EMS NOTES

TO: All Personnel
FROM: Fire Chief John Vance
RE: Various EMS Issues / Stock Issues
DATE: July 28, 2009

Here are a few EMS issues that need your immediate attention:

1. Diltiazem & Succinylcholine are to be changed out every 30 days on the 1st of the month, not every 60 days. This is a quality control issue. The cost to replace these meds are minimal compared to having a med with a compromised efficacy.

2. Manual intraosseous needles will be placed on both of the medic units (when they are returned to service!). These needles will most likely be placed on one of the shelves in the patient compartment of the truck. The needles are being placed on the truck to be used as a "back up" option should the battery powered EZ-IO fail for some reason. These needles should not be removed from the apparatus. They are there in case there is an equipment failure and we need to attain intraosseous access in a critical patient.

3. EMS stock (equipment & supplies in the EMS store room and the yellow cart) is for Harris Fire Department use only. We are working on system that will track our inventory better. In the mean time I am counting on everyone to be “on the honor system” and use supplies purchased by the department for official use only. Taking any kind of stock for any use other than restocking for emergency calls for service will be considered theft from the fire department.

4. Please see the adjustment in the scope of practice for non-lead personnel posted on the memo boards.

Thank you for your attention when it comes to these very important matters.

PEP CLASS DATES

There will be a PEP class (taking the place of PALS) on the following dates:

July 9 & 10
or
July 23 & 24

Classes will run from 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM and are two days long. Please sign up with Captain Yoder for one of the two classes (they are mandatory for all ALS providers).

They will be held at the Memorial Hospital Education Facility (THE HUT).

Thanks,
Chief Vance

Territory Update

I just wanted to pass on to everyone that we had a very productive meeting last week with the Senior Staff of the Fire Territory. We filled up the white board twice with issues and items that we need to work on in order to make this new department a success.

The good news is that all of the items are either very attainable or minor hurdles to overcome in the great scheme of things. We discussed having the proper focus of providing the very best service for the people that we are sworn to protect, and that focus REALLY puts it all into perspective.

The really great news is that with the talent and abilities of the people of this new department, there isn't really anything that we can not accomplish!

As we begin to bring these departments together, I ask that the number one item on YOUR agenda is to ask "how can we provide the very best service to the entire community that we serve". Putting forth our energy and efforts into making a positive outcome for the those who are having a bad day (and making it better) will really make a difference. Especially when we combine the resources and staff on this new department!

It is an exciting time for all of us with a lot going on. I ask you to share any concerns, comments and ideas with your Battalion Chief or myself.

Assignments

For the Fire Chief.....

Effective immediately Jim Williams has been assigned as the Station Officer at Station 2 / A-Shift. Jim has proven himself to be a strong Acting Company Officer on 441 and has prepared himself with the necessary education from Southwest Michigan College and the necessary certifications. I am confident that with his performance in the last promotional process that he will do a great job. Jim will carry the rank of Lieutenant.

Bob Price has been assigned as the Company Officer / Lieutenant of Station 1 / A-Shift. Having Bob in this position will enable better command and control of company level operations at Station / A-Shift and will enhance the safety and mentoring of Firefighters. Bob will continue all of his other duties outside of the regular assignment (SCBA’s, etc).

A strong officer corps is essential to the growth and survival of Firefighters and the entire department. I ask that you give Lieutenant Williams and Lieutenant Price your full support, as you always have with other officers that work hard to provide command and leadership for the troops.

If you have any questions regarding this, please feel free to see me.

TRIVIA FOR GOOD CAUSE

Are you often told you’re full of useless knowledge?
If so, then we want you!!!

Join us for a fun filled evening of trivia to benefit O’Hana Heritage Foundation and A Rosie Place!

When: Friday, June 12, 2009
Doors open at 6pm, game starts promptly at 7pm

Where: Firefighter’s Union Hall, 4025 Lincoln Way West, SB

Cost: $100 per table of 10 players
Raffles available throughout the night too!

Bring your own tailgate food to share.

Beer, mixed drinks, soda and water will be available for purchase. (Please no outside beverages)

Reserve your table today by contacting Chris Haas at 273-4612 or Donna O’Hara at 288-8608. $50 holds your table.

Learn more about O’Hana Heritage Foundation and
A Rosie Place at www.ohanaheritage.org

SUMMER CAMP HELP NEEDED

Firefighters, We Need Your Help! A Summer Camp for Aspiring Firefighters!

The Harris Township Fire Department is still accepting applications for its 5th annual Fire Camp. The camp will run from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. June 15-19, 2009. We currently have 21 campers.

Harris Township Fire Camp is an excellent opportunity that allows children to experience and understand what a Firefighter / EMT does on a regular basis. This program is targeted for children aged 10 – 13 years of age and the activities will be directed accordingly. Campers will actually participate “hands on” with equipment and have the opportunity to learn skills while performing at mock fire and rescue situations. It is the mission of our instructors to inspire the participants and to teach them teambuilding and valuable life saving skills while having fun.

It is important to understand that additional help will be needed. The on-duty crew will be asked to help out, but we cannot rely on their presence. Each day will have its own teambuilding skill such as a bucket brigade, firefighter combat challenge, packaging patients, or “first water”.

To help out, firefighters should sign up at station 1 on the Fire Camp Sign-up Sheet. The Fire Camp Sign-up Sheet will have the all 5 days’ agendas. Please fill in as best as possible

If you have any questions, contact Battalion Chief Justin Stopczynski (574)-532-7884. Email: jstopczynski@sbcglobal.net

FREE Cardiac Screening at Memorial

Special Session for Fire Fighters • July 30 • 5 – 9 p.m.

Find out if you may be at risk for having
a stroke or heart attack in this FREE screening.

• Carotid artery screening
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening
• Blood pressure
• ABI
• Nurse consultation

Screenings are intended for patients with diabetes, hypertension, leg pain with walking or exercise, high cholesterol, a smoking history, high risk professions, or slow-healing wounds.

Physicians will be notified of any abnormal results from the screening. Space is limited and reservations are required. To make an appointment, call the Memorial
Health Discovery Center at 574-647-6880.

Flex attack Nozzle

HARRIS TOWNSHIP FIRE-RESCUE

Just as a reminder and to clear up any confusion, please read the following information on the new Flex Attack Nozzle.

As we know from our use of CAFS in the past, the only way to adjust the wetness of the foam is at the pump panel by adjusting the air/water mixture. This makes the wording on the Flex Attack misleading by labeling it: Water - Wet CAF - Dry CAF. CAFS as well as water can be flowed through any of these settings, what we are looking for is getting the most GPM out of the nozzle.

Discharge Orifice Size
Setting Size (inches)
Water 15/16"
Wet CAF 1 1/8"
Dry CAF 1 3/8"

Looking at the chart above we can see that the “Dry CAF” setting gives us the largest opening, which gives use the most GPM. The reason we went with this nozzle was to give us the ability to switch from CAFS to water without having to change a nozzle or takeoff/add a tip.

A better way to think of this nozzle is as an adjustable smoothbore nozzle. If you are looking for max GPM as you would for fire attack operations, you want to turn the tip to the Dry CAF setting giving you a 1 3/8” smoothbore. If you switch to water and you are not getting the reach you need, turn it to the Wet CAF or Water setting and decreasing the orifice size to a smaller smoothbore giving less GPM but more reach.

One last thing to remember we have preached for year “right for fight, left for lobster”, unfortunately this nozzle is the exception. The 1 3/8” (Dry CAF) setting is all the way to left on this nozzle and the 15/16” (water) setting is to the right. Please take time to do some training with this nozzle and become familiar with its operation. Do not let the first time you look at this equipment be when you need to use it in a real situation.

SWINE FLU PRECAUTIONS

In an attempt to mitigate the spread of the Swine Flu to the members of the Harris Township Fire Department, we have placed N95 Masks on all front-line apparatus. There is at least one mask for each riding position on Medic 41 / RA42, 441, 442, Battalion 4, 401, and Reserve Engine 449. There are also extra masks located in the "CPAP Compartment" of Medic 41 which are to be used on any suspected Swine Flu Patient or any other individual involved in patient care that does not have a mask available. The masks are located in the cabs of all apparatus. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with their location and use. The masks came supplied in hard plastic containers that protect them from the damaging effects of being thrown about the cab -- PLEASE SAVE THESE HARD PLASTIC CONTAINERS!!! -- We can reuse these containers for the masks that do not have containers.

As a reminder, it is policy that all staff involved in patient care of suspected Swine Flu Patients are wearing appropriate PPE including: gloves and N95 or better respirators. PPE should be donned and doffed according to published guidelines to prevent cross contamination, including faceshield/eye and gown protection when splash or airborne contamination is possible.

Also, please remember to thoroughly wash your hands after any contact with all patients.

Swine Flu Update

TO: All Staff
FROM: Chief Vance
RE: Swine Flu Precautions
DATE: April 28, 2009

With cases of the swine flu now suspected in Indiana, we all need to be on the same page when it comes to dealing with suspected cases.

Please observe the flowing as policy:

Request additional information from Dispatch when sent to respiratory, sick person and fever related calls if limited initial dispatch information is provided.

Perform initial interview of all patients from at least 6 feet (2 meters) away to determine if personal protective equipment precautions are necessary.

Place a mask on all patients with suspected influenza symptoms before approach. Use a surgical mask or, when oxygen is required, a non-rebreather mask.

Avoid droplet producing procedures whenever possible including nebulizers, bag-valve-mask, suctioning or intubation. If bag-valve-masks are needed, use BVMs with HEPA filters whenever possible.

Recommended PPE for taking care of ill/potentially infected patients includes: gloves and N95 or better respirators. PPE should be donned and doffed according to published guidelines to prevent cross contamination, including faceshield/eye and gown protection when splash or airborne contamination is possible.

Alert receiving hospital personnel of the possibility of an infectious patient as soon as possible and hold suspected infectious patients in the ambulance until their destination in the hospital is known, rather than immediately moving them into the emergency department.

Perform a thorough cleaning of the stretcher, ambo and all equipment that has come in contact with or been within 6 feet (2 meters) with an approved disinfectant, upon completion of the call following CDC interim guidelines for cleaning EMS transport vehicles (www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/healthcare/cleaning_ems.html).

Wash your hands and use anti-bacterial lotions as soon as gloves and other PPE have been doffed.

Report any suspected cases of the swine flu to the on duty Battalion Chief and Fire Chief immediately.

Truck Detail

TO: All Shifts
FROM: Chief Vance & BC Brentlinger
RE: Truck Detailing
DATE: April 22, 2009

All of the truck in the fleet need to be detailed. This includes waxing, cleaning the diamond plate, detailing the cab, removing equipment from the compartments and cleaning the compartment and tools, power washing the underside of the truck and cleaning around the engine compartment.

We will be doing this quarterly from now on and will rotate each time. This should be completed by your shift by May 22, 2009.

Truck assignments will be posted at the stations.

Thanks for your efforts to keep our trucks in excellent condition. If you have any questions, please let us know.

SPRING CLEAN!

TO: All Shifts
FROM: Chief Vance
RE: Spring Cleaning
DATE: April 22, 2009

We are going to spruce up the stations for spring and each shift will get an area of concentration. This will be a time to “detail clean” all areas of the station. This includes cleaning out cabinets and drawers, wiping down walls, getting all dust, dirt and cobwebs out of corners.

Please see the assignments posted at the stations.

All tasks should be completed before June 1, 2009. Please let me know when you have completed your assignments.

Thanks for your efforts to make our stations look great!

Build Value Now

Now is the time to build extra value into the services that we provide. In L.A., politicians are calling Fire Department overtime a "racket". I have known City Manager's, Attorney's and consultants to call the fire department a "racket" during financially tough times. This usually leads to a labor - management hate fest played out in the local media.Take attention away from this negative labeling and provide added value service during this period of added scrutiny. Anticipate problems like your expenses being micromanaged and explain anything that you might think needs explained.By delivering WOW customer service everyday, the public will be more apt to back us up when the services that we provide (that have a have a high value) are labeled by politicians as a racket.

Three Things

First of all a big thank you for your support and for helping me through all of our Territory meetings. This process has had it's inherent stress (probably more than it should) and having great Officers and Firefighters doing their jobs well make it easy for me to do what I do. I hope to be posting some good news here this evening.

Second, great job at the fire on Sunday. So many things about our capabilities and strategies have become standard that we forget about a time (not long ago) that a small incident like this would have stretched our systems capabilities. Thanks for supporting the system and great stop on the fire guys!

The third thing is this illustration of brotherhood from Oakland California:

California Firefighters Serve Food, Kind Words to Grief-Stricken Police

............

Meredith May, Chronicle Staff Writer
The San Francisco Chronicle (California)



When awful, unexplainable things happen, sometimes the best thing is a warm meal served by a friend who has been there before.

That's why Oakland firefighters loaded up on hamburger and tri-tip steak and took over the kitchen at the Oakland Police Officers Association, to serve comfort food to a force reeling from the slaying of four of its officers last weekend.

Firefighters lit the grill and worked the room, offering round-the-clock meals and conversation since Monday morning.

"We are there to talk to the guys," said Lt. Chuck Garcia, president of the Oakland branch of the International Association of Firefighters. "This is a big, crazy city. We have to be there for each other."

Two professional counselors and a medical doctor also are offering their services.

Grief is rippling from department headquarters on Seventh Street throughout the city after the shooting deaths Saturday of Sgts. Mark Dunakin, 40, of Tracy, Ervin Romans, 43, of Danville, and Daniel Sakai, 35, of Castro Valley, by Lovelle Mixon, a 26-year-old parolee whom police had pulled over in a routine traffic stop. Mixon was killed in a shootout with SWAT officers.

Removed from ventilator
Motorcycle Officer John Hege, 41, of Concord was removed from a ventilator Monday night at Highland Hospital in Oakland after donating organs.

"Everyone is trying to understand what the hell just happened here," said Sgt. Dom Arotzarena, president of the Oakland Police Officers Association.

The outpouring of support from the firefighters - and from elected officials such as city Councilman Larry Reid and state Attorney General Jerry Brown, who have been coming to the association offices every day since the killings - has been an enormous help to officers who want to talk, he said.

Many officers also have opened their homes for grief gatherings, Arotzarena said.

Libraries are collecting cards, condolence books are coming from City Hall, Whole Foods sent more food, and flowers are taking up half the police station foyer.

Jeff Thomason, spokesman for the Oakland police, said he is getting several hundred e-mails a day from well-wishers.

"It's overwhelming," he said. "Police agencies from all over the country are coming to the funeral. Boston is sending 50, I've heard from New York, Baltimore, and all the California agencies are coming."

$40,000 donation
Although Arotzarena had not yet tallied the donations, the largest one so far came Tuesday from the Morongo Band of Mission Indians in Palm Springs. The tribe sent $40,000, to be divided equally among the four officers' families, along with a personal letter from tribal Chairman Robert Martin.

Dennis Miller, a member of the tribal council, said the tribe was touched by similar violence in the late 1990s, when two sheriff's deputies were murdered during a domestic violence call in Riverside County.

"There are ... orphans now," said Miller, referring to the children of the slain Oakland police officers. "Our donation is a way to send a signal that we're not going to tolerate this kind of violence anymore."

Funeral for the officers The public memorial for Oakland's four fallen police officers will be 11 a.m. Friday at Oracle Arena, 7000 Coliseum Way.-- The services will be led by the Rev. Jayson Landeza, chaplain of the Oakland Police Department. Organizers are expecting more than 12,000, including uniformed officers from police agencies around the country.-- Overflow crowds will be invited to the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, where a big screen will broadcast the service.-- Parking lots open at 7:30 a.m., and the arena will open by 9 a.m.-- Drivers should use the 66th Avenue exit off Interstate 880. Guests are encouraged to take public transportation to the arena, accessible by the Coliseum BART Station and AC Transit.-- Find more information and directions at www.opoa.org/funeral.DonationsThe Deputy Sheriffs' Association of Alameda County has established a memorial fund. Mail contributions to San Francisco Police Credit Union, attn.: OPD Memorial Fund, 6689 Owens Drive, Suite 125, Pleasanton, CA 94588. Make checks payable to OPD Memorial Fund.

FROM DC KAZ - QUARTERLY TRT DRILL PLEASE SIGN UP

The next MABAS 201 TRT Quarterly Drill takes place on March 19B / 20C / 21A, 2009. This drill will be a Deployment Exercise to Warsaw, IN for a Confined Space Incident. We will depart Clay Fire St#2 - Auten Rd at 0730hrs, Stop at SBFD Central - and continue to Warsaw. Our goal is to arrive at Warsaw 0900hrs, assist them with a Con Space Rescue and complete the drill by 1100hrs and then return home. We will only be taking one set of Con Space equipment with us from St. Joe County so we don't have to tow trailers, etc.


I NEED A LIST OF WHO IS GOING TO ATTEND WHAT DAY ASAP SO WE CAN MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE PROPER # OF VEHICLES GOING, PRE-ROSTERING A TEAM, ETC.



Thursday

Lamb

Hummell

Richards

Grabowski

Kazmierzak

Bolinger

Callaway

Barker



Friday

Iwaniuk

VanEs

Miller

Orlowski

Roark

Brubaker

Iden

Schmitt

Barker



Saturday

Ginevicki

Dempler

Brown

Hester

Price Sr.

Shilling

Veracautern

Barker


We will roster a team, divide into squads; use the 800MHZ radios, etc just like this was a real deployment.


IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN DEPLOYABILITY STATUS WITH THE MABAS 201 TRT YOU MUST HAVE MADE THREE OF THE LAST FOUR QUARTERLY DRILLS, IN ADDITION TO YOUR MONTHLY SHIFT TRAININGS WITH YOUR DEPARTMENT. ANY MEMBER NOT MAKING THESE REQUIREMENTS WILL BE CONSIDERED UNDEPLOYABLE AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO GO ON DEPLOYMENTS UNTIL THE MEMBERS MEETS REQUIREMENTS AGAIN.

TO SEE WHERE YOU STAND VISIT: TRT Roster

Please let me know ASAP if you have any questions - I want to have this drill organized WELL IN ADVANCE!

A NEW WAY TO COMMIT SUICIDE

New way to commit suicide Recently a new way to commit suicide has been discovered by mixing two chemicals that can be bought over the counter at local stores. They are Bonide – a sulfur spray used as an insecticide for fruit trees and hydrochloric (muriatic) acid. Once mixed, the chemicals produce heat and a flammable, noxious gas that causes the subject to pass out and the heart stop within minutes. The process appears to be quick and painless. Two recent cases, one in Pasadena, California and the other at Lake Allatoona in Bartow County, Georgia, involved young men in their early 20’s. Both were found locked inside their cars with the chemicals. Each left a note on the car warning anyone around of danger. The car at Lake Allatoona had been taped to prevent gas from escaping.

Does this sound like a routine call that most of us would respond to and take similar action? It’s Sunday morning 0730 hours, you respond to a person down in auto. You locate a car in the empty parking lot of a business. The engine and med unit pull up near the vehicle and personnel see a person inside that appears to be asleep or unconscious. Wearing safety glasses and medical gloves, you walk up to the car and knock on the window. The patient does not respond to your knock on the window, and the doors are locked. What action will you take? Will you hurry to make patient access? Will you use a lockout tool, center punch, or halligan to make entry? You make access, a rush of warm air comes out of the vehicle and you smell a sharp odor. You have just become a victim and have been exposed to a noxious possibly fatal gas.

What could you have done differently? You are the first-in unit. How should you respond to this type of incident? 1. Do not become complacent! Your response should be similar on every call. 2. Be well trained, know your job, do your job. 3. Start your size-up from the time a call is dispatched. 4. Establish a strong command and control the scene. 5. Don’t go rushing in. 6. Survey the scene. 7. Does the scene look routine? 8. Do you see anything unusual? (Example: A note on the window, containers inside the vehicle and taped windows or vents). 9. Is the scene safe? 10. Wear the appropriate PPE. 11. Establish a Hot Zone. 12. Develop a plan of action and coordinate activities. 13. Call for additional resources. (Hazmat Team, PD, etc.) 14. Did PD arrive prior to FD and become contaminated requiring emergency decon and first aid?

The call listed in the first paragraph of this document started as a routine person down call. This type of incident can easily expand into a full blown Hazardous Materials Incident with a multijurisdictional response. Be aware of this new way to commit suicide and don’t become a victim. Use common sense and stay safe. To review a newspaper article and pictures regarding the suicide in Pasadena, California, visit: http://beaconmedianews.com/2008/08/26/23-year-old-man-commits-suicide-with-chemicals-inside-2003-vw-bug/ To review a newspaper article and pictures regarding the suicide in Barton, Georgia visit: http://www.daily-tribune.com/index.cfm?event=news.view&id=674BB0CD-19B9-E2E2-676...

EMS NOTES

-- Pediatric Stethoscopes have been placed in the Orange Bags on all apparatus that are certified at the Advanced -- Basic Level or higher. Please remind all members that there are to be two stethoscopes (an Adult and a Pediatric) on these apparatus at all times. This is a State Requirement. The apparatus check sheets will reflect this change.

-- There is now an IV Cooler In-Service on Medic 41. This unit will be used to chill Sodium Chloride for use in Induced Hypothermia following Return of Spontaneous Circulation (ROSC) after cardiac arrest. Please remind all personnel to review the Induced Hypothermia Protocol. Research indicates that in order for the chilled IV fluids to be effective, they should be cooled and stored at 4C (39.2F). The instruction manual for our unit indicates that "Setting Level 1" will chill the fluids to the therapeutic recommendation. Personnel inspecting the apparatus should vigilantly ensure that the temperature adjustment control switch is turned to level "1". The apparatus check sheet for Medic 41 will reflect this change.

-- When Medic 41 transports a patient following an ALS Intercept from a different agency, the "Blue Billing Form" should not be sent to our Billing Company. The invoice for the transport will be billed to the BLS Agency that receives the intercept. It will be the responsibility of the BLS Agency to submit payment to Harris Township for the ALS care. Personnel completing the Patient Care Report should document this fact on the face of the "Blue Billing Form", including the name of the agency that received the intercept.

-- When personnel transfer care of a patient to the staff at Memorial Hospital, they must also personally deliver their completed Patient Care Report to the nurse they transfered the care to. It is no longer an accepted practice to leave the PCR on the chart or the counter top at MHSB. The nurse will place the pre-hospital run report on his / her copy of the Patient's chart in the ED. There have been several recent cases where the continuum of a Patient's care was jeopardized because the staff at the hospital could not locate the EMS Run Report.

-- Please have all personnel direct any changes they note to the daily / weekly apparatus inspection forms to Paramedic Schmitt. He will make any necessary adjustments to the form(s). The most up-to-date version of all apparatus inspection forms will be available for personnel to print from the G:\ Drive at the following location: G:\Forms\Apparatus & Equipment Inspection Forms.

SR 23 Widening News From The GBA

I wanted to take this opportunity to give you the results of the informational meeting held last night regarding the State Road 23 widening project. The GBA invited Aimee Kindred with the Indiana Department of Transportation to present the construction plans for the project

There was some good news. The widening will be a 2 year project. The phase that will be done in 2009 (from April to November) is only going to entail utility moves. The actual widening of the roadway will not start until March of 2010.

Some of the highlights were

• The project will go from Adams Road to Bittersweet Trails
• The project will result in a 5 lane road with sidewalks on both sides
• The project will be let to the lowest bidder on April 8, 2009
• The utility move phase will begin immediately
• In 2010 when the actual widening will begin, State Road 23 will be closed for at least 1 week at the railroad crossing. The detour will be Capitol>Cleveland Rd>Bittersweet.
• As part of the project, whenever construction effects a business entrance, there will a gravel approach into the business provided to insure that there will still be access.
• Aimee indicated that when construction begins, there will be a contractors trailer onsite where the construction supervisor will be located. She urged that if there are any concerns that develop as construction takes place to contact the supervisior and let them know there is a problem. If they are not responsive then let the State know.
• The GBA will sponsor another informational meeting in February of 2010 to get an update of the next phase. Aimee agreed to come to that meeting as well & indicated she would also try to bring the construction supervisor to the meeting.

Lastly, please join me in thanking Gene Nichols who's hard work made it possible for this meeting to take place & Aimee Kindred for coming up from Indianapolis to share her time with us.

Thanks for your support of Granger!

Todd Zaseck
GBA President

Indiana Departments Scramble To Reorganize

Here is a great piece on the state of affairs in the Indiana fire service....

http://www.firegeezer.com/2009/02/19/indiana-vfds-scramble-to-reorganize/

If we fail to chart our future, it will be done for us!

ATTENTION! DEPARTMENT MEETING

We will have a department- wide (all are encouraged to attend) meeting on Thursday, February 26 at 6:00 PM. We will discuss the future our our department and our opportunities to be proactive (once again) in planning our future. Specifically we will be discussing another upcoming Fire Territory proposal. If you have concerns or questions and are unable to attend, please see me. Thanks.

SB 512 VOTE DELAYED

Senate Bill 512 that would eliminate Townships and stop new fire territories and districts from forming has been delayed. The State Fire Chief's association (along with Chief Schabbel) has been very active in changing this bill to allow for territories, etc. The bill as it is now has a "one size fits all" fire protection plan... We would be a "county" fire department. I could editorialize about this, but will reserve comment.

For more read here:

http://www.indy.com/posts/twp-workers-pack-statehouse-hearing

I will keep you updated.....

PEER FITNESS COURSE

Pleasantview FPD is hosting the Peer Fitness Trainer Certification Program
- an initiative of the International Association of Fire Fighters, International
Association of Fire Chiefs, and American Council on Exercise. This program
offers training that is consistent with a national fitness standard for the fire
service.
DATES: APRIL 20-24, 2009
TIME: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
TUITION: $700 per person
LOCATION: Pleasantview Fire Protection District
1970 Plainfield Rd
LaGrange Highlands, IL 60525
REGISTER: Department Purchase Order or Department/Personal Checks will
guarantee registration.
Class size limited to 30 persons.
Registration Deadline: April 10, 2009
Participants will develop skills required to implement a department fitness program,
improve the wellness of fellow fire fighters, and design a physical training program for
new recruits. Successful completion of a written exam is required at the conclusion of
this five-day session.
• Exercise Psychology
• Wellness
• Exercise Programming
• Professional Responsibilities
• Task-Specific Knowledge
Students will be required to demonstrate knowledge in the following content domains
that articulate the sciences and disciplines that Peer Fitness Trainers rely on to perform
their duties:
• Anatomy
• Kinesiology
• Exercise Physiology
• Nutrition
• Exercise Techniques
• Fire Service-Specific Knowledge
All textbook and study reference material is furnished with course registration
and will be mailed directly to the student by the IAFF with paid registration.

30 Car Pile Up In Fishers

A good friend of the HTFD, BC Steve White was IC on the biggest mass casualty incident in Fishers history today on I-69. Fishers Engine 94 was struck 3 different times after initial arrival on the scene of a PI. Thanks to a cool-headed officer on board, he kept his crew seated in the truck until he knew the chain reaction impacts were over.

Check out the pictures and the triage system used to mark the cars:

http://www2.indystar.com/autofocus/galleries/show/5115/1

Fishers did a great job with multiple extractions and handling a large volume of patients.

Milwaukee FD leave Gas Leak Turned Massive Explosion

Check out this story -

http://www.todaystmj4.com/news/local/38840932.html

TOLL ROAD RESPONSES

Anytime Clay is dispatched to an entrapment (including possible entrapment) on the Toll Road the on-duty SC will request Harris Fire to stand-by at our Toll Road entrance with a rescue.

We should request Clay with a rescue anytime we are dispatched to an entrapment to stand by at their entrance. A more formal policy will follow.

From Chief Vance

The Last Lecture

If you are interested in leadership, achieving your dreams and the human condition (priorities), please watch the video and discuss here. I look forward to your discussion.

Randy Pausch - The Last Lecture

Instructor Clinic

With the finanicial support of the Indiana Firefighters Association District 2 Fire Training will be holding a Fire Instructor Development Clinic on Saturday, February 7th, 2009. This course will count towards your instructor in-service hours and will be beneficial for everyone from the most expierenced instructor to the newest instructor.

Instructor - Battalion Chief Forest Reeder - Pleasentview, IL FPD & Southwest United Fire District - ISFSI 2008 Instructor of the Year - FirefighterCloseCalls.com Drillmaster

Date & Time - February 7th, 2009 - 0830-1600

Location - The NEW WSBT TV Studios - Studio B Commiunity Room - East Douglas Road, Mishawaka, IN next to new St. Joe Med Center and Mishawaka Fire Station #3.

Cost - FREE

Registration is posted at www.indianafiretraining.com District 2 Site

Mandatory ALS In-Service

There will be a mandatory ALS In-service (with lunch provided) on March 31, 2009 at Noon. Dr. Sherry will be here to discuss RSI and trauma care. All EMT-I and EMT-P must attend. ALL LEVELS OF CERTIFICATION ARE WELCOME!

If there are any conflicts, please contact Chief Vance.

James Watson Passes

I think it is important that everyone sees this obituary, because through the last month of what has happened at the hospital - the family appreciates the efforts made by the HTFD at the crash scene on December 1. Our prayers and thoughts are with the Watson Family.

Watson, James	View/Sign Guest Book
Jan. 8, 2009 GRANGER - James Watson, 17, of Granger, Indiana, died Thursday, January 8, in South Bend's Memorial Hospital from injuries sustained December 1 in an automobile accident. He is survived by his parents, Justin and Carlotta, and his sister and brother, Samantha and Patrick. James was a senior at Penn High School and was finishing his Eagle rank with BSA Troop 562. He was planning on attending Holy Cross College after his high school graduation. The family would like to thank the St. Joseph County Police, Harris and Penn Fire Departments, the medical professionals of Memorial Hospital, families of Troop 562, Holy Cross College, the PHM community, friends and caring neighbors. A memorial service will be held in the spring. Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to your local food bank or to Pet Refuge.