2008 Annual Report / Page 1

2008 Annual Report

Board of Commissioners Administration

Jim Kenny Fire Chief Chairman Edward C. Widdis Lawrence Hadland Assistant Chiefs Vice Chairman Gary Aleshire David Chan Brad Reading Brian S. McMahan Deputy Chiefs Bob Meador Scott Glowaski Ray Mattox Scott Pearson Steve Sherman

A community-focused fire service leader passionately preserving life, property and the environment.

Headquarters / 12425 Meridian Avenue / Everett, Wa. 98208 / (425) 551-1200 www.firedistrict1.org 2008 Annual Report / Page 2 OPERATIONS

Snohomish County Fire District 1 responded to 13,854 incidents in 2008.

Number of responses by incident type 2008 Annual Report / Page 3

Response times

In 2008, Fire District 1 improved response times and continued to move closer to its goal of achieving a Response time of 8 minutes response time of 8 minutes or less on 90 percent of all or less on 87 percent emergency calls. Fire District 1 met this response time of emergency calls standard on 87 percent of calls in 2008, up from 83 percent in 2007.

Response times by fire station Percent of emergency calls with response times 8 minutes or less 2008 Annual Report / Page 4

February 22, 2008: Fire at the Crestview Apartments.

Responses by station and apparatus 2008 Annual Report / Page 5 Automatic and mutual aid

Everett Dist. 4 Aid given: 8 Aid given: 9 Aid rec’d: 2 Aid rec’d: 0 Mukilteo Aid given: 75 Aid rec’d: 2

Fire Dist. 1 Total aid given: 1144 Total aid rec’d: 878

District 7 Aid given: 461 Aid rec’d: 222

Lynnwood Aid given: 351 Aid rec’d: 301

Edmonds Aid given: 240 Other agencies Aid rec’d: 73 Bothell Shoreline Contract: 207 Aid given: 0 Aid given: 0 Aid rec’d: 14 Aid rec’d: 35 Airport Aid given: 0 Aid rec’d: 18 Northshore Aid given: 0 Aid rec’d: 4

December 20, 2008: House fire on Meadow Place. 2008 Annual Report / Page 6 TRAINING

The 2008 Annual Training Program met and exceeded the planned goals for the year. Along with developing and delivering annual Vocational In Service Training programs compliant with state law requirements, enhancements were made in command staff training, company officer career development, and probationary firefighter Firefighters take part in an extrication drill. training.

As in the past, 2008’s Annual Training Program „ Fire Ground Operations was multifaceted and multi-disciplined, providing „ Emergency Medical Services required training in the following categories: „ Extrication „ Command and Control Training „ Mass Casualty Incidents „ Live Fire Training-Delivered at the State Fire „ Forcible Entry Training Academy „ Hazardous Materials-Operations Level The annual training program also included training evolutions to: „ Technical Rescue-Awareness Level „ Create hose evolution time standards „ Incident Tactics „ Familiarize crews with the new Holmatro „ Incident Management System procedures extrication equipment and the Rescue 42 Struts „ Safety „ Introduce and implement the addition of the „ Basic and Advanced Firefighting Techniques newly acquired Scott SCBA equipment incorporating the NFPA 1001 „ Certify Ladder 11 operators in the areas of „ and NFPA 1002 Standards. apparatus familiarization, positioning, stabiliza- „ Leadership and Administration including the NFPA 1021 Standards Continued on page 7

Distribution of Training Hours 2008 Annual Report / Page 7

Continued from page 6 curriculum now incorporates Firefighter II training and testing into their program. tion and operation, driving and rodeo course and elevated master stream operations. Fire District 1’s first officers attended the Fire Officer 1 course in October. Regional partnering programs The King County Officer Development Program ASERT Drills: Joint quarterly drills with was chosen as the educational program for the Snohomish County Fire District 7 allowed both district’s newly hired company officers with two departments to maximize program costs and Fire District 1 members entering the program in enhance interoperability in rapid intervention 2008. This is a multi-week program which trains team training, urban search and rescue officers to the NFPA 1021 Fire Officer I and II techniques/heavy lifting, confined space and Standard and the NFPA 1041 Fire Service trench rescue. Instructor I Standard. Sunday Drills: Joint quarterly drills with Everett Bachelors-level college education support was Fire, Lynnwood Fire, Edmonds Fire and Fire initiated in 2008 with five personnel taking District 7 promoted interoperability with our advantage of this professional development automatic and mutual aid partners. opportunity and many more seeking information to begin the process. Paine Field FAA drills: These included a large- scale multi-casualty incident and airside Target Safety was implemented which administers exercises. and delivers an on-line safety and compliance training program. Over 160 personnel took Probationary Program classes on a variety of topics using this media format. All levels of staff took courses that were Nine new hires from 2007 successfully completed specific to their functional areas of responsibility. their annual probationary program and were assigned to shift in 2008. A quarterly command staff training program was designed and delivered targeting chief officers Eight new employees were hired in 2008 and and their roles and responsibilities as command successfully achieved their IFSAC Certifications in officers in the NIMS system. The overall goal of Firefighter I, Firefighter II, and Hazardous this program is to provide hands-on, scenario- Materials Operations through their attendance at based evolutions to develop the capabilities of the State Fire Training Center Recruit Academy. personnel assigned as incident commanders or to They also achieved their Rescue Systems I the command staff positions. Certification through the Snohomish County Post- Academy Orientation Program along with A training division administrative assistant with attending courses in Confined Space, Trench technical expertise in the area of design and Rescue, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and development software and program management Firefighter Survival among others. was hired. The Probationary Firefighter Program Manual A multi-station forcible entry prop was aquired was entirely reviewed and rewritten to include and department-wide training was held. many enhancements based on past participants’ suggestions and new requirements. Volunteer Program Program enhancements 2008 was a transitional year for the volunteer program as it saw the movement from an IDLH Full department integration into the program into a developed community and International Fire Service Accreditation Congress operational support program moving into 2009. Certification program: 73 personnel were awarded certificates of equivalency for Firefighter The volunteer program continued to provide I, Firefighter II, and Hazardous Materials many valuable services throughout 2008 with a Operations. committed force of 12 volunteers. The successes for 2008: Due in large part to lobbying efforts by Fire „ 70 response hours to Station 23 E-23A District 1 staff, the State Fire Academy recruit „ 974 training hours „ 350 public education program hours „ 1 volunteer hired by Mukilteo Fire Dept. 2008 Annual Report / Page 8 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

Paramedics train at Harborview Jennifer Stollwerck, Deanna Carter and Andrew Heller successfully completed their paramedic training at Harborview Medical Center in July. Neil Kelly, Kris Georgen, Josh Stadler and Tanner Friebel started their paramedic training at Harborview in October. Integration programs Fire District 1 revised its Paramedic Integration Program and developed and February 18,, 2008: Firefighters treat a motorcyclist injured in a collision with a van in Brier. implemented a new EMT Integration Program.

Other highlights: „ The EMS Division hosted a two-day EMS symposium that had an attendance of more than 80 participants each day. „ The Exposer Control Plan was updated and annual required training was com- pleted. „ An internal billing compliance audit was completed and found a 100 percent compli- ance. „ The EMS Division piloted a successful shift Medical Services Officer program. „ The division maintained a presences at the state, regional and local levels. 2008 Annual Report / Page 9

Promotions and retirements Dave Ruddell was promoted to Captain in March to fill the position of retiring Captain Bruce Krause who started his career with District 1 in July of 1976. Ruddell was hired in 2001 after working for Monroe Fire District 3. Lt. Bob Stoneman retired from the volunteer members after joining the department in November of 1980. New administrative staff Catherine Russell joined the district in September as administrative assistant to the Eight recruits from Fire District 1 graduated from the Washington State Fire Training Division. Academy on Nov. 7: front row, from left, Erik Arcus, Keith Bien, Matthew Tina Delisle joined the Fire Bowden and Nathan Crawford; back row, Training Capt. Dave Herbert, Kelly Prevention Division in October Geiger, Andy Irish, Matthew Stiefel, Derek Talley and Deputy Chief of Training as a Fire and Life Safety Scott Glowaski. Education Specialist, replacing Kristen Thorstenson who moved on to Marysville Fire District. ADMINISTRATIVE Civilian staff compensation studied A compensation study for civilian staff members was SERVICES approved by the Board of Fire Commissioners this past July. TeleStaff software Bowden, Nathan Crawford, Performance audit Kelly Geiger, Andy Irish, TeleStaff software became Fire A performance audit was Matthew Stiefel and Derek District 1’s primary shift conducted by Moss Adams LLP Talley. scheduling software and is in late 2008 with the results now being used to autocall All graduated from the State being reported in January of shift and special project Fire Academy on Nov. 7 with 2009. coverage. Linking the software Irish as valedictorian of the class to the payroll system will help of 37 recruits from throughout automate that process, the state. Two other Fire increasing its accuracy and District 1 recruits also earned efficiency. honors at the academy: Crawford as most inspirational Eight firefighters hired and a Bulldog Award recipient; Fire District 1 filled eight and Bowden as a member of entry-level firefighter positions. the First Due Truck Company Several hundred applications and the recipient of a weekly were received by the May leadership award. closing date. The eight new Battalion Chief Gary Kestle pins a members started Aug. 1: Erik The eight new hires started captain’s badge on Dave Ruddell, Arcus, Keith Bien, Matthew shift assignments in December. who was promoted in March. 2008 Annual Report / Page 10 FIRE PREVENTION

State and regional participation Washington Public Fire Educators (Kim Schroeder; Vice Chair), North Region EMS, Snohomish County Fire Prevention Association, Washington State Association of Fire Marshals. Partnerships in Prevention American Red Cross, Everett Clinic, Everett Silvertips, Mountlake Terrace High School, Mountlake Terrace Seniors, Mountlake Terrace Police Department, Mukilteo School District, Providence Hospital, Safe Kids of Snohomish County, Senior Services of Snohomish County, Sno-Isle Library, Snohomish County Clerk’s Office, Snohomish County Council on Aging, Snohomish County Christmas House, Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office, State Department of Health Mountlake Terrace inspection program Another successful conclusion of the inspection program in 2008 was made possible by the light duty assignment of Captain Don Navarre.

Firefighter Keith Sharp checks a child’s car seat to make sure it is installed properly.

Senior falls Fire and life safety educations forged partnerships with Washington State Department of Health and Senior Services of Snohomish County through the Senior Fall Prevention Program to reduce falls among seniors through professional development, public education, advocacy, networking and resource development and referral. Water safety Fire District 1 continued its partnership with Safe Kids of Snohomish County to operate a life jacket cabinet at Martha Lake County Park.

Firefighters Steve Varden and Steve Barnes lead a tour at Station 19. 2008 Annual Report / Page 11

Adoption Day GIS/Mapping Fire and Life Safety Education Specialists and „ Updated station area wall maps and grid books. fellow Fire District 1 employees participated in „ Completed and delivered grid books to Fire Snohomish County’s National Adoption Day District 7. Celebration at the courthouse in Everett by fitting „ Provided data and maps for the Regional Fire kids with new bike helmets. Authority meetings. Smoke Alarm Saturday „ Added large format laminating services. In the wake of a fatal mobile home fire in Sno- „ Supported the Administrative, EMS, Training, homish, Fire District 1 worked with the Snohom- PIO and Fire Prevention divisions with large ish County Fire Prevention Association to host format printing and lamination services Smoke Alarm Saturday in October. Firefighters „ Responded with AIR 11 in support of went door-to-door installing smoke alarms. fireground operations. During the month of October, Fire District 1 installed more than 50 smoke alarms. Fire Drill Friday Fire District 1 and other fire service agencies partnered with the Everett Silvertips in an effort to promote the importance of home fire escape planning. Home fire escape planning materials were distributed at a Silvertips game and citizens were invited to fire stations to share their plans with firefighters on Fire Drill Friday. Fire Corps Program Snohomish County Fire District 1 is now recog- nized on the National Fire Corps database. Operation School Bell The Mukilteo School District was seeking drivers for Operation School Bell – a program for low income kids to get new school clothes. Fire District 1’s fire and life safety education specialists and public information officer signed up to be Firefighter David Sherman installs a smoke alarm on drivers for the students from their respective Smoke Alarm Saturday in October. schools to Operation School Bell in Everett. 2008 Annual Report / Page 12 PUBLIC INFORMATION

Fire District 1 fielded more than 500 media inquiries and distributed more than 70 press re- leases in 2008. Fire Dis- trict 1 was featured in more than 4,250 column inches of newspaper coverage. This newspaper coverage had an advertis- ing value of more than $104,500. Fire District 1 Public Information Office worked with the Snohomish County Fire Prevention Association to coordinate media coverage of the county-wide Smoke Alarm Saturday event held in October. Fire District 1 Deputy Chief Steve Neighborhood Sherman, center, spoke at the press conference along with Fire District 4 Chief meetings Mark Collins and County Fire Marshal Mike Maloney. Fire District 1 hosted 10 neigh- borhood meetings attended by houses focusing on bike Association and other agen- about 150 people in 2008. safety and fall open houses cies on several public infor- featuring EMS and a teddy mation campaigns including Other programs bear clinic. Smoke Alarm Saturday and Public safety campaigns: The FireDrill Friday. „ Districtwide publication and „ distribution of FlashPoint public information officer newsletters. worked with the district’s fire and life safety education „ Open house events: Fire specialists, the Snohomish District 1 hosted spring open County Fire Prevention

Capt. John Chalfant explains to Sen. Patty Murray how firefighters use hazardous materials equipment. Sen. Murray hosted a First Firefighters speak at a neighborhood meeting held after a fire at Twin Firs Reponders Homeland Security Apartments. Summit at Station 11 in February. 2008 Annual Report / Page 13 FINANCE General Revenues

35,000,000

30,000,000 Budget Forecast Actual Collections 25,000,000

20,000,000

15,000,000

10,000,000

5,000,000

Jan Feb Mar Apr MayMay June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Labor Costs

25,000,000

20,000,000 Budget Forecast Actual Expenses

15,000,000

10,000,000

5,000,000

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

NOTE: This report presents dollar amounts representing the financial status of Fire District 1 as of December 31, 2008. These amounts are based on the best information available at the time and are believed to be true and accurate, but which, as of the date of this publication, have not been audited by the State Auditor’s Office. 2008 Annual Report / Page 14

Transfers and Operating Expenses

45,000,000

40,000,000

35,000,000

30,000,000

25,000,000

20,000,000

15,000,000

10,000,000

5,000,000

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

Budget Forecast Actual Transfers and Operating Expenses

Firefighters bid farewell to two long-time members of Fire District 1 who retired in 2008: Lt. Bob Stoneman (above) and Capt. Bruce Krause (right). Krause retired in January after more than 31 years of service as a career firefighter with Fire District 1. Stoneman retired in June with 28 years of service as a volunteer firefighter with Fire District 1.