Administration

FAILURE

Thanks for dropping in for my next installment on failure. Last quarter I introduced the idea that failure, rather than being something to avoid at all costs, could actually be a necessary tool for growth. I discussed how many of our professional beliefs and mantras leave little, if any, room for failure. I asked many questions of you about how we regard failure, and what you see as consequences to our beliefs on failure. Last quarter’s installment ended with a hypothesis: If we could embrace failure as a natural consequence of reaching for difficult goals, our organization would be better for it. In this quarter, I’ll explore how that hypothesis might be tested. As with the testing of any hypothesis, we implement a change, observe the consequences if any, and then evaluate. In this case, I propose we would first talk about the value of failure and how to handle the potential impact of experiencing failure, both personal and professional, prior to diving in head first. Fortunately, there’s a mountain of research on this topic, and advice is plentiful. I’ve cultivated some of what is quickly digestible. With these concepts in your mind, I’d like you to take some time, either personally or as a crew, to work through some questions. Feel free to send me your answers if you feel so inclined, as you know I’d love to read them.

When you imagine yourself failing, can you describe the emotion(s) you feel? Have you personally experienced failure, or witnessed a failure by someone else? How did those involved react? How did others react? Have you ever decided not to participate in something for fear that you might fail? Were The Value of Failure there any consequences to that choice? When you • Have you ever heard someone say, “I’ve learned far more think about it today, how from my failures than from my successes”? This is 100% do you feel? true. Our potential increases with each failure as we gain both experience and compassion. What SFFR processes or systems do you feel have • Did you know that failing, and being open about the the most applicability to failure, cultivates closer relationships with family, friends, this discussion, and why? and colleagues? For example, how could/ • Failure is linked closely with increased happiness, resilience, should failure play a role in adaptability, and productivity. our PIAs? Failure as a tool for growth Do you think our attitude on failure at SFFR is • In order to learn from failure, it is critical that we TALK improving or getting about it. worse? Why? • When we TALK about it, we have the chance to receive I think that’s enough for three gifts: this quarter. Thanks for o Humility – accepting responsibility, having remorse, your engagement. Next and asking for help quarter we’ll explore how we could engineer o Compassion – Embarrassment hurts. That hurt helps opportunities for failure us to empathize with others into some of the things we o Openness to Learning – successful adults learn, adapt, do here at SFFR. If you’d and grow. This OFTEN includes taking a new stance like to talk about this, or on a long-held position. With new information comes any other topic really, shoot me an invitation and new decisions. we’ll have a visit.

DIVISION CHIEF OF ADMINISTRATION MIKE GRAMLICK

OPERATIONS

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July! April, May, and June provided plenty of changes and adjustments to SFFR and our planning efforts for the future. Call volume is up about 10% (600 calls) currently over 2021 this time last year. The increases are in EMS (12% or 400 calls), False Alarms (11% or 70 calls), all Fires (11% or 18 calls) and a continued overall decrease in lift assists (-5% or -30 calls) so far in 2022. We experienced a similar increase in 2021 over 2020 for the same period but calls leveled off through the summer. We did see significant response increases in station 5, 6, and 8 with over 100 call increases so far in those territories.

Spring moved through quickly and summer is here! Severe weather visited the area a few times and continues to be potential visitor even as we move through July. The most significant events so far have been the Derecho and weekend wind/severe storms/small tornadoes in June. Sioux Falls residents experienced significant tree and building damage along with City facilities including Central Fire Station, Station 4, and City Street/fleet. We did experience late spring/early summer rain so it decreased our fire risk considerable from the late winter predictions. Dry weather has moved in again though so keep the wildland gear handy!

Road construction projects continue to move forward and create response obstacles for SFFR! These projects are critical to city transportation and emergency response. Two projects in particular – W. 41st Street and Marion Rd. and S. Cliff Ave. and E. 49th St. will have ongoing adjustments and impact to SFFR. Station 6 and Station 9 will host weekly meetings with the contractors to stay on top of changes and alterations.

As we continue to work through Divisional responsibilities there is one important change to note for personnel. Worker’s compensation and injury reports will be directed through DC Gramlick. Many of the remaining programs and responsibilities will be communicated during the January and February Team Forums.

The following, is an update on facility projects:

• Central Locker room – washer dryer location and new flooring.

o This project is still in-process as facilities works through their long list of citywide projects to complete.

• Station 2 Bunkroom Remodel(s) – almost complete!

Looks great!

• Carpet replacement planning: Fire HQ, Fire Stations 5 and 9.

• Roof replacement: Station 10 (out for bids.)

• Roof replacement: Station 1.

• Roof Patch: Station 4 - complete.

Through the City’s budgeting process and continual meetings related to land acquisition and planning we have been able to update the City growth planning for SFFR included in the overall City plan. The following updates have been established:

• Station 9 – stay at current location and upgrade facility for long-term use.

• Station 11 – stay at current facility for long-term due to current and planned growth in the response area.

• Station 6 – budget and plan for a station rebuild on current site – 2027. • Station 7 – continue to evaluate and facilities will determine best course of action.

• Station 8 – stay at current location and capture land acquisition opportunities immediately adjacent to fire station.

• Station 13 – ADD: E. Madison St. & Six Mile Road area (2026 - 2029.)

• Station 14 – ADD: W. 60th St. N & N. Career Ave. area (2026 – 2029.)

• Station 15 – ADD: E. 85th St. and S. Cliff Ave. area (TBD.)

• Station 16 – ADD: W. 85th St. and S. Sundowner Area (TBD) this location is variable due to boundaries.

• Station 17 – ADD: E. 72nd St. N. & 476th Ave. (I-229 north of) (TBD.)

Additional facility notes:

• Station 1 – Evaluation of sleeping areas, alerting, and flow –

TSP under contract for plan.

• Station 6 – facility is aged and overcrowded – TSP under contract for plan.

• HQ – is aged and overcrowded. The TSP review and is completing plan.

• Station 9 is need of updating – TSP under contract and plan will be ready end of 2022.

Fire PPE cleaning, repair, and coordination is located at Fire Station 5! Please review AP 120.3 and follow coordination request(s) as indicated through Keaton Peterson.

• Unscheduled gear cleaning takes place at Station 4.

• Contact Keaton Peterson or DC Gramlick with any

PPE questions.

• REMINDER TO CHANGE OUT YOUR FIRE PPE WITH CLEAN

GEAR AFTER A FIRE!!!!

EMS

The Sioux Falls EMS system implementation of auto-launch for twenty-one EMS call determinant codes in the Medical Priority EMS dispatch call taking process has been in place since 2021. Through January and February, the system launched SFFR for six (6) Ambulance Mutual-Aid transport and nine (9) MEDIC dispatches for first response ALS. In 2021 SFFR was launched on twenty-five Ambulance Mutual-Aid calls and twenty (20) MEDIC dispatches total. A couple reminders:

• MEDIC dispatches are ALS first response with another SFFR unit for BLS first response – PCEMS will transport once they get a 900 unit available. Respond as the dispatched MEDIC unit on the radio and have Metro send the call to the apparatus

MDC you are responding with (i.e. hazmat 2, Engine 1, Squad 6,

Squad 12, etc.)

o The call can be upgraded or downgraded by the first arriving

SFFR unit through the SEND update process. This change will also change the MEDIC and 900 response accordingly.

o MAKE SURE TO GIVE A SEND UPDATE EVEN ON A MEDIC

DISPATCH. This allows the system to reprioritize the calls in the system and properly allocate resources.

• 906 and 912 Ambulance Mutual Aid dispatches are for transport. The system will continue 906 or 912 to continue and complete the transport unless downgraded by the first arriving

SFFR unit through the SEND process. This will be a two-unit response by SFFR the first response territory unit and 906 or 912. Company Officers and Battalions need to be alert as CAD will recommend E-6 and 906 for a station 6 territory call.

An additional unit might be needed. o Use the 906 or 912 call sign for these calls ONLY –

NOT MEDIC dispatches. • SEND updates are critical for prioritization and re-prioritization of EMS calls in the Sioux Falls EMS system.

HAZMAT

Hazmat completed the move from Sta. 7 to Sta. 4. This positions SFFR well with hazmat resources throughout the city with specialist hazmat response from Sta. 2 and environmental response from Sta. 10.

The hazmat team has completed equipment assessments and they are now out training team members. We are planning a repair technician class for RAE monitors November 8, 9, & 10. Other training includes the fall drill being jointly conducted with National Guard assets in Sioux Falls.

The Heavy Hazmat is in production and quickly moving through the process. The body is on the chassis and the unit is currently in finish.

US&R

The US&R team has been equally busy rolling out the 2022 training classes and tweaking dates/plans to accommodate as many as possible. 2022 will see a Structural Collapse certification class for the remaining six (6) new U&R technicians finishing their last certification to complete their overall US&R certification! The structural collapse class was originally planned for spring but had to be moved to fall 2022 to assure proper resource allocation and preparation. An update to the training calendar was sent out to the department.

The US&R team is also completing an equipment assessment and refresher training catch-up. All organizations have

experienced canceled classes and training due to COVID so SFFR is using 2022 as a bit of a reset and catch-up year. This will provide us a good base to build from and attack the future.

WILDLAND

Wildland deployment PPE, equipment inventory/coordination, and deployment equipment has been relocated to station 7 under the coordination of the station 7 crews. FF Josh Groen has been instrumental in taking the lead on this and has done a great job!

Josh has started the process of a full inventory, organization, and compiled a needs list. We have started the process to provide each new cadet with wildland pants and a wildland shirt. This is the start of a process to get all SFFR operations personnel their own wildland shirt.

APPARATUS/EQUIPMENT

All of the apparatus movement has created one clear and consistent message being shared by personnel “our apparatus should be cleaner both inside and out”.

Make sure the following actions are taken:

• Thoroughly clean all areas of the apparatus.

o Including inside the cab, compartments and under the apparatus.

• We have noticed the cab interiors of apparatus and compartments/equipment are in need of some TLC from crews to get them up to cleanliness expectations.

• Take note of items that would help improve our cleaning process and equipment available to crews.

“WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT WE CAN REASONABLY

PROVIDE TO CORRECT THIS.”

Following is a list of apparatus/equipment updates:

• New Rescue Engine (station 8) Rosenbauer – waiting on chassis delivery (August 2022.)

• Heavy Hazmat Engine ordered (station 4) Rosenbauer – in finish.

• New wildland/EMS Squad ordered – Rosenbauer – waiting on chassis delivery estimation.

• New wildland body (same as WL-7) – Rosenbauer – waiting on preconstruction meeting. • Night Vision Goggles – delivered – training in-process (FF Engberg is lead.)

• Heavy Tow Vehicle for TC and Special Operations – delivered – training in-process.

• New Draft Commander pump test trailer – delivered – training in-process.

• New 906 (ambulance) ordered – waiting on delivery timeline.

The Apparatus Design Committee is working on designing the following units:

• New engine design for 2023

The Equipment Innovation Committee is working on the following projects:

• Equipment/truck check scheduling, process, and effectiveness – work in progress and coincides with apparatus.

• Equipment inventory and standard compliance – work in progress and coincides with apparatus.

• Hand tool evaluation and recommendations – all NY Hooks, halligans, and axes will be fire hooks brand – order placed for new apparatus. • Water Cans – delivered and on truck companies.

All SFFR team members and committees continue to work hard on their focus area to make SFFR even better. Please support any requests for assistance they might have in order to complete projects and gather information.

DIVISION CHIEF OF OPERATIONS MARK BUKOVICH

SPECIAL THANKS

FIRE PREVENTION

Hi all, you may have noticed there are some new additions to the SFFR calendar showing events happening in the City. I have been doing my best to remember to add events so you all will be aware of the events and locations to prepare for a potential response.

Fire Inspector Tyler Tjeerdsma has put in the work to achieve his Fire Alarm Systems Level II certification from NICET. Tyler is working hard to become a subject matter expert in several fields to be a well-rounded fire inspector. This certification is a great accomplishment! Please congratulate Tyler when you see him. FF Tim Schons attended the Alabama Fire College and very successfully completed the Fire Inspector I course. He now has his IFSAC, Pro Board, and will apply to the ICC for his Fire Inspector I certification. Give him some well deserved congratulations when you see him.

Fire Inspectors Tyler Tjeerdsma and Brandon Fey traveled to the South Dakota State Fire School in Pierre to bring fire safety education to kids that traveled with their families to the event. This was the first time kids along with mom or dad were all receiving fire safety and firefighting education during the 3-day event.

First of all, the Fire Chief, as the jurisdictional officer, is required by law to investigate the circumstances of all fires within Sioux Falls and report them to the State Fire Marshal (SDCL 34-29B-9):

BATTALION CHIEF/ENFORCEMENT AND INVESTIGATION MIKE TOP

To Continue the Inspector or Not?

I wanted to pass on my two-cents on what I feel is an important topic: The decision whether or not to dispatch and/or to continue the inspector to the scene of a seemingly insignificant fire.

Having served in the role of fire investigator for many years, I’ve learned that being dispatched to a structure fire will more often than not, involve a small, localized fire with limited damage. Additionally, the vast majority of vehicle fires we’ve come across can be characterized as high-mile, questionably maintained and minimally insured. These are the norms…

In my experience, when arriving on scene to these types of fires, it’s not uncommon for the company officer to be unsure of their decision to have dispatched and/or continued my response. Let me first say that their decision is respected either way, and that my role as the on-call inspector is first to assist the company officer or incident commander in bringing the incident to a resolution.

Perhaps the simplest way to clarify the issue is to provide a quick recap of the three main reasons why we attempt to determine fire origin and cause at all. “Every fire shall be reported in writing to the state fire marshal by the fire department officer in whose jurisdiction such a fire has occurred within thirty days of the occurrence. The report shall be in a form prescribed by the state fire marshal and shall contain a statement of all facts relating to the cause, origin, and circumstances of the fire, the extent of the damage, the insurance upon such property and any other information as may be required, including the injury, death, or rescue of persons.”

The Chief has delegated this investigative authority/responsibility to the Fire Marshal, and further to the Inspectors.

Second, we need to determine whether or not the ignition is the result of, or in relation to a crime. If any criminal or juvenile