City of Newton Fire/EMS

Mission – The Newton Fire/EMS Department is dedicated to a constant pursuit of excellence in the provision of quality fire, rescue, medical, and other individualized services to

Department Goals 1. Newton Fire/EMS will implement the second phase of Anticipated Operational Changes the Community Paramedicine/Mobile Integrated 2017 will mark the first full year of mandatory changes in Healthcare program in cooperation with Newton EMS recertification processes enacted by the Kansas Board Medical Center. This phase will focus on providing of Emergency Medical Services. In preparation for these proactive health and safety education programs changes, as well as the need to provide better structure targeted for at-risk populations and the medically and consistency in the format and delivery of quality Fire/ underserved. EMS/Rescue training, a Division Chief position charged 2. Newton Fire/EMS will initiate a Citizen’s Fire Academy with the responsibility of development and delivery of program which will promote a greater depth of essential training was implemented in Spring 2016. understanding of the complexities of delivering quality Fire/EMS to interested community leaders and Mandatory reporting requirements for Fire/EMS call civic partners. activity to state and federal agencies, as well as capture of 3. Newton Fire/EMS will finalize design and key demographic and response information for health specifications for Engine 1, which will be replaced in insurance billing processes, has created a renewed 2018. emphasis on research and implementation of improvements in technology and software for call Summary of Major Responsibilities response, preplan development, and post incident The Fire/EMS department provides documentation purposes. () level medical response and services, as well as fire protection and prevention services to the cities of Major Departmental Challenges Newton and North Newton, as well as the townships of Retirements of personnel in key leadership positions Darlington, Macon, and Newton. Emergency Medical has created opportunities and challenges for growth Services are contractually provided to approximately the and development within Newton Fire/EMS. Though the eastern half of Harvey County, as well as those areas departures through retirements had been anticipated, served by the Walton and Whitewater Fire Departments. the loss of over 200 years of combined leadership

experience poses significant challenge as we prepare a Newton Fire/EMS also provides all-hazards response new era of leadership and indoctrinate new personnel assistance to other Fire/EMS departments within and adjacent to Harvey County. We are a member of Kansas into our organization. With these challenges there are Task Force 5, which provides Technical Rescue response also extraordinary opportunities for recruitment, for south central Kansas. Newton Fire/EMS supports the retention, and leadership development within our Kansas Major Emergency Response Group through the organization. provision of Command Staff and a Disaster Medical Support Unit available for state-wide disaster response. We also supply the tactical for the Harvey County Emergency Response Team in support of high-risk law enforcement operations.

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City of Newton Fire/EMS

Significant Budgetary Changes help ensure we are maximizing revenues associated A major reorganization of the Fire/EMS Department with provision of services. was implemented in 2016 in response to the  Newton Fire/EMS received the Kansas EMS continuing challenges of increased call volume and Association 2015 Paramedic Service of the Year, in retirements, as well as the identified need to revise recognition of the exceptional services and initiatives strategies for supervision and resource deployment as Newton Fire/EMS provides as an essential our organization becomes increasingly younger. Two component of our greater healthcare community. Division Chief positions- one responsible for Training and the other for Logistics, replaced the 3 existing 2016 Objectives Battalion Chief positions. Through the efficiencies of  Improve our capacity to leverage current and future elimination of a Chief Officer position, as well as technology needs by developing a technology team reductions in overtime through staffing to evaluate data collection, use, and sharing based configurations, two entry level Firefighter/EMT on a comprehensive needs assessment which meets positions were added to the organization within the the organizational needs and industry standards and existing personnel budget without increases. requirements. Summary of New Initiatives  Improve consistency, reliability, and quality of The Community Paramedicine/Mobile Integrated department training based on results of an internal Healthcare program was officially launched in 2016 training needs assessment which meets or exceeds and is proving to benefit the overall healthcare state and national standards and assures we are community by identifying at-risk and medically providing exceptional service to our citizens and underserved individuals in the community. This visitors. program is intended to proactively reduce  Establish and implement internal professional unnecessary calls for service and hospital visits by development strategies which serve individual identifying and connecting patients with the right members’ development and the leadership capacity community healthcare resources with the most of the organization. appropriate interventions

2015 Accomplishments 2017 Objectives  Newton Fire/EMS will implement the second phase  Two new fire engines were placed into service in of the Community Paramedicine/Mobile Integrated 2015 in accordance with the long term equipment Healthcare program in cooperation with Newton replacement plan. Engine 2 and Engine 3, both in Medical Center. This phase will focus on providing service for over 20 years, were replaced with state of proactive health and safety education programs the art fire/rescue engines equipped with targeted for at-risk populations and the medically compressed air foam systems and new generation underserved. extrication and scene lighting equipment. The  Newton Fire/EMS will initiate a Citizen’s Fire Academy versatility of these vehicles allowed us to eliminate a program which will promote a greater depth of dedicated rescue unit and brush unit from our fleet, understanding of the complexities of delivering as we initiated the conversion of retired supervisor quality Fire/EMS to interested community leaders vehicles into brush units at substantial cost savings. and civic partners.  In June 2015 Newton Fire/EMS contracted with a  Newton Fire/EMS will finalize design and third-service ambulance billing provider in specifications for Engine 1, which will be replaced in recognition of the increasing complexity of the 2018. healthcare billing industry. This change enabled us to eliminate a .75 FTE ambulance billing clerk and will

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City of Newton Fire/EMS

Fire/EMS Department Alignment with City Beliefs

We support growth by providing citizens, visitors, business and industry peace of mind that a well- trained and equipped team is strategically positioned and prepared to help those in need.

We directly impact quality of life by providing quality emergency medical care and rescue services to the highest standard, and are committed to protecting and preserving the properties in which our community has invested.

We promote health and safety initiatives through proactive and dynamic educational programs to adults and children of all ages.

We demonstrate respect for the environment by responsible and efficient hazardous material mitigation practices, and environmentally friendly building design.

We embrace civic engagement by striving to make our personnel, resources, and facilities accessible to our community to promote and instill a sense of community pride and confidence in their public servants.

We strive to be fiscally responsible by continuously exploring and implementing practices to ensure

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