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.