The scope of demands on the fire service has been increasing through time as different hazards and threats on personal and community safety have evolved. Likewise, the fire service, including the 27 full-time professional members of Local 974, has risen to meet these requests for help. In order to meet these needs, fire departments must provide adequate numbers of highly trained personnel to address emergencies in a timely manner. The nature of many incidents requires simultaneous coordinated actions to achieve the best outcome and this requires immediate manpower.
Minimum staffing is the minimum number of firefighters that are on duty on any given day. Though there is usually more staff assigned to a shift, nine in the case of University Heights, the number present on a given day will be lowered due to circumstances such as sickness, injury, or vacation. The minimum staffing threshold is in place to provide for a minimum number of firefighters to operate on emergency scenes. This number is dictated by city administration and may not meet or come close to meeting national and industry standards of appropriate and safe staffing.
In November of 1989, the citizens of University Heights passed Issue 41 with the support of Local 974. This provided for the establishment of paramedic service in the City of University Heights which was lagging behind neighboring cities in providing this important life-saving advance. Through this vote, the residents showed that they desired and valued the service University Heights firefighters had provided and would provide in the future.
After passage of Issue 41, the City added five personnel to obtain the expected staffing of 30 line firefighters. The minimum staffing at this time was seven. Shortly thereafter, in the early 1990’s, the department staffing was reduced from 30 line firefighters to 27 and it maintained a seven man minimum shift. This staffing remained unchanged until the reduction of minimum staffing to six on April 1, 2009. Many cities say that a reduction in staffing will not effect operations. While they acknowledge a risk with reducing staffing, they say it is one they are willing to take. The question is then, are the residents willing to accept this risk in their time of need? The simple fact is that SIX (6) does not equal SEVEN (7). The significance of one firefighter on the fire ground and also how it impacts day to day operations is profound. Look for another posting as we explore this topic further. We’ll examine the effects lower staffing has on the operations of the fire department.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Night at the Race
University Heights Fire Fighters Local 974
6th Annual NASCAR Night at the Race / Reverse Raffle
Clambake or Steak Dinner
To Benefit The Gathering Place and Fire Fighters Local 974
Saturday, October 17th, 2009 (C shift)
Mayfield Heights Boneyard
5900 Mayfield Rd., Mayfield Hts., Oh 44124
Doors open at 6:00pm - Bank of America 500 Start at 7:00pm
Tickets $40 per person / $1,000 Grand Prize
Includes: Dinner, Drinks, and One Main Board Ticket
Raffle prizes, Lap prizes, Side Boards
For Tickets and information contact the University Heights Fire Fighters
3980 Silsby Rd.
University Heights, Oh 44118
216-321-1939
email: racefan131@aol.com
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Many simultaneous actions must occur on the scene of a fire. Exactly what jobs need to take place and how many people are required?
There needs to be a command structure and dedicated people to oversee the entire incident and monitor the safety of those working there. One of these key people is the officer in charge who stays at a command post to coordinate the overall event and to be the decision maker. A staff aide should be assigned to assist the officer in charge with incident management and accountability. Also, a safety officer needs to be assigned to ensure that the health and safety system is in place when there is significant risk to firefighters.
An engineer is needed to operate the pumps on the fire engine. The engineer maintains an uninterrupted flow of water and remains at the pump to monitor the water supply and the status of the engine. A team of at least two firefighters are needed to make an interior attack on the fire. There should also be another team of two firefighters to function as a back-up or secondary attack team. One additional firefighter must be assigned to each of these lines to assist in line lays, utility control and forcible entry.
To search for victims, a minimum of one search-and-rescue team consisting of two firefighters are needed. Simultaneous with the attack on the fire, a team of two must be providing ventilation to release superheated gases of combustion, smoke and heat to increase interior visibility and release these harmful byproducts. When an aerial ladder and/or a supply pumper are in use, one firefighter must remain with this vehicle to perform its operation. If a firefighter becomes injured, trapped or disoriented in the near-zero visibility, hazard-filled environment, an Initial Rapid Intervention Crew consisting of a minimum of two firefighters is needed to quickly find and rescue the at risk firefighter(s).
The minimum number of personnel needed is between 15 and 17 (depending on the use of an aerial device and/or supply pumper). Obviously, if the magnitude of the scenario were increased, a greater number of personnel would be required. For example, more attack lines for a larger fire or additional search-and-rescue teams for multiple potential victims or multiple stories to search. In addition to fire personnel, a dedicated EMS unit would serve to care for any victims and provide firefighter health assessments and rehab.
All of these tasks need to be accomplished in a coordinated and timely manner to achieve the best possible outcome. Since a fire grows exponentially and doubles in size every 30 seconds, you can see why time is of the essence and appropriate manpower is a necessity. Were you aware of all that is involved in fighting a fire?
An engineer is needed to operate the pumps on the fire engine. The engineer maintains an uninterrupted flow of water and remains at the pump to monitor the water supply and the status of the engine. A team of at least two firefighters are needed to make an interior attack on the fire. There should also be another team of two firefighters to function as a back-up or secondary attack team. One additional firefighter must be assigned to each of these lines to assist in line lays, utility control and forcible entry.
To search for victims, a minimum of one search-and-rescue team consisting of two firefighters are needed. Simultaneous with the attack on the fire, a team of two must be providing ventilation to release superheated gases of combustion, smoke and heat to increase interior visibility and release these harmful byproducts. When an aerial ladder and/or a supply pumper are in use, one firefighter must remain with this vehicle to perform its operation. If a firefighter becomes injured, trapped or disoriented in the near-zero visibility, hazard-filled environment, an Initial Rapid Intervention Crew consisting of a minimum of two firefighters is needed to quickly find and rescue the at risk firefighter(s).
The minimum number of personnel needed is between 15 and 17 (depending on the use of an aerial device and/or supply pumper). Obviously, if the magnitude of the scenario were increased, a greater number of personnel would be required. For example, more attack lines for a larger fire or additional search-and-rescue teams for multiple potential victims or multiple stories to search. In addition to fire personnel, a dedicated EMS unit would serve to care for any victims and provide firefighter health assessments and rehab.
All of these tasks need to be accomplished in a coordinated and timely manner to achieve the best possible outcome. Since a fire grows exponentially and doubles in size every 30 seconds, you can see why time is of the essence and appropriate manpower is a necessity. Were you aware of all that is involved in fighting a fire?
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
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