Albany Fire Department 2020 Annual Report Mission, Vision, and Values

The Albany Fire Department has an established mission: Prevent and Protect From Harm.

It is the vision of the Albany Fire Department to be a diversified, safety- conscious, professional organization striving to be a leader in the fire service and community; participating in partnerships with private, public, and nonprofit organizations; continually looking for innovative means of delivering services; maintaining a high level of technical proficiencies through training and education; and understanding that the priority is to prevent rather than react to an emergency. We are courteous, caring, take pride in doing our job, and provide excellent community services. Chief’s Message

was an unprecedented year in the history of the Albany Fire Department and our members handled the challenges presented with professionalism, flexibility, and a 2020 focus on safety for our community. As Chief, I am extremely proud of the work the members of Albany Fire Department did this past year. It was busy with emergency calls, requests for services, and adapting to a changing world but our members responded to these challenges in a manner that can make our community proud. In March, the coronavirus put our department in a position where we had to evolve the way we deliver service. Unlike many other professions, we cannot work from home, nor can we close. Instead, we had to adapt and transform how we respond to emergencies in manner that protects those we serve, treats those who need our help, and still protect firefighters and their families from contracting the virus. The members of Albany Fire Department have done an amazing job rising to this challenge and shown a level of creativity and resilience that allows us to continue to provide excellent customer service. In September we were faced with another challenge after the unparalleled weather event that occurred over Labor Day. The entire Willamette Valley was impacted by wildfires that were pushed by wind gusts normally unseen during the summer months. This was a winter windstorm that occurred at a time of year when fuels were at the driest and the risk of wildfire was at its greatest. Thousands of homes were lost in areas surrounding Albany. The members of our department responded in many ways to this tragic event. We had many resources directly on the fire line, we helped evacuees at the Linn County Fairgrounds, many members staffed additional fire apparatus while others developed contingency plans if the fire front were to reach any of the areas served by the Albany Fire Department. We would be remiss not to acknowledge our community and all they do to support us. While the City faces many budget challenges in the future, our community showed their incredible support by passing the Public Safety Levy with over 75 percent voting in favor of maintaining that source of funding despite high levels of unemployment and uncertainty. For this level of support, we are forever thankful. Finally, it is impossible to fully capture in an annual report the many ways our department has positively impacted others. We continually look for ways to positively impact others on a daily basis and this report is intended to capture just some of those highlights. Whether by saving someone’s life, treating their medical problems, or simply helping a stranded motorist, we are here to serve the citizens of the city of Albany and our surrounding area. My entire team and I are grateful to serve you.

Shane D. Wooton Fire Chief COVID-19 Response The COVID-19 pandemic dominated every aspect of life in 2020. In March, the State proclaimed a quarantine to avoid overwhelming medical facilities and AFD prepared for the long haul. We responded by acquiring extra PPE (personal protective equipment) to protect both our staff and the community. We also enlisted our own COVID specialist (Firefighter/Paramedic and Field Training Officer Matt Johnson, who holds a degree in Public Health from OSU) to work with local public health and medical staff, as well as the members of the community. We suspended all of our inspections, most public programs, and all in-person public contact aside from emergency responses. 2020 Year in Review 2020 Wildfire Deployments: 2020 Wildfire the use of any equipment. Deployments can last as long as 16 days. for the costs of all personnel sent and those staying behind to cover them, in addition to paying for and California and are managed by the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office (OSFM). AFD is reimbursed Management Assistance (or Emergency an Compact EMAC), to Oregon are deployments typically AFD responds to conflagrations, or wildfires, whenrequested by the State. Under the provisions of Conflagrations September 14September Riverside Fire one person. one two personnel. two (Oregon); August 13 Mosier Fire (Oregon);

Beachie Creek Fires

Holiday Farm and Farm and Holiday eight personnel. September 8 September (Oregon); Linn County Task Force) to complex conflagrations; assist with multiple and Napa Valley, (with CA four personnel. four September 16September (Oregon); three August 19 personnel. Slater FireSlater blazing, showing our support for the community. for the blazing, showing support our through the streets of city neighborhoods, lights County Sheriff’s Department, and Albany Police rolled and rescue vehicles and staff from Albany Fire, Linn put on for neighborhoods around town? Response Parades” that Albany Fire, Linn County Sheriff, and APD celebrating forget can who and “Porch birthdays, the neighborhood engine birthday salutes for children During the quarantine lockdown, AFD hosted throughout and department the community. the Through it all, AFD worked to keep morale up, within quarantine for everyone –we are asocial community! may have been one of the most difficult of parts the avoid catching or transmitting it. Social distancing educate the public about the disease and how to Throughout the pandemic, AFD worked hard to Porch Parades

windstorm from the east. east. the from windstorm weather and a violent, aviolent, and weather Both fires were made made were fires Both worse by the hot, dry dry hot, by the worse once-a-decade once-a-decade White River Fire River White (Oregon); three August 28 personnel. Wildfire support support Wildfire four personnel. four October 2 October (California);

2020 Year in Review and Mill City, and forced mass Mehama, Breitenbush, Idanha, the towns of Gates, Lyons, Detroit, led to significant destruction in weather that preceded the event acres in Oregon. The hot, dry which burned over 1,000,000 lines and creating numerous fires power downed igniting mph, 50 Willamette Valley with gusts up to event, through blew decade the windstorm, hailed as aonce-a- summer unprecedented An 8-17,September 2020

Linn County Fairgrounds, the County Linn to help those evacuated to the AFD personnel worked tirelessly only notified at the last minute. animals), many of whom were evacuations of people (and their designated evacuation site. Albany affected directly, not only by responding Emergency Management set up the and deploying to deal with the wildfires, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to but having to be evacuated from their guide the City’s response to the wildfires own homes. Albany Fire personnel made and ensuing evacuations. Several it safely through the fires, and remain members of the department were grateful for those who responded.

This was an exciting year for AFD, equipment-wise. Through pre-planned funds and a very generous donation, AFD purchased two new ambulances, a new fire engine, and a new water rescue boat. Some older equipment was sold to start saving for future purchases.

Ambulances This year Albany Fire bought two new ambulances, replacing one and adding another to the fleet in response to rising call volume. These new ambulances are like those already Rescue Boat in use, but are fully up-to-date, with At the beginning of 2020, AFD welcomed a new water-rescue boat. modernized technology and safety Custom-built for AFD by Wooldridge Boats in Washington State, this features. They are in service at our boat was purchased by the Albany Rural Fire Protection District, who also two busiest stations, 12 and 13. supplied two new Rescue Watercraft – or RWCs – in 2019 to replace an aging jet ski. The boat includes a 400-horsepower Corvette engine and is equipped with a FLIR (forward-looking infrared radar) camera.

Type I Engine In August, AFD was excited to put a brand-new Pierce fire engine into service. This new engine, running out of Station 11, is part of our ongoing effort to modernize our fleet, respond to increased call volume, and mitigate some of the wear and tear our vehicles endure as part of their routine. 2020 Year in Review

AFD’s Annual Awards and Recognition Banquet this year was graciously hosted by Matt and Jenelle Bennett of Sybaris restaurant. On the first Friday night in February, AFD personnel former and current, and their families, gathered to celebrate the Department’s 150th anniversary and recognize the outstanding achievements of the previous year. Awards were presented for:

Fire Officer Apparatus Operator Firefighter Medic Humanitarian of the Year of the Year of the Year of the Year of the Year Lieutenant Apparatus Firefighter Firefighter/ Community John Zimmerman Operator Ryan “Bronco” Paramedic Paramedic Ron Wackford Lawrence Tim Verdun Hillary Kosmicki

The department also recognized the retirement of Chief John Bradner and promotions of Chief Shane Wooton, Deputy Chiefs Chris LaBelle and Kyle Romey, Battalion Chief Kevin Vining, and Fire Marshal Lora Ratcliff as well as retirees Kevin Anderson, Ryan Bond, Steve Surmeier, and Leon Eichler. It was a great time to get together and relive old memories while making new ones. In October 2020, we had an opportunity to promote Firefighter Ed Coleman into the officer ranks as our newest Lieutenant. Community Involvement Through all the chaos and unknowns us help the community. The corn of equipment, food, masks, and brought on by the COVID-19 hole tournament and annual golf funds which citizens and businesses pandemic, AFD recognizes that it’s tournament had to be canceled, have offered us. These donations the community we support who along with many other events have helped us continue to serve supports us! Because of restrictions through the year. Despite COVID, the our community to our same high imposed by COVID-19, we couldn’t community stepped up, and we are standard. have the usual fundraisers that help extremely grateful for the donations

Albany Firefighter’s Community Assistance Fund (AFFCAF) Donations AFFCAF is a 501(c)3 charity affiliated with the Many thanks to Tradewinds AFD which funds much of the charitable work Transportation for their donation performed by the department. AFFCAF is of $1100, and to Oregon Bottle headed by PIO Sandy Roberts, who oversees Drop for selecting AFFCAF to distribution of funds to the crews to help benefit from a $7500 donation. worthy causes. AFFCAF funds continue to help: Century Dental in Hillsboro even held a bottle drive for us, raising • Purchase canes and walkers for people with mobility issues, $250! One of the sponsors of the • Pay for hotel rooms for families burned out of their houses, golf tournament also donated • Supply bicycle helmets and life vests for those who need them, their $3,000 sponsorship • Purchase meals for those in need and pay for a host of other worthy fee when the tournament expenditures. was canceled. Anonymous donations of all kinds, as well AFFCAF is sustained by the single fund-raising event it holds every year: The as food and meals, were given Rick Rebel Memorial Golf Tournament, which sadly had to be canceled this during the September wildfires year due to COVID-19 complications; however, AFFCAF accepts donations all and throughout the year. year long for anyone wishing to donate. Permanent Station 15 Project

In 2018, the City of Albany partnered with the City of Millersburg to provide fire suppression services for their community. To accommodate a short timeline, Station 15 was established out of a manufactured home with a carport next to it to house the engine.

In 2020, the City of Millersburg (with input from AFD) started working with architects to design a permanent Station 15. This design is a suggestion of what the station will look like when complete. The finished station will house several vehicles, living quarters for the on-duty crews, and a community meeting room. 2020 Year in Review public safe –just another of part the AFD mission! think about life-saving measures BEFORE an emergency occurs. Keeping the returned by members the public for water outings. It encourages people to vests in various sizes (donated by AFFCAF) which can checked be out and another way that AFD keeps working to save lives. This kiosk holds life Vining, the installation of the new Life Vest Kiosk at Bryant Park demonstrates Spearheaded by PIO Sandy Roberts and built by AFD Battalion Chief Kevin New Life Jacket Kiosk out the kid in everyone! in kid the out around town brings It presents. for to play Santa and his elves, shopping holiday season. The firefighters get will go to children in need for the of new toys from the public, which around town donations to collect local businesses, AFD places boxes Toy Drive. Working together with holiday season is the Annual AFD One of the great pleasures of the Toy Drive

Statistics

These statistics are as of November 5, 2020. If you would like more detailed statistics, contact Albany Fire Department using the information on the back cover. Medical Calls

Fire/Rescue Calls

TOTAL 2020 CALL VOLUME: 9,878 Average Response Times (by district)

0:07:34 0:09:51 0:08:55 0:10:24 0:07:49

Budget Summary

Our annual operating budget is made up of 79% property tax revenue, 18% ambulance service revenue, and 3% grants and other minor program revenue. Our 19-20 fiscal year operating budget was approximately $18.2 million, which includes $15.3M for personnel and $2.9M for materials and services. Personnel includes wages, benefits, and overtime, representing 84% of the annual operating budget. Materials and services include program costs, facility maintenance and utilities, apparatus maintenance, operational contractual services, and all other non-capital operating expenses, representing the remaining 16% of the annual operating budget.

Public Safety Levy Fire Protection Contracts The City of Albany receives tax revenue from a public Albany Fire receives funds for providing fire protection safety levy first passed in 2002. The levy funds eight services outside city limits to Albany Rural, North Albany positions in the Fire Department, six that are front line Rural, and Palestine Rural Fire Protection Districts, as well responders. In May 2020, the levy was renewed by voters as to the City of Millersburg. at the same rate for the next five years. Albany Fire is always extremely grateful for the public’s support in passing this levy, which enables us to continue to provide our same high level of service.

Grants FireMed At any given time, AFD staff can be found applying for FireMed is a membership program covering ambulance one or more of the many grants available to modernize or services. An annual fee of $70 covers the member’s out- acquire new equipment, receive special training, or even of-pocket expenses for medically necessary ground hire new personnel. Important grants that support AFD ambulance services. The program averages about 2,500 operations include the federal Assistance to Firefighter memberships annually, and a membership covers the and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response primary member and all dependents regularly living in opportunities. the household. Residents can apply for a membership year-round, although the program runs from July 1 each year through June 30 of the next year. Fire Chief

City Emergency Senior Administrative Manager Supervisor

Administrative Assistant I

Clerk III

Deputy Chief Deputy Chief

Division Chief Division Chief Training Fire Marshal Training Lieutenant (vacant) Senior Deputy Fire Marshal Compliance (vacant)

Special Operations Deputy Fire Marshal Division Battalion Chief Battalion Chief Battalion Chief Compliance (2) A-Shift B-Shift C-Shift Community Paramedic Deputy Fire Marshal Risk Reduction Specialist/PIO Ambulance Billing Coordinator Lieutenant (5) Lieutenant (5) Lieutenant (5) Apparatus Operator (5) Ambulance Biling Specialist (.60 FTE) Apparatus Operator (5) Apparatus Operator (5) Firefighter (13) Firefighter (14) Firefighter (13) Single-Role EMT (1)

Single-Role Paramedic (1)

August 2020 Administrative Support

Fire/Ambulance Billing Staff

An important but often unseen part of the Fire Department mission is carried out behind the scenes by administrative staff. Senior Administrative Supervisor Rachel Bottemiller directs the staff in performing the necessary administrative support for the department’s needs, such as: • Greeting and assisting the public; • Permits and public records requests; • Financial operations; and • Pay and personnel actions. The administrative staff includes the senior administrative supervisor, ambulance billing coordinator and ambulance billing specialist, administrative assistant, and clerk. They take great pride in helping the public and the department, ensuring operations run smoothly so the firefighters can do their jobs.

Emergency Management During the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and in response to the wildfire disaster event of 2020, Albany Emergency Management opened the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to focus the City’s efforts to respond with these events in the safest, most effective way possible. Staff coordinated with Linn County Public Health and community partners to assist evacuees during the crisis and directed City resources and community donations to where they could do the most good. For the COVID-19 response, they also helped organize a public education campaign to get the word out to citizens about wearing masks, proper handwashing, and maintaining social distance to prevent the spread of the disease. They planned, organized, and oversaw the re-opening of the City when the State authorized resuming operations. City Emergency Manager Chuck Perino works with leaders in each City department, as well as government agencies and private businesses to plan for future emergencies, arrange training, perform public outreach, and work with the community and partners in recovery from disaster. Chuck also manages the City’s drone program. Drones are now used throughout the city for emergency reconnaissance and building, canal, and bridge inspections. Emergency Services

Medic 10 One way AFD has responded to the increase in call volume is the development of Medic 10. Medic 10 is a dedicated advanced life support (ALS) ambulance for supporting fire crews on calls and transporting patients whose needs cannot be met by local hospitals. The ambulance is staffed by a paramedic and an emergency medical technician (EMT).

Hazardous Materials Response Albany Fire hosts the State Fire Marshal’s Regional Hazmat Team #5, one of 13 teams covering the state inclusive of Albany, Corvallis, and Lebanon Fire Departments collaborating with the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM). Our team specializes in hazards such as radiation, crude oil, petroleum products, biological agents, and chemical industry practices.

Water Rescue The AFD is proud to have one of the most highly trained water rescue teams in the state. The Team has 25 members, with an average of 8-10 years’ experience each. They operate in three different disciplines – swiftwater rescue operations, boat operations, and dive operations, and are the only team in the state whose members are fully certified in all water rescue fields by the Department of Public Safety, Standards, and Training (DPSST). They maintain interagency agreements with Polk, Linn, and Marion counties, and respond to an average of 20-30 calls per year. Technical Rescue The 19 members of the Technical Rescue Team (TRT) deal with confined space rescue, vehicle machinery extrication, structural collapse, trench rescue, and high-angle rope rescue. Rope rescue is the heart of team operations – especially regarding trench/confined space rescue, and the team trains regularly to maintain their skills. Not every department has a full TRT, so we work with other departments as well for technical rescue. These are personnel-heavy calls which require many people to complete, so it is common to work mutual aid for them. Life Safety

The Life Safety Division oversees several different aspects of the fire department mission: code compliance and inspections; fire investigations; and public outreach and education. Fire Marshal Lora Ratcliff is aided by the staff of the Life Safety Division - Deputy Fire Marshals Jon Mang and Alfredo Méndez, and Public Education Specialist/Public Information Officer Sandy Roberts, who work diligently to protect the public they serve.

AFIG investigation, such as Oregon State Fire Investigations Police, Office of State Fire Marshal, Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s When a fire cause cannot be Office, and the Building Department. determined by the firefighters suppressing the fire, the Albany Fire JFIG Investigation Group (AFIG) is called Youth Firesetter in to conduct a fire cause and origin Intervention investigation. There are currently 15 If a fire involves a youth, our Youth members of the AFIG, consisting of Firesetter Intervention Specialists 13 Albany Fire members and 2 Albany PIO Sandy Roberts and AO Tom Police detectives. Collectively, these Henke work closely with the youth’s members represent over a century family, school, and social services of experience in investigating fires. in a collaborative effort to better Depending on the nature of the understand the motivation of the investigation, additional resources firesetting behavior and explore may be employed to assist with the potential mitigation options.

Public Education Public Education Specialist and Public Information Officer (PIO) Sandy Roberts is an invaluable member of the AFD team. As the “voice” of AFD, Sandy has taken on many outreach roles on behalf of the department. She acts as PIO for fires and other events, works with the schools, runs fundraisers to assist the community, and educates the public on AFD practices and activities. Highlights of the past year include: • the Sunrise Elementary 3rd grade Home Safety & Fire Prevention course; • 8th grade CPR at the middle schools; • the Willamette Valley Heart Screening (which discovered and referred three children to their doctors for further evaluation); • installation of a new life vest kiosk at Bryant Park; • heading the Albany Firefighters Community Assistance Fund (AFFCAF); • numerous Home Safety programs throughout the school district; and • scheduling numerous engine birthday drive throughs and Porch Parades during quarantine. Sandy also acts as a liaison and PIO for other agencies which may not have a PIO of their own.

Inspections A critical part of the Life Safety Division mission is the inspection program. Fire Marshals Lora Ratcliff and Deputy Fire Marshals Alfredo Méndez and Jon Mang have performed over 916* fire safety inspections this year, advising schools, business owners, and other agencies on how to keep their properties safe and up to code. *This number is lower than usual, reflecting the COVID closures of schools, businesses, and other agencies during the quarantine and Phase I periods.

Community Paramedicine

Founded through a grant and the joint efforts of Samaritan Health and the Albany Fire Department, and now a fully-funded part of the AFD budget, the Community Paramedic Program stands out among surrounding communities. Homelessness, aging, medical wellness, and even quality of life are all areas that concern Community Paramedic Hillary Kosmicki. She acts as a liaison between AFD and the city’s senior living, adult foster care, and assisted living facilities, as well as Signs of Victory and Helping Hands. No task is too big or too small to escape her notice; whether it’s installing grab bars in a bath/shower, installing safety equipment (she installed 45 smoke alarms, 19 carbon monoxide monitors, and 37 key boxes last Car Seat Program DFM Alfredo Méndez serves a dual role in the department; he’s also the department’s Car Seat Safety Officer. On specially scheduled days quarterly, and otherwise by appointment, DFM Méndez helps teach people how to properly install and maintain their children’s car seats working along with Lindsey Austin, who runs the City’s car seat program. This year DFM Méndez installed over 17 (34 in 2019; there are fewer this year because of the extended COVID closure) car seats, put on 1 car seat clinic with multiple clients, and trained parents, grandparents, and caretakers in how to properly install the car seats themselves.

Community Paramedicine

year), helping get someone get all their medications on the right track, or even helping shop for groceries, Partnerships Hillary works relentlessly to improve the lives of the An innovative program CP Kosmicki helps with is the people she works with. Her practice of going above Mobile Health RV. This trailer is staffed with medical and beyond the call of duty led to her being awarded personnel who work with homeless members of the Humanitarian of the Year last year. community to care for their medical needs. It rotates between Signs of Victory and Helping Hands every Monday, and they see anyone who wants to be seen. There is also a worker who helps people sign up for Housing, OHP, mental health and addiction assistance – a “one stop shop.” Training

AFD is always training. Whether preparing for different parts of the job or training on new equipment, when not on calls, line crews spend a good part of their day training. The Training Division heads up all the training that goes on in the department, whether EMS, Fire, Water or Tech Rescue, or HazMat. The Training Division also oversees continuing education; several firefighters have gotten their degrees in Fire Science since coming to the Department. All AFD training is verified through the Oregon Department of Public Safety, Standards and Training (DPSST). The department recertifies every two years with DPSST and the Oregon Health Authority that our personnel have conducted/received the necessary training to maintain their fire and EMS qualifications. Thank you for taking time to read our annual report. We believe it is important to summarize the great work the members of Albany Fire Department do on a day-to-day basis and share it.

There is little doubt that 2021 will come with its own set of challenges, primarily in the form of a potential budget shortfall that could negatively impact our ability to deliver the level of service and response times our community is accustomed to. Regardless of the potential budget impacts or whatever gets put in front of us, know that the members of Albany Fire Department are here to fulfill our mission of to: “Prevent and Protect from Harm.” fire.cityofalbany.net 541-917-7700 or send us a message at fire.cityofalbany.net/contact-us

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Professional Affiliations Department of Public Safety Standards and Training • International Association of Arson Investigators • International Association of Fire Fighters Local #845 Oregon Department of Forestry • Oregon Fire Chief’s Association • Oregon Fire Service Office Administrators • Oregon Fire Marshal’s Association Oregon State Fire Marshal • Oregon State Marine Board

Community Partners Albany Chamber of Commerce • Albany Police Department • Albany Rotary Club • City of Millersburg • Costco • Country Financial Albany and Bend • First Burger Home Depot • Krakelen Pizza • Linn County Public Health • Linn County Sheriff’s Office • Lowe’s • Margin Coffee • NoDinx • Oregon Barbecue Company Oregon Home Grown • Samaritan Health Services • Sybaris • Tradewinds • Turnkey Marketing • Wal-Mart