit response, while higher-risk fire responses include multiple fire suppression units.

2023 ANNUAL REPORT

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS)

The JCFD responds to all types of medical emergencies within the city. Moderate risk responses will receive the deployment of one fire apparatus with a minimum of two medically trained responders. A highrisk response will receive an initial deployment of two fire apparatus and a minimum of five medically trained responders.

TECHNICAL RESCUE

Technical rescue includes many incidences where specialized knowledge or equipment may be needed to preserve life. All technical rescue incidents will be assigned a minimum deployment of two apparatus with five responders. Moderate and significant risk incidents will receive additional units and, if deemed necessary, specialized equipment trailers.

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (HAZMAT)

All members of the JCFD are trained to a minimum certification level as Hazardous Materials Technicians. Potential hazmat incidents receive an initial dispatch of two apparatus and a minimum of five responders. Moderate and significant risk incidents will receive additional units and, if deemed necessary, specialized equipment trailers.

What We’ve Accomplished

2023 HIGHLIGHTS

The JCFD broke ground on a 3-acre state-of-the-art training complex, providing our personnel with training classrooms, a driver training area, a burn pad, and a live-fire training tower. The construction of the training complex represents the single largest project in the Department’s history.

DE Marshall Hardy won the American Legion of Tennessee and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Firefighter of the Year awards. This marks the fourth year a Johnson City firefighter has won these awards.

The JCFD had its ISO visit and is projected to maintain ISO 1 status and increase our overall score.

Lt. Allen Foshie completed the prestigious National Fire Academy Managing Fire Officer program.

Countless baby ducks and other animals were rescued, delighting social media users nationwide.

The JCFD promoted 11 individuals and hired 15 new team members.

Acceptance of two new fire engines (E3 and E4).

Acceptance of two new support staff vehicles (800 and 801).

The department average increase in the air consumption drill by a full lap from the previous year.

11% injury reduction from 2022.

45% decrease in property losses from 2022.

27% decrease in average property loss per incident from 2022.

57% increase in property saved from 2022.

Turnout time compliance improved from 70.72% in 2022 to 72.21% in 2023.

2023 ANNUAL REPORT

2023 HIGHLIGHTS CONTINUED

Johnson City added a new Public Information Officer (PIO) position to manage communications and marketing needs for police and fire. The JCFD responded to 9,975 incidents in 2023, up from 9931 the previous year.