JUNIPER WOODS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

Transcription

1 JUNIPER WOODS VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT CAPABILITY ANALYSIS FEBRUARY Commerce Drive Prescott Arizona Phone (928) FAX (928)

2 INTRODUCTION It is in the interest of Yavapai County, our response organizations, and Emergency Management to build response capability wherever possible. The response community encourages best practices and professionalism in response through standardization, and the use of standard operational procedures; which ensures that we train, equip, and staff our fire departments and districts consistently. In keeping with these standards, Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management has completed a capabilities analysis for the Juniper Woods Fire Department. METHODOLGY In collaboration with the Juniper Woods Fire Chief, Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management reviewed staffing levels, training, equipment, administration, facilities, and insurance for the department. This report will address in varying detail each of these core components, provide analysis, and recommendations. ADMINISTRATION AND STAFF Juniper Woods Volunteer Fire Department is a nonprofit volunteer organization formed in 2007 under corporation rules 501c3. As a nonprofit (501c3), Juniper Woods Volunteer Fire Department has a fire board of 5 elected people. As stated by the Chief, members of the fire board are elected from within the department. Proceedings of the elections are filed as part of the organizational requirements under rules for a 501c3 through the State of Arizona, and federal government. Eighteen (18) people comprise and staff the Juniper Woods Volunteer Fire Department with varying degrees of training. FACILITIES Currently, the Fire Department has no facilities. However, it does have land available from potentially two (2) sources to possibly build a structure to house its apparatuses. The apparatuses are maintained outdoors and are subject to damaging effects of the elements. INSURANCE Juniper Woods has a General Liability policy through Accord Insurance for a face value of $1,000,000.00, with provisions for up to 10,000, for specific losses. A copy of the binder is attached. 2

3 TRAINING The following table summarizes critical training in regard to fire response/rescue; the number of staff trained, represented percentage of the department trained/certified, and suggested certification levels to enhance the response capability; keeping in focus that this is a rural volunteer department. Certification Number Trained % Department Recommend Fire Fighter 1 Certification 5 27% 8 / 44% Fire Fighter 2 Certification 2 11% 8 / 44% Emergency Med Tech (EMT) 4 22% First Responder Extrication (motor vehicle) 8 44% 9 / 50% ICS/NIMS % 18 / 100% % 18 / 100% % 4 / 44% % 4 / 44% % 18 / 100% % 18 / 100% Wildland Fire 1 (Red Card) 12 66% 17 / 94% Advance Wildland Fire 9 50% EQUIPMENT This table represents equipment of the department, FEMA/NWCG typing, required crew, and quantity of that type. Description Type Crew Quantity Per NFPA 1901 Fire Apparatus, Engine I 3/4 1 Fire Apparatus, Engine/Brush III 3 1 Fire Apparatus, Brush VI 2 2 Tender, Water II 2 1 ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATION Juniper Woods as a volunteer fire department contains strengths and weaknesses. The department possesses the capability to respond to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) calls. Twenty Two percent (22%) of the department is trained and certified as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT); of which, 2 of 4 EMTs are certified with advance EMT training, such as, intravenous therapy certification, and advance airway. The department is well positioned to 3

4 respond to EMS calls in a basic life support only. Advance life support is provided by Lifeline Ambulance, Inc. Regionally, the department responded to 168 EMS calls last year. In support of the EMS capability, the department possesses a rescue/ambulance capable of responding in remote areas. It is recommended that the department considers strengthening this capability through additional training of its staff since it is the bulk of their response. The First Responder Course would be a good augmentation. The department also possesses Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) response capability through training and equipment. Forty Four (44%) percent of the department staff is trained in extrication, and is equipped with some advanced extrication tools. Vehicle stabilization equipment is needed to enhance this capability. Extrication training is not only provided in separate classes and certification, but is part of the Fire Fighter 2 certification. MVA extrication is labor intensive, and requires extensive supervision. Therefore, it is recommended that the department sustain and enhance this capability to fifty percent (50%) of its staff. Wildland fire response is the focus of Juniper Woods. Sixty six percent (66%) of the department is trained and certified in basic wildland fire. Fifty percent (50%) of the department is trained and certified in advance wildland fire. With two (2) Type VI brush trucks, and one (1) Type II water tender the department is positioned to respond to a wildland fire, or accept an assignment through the Southwest Coordination Center. These assignments also provide funding for the nonprofit fire department. Juniper Woods is also in a very rural and remote area where the threat of wildfire exists annually. Therefore it is recommended that Juniper Woods enhances this capability for financial sustainment and local response. Emergency Management coordinating through the Arizona Wildfire Academy secured three slots for wildfire fighter training, as well as, an additional two people attending Northern Arizona University for wildland training. This will increase the certified staff to ninety four percent (94%) or 17/18 staff. Juniper Woods lacks training in Basic and Advance Fire Fighting (FF 1/2). In part it is a funding issue, and the training also requires a significant commitment to complete. This training is rigorous, and require physical testing, the average staff member of Juniper Woods Fire Department may find this physically challenging. Only twenty seven percent (27%) of the department are certified Fire Fighter 1, and eleven percent (11%) are certified Fire Fighter 2. It is in Fire Fighter 2 training that students are taught structure entry. The lack of training is indicative of a lack of response capability for structure entry. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) minimum standards require a two in and two out as a standard. Meaning that two fire fighters are in the structure, and two are on standby for rescue, or entry when fire fighters transition to rehab. Juniper Woods cannot safely make entry to any burning structure by themselves, but can with mutual aid from a neighboring department. This being said, Juniper Woods can fight fire defensively and externally. The vast majority of homes in the Juniper Woods response area are mobile homes with low structure fire survivability. Protection through defensive strategy of the fire area and wildland is a valid position for Juniper Wood FD to respond from. The National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS) ensures integration in response by providing a common incident management system platform for response. It is how we as a county, state, and nation respond. Juniper Woods lacks 4

5 training and certification for NIMS/ICS. It is recommended that all responders receive the requisite training free of charge through emergency management, and FEMA. The command staff of Juniper Woods should attend training provided by Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management for IS 300 and 400 at no cost. This would ensure that Juniper Woods as a response agency will be able to integrate properly to a larger regional response. Juniper Woods Volunteer Fire Department has no facilities to house its equipment, to respond from, or train in. All equipment weathers quickly when left to the elements. Consequently, winter operations are problematic for Juniper Woods Fire Department; water holding equipment must be drained to prevent freeze damage, and must be refilled prior to deployment. The average refill time is 6 8 minutes adding to the response time. Juniper Woods has availability to obtain property to build a station. Once property is acquired, it is recommended that Juniper Woods Volunteer Fire Department look at the USDA Rural Development grant for applicability to build a station. It is estimated that a metal building which will house their equipment would cost under $100K to build if the property is donated. Mutual Aid is a practical consideration in determining response capability. As with most departments, multiple or simultaneous response for Juniper Woods Volunteer Fire Department is problematic. Response partners are a necessity for good regional response. It is stated by the Chief that Juniper Woods enjoys good relationships with its neighbors, and customarily responds when needed to neighboring jurisdictions. It is recommended that Yavapai County Office of Emergency Management works with Juniper Woods and neighboring jurisdictions in creating a MOU which defines this mutual aid relationship, as well as response boundaries. Upon review of the department and certification levels of Juniper Woods Volunteer Fire Department members, Yavapai County predicated upon these findings recommends that Juniper Woods be considered for specific and limited response: EMS Basic Life Support, Wildland Fire, Motor Vehicle Accident Response, and Exterior Only Structure Fire unless augmented by mutual aide. This recommendation is based upon their capability to respond, predicated on manpower, certification, and equipment. It is recommended that Juniper Woods adopt NFPA and NWCG standards for their department. It is furthermore recommended that Juniper Woods continues to develop and grow their capabilities. Yavapai County stands ready to assist where possible. Sincerely, Denny L. Foulk, M.S., EMHS Coordinator Yavapai County 5