Personnel and Staffing
For the first time in many years the department advertised for call firefighters. Ads were run in the Carlisle Mosquito in December. While there was not an overwhelming response, we are hopeful that a few individuals will able to meet the requirements. It is vital for the continuation of an all call department to continually add new personnel. It takes several years to gain the necessary training and experience for the individual to be fully functional.
During 2008 our roster remained at 27 members. Roy Watson resigned in April with ten years of service to the department. He served both as an auxiliary firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician. We are grateful for Roy’s dedication and commitment. In November we welcomed John D’Auria of Chelmsford as an auxiliary firefighter. John lives within close proximity to the Town and is a student in Fire Sciences at Anna Maria College in Paxton. I would like to call to the attention of the townspeople the following members who have reached a notable service record: Deputy Chief Jonathan White has completed his 34th year of service, Robert Dennison 32 years; Lieutenant Trainor, Douglas Stevenson and Robert Koning Jr. have all been serving the department for 26 years. Both Deputy Chief White
and Robert Dennison were appointed by Chief Waldo Wilson and have the distinction of having served three Fire Chiefs. All of these individuals have given exemplary service to the Town for which I am truly grateful.
The Fire Department continues to save the town millions of dollars a year by volunteering their time to be available when needed. Our tracking database recorded the availability of personnel in the department for the calendar year at 103,408 hours. This is extraordinary!
Training
Our training program consists of three hour drills, twice a month through out the fall. Once again we had the availability of a vacant house thanks to the generosity of Grant Wilson and Robert West. After receiving permission from the Mass. Department of Environmental Protection live fire drills were conducted there. On three evenings initial fire attack and search and rescue evolutions were practiced. Once again these training sessions provided extremely valuable opportunities for personnel, especially the newest firefighters to gain knowledge, skill, and experience in live fire conditions. Senior firefighter Robert Dennison took on the responsibilities of assisting with the driver training program this year. We are fortunate to have Rob’s knowledge and skill. He joins Tom Bishop in providing
training and support to the firefighters on safe driving techniques.
Calls and Statistics
There were 198 ambulance calls and 171 fire calls in 2008. Ambulance calls now make up almost 54% of all of the calls the department responds to. Residential fire alarm calls are increasing again. There were 63 of these alarms.
Emergency Medical Service
Many changes have come from the State. Hospitals are no longer allowed to go on ambulance diversion status. New protocols for patients having stroke symptoms were implemented and there are new requirements for collecting trip record information. Many of these new requirements make the job of the EMT more intensive, time consuming and complicated.
The Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS) returned the final version of the Town’s “Service Zone” plan submitted last year. OEMS has requested that a few refinements be made. This document outlines the area of service for our ambulance as well as other standards regarding how we provide emergency medical services in our community. The goal in developing service zone plans for all ambulance services across the State is to improve on the ability of each community to provide a higher level of emergency service.
The area fire chiefs continued to work with Emerson Hospital in an effort to maintain the Advanced Life Support (ALS) service to the communities. Due to the loss of Medicare reimbursement, Emerson is finding it difficult to sustain this service. Christine Schuster, Emerson CEO, has made a two year commitment. However, beyond that it is questionable if Emerson will continue the service. The Chief’s have been meeting to analyze the service area, identify quality of service issues, and develop funding strategies. Late summer the Chief’s entered into an agreement with Emerson to pay $250.00 for each Medicare patient that is provided ALS and that the community receives Medicare reimbursement for. This is an effort to lessen the hospitals losses. The Chief’s will continue to meet with
Emerson officials as more work needs to be done in order to develop a long term solution to maintain this vital service.
In accordance with statewide protocols we had a training session with our medical director in the spring where preliminary information was reviewed regarding enhanced skills on assisting patients with inhalers and testing of blood sugar levels in cases of altered mental status.
A flu clinic was held in November at the fire station for all emergency personnel.
Apparatus & Vehicles
The Board of Selectmen approved my recommendation to award the bid for the replacement ambulance to Greenwood Emergency Vehicles. A great deal of time and effort went into the specifications of this vehicle including input from the firefighters and EMT’s. The replacement vehicle for our 1998 ambulance was ordered this fall. Delivery is expected in April, 2009. The new vehicle will have four wheel drive, state of the art communications equipment as well as a GPS unit. Vehicle designs and patient care standards have changed since 1998, especially for safety. The vehicle is longer and will not fit into the space of the current ambulance. Fortunately we can rearrange apparatus to accommodate the new ambulance. It is important to note that ambulance billing receipts are put into an account where
capital expenditures, such as this, are made without the need to raise taxes.
Lieutenant Koning is responsible for the vehicle maintenance program and schedules monthly maintenance nights. In addition, we contract with an authorized service facility for required repairs and maintenance.
Fire Station Facilities
An energy audit was conducted in November by Mass Department of Energy Resources. We are anxious to receive the results of the audit so we may determine if there may be additional ways to conserve energy. The fire station facilities are now nearing 24 years old and have become inadequate in many areas. Overhead doors, pavement, electrical system, emergency generator, and space for computer equipment are the current concerns. Safety issues, lack of handicap access for the public, facilities for females, office space, and storage for equipment and supplies required for homeland security are just a few of the other problems we face. As apparatus is replaced with larger vehicles this too has created tighter quarters.
Computer Aided Dispatching System
Deputy Chief White and Firefighter/EMT Jeffrey Kiel continued work on our computer aided dispatching program. We now have a complete integrated system that can manage up to five simultaneous calls. As a custom made management tool this program has become the backbone of our call fire department. It not only tracks the staffing levels of the department, it constantly maintains a head count and assigns personnel to calls in accordance with the need for the particular incident. It makes the most efficient use of personnel and also allows us to staff calls in the most cost effective manner. Personnel can call directly into the computer to change their availability status. This “virtual light board” is monitored at the Communications Center by the dispatcher. Not only does this make it
much more convenient for personnel, we have found that it eliminates approximately 14,500 telephone calls to the Communications Center each year. I am very grateful for the dedication and hard work of Deputy Chief White and Firefighter Kiel with this project.
ISO – Water Sources
I have been working with the Insurance Services Office (ISO) and have submitted updated information on our department including the new cisterns and apparatus. The ISO rates communities fire protection capabilities. Carlisle is currently classified as a class 9. Insurance companies use this rating to develop insurance rates for Carlisle properties. The long range strategic plan is to lower this rate through the addition of creditable water supplies and the upgrade and replacement of apparatus and equipment.
Emergency Management
The LEPC met during the year to review emergency plans. Discussions continued on emergency shelters, the use of the medical reserve corps, coordination between departments, the need for an emergency shelter with emergency power, and a system to alert residents in cases of emergency. A Special Needs Registry has been established for residents who may live alone or require assistance in states of emergency or when there is a prolonged power outage. Residents may resister by obtaining a registration form from the Fire Department or Council on Aging office.
Projects
The cisterns that were part of the Greystone Development are nearing completion. They will provide water supply in cases of fire for many of the existing homes on Cross Street, Bingham Road and Pheasant Hill Lane.
The Oak Knoll cistern installation approved by the Annual Town Meeting of 2006 was completed this spring. Shortly thereafter it was utilized for an out of control permit fire in the neighborhood. Planning of the second cistern installation at the fire station which was approved by the town also is in progress. However, due to the expenditures necessary for ledge removal on the Oak Knoll cistern, we will need additional funds appropriated at a future Town meeting to complete the center district cistern at the fire station.
The first cistern at the Hanover Hill development was installed near the entrance of the development on Westford Road. This cistern will provide fire protection to parts of Westford Road, Cross Street and Acton Street. As the project progresses two more cisterns will be installed.
Open House
Once again the Carlisle Firefighter’s Relief Association and the Department hosted an open house at the fire station in October. Fire prevention information was available as well as personnel to answer questions. Apparatus and equipment were displayed and various demonstrations conducted. The “Smoke House” trailer was on hand to help teach children about exit drills in the home in case of fire. This mock house allowed our firefighters to simulate a fire conditions with real smoke and sound effects to teach children how to safely get out of a house. The availability of this trailer is made possible through our affiliation with Massachusetts Fire District Fourteen. We also welcomed back Peter Robinson of A, C & M Fire Equipment of Acton for a very exciting demonstration on the use of portable
fire extinguishers. Peter staged several common fires including a fire on the stove, a lawnmower and a small trash fire. Selecting the proper extinguisher and safely using it to extinguish these fires was demonstrated. We are grateful to Peter and A, C & M for their assistance. Refreshments were served and a fun and interesting time was had by all. I wish to thank the members of the Carlisle Firefighter’s Relief Association for once again coordinating this important event.
Open Burning
At the end of the open burning season we had a total of 723 registrations and had issued 600 open burning permits. Please remember that any resident wanting to burn must register at the Communications Department in person. Registration needs to be done once and there is no fee. Registrations are issued along with a copy of the open burning rules. Homeowners must always call the Fire Department prior to burning to obtain a permit on each and every day burning is planned. Hours of burning per State regulations are 10AM until 4PM. We advise residents to plan burning activities for times when the ground is covered with snow or wet. Open burning can often be cancelled due to dry and windy conditions later on in the spring. This is a very busy time of the year for us.
Carbon Monoxide Detection and House Numbers
Carbon monoxide detectors are required in every home in Massachusetts in accordance with the law. For information on the specific requirements please contact the fire department or check the information available on the fire department web page. I would also like to remind residents that address identification numbers are required to be posted at the street. If you live on a common driveway the number also needs to be posted at any point where the driveway splits. These numbers are essential for emergency personnel when responding to your calls for help. Without them it is very difficult to find the house. This delays assistance in an emergency. Posting of these numbers is in fact required by Massachusetts Law Chapter 148, Section 59.
Web Page
The Carlisle Fire Department has a web page on the Town’s website. There is a great deal of information there for residents and many links to important public safety information resources. Please check it out: www.carlislema.gov follow the link for FIRE DEPARTMENT.
I begin my seventh year as Chief of the Department. It would not be possible to provide the Town with such a high quality 24/7 emergency resource with out the dedication and hard work of all of the firefighters and EMT’s. I especially want to express my appreciation and gratitude to the officers and the EMS Coordinator who continue to support me and the efficient operation of the department.
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