Grand Bay-Westfield Volunteer Fire Department Annual Report for Year 2001

 
As the Fire Chief for the Grand Bay-Westfield Volunteer Fire/Rescue Department, I am pleased to submit the annual activities report of the Grand Bay-Westfield Volunteer Fire/Rescue Department for the year of 2001.  This report will show the type of events that took place and how many hours were required to perform these duties.

The Volunteer Fire Department provides various types of services to its residents. Besides providing the mandated services of Fire Suppression, Prevention and Education, we also provide Auto-Extrication, EMS, Technical Rescue, Hazardous Materials Response, Off-road Rescue Sled, and Mutual Aid assistance to our neighboring communities. We also provide community support by the way of assisting with water problems and any other needs the community may have.

The Department started the year with 37 firefighters on the roster, and ended the year with 34.  This included five (5) officers and twenty-nine (29) firefighters.  Throughout the year our membership fluctuated between 35-38 up to a maximum of 40 members.  This has become the norm of our Volunteer Department over the past number of years.  We had five (5) new members join throughout the year.  The turnover in membership is consistent with the past three years.

Total number of hours put in by the members to operate the Department was 3578 hrs. 13 min.  This is in three main areas:  emergency calls accounted for 28%, training accounted for 42%, and general operations of the Department accounted for 29%.  The membership spends many hours in the stations, which include every time that a member participates in maintenance, training, emergencies, meetings, administration, etc.

The types of calls we responded to and how many of each, compared to last year are listed below:
 
 

Emergency Call Type and Quantity	2001	2000
E.M.S.	135	109
Structure Fire	5	11
Outside Fire (grass & woods)	17	16
Motor Vehicle Accident	22	17
Fire Alarm Activated	4	9
Fire Alarm Reset	1	3
Chimney Fire	3	2
Water Problems	1	5
Motor Vehicle Fire	3	6
Unknown Odor	2	1
Minor Hazardous Materials	3	5
Electrical Problem	0	1
Rescue	1	1
Service Calls	1	0
Mutual Aid to Saint John F.D.	1	1
Mutual Aid to Welsford F.D.	1	0
Mutual Aid to Greenwich F.D.	1	0

The total number of Alarms Responded to by the Fire Department in 2001 was 201.  This means we responded to an Emergency approximately every 1.8 days.

The total Firefighter Hours to handle the calls was 1018 hrs. 59 min.  The total calls are broken down as follows: we had 118 daytime and 83 nighttime calls.  This represents a change in daytime to nighttime calls from last year.  In 2000 we had 45% of our calls during the day and in 2001 it was 59%.

Total number of hours spent in training was 1508 hrs. 10 min.  The firefighters spend Wednesday nights, plus other times doing new and upgrade training to refresh and enhance their skills as well as to learn new techniques.  In the fall of 2000 we started a Level I course and it proceeded through 2001 to be completed by early 2002.  Also, we are continuing with our New Member Training Program.  This Department responds to numerous types of calls, and every one of them is potentially dangerous in one way or another.  Therefore, it is essential for all firefighters to keep up with their skills, for their own safety as well as their partners and the residents.

The total number of hours spent performing general Department operations was 1051 hrs.  This time includes maintenance on our equipment such as: vehicles, vehicle checks, SCBAs, medical equipment, small engine equipment, etc.  Maintenance is part of the firefighters’ training - by doing so they learn about the equipment.  We have many pieces of apparatus which need to be maintained, and it takes time to look after it all.  The time also includes the administration hours.  Many hours are spent in keeping documents of activities and also on training.  Everything that is done in the Department is recorded.

There is much demand on the volunteers in today's fire service in respect to training, but when you add the fact that this Department is as busy, as it is, the demand is even higher on the members.  The hours required maintaining the Department are tremendous.  There are hundreds of hours, which have not been logged, for administrative work and other activates.  The busier the Department more time demanding on its members.

The year 2001 was a significant year for the Department. The first full time member was hired.  The hiring of a full time Chief was the result of a comprehensive fire services review.

In 2001 the Department again hosted some very successful events:

The firefighters held a snowblower draw in the fall as a fundraiser.  This was a huge success.  I believe they are looking at doing a similar draw next year.

We had our third Halloween Haunted House.  From all reports it was a huge success again.  Our attendance was a little short, but we attribute that to the events of 9/11.  We look forward to another successful Haunted House in 2002.

The Department held its first Pancake Breakfast.  This was held in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week.  The money raised went to the 9/11 Firefighters Fund in New York.  This was a very successful event raising $2,500.00 for the firefighters’ families. I would like to thank those persons not with our Department that kicked in and helped us, thank you.

This 2001 Open House was a great success.  We changed things with having it only at Station 1.  We felt it would make it easier for the public to see all of the equipment we have, if it was at one location.  We thank Staff for their assistance.

In all of the events listed above, the Department would have not been successful if it were not for the efforts of those members and others that put in numerous hours to make them happen, thank you.  I would also like to thank the Town Manager and Staff for their assistance.
 
The Department has been conducting an aggressive recruitment campaign.  Over the year, the Department with support of Staff had a successful campaign, to a point.  It brought the Department new members that are available during the nights, however, has not solved the issue of available daytime coverage.  Recruitment is and will be an ongoing event with the Volunteer Department.  However, it is a separate issue in respect to providing an adequate responsible level of service.  This is still an issue that needs to be addressed by Council.

As we look at the year 2002, it brings its own challenges.  We have an ongoing recruitment initiative to enhance the membership and try to resolve some of the issues for our service.  However, there is still the issue of available daytime coverage and providing an adequate level of service.  We have a vehicle that is in need of replacement.  These two items are extremely important, however working together with Staff, Mayor and Council I believe that the Department will continue to develop and strive to be able to provide the quality service its residents have come to expect.

In closing, I wish to say thank you to Staff, Mayor and Council.  Your continued support for the Department is much appreciated.  Thank you to the membership of the Department. They are the ones that deserve the credit for the Department’s success this past year.
 

Respectfully Submitted,
 

__________________
Dan McCoy
Fire Chief
 
 

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