The Monthly Newsletter for the Urbandale Fire Department... May 2021 n the Line OOur Core Values: Pride, Respect, Duty, Unity, Integrity and Compassion. In This Issue…

Trivia………………………………………………. 1/6 Ryan Moore 5/3 Chief’s Corner……………………………...…...... 2/3 Captain Gentosi 5/5 Aaron Sager 5/5 Safety Tips……………...…….…….……...…...... 3 Dennis May 5/11 Abraham Flores 5/21 Documentation of Refusals—A/C Light….…... 4 Drew Stiles 5/26 Prevention/Training Efforts……………………. 5

Dealing with Change– Lt Stu Wilson…………. 5 EMS Week Around the Department…….…….……...…...... 7 May 16-21 Member Profile: FF/PM TJ Hardin..………….. 7 Thank you for You’ve Been Caught Letters……………………. 8 being a part of EMS in our Caring for our community! community!

UFD statistics for April Calls for service: 377 YTD: 1,569

Average response Time from alarm to arrival – emergency: 5 minutes 11 seconds. 88.3% of emergent calls within 8 minutes.

Emergency Medical Service calls: 203 We are glad you are Fire related calls: 75 part of our team! Other:40: CUR Fire: 4, CUR EMS: 34 Other: 2

Fire Service Trivia….May 2021

True or False: The 1974 blockbuster movie, The Towering Inferno, was based on an actual high-rise fire.

a) True b) False

See “trivia” on page 6

Urbandale Fire Department · On the Line · May 2021 · 1

ON THE LINE Chief’s Corner—Chief Jerry Holt

When I was a young firefighter, I often heard folks com- harder to swallow. plain about some of the older firefighters. It seemed like they didn’t want to change anything and “doing it the way Over the years, many of those strongly resistant to change we had always done it” was good enough. I was lucky and retired or moved on. I was sad to see some of them go. A served under officers who were open to new ways so I did- career with very little change and having so many things n’t have that complaint as much as some others. That was change in the last few years couldn’t have been fun to especially important as it was at that time we were moving them. But when they left, they didn’t take all of the prob- forward with advanced life support and the implementa- lems with them. Where some of them were called tion of paramedics into the department. “dinosaurs” I quickly learned the phrase “it’s not the dino- saurs, it the eggs they leave behind.” Of course that re- While the officers I served with were supportive, not all of ferred to those who stayed around but subscribed to the the personnel were. I can recall on several occasions that approach of “change nothing unless it is in my interest!” I my partner on the ambulance was complaining about the could write a great deal on the “eggs” they left behind and time I spent documenting the patient care report at the the continual battles for making change. hospital. We didn’t leave the hospital until the report was done and a copy was provided to the ER documenting the Fast forward and I am now in my 37th year in the fire ser- care we provided. That slowed us down and interfered with vice. I am now one of the “old guys” and hopefully not the him getting back to the station and back in front of the TV kind who wants nothing or to bed. He had been on the department much longer to change. I have al- than I had and when we got back to the station, he com- ways hated the phrase plained to the Captain about how much time I was taking “because that’s the way to complete the report. After hearing him out and then ask- we’ve always done it” ing me about what was taking so long, the Captain asked and while it might not me if I was doing it the way it was supposed to be done. I feel that way to those of responded I was and that I welcome a review of my patient you working with me, I care reports to see if there was too much documentation. In think if you are not the end, the Captain told my partner that the reports were changing something you accurate and complete and he didn’t feel like I was spend- aren’t trying very hard. ing too much time at the hospital. In my 37 years, I have It always struck me as funny how some folks wanted to be come to a conclusion. It progressive and some did not. My partner at the time had is not always the “old no desire to advance beyond EMT-B. His report writing guys.” It is not always the “dinosaurs” or the “eggs they skills were less than stellar. While a code may take me 20 leave behind.” Everyone can and most folks dislike change minutes plus to document, he would never take more than and struggle with changing the way things are done. But it 5 minutes to complete his documentation. Of course, it was is not just those with lots of experience. I am now seeing 3 a.m., his reports could be done in a fraction of the time some newer folks in the fire service who are going the other compared to 3 p.m... Ironically, if a call occurred during direction. These folks might have seven years of experience training, a report might take much longer thus delaying but they simply do not have near the experience that those our return to training. in the past would gain in seven years. They want to go back to the way it “used to be.” That’s simply not going to While I was blessed with officers that supported the chang- happen, not because we don’t “want” it to but because we es we were making, there were those who didn’t want to have learned so many lessons from the past. We have half see anything change. Always struck me as funny how they the fires we did in 1980. Folks are not getting the fire expe- would argue for things to change that were in their inter- rience that those who served in the ‘70’s, ‘80’s and even in est but would resist any efforts of change that impacted the ‘90’s. what they wanted to do. It was more about them than those we served. Despite the fact that fires are down, injuries are down, fire- fighter line of duty deaths are down, they advocate for I did my share of complaining about “the old guys.” It was more aggressive strategies and tactics. The kind we used to frustrating having so many roadblocks on trying to move do back in the “old days” when we attacked an unoccupied the department forward with EMS. I often heard people in structure the same as we did an occupied structure. They other departments complain about the same thing. The offer stats that show fewer firefighter injuries and seem to “old guys” this, the “old guys” that. We really didn’t take reject the lessons of the past when it comes to firefighter into account that the old guys had been doing it the old injuries and deaths. They point to those of us who lived way for a long time nor did we give much thought or appre- through the “aggressive on everything” and lived through ciation of how uncomfortable change could be. When you are driving the change, it is “all good.” When you are being those times and they refer to those of us who advocate for subjected to change you really don’t want, change is a little (Continued on page 3)

Urbandale Fire Department · On the Line · May 2021 · 2

ON THE LINE Chief’s Corner continued...

(Continued from page 2) No one bats an eye when we send a drone strike to take out a combatant. Yet there are “risk/benefit” approach as “Safety Sally” or those who still want to do what we have “fear monger.” And that’s when I realized I always done. Fire attack is a great example. am not merely the “old guy”…I am proudly When we put water on the fire as soon as a well experienced firefighter (sounds bet- possible things get better (for trapped occu- ter than “old guy!’) who has learned the pants and would be rescuers) yet there are lessons of the past and take very seriously those who argue that we should enter the the mantra of “everyone goes home.” I home and “fight” our way to the seat of the want nothing more than to keep our team fire. Not me. I know without a shadow of a safe… That means I stand ready to commit doubt that if we can put water in from the our teammates to very dangerous opera- outside and slow the growth of the fire, it tions if there is a reason for such activities. then becomes much easier and much safer A fire in an unoccupied structure demands to then go in an conduct overhaul. I get that we do not accept the same level of risk it...that tactic won’t always be possible and that we would in an occupied structure. when it is not, then another tactic must be used but the point is that we should not attack a fire like we’ve I think we can learn a lot from the military. The military cal- always done it. The military doesn't use the same tactics used culates anticipated losses when undertaking a mission. Clearly in WWII and neither should we. We should be smart. We take the anticipated losses of D-Day were extremely high but neces- chances when chances are warranted (rescue—saving savable sary to achieve the successful completion of the mission. That people) but we have to be smart. same action with today’s technology would look very different. The number of casualties would be reduced significantly If safe and means I am the “old guy”, I guess I am...I don’t through the use of modern weapons. Drones might be used, want to change back to how we “used to do it.” I lived it. Yes, I smart bombs, cruise missiles and general engagement from a enjoyed aggressively fighting fire immensely...before I learned height and distance that lessens the risk to our soldiers. In the that there were better ways. To accomplish the same thing. I end, significantly less soldiers would be needed to achieve the routinely risked everything even when there was nothing same outcome. much to be saved. I lived it—I don’t want to live it again.

Safety Tip – Roof Collapse Sends Firefighter to ER From firefighternearmiss.com One shoulder had a SLAP tear, and the other had an AC separation. Additionally, I had first and second degree burns INITIAL SIZE-UP: Single story residential with smoke and to my lower back. fire showing from the roof. 2nd due established a water sup- ply for water shuttle operations. No hydrant was available. LESSONS LEARNED: During the event, I developed tunnel vision. I knew where the EVENT: I arrived on the first due engine and advanced collapse zone was but failed to maintain situational aware- through a patio door with the primary attack line. Once in- ness. side, my partner and I encountered heavy smoke holding in the vaulted ceilings. I requested the pump operator to in- Changes implemented due to this event: Identify the collapse crease the pressure to penetrate through the drywall into the zone to reduce the risk to firefighters when there is no life attic. After conducting an attack, a replacement crew (on safety concern. deck) took our nozzle so we could go change our cylinders out (recycle). After our cylinders were changed, we were Leading practices that was noticed at this incident: Accounta- reassigned to ventilation. We had gained a foothold on the bility was extremely accurate. Command knew where I was roof and began to cut. The roof started to become extremely all the time. soft. We decided to come off the roof. Right when we did, the roof collapsed into the attic. After we finished changing our cylinders for the second time (third entry), we were assigned to overhaul. My partner and I were in the master bedroom. We started to pull ceiling, looking for hot spots. After a cou- ple of inspection holes, the ceiling with roofing material col- lapsed on top of me and pinned me between the bathroom cabinet and floor. My partner assisted, and I was able to self- rescue and left the building. Once we got back outside, our chief told us to head to rehab. When removing my air pack and gear, I developed severe pain in my shoulders and lower back. After an examination and transport to the emergency room, I learned that I suffered from two dislocated shoulders.

Urbandale Fire Department · On the Line · May 2021 · 3

ON THE LINE Documentation of EMS Refusals—AC Light Refusals are the most litigious EMS calls we face, often on STEMI patient they could lose part of their heart muscle or a daily basis. The documentation of those refusals is what die if applicable? Did you tell asthmatic they could relapse makes the difference taking appropriate action and possi- during the night and end up in worse shape? Did you tell ble dereliction of duty by an EMS professional. I know I the syncope patient they may lose consciousness on their have often talked about “painting the picture” of the call drive home and get in an MVC? The sky’s the limit on pos- and this is true for a refusal just as much as it is for a crime sible consequences of their decision to refuse treatment scene, code, OD, MVC or any other call. and/or transport. The clearer you document this important decision the better for everyone, including your defense as It all starts with the dispatch information and reason for the to why we didn’t take them in the first place. This also call. That information should be documented. Upon arrival, helps explain why we didn’t take the patient on the first trip pertinent scene observations should be documented. For if a second call comes in hours later for the same patient. example, we have had calls lately where crowded scenes or excessive noise may have played an impact on the re- Now that we’ve assessed the patient and both sides have fusal decision. Upon arrival at patient, the patient presenta- agreed that treatment and/or transport by EMS is no longer tion, chief complaint, history of event, physical assessment warranted, it is time to get the refusal signed to complete and mental assessments should be documented. Also, a the process. The patient (or legal guardian) needs to sign, full set of vitals and correlating diagnostic assessments and a witness signature obtained of someone related to should be documented (12-lead for possible cardiac is- the patient if possible. If the patient refuses to sign, then sues, blood glucose for possible hypoglycemia, etc.) document “patient refuses to sign” and get a legal family should be recorded. If any treatment is provided, the treat- member to sign as a witness. Law enforcement may also ment protocol used and response to that treatment should sign as a witness, but a legal family member is preferred. be documented. Another member of the fire department may sign as a last resort. When it is determined that the patient would like to refuse treatment and/or transport, we then should be performing There are a couple other things I wanted to bring up re- three situational assessments to complete the process. garding refusals. One is the difficult refusal. Although a Those being assessments of legal competence, mental dying patient who is mentally competent has the right to competence and situational competence. I will explain refuse, there are those cases where you know the patient each of those below: really needs definitive treatment despite their stubborn- ness. Medical Control is an option that has worked in the Legal competence- the patient is 18 years old or an past to help change the mind of the patient. It may be hard emancipated minor (17 y.o. married, pregnant, high school to believe, but not everyone thinks of EMS as medical pro- graduate or mother). fessionals and them knowing you talked to hospital who agrees with your assessment for Mental competence- patient is treatment and transport might oriented to person, place, time and change their mind. It has in the events. Patient is capable of un- past. derstanding the risks and conse- quences of refusing care and/or The last thing I wanted to bring up transportation to medical facility. is your rapport with the patient and Patient is not under the influence family. If you can gain their trust of drugs or alcohol or showing and they like you, it will greatly im- signs of other mental incapacity prove the way the call goes, (slurred speech, unsteady gate, whether it is a refusal or a etc.). Patient is not a danger to transport. Talk to the patient and himself or others. family like you know them. Be friendly, courteous and pro- fessional. They are in a stressful situation. Can you make it Situational or medical competence- Did patient lose less stressful for them by just being you? You’d be sur- consciousness at any time? Rule out metabolic emergen- prised how well it works. I just went through something cies that may hinder decision making (hypoglycemia, head similar with my rotator cuff repair. I had to go to the surgery injury, hypoxia, hyper/hypothermia, etc. Rule out acute center for an MRI. Prior to the MRI, I had to get dye inject- medical conditions that may impair patient’s ability to make ed into my shoulder joint. The physician was prepping the an informed decision to refuse care or treatment. syringe with dye and attached a rather large needle. He Another thing I’ve noticed in some refusal narratives was looked at me and asked me how I was doing and if I was the documentation that the patient was “informed of possi- ready for this? I said, “I guess” and asked him how he was ble consequences of their decision to refuse treatment doing? He said, “pretty good” and told me he had just and/or transport”. You’d be much better off to document watched a few YouTube videos on the injection procedure what consequences or risks were talked about to prove and thinks he has it figured out. That broke the ice for me. your point instead of a providing a generalized statement. He could have screwed up and I wouldn’t have known it Be specific as to your diagnosis and the possible conse- due to his personality and the connection that was made. quences for refusing care or transport. Did you tell the What works for you and your patients?

Urbandale Fire Department · On the Line · May 2021 · 4

ON THE LINE Dealing with Change - Lt. Stu Wilson As I was thinking about what to put down on paper for this a technique where you let go of the present moment and en- article, I realized that people are creatures of habit. We do not vision the future. Close your eyes and ask yourself, in 10 deal well with change, be it in our personal lives or our work years, how do I want to tell the story of overcoming this obsta- lives. I thought dealing with change would be a good topic cle? Choose to be intentional at how you view difficult circum- considering what has gone on here at the fire department stances and ask yourself how this will affect what you do to- over the last couple of years. day. Hindsight is 20/20, and by putting yourself in the future and looking at the past through a rear-view Webster’s Dictionary defines change as 1. mirror, you can make decisions from a place To make different in some way. 2. To make outside of your initial fear and anxiety. radically different. This word is certainly the one to describe our department. Don't overthink. During stressful events, our minds react by either fighting or fleeing. When you look over what has happened at We either try to escape our emotions or the fire department over the last few years wrestle them by overanalyzing and problem- you see change happening on almost a solving. But this does little to help when daily basis. We have opened a new station, change is in motion and solutions are be- hired a lot of new people and gone to clos- yond our control. An overly analytical mind est unit response. These are just a few can feed negative thought patterns by ob- changes that have happened in the not-so- sessively ruminating on the thoughts and distant past that we have had to adapt to. events that triggered the initial feelings of Then you throw in this whole COVID thing stress and anxiety. To quiet the over- and that has brought in a lot of changes that are more difficult thinking mind, allow yourself too simply be. Sit and observe to deal with than any of us could image. your thoughts and emotions nonjudgmentally without trying to fight or control them. Sometimes you get lucky when trying to write an article. Which just so happened to me. As I was typing this article the Turn outwards, not inwards. When we become anxious, we monthly EAP newsletter came to my inbox. I was so surprised tend to become self-centered, and it becomes difficult to see that it was about dealing with change. So instead of me bor- other perspectives. Our problems become magnified in our ing you with how I handle change I will let the experts tell you minds, and we focus on ourselves and our worries. The natu- of some of the options for dealing with change. Below are 3 ral tendency to draw ourselves inwards prevents us from ways that may help you deal with change in your personal or reaching for the connections and community that help keep professional lives. While you may have your own way of deal- us grounded. By making an effort to help or connect with oth- ing with change as I do, just make sure it is healthy. ers, whether through a phone call, volunteer opportunity, or gifting others with our time and abilities, we refocus our view Look at things from a distance. When unexpected change on the bigger picture and become happier and more resilient. occurs, it is easy to become caught up in overwhelming emo- tions, disappointment, and anxiety. To prevent yourself from Patrick, D. (2021, April). The Secret to Accepting Change: Learn to Let falling into negative thought patterns, try temporal distancing, Go of What "Should Be. Life Happens Headlines.

Other programs/training/projects completed by UFD in March:

Training Report: 849 hours of training were completed in March Fire Training: 558 hours EMS Training: 291 hours Prevention & Inspection Activities:

• Completed 19 inspections

• Completed 11 re-inspections

• Completed 21 preplans

• Conducted 37 plan reviews

• Conducted public education/PR for 6 people (3 children & 3 adults)

• Replaced 5 smoke detector and 9 detector batteries

• Conducted 3 Car Seat checks and 2 Birthday Drive by visits

*Training and prevention/public relation efforts are for the previous month.

Urbandale Fire Department · On the Line · May 2021 · 5

ON THE LINE Trivia... Correct Answer, False on the top floor and roof, but the heat and smoke limited efforts and most died. The fire was under control in less The Real Towering Inferno Story than two hours, having run out of fuel to burn. 179 people Released in 1974, The Towering Inferno was actually died. only one of a number of disaster movies released in the The Joelma Building fire in many in ways mirrored the 1970’s. Special effects were in their infancy, but these mov- spread of fire and deaths included in The Towering Infer- ies began a trend to engage audiences less in characters no. Like the movie, the building was engulfed in flames and more into the entire movie experience. More than a from the 12th to the 25th floors. Elevators worked, but one dozen of these movies were made, but Towering Inferno, group was trapped and killed inside one car. Many occu- more than the others, has stood the test of time. It is con- pants did make it to the roof, but helicopter rescues weren’t sidered the best movie of this type, earning an Academy possible due to fire spread onto the roof. People were forced Award nomination for best picture. The movie starred Ste- to choose between the fire and jumping; many jumped. The ve McQueen as the building’s architect and Paul Neumann similar events were in fact coincidences – the move script as the heroic fire chief charged with stopping the fire. was not altered to include any of these events.

The movie is actually not based on any real-life high-rise To this day, The Towering Inferno is consistently ranked fire. It is based on two books which were both inspired by as one of the top firefighting movies ever made. It has a the building of the World Trade Center, which began con- rating of 70% on Rotten Tomatoes. The stellar cast and struction in 1966 and opened in 1973. Both books, The dramatic cinematography makes for the best disaster movie Glass Inferno and The Tower, both told the story about tall of all time. The movie also highlighted the need for more skyscrapers consumed in fire. Each author identified the advanced fire protection in high-rise fires. This included construction of the twin towers as the inspiration for their the real inspiration for the movie, the Twin Towers, which stories. was almost built without any fire sprinklers.

In The Towering Inferno, its opening night for the worlds tallest building (138 floors). But an electrical short on the 81st floor ignites a fire which will soon consume the building. Guests at the gala event are celebrating in the Promenade room at the top of the building, and they soon find themselves trapped by the fire. Despite their best ef- forts, firefighters are unable to contain the fire as it spreads upwards. In the end, its up to the architect and fire chief to devise a plan to blow holes in large water tanks at the top of the building to put out the fire and save the trapped oc- cupants.

Despite not being based on any real high-rise fire, there were two significant high-rise fires during this time frame that made the concept of a towering fire all-too-real for Joelma Building, Feb 1, 1974 many people. On December 25th, 1971, a fire at the Dae- yeonggak Hotel in Seoul South Korea killed 164 people. Towering Inferno, released 1974 Only three years old, the building did not contain any fire protection or life safety features. Most of the deaths were caused by toxic smoke pouring upwards through internal staircases which were not enclosed.

Only ten months prior to the release of the film, a hi-rise IMPORTANT MESSAGE fire in Sao Paolo Brazil looked eerily similar to what movie It is critical that a patient’s signature is obtained fans would soon see on screen. On February 1, 1974, fire on all transports documenting financial responsibil- struck the Joelma Building, a 25-story office building. The building was primarily concrete and steel but was outfitted ity for the cost of the services provided and allowing us with modern combustible furnishings. Like the Daeyeong- to invoice insurance. This is a Medicare requirement gak Hotel, it contained no fire protection or life safety fea- and not getting signatures jeopardizes our ability to tures. The fire was first discovered on the 12th floor a little bill for services rendered. A signature must be ob- before 9 am. Due to traffic congestion, it took responders tained. There will be times when a patient simply more than 20 minutes to arrive. By then the fire had al- cannot sign—this is understood. When that occurs, you ready spread almost to the roof, jumping floor to floor. As must document in the narrative why the patient in the movie, attempts were made to rescue people trapped could not sign.

Urbandale Fire Department · On the Line · May 2021 · 6

ON THE LINE What’s Happening Around the Department…

• The last staff meeting was April 8th and the meeting notes • We are migrating away from using Outlook for the daily jour- have been posted. The next schedule staff meeting is May 13, nal. We have had a few occasions where someone accidental- 2021 @ 0730 hrs. and Lt. Wilson will be the facilitator. If you ly erased months of data and this happened on more than one have items you’d like to see discussed, please work through occasion. Outlook is not a reliable substitute for the old fire- your officer to get those items on the agenda. house journal. Capt. Gentosi has found a solution in Target Solutions that will do a better job of tracking those items that • Our current hiring list has been exhausted and we have have been tracked in the Outlook calendar like trips to the opened the hiring process in April. The next few weeks will store, non-incident response items such as special projects, see us completing the hiring process to establish a list. There efforts and daily staffing. Training will be forthcoming with the is one opening to start after July 1 to bring shift staffing to 17 intent of moving to the new platform beginning June 1st. There FT per shift. We will continue to have one PT position per shift will still be some items tracked in Outlook with those being as well as PT fill in for FT open positions. items for which one might want to set a reminder.

• Sharon Mitchell will be starting with the department as an Ad- • Construction on Waterford Road continues and access Coyote ministrative Technician to fill Lesley’s spot. Sharon will begin Ridge neighborhood will have to be from 142nd Street. on May 3rd so that there will be an opportunity for Lesley to train Sharon on current billing processes. Sharon is married to • We will be putting a committee together to develop the specifi- Chief Jim Mitchell of Polk City and is John and Joe’s mom. cations for the next ambulance replacement. The committee will form in June for the planned replacement of two ambu- • Lesley's last day will be May 28th. We will have a farewell re- lances to occur in 2023. This committee will be starting early ception for her on the 28th @ 2 p.m. @ Station# 42. as there are some major considerations for those two units including the possibility of moving to Type I units, the impact of • We will beginning with a new EMS billing company as soon as that move as well as other options and considerations. This possible. There will be training forthcoming as required for will be a working committee and it is anticipate that once a HIPAA and documentation. Look for that to be coming as soon decision is made on the type of unit, the purchase will follow as we can get that scheduled. the same path as our fire apparatus and will come from the HGAC Contract. Please consider volunteering to be on this • There are openings for the National Fire Academy. Please see committee if you are interested in helping please reach out to your email for a list of classes sent on April 12, 2021. Chief Light.

• Brick work at Station # 43 is underway and will continue • A washer/dryer has been ordered for replacement @ #42 through May. We do not have an anticipated end date as of dorm area. yet. Member Profile... Member Profile: TJ Hardin FT FF/Paramedic Length of Time with Urbandale Fire: Dec 2020 Why I was interested in the Urbandale Fire Dept: Prior to applying, I heard great things about the dept. I’m frequently in Urbandale and I think it’s a great community. Previous EMS experience: Waukee Fire Dept, 5 years; UnityPoint Marshalltown, 1 year. Previous Fire experience: Waukee Fire Dept, 5 years. Family Life: Married to Nicole for 11 years. Our children are Trey (14), Niah (9), and Abri (9). Pets include Catahoula Leopard (Queen), American Bulldog (Patriot), and Chi- huahua (Biggie Smalls) Professional Life: FF/PM Activities/hobbies I enjoy: Weight lifting, cycling, watching my kids play sports Favorite TV programs: Sports Center Top 10 Favorite movies: Barry Gordy’s “The Last Dragon” Last book that I read: “Extreme Ownership” by Jocko Willink Most memorable moment with UFD: The privilege to be a part of a CPR Life Save. Most memorable moment outside of UFD: Birth of my kids Personal goals: Learn more, and travel more What I enjoy about Urbandale Fire: The comradery within the dept. and the citizens we serve. Favorite Saying: Team Work makes the Dream Work.

Urbandale Fire Department · On the Line · May 2021 · 7

ON THE LINE “You’ve Been Caught Doing An Outstanding Job”

We continue to recognize your efforts. Whenever we receive a thank you letter, card or a phone call, we pass that along to the people involved in the form of a “You’ve Been Caught Doing An Outstanding Job” letter. As of April 18th, we have sent 48 notices to our personnel. The following people received “You’ve Been Caught” notices since our last newsletter:

Lt. Landers, D/E Cory Young, FF/PM Joe Mitchell, FF/PM Beth Harris &FF/PM Hatfield: We received a thank you note and picture of a child for which we provided a birthday drive by back in February. The note reads “Dear Urban- dale Fire Department – thank you for making my 4th birthday so special by driving by my house on 2/20! It was such a cool experience – I still talk about it all the time! We are lucky to live in such an awesome community. Your biggest fan, Theo Jost” The card was accompanied by a picture of Theo in his Fire Chief turnout gear! (Posted to our Facebook page on 3/29/21)

FF/PM Matt Linge, Recruit Rachel Mona, FF/PM Dennis May, FF/PM Joe Mitchell, D/E Eric Ennen, & Lt. Boyle: we received a plate of cookies at station 41 along with a card for a call at Lion's Park at 72nd and Aurora run number 21-1096. The note reads, "Matt, Rachel & staff, I wanted to thank you for taking such good care of me (and my dog) when I broke my arm. You were all so comforting and helpful. Please know I am grateful for your help & expertise and all you do for our community. Grateful - Kim Jones & Eydie Gorme "

FF/EMT Aldin Ramic, FF/PM Adam Tryon, Lt. Cory Macumber, D/E Drew Stiles & FF/PM Abraham Flores: We received food and thank you card from a family for which we provided care. It was a very difficult call (SIDS) and the note read “Thank you for your help in our family’s time of need. We appreciate all that you do.” Thanks to all of you for providing outstanding service!!

We received a donation of $103 dollars in recog- nition of Harold Jacobs

What’s being built at 152nd & Meredith? It is not a new facility, but it IS a neat project to showcase that corner as the entrance into the 200 acre Walnut Creek Regional Park. It is anticipated this project will be completed by the fall of 2021.

Urbandale Fire Department Expectations 4. Seek excellence! Seek to improve everything.

1. Maintain and promote a winning attitude! No complaining 5. Do that which is right! Be accountable. without solutions. Give no audience to complainers. 6. Stay focused! Mission and values. 2. Practice the Golden Rule! Go beyond treating people the way you want to be treated, treat them the way THEY want to 7. Participate! Be fully involved. be treated. 8. Capitalize on adversity! Adapt & overcome...seek opportuni- 3. Be a team player! Participate—communicate. ty in adversity.

Urbandale Fire Department · On the Line · May 2021 · 8