The Golden Fire Department Was Saddened with the Loss of Firefighter/ Engineer John Johnson on July 2, 2014
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The Golden Fire Department was saddened with the loss of Firefighter/ Engineer John Johnson on July 2, 2014. Engineer Johnson succumbed to the brain cancer that he was diagnosed in February 2014. Engineer Johnson fought a courageous and valiant battle for several months but the cancer was just too extensive. John was a volunteer firefighter for 11 years with the last 7 ½ being with Golden. John was a skilled firefighter with his passion being wildland firefighting and being an Engineer with the Department driving the “big rigs”. He responded to the Waldo Canyon Fire in 2012 and the Black Forest Fire in 2013. Engineer Johnson was a decorated firefighter receiving commendations and awards for his work. He received two Federal Disaster Service Awards and received the Department’s Award of Honor for his actions during a serious auto accident where two vehicles went into the icy waters of Clear Creek after being hit by a semi-tanker carrying hot asphalt oil. Both passenger vehicles had entrapment of occupants and extrication and a technical rope rescue was performed in one of the most difficult situations with the hot oil pouring down the creek side. John actually got to meet one of the ladies they rescued. That made his day to think she would come back to say thank you. Engineer John Johnson was a dedicated and skilled member of the Golden Fire Department and he will be greatly missed by all of the members. Golden Fire Department Year In Review 2014 This overview reflects the hard work and dedication of the staff and members of the Department who have made significant sacrifices to ensure that the citizens and the visitors to the City of Golden continue to receive the highest quality level of service they have become accustomed to. 2014 was not without challenges but the staff and members have continued to work, maintain and enhance service levels, keeping up to date with capital equipment replacements and continued to make technological advancements with the necessary tools to perform many administrative and operational functions. In 2014 there was a record 1557 emergency responses by our firefighters, a joint recruit academy between four different fire agencies was successfully held and a State of Colorado Gaming Grant became reality as we took delivery of a new Water Rescue Vehicle in December. We continue our approach to making firefighter t is my honor to present the 2014 Annual safety our #1 goal and at the same time con- Report summarizing the activities of the tinuing to meet the mission of the Golden Fire I Golden Fire Department and its members. Department for many years to come. 2014 Grants Received Colorado Gaming: $192,750 towards the purchase of a 2014 Heavy Duty Water Rescue Vehicle. Golden Civic Foundation: $2,000 for the purchase of replacement protective fire helmets. “Ordinary People-Extraordinary Job” Golden Fire Department Year In Review2014 It was decided and approved by Council that it was time to replace this one staff position with three new Shift Officers at the rank of Lieuten- ants. This process took the rest of 2014 to get approval and organize. On January 19, 2015 they came on board and began their training. As of Feb 2, 2015 they began running shifts and new era was born in Golden Fire Depart- ment. We continue to be on the cutting edge with Oh 2014 you are but a vapor in my mind. The technology. We use various mapping applica- business calendar year doesn’t really end until tions and inspection applications with the in- the end of the first quarter into the next year. I troduction of iPad technology. Our inspectors am finally able to rotate my files just this in the field are able to give real time inspection week. Administrative Services is constantly reports. Our compliance with the National busy taking care of all the work generated by Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) keeps five other Divisions; Office of the Fire Chief, our fire reports timely and accurate for any Training Division, Fire & Life Safety, Opera- grant we may apply. Grant monies have tions/Maintenance and the Volunteers. We are helped us a lot throughout the years to buy turn interconnected to all of these areas as well as out gear, wild land equipment, a new Water keeping up with The City operations. One Rescue and the list goes on. If we did not re- good thing about being so busy is that we don’t main NFIRS compliant we would not be able have time to get into too much trouble. Ad- to receive any federal grant monies. This is ministrative Services has a broad range of du- one of our priorities, to remain NFIRS compli- ties in our division. We are happy to serve. ant. Early in 2014 the department underwent a loss 2015 is already upon us and going strong. We of a staff position. We quickly regrouped and will continue with our mission to provide sup- turned our attention to helping that division port to all the divisions in our department and stay functional. We took on extra duties and all of our customers at City Hall and those sup- tried to clear the plate for others to do their porting departments as well as the citizens of more important functions why we were able to Golden. do more administrative support for them. “It is the little things that we do outside of saving lives and property that we feel, truly makes us community partners!” “Ordinary People-Extraordinary Job” Golden Fire Department Year In Review 2014 he Fire and Life Safety Division of the Golden Fire Department is responsible for ensuring that all T buildings meet applicable fire codes. This division is responsible for the following activities: Building inspections Building plan reviews Public education & training programs Fire protection system inspections Fire preplanning Fire investigations 2013 2014 Division Staff Training Hours 165 331 Division Staff Emergency Call Response 503 532 Fire & Life Safety Activities by the Year Fire Prevention Function 2013 2014 Construction & Operational Permit Plans Review 355 370 Construction & Operational Permit Inspections 798 650 Fire and Life Safety Maintenance Inspections 475 547 Fire and Life Safety Maintenance Re-inspections 251 253 Fire Origin & Cause Investigations: Fire and Life Safety Division 12 13 Company Officer Level 9 23 Arson Charged 3 1 Citizen Complaint Investigations 6 21 Public Education and Training Programs 2013 2014 Community Events 15 17 School Events 8 10 Station Tours 28 32 Child Passenger Safety Seat Education 72 83 “Ordinary People-Extraordinary Job” Golden Fire Department Year In Review2014 2014 Academy: 11 recruits completed the five-month 240 hour state Firefighter I and Hazmat Operations certifications Technical Rescue: 11 personnel completed a 30 hour technical rescue course Swiftwater Rescue Training: Hosted three Dive Rescue International classes Swiftwater Rescue I Swiftwater Rescue II Swift water Rescue Trainer (60 hours) Hosted a Swiftwater Shore Support class (75 fire & law enforcement personnel from nine local agencies attended) Participated in two Metro area Strike Team exercises Wildland fire scenario Swiftwater mass casualty scenario 6 Volunteers completed Firefighter II State Certification 3 Volunteers completed State Driver/Operator Pumper Training 4 Personnel completed the state Emergency Medical Response Certification Course 2014 Training Hours by Category Category 2013 2014 Firefighting EMS 1495 1063 49% EMS Hazmat Driver/Operator 399 960 7% Driver Fire Instructor 94 131 Tech Operator Fire Officer 647 791 Rescue Fire Instructor Firefighter 4686 5775 15% Hazardous 765 818 Fire Officer Materials Technical 596 1771 Wildland Firefighting 4% Rescue Fire Officer EMS 7% Fire Instructor 9% Hazmat Wildland 811 546 1% Driver Operator 8% Tech Rescue Total Training 9,493 Hours For 2013 Wildland Total Training 11,855 Hours For 2014 “Ordinary People-Extraordinary Job” Golden Fire Department Year In Review 2014 Incidents By Type 2013 2014 Fires 41 48 Overpressure, rupture explosion 16 9 Rescue & Emergency Medical 755 849 Service Hazardous Condition (fire) 78 92 Service Call 89 85 Good Intent Call 181 226 False Alarm & False Call 227 226 Severe Weather & Natural Disaster 7 1 Special Incident Type 12 20 Total Incidents 1406 1556 Total Calls by District District 1 689 735 District 2 587 684 MillerCoors Property 7 10 Clear Creek Canyon 62 62 Out of City Gaming Related 28 27 Out of City Other 34 38 Average Response Time 5:15 min. 4:56 min. Mutual Aid Given 24 27 Mutual Aid Received 39 49 Total Dollar Loss $59,910 $256,435 Total Save Amount $30,798,110 $363,379,415 Incident Type 2013 Compare to 2014 1600 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 2013 0 2014 “Ordinary People-Extraordinary Job” Golden Fire Department Year In Review 2014 In March, a structure fire was reported at 711 Iowa St. The fire itself wasn’t as devastating as what was found inside. A man was found dead, in the room of origin. Through investigative work by GFD, GPD and CBI, it was discovered that the man was a victim of a homicide. For several days and many weeks after- wards fire investigators were on scene going through the debris and completing countless pages of reports. The trial for the ac- cused will be later this year. In June, a 39-year old male had reportedly jumped into the creek late one night and disappeared. Flows at that time were over 2,000 cfs. An initial search was conducted that night, and then a much more extensive search happened the next day when daylight could help. The search involved many agencies and went from the Kayak Park in Golden all the way to the Adams County line, but the man was not found.