Poway Fire Department

2020 Annual Report 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 2 The City of Poway

The City of Poway is located in northeast San Diego County and prides itself on the fact that over half of the city’s 39.4 square-mile area is preserved as dedicated open space. This “City in the Country” is bordered to the north, south and west by the City of San Diego and by unincorporated San Diego County to the east.

Close to 50,000 residents call Poway home, with single family dwelling units making up 75% of the 16,937 housing units in the city.

The Clyde Rexrode Wilderness Area is more than 1,000 acres of open space featuring two of Poway’s recreational jewels: Blue Sky Ecological Reserve and the Lake Poway Recreational Area. Lake Poway serves as a reservoir for the city’s drinking water with the ability to store over 1 billion gallons of water and the park area features hiking trails, an archery range and fishing and boating opportunities. The Blue Sky Ecological Reserve is 770 acres of natural hab- itat with hiking, horseback riding and interpretive trails. Poway also is home to the 1140-acre Iron Mountain Wilder- ness Area. The Poway Performing Arts Center is an 815 seat professional theater that was built in 1990.

The community is primarily residential; however, it also has a thriving business park, located in the southern por- tion of the City. The 1,500-acre South Poway Business Park is home to approximately 600 businesses with more than 19,000 employees and occupies close to 11 million square feet of building space. Poway also supports a well-developed business area, located along Poway Road and Pomerado Road.

The Poway Unified School District is the county’s third largest school district and one of the most respected. The district provides educa- tional services to 38 public school campuses in the north inland area, serving 33,000 students. There are 12 campuses located in the city: 2 high schools, 2 middle schools, 7 elementary schools and 1 adult school.

The median household income is $105,732 and 6.6% of the population is below poverty level. Approximately 16.38% of the population is 65 years and over.

Poway has a climate that is characterized by mild winters and warm summers. Rain more frequently occurs in the spring and delivers an average of 12” annually. The annual temperatures range from an aver- age high of 73°, and record high of 114°. 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 3

Message from the Fire Chief

is my pleasure to present the 2020 Annual Report Prevention team works diligently to ensure our business It for the City of Poway Fire Department. Over this past and residential communities remain safe through the year, team members have worked hard to deliver on the application of fire and life safety codes. The coordination City Council priorities and meet the needs of our com- and development of City disaster preparedness, func- munity, as highlighted in this report. tions, engagement of community volunteers and seek- ing grant-funded activities were active and successful. The mission statement of the City of Poway Fire Depart- ment is: 2020 was a year of challenge but also one of achieve- ments for the Poway Fire Department. A significant To reduce the loss of life and property from fire, achievement was the re-evaluation and re-classification medical, and environmental emergencies through of the City of Poway Fire Department with a Class 1/1X education, hazard reduction, and response. designation by the Insurance Service Organization (ISO). It is with great pride that I proclaim the men and women This Public Protection Classification rating is the highest of the Poway Fire Department fulfilled this commitment level of recognition and places the Poway Fire Depart- throughout 2020. This commitment was, and still is, ment among the ranks of only 37 fire departments in being tested every day by the coronavirus pandemic California and 348 nationwide that have earned the dis- and its impact on our members, their families, co-work- tinction. The ISO classifications are designed to evaluate ers, businesses, and residents. Our 57 well-trained and a fire department’s ability to protect local communities. highly skilled professional firefighters, fire engineers, fire Cities use the data to help measure the effectiveness of their fire-protection services, and insurance companies officers, chief officers, fire inspectors and administrative support staff have maintained the delivery of services use it when establishing premiums for fire insurance. A with flexibility, commitment, and talent. It is my honor Class 1 rating generally represents superior property fire and privilege to work alongside these passionate public protection and can lower the price of insurance within a servants. community. Another achievement of great pride for the Poway Fire Department was award of a Hazard Mitiga- The Poway Fire Department began 2020 refreshed and tion Grant through CalOES and FEMA. The $1.9M grant, ready to build upon the achievements of 2019. Even which includes a 25% match of city funds, provides with the arrival of the pandemic in March, the Poway funding reimbursement for the removal dead and dying Fire Department remained steadfast in its delivery of trees along Twin Peaks Road and Espola Road to miti- safe, responsive customer service and continued im- gate against future wildfires. Many more achievements provement. Of the many service priorities for the Fire are shared throughout this annual report. Department, maintaining a high level of operational readiness and quick response is paramount. Our first Our team have designed this report to highlight what we responders were swift to mitigate dangerous situations do and how well we performed. I sincerely believe this and delivered patient care with compassion and skill. report will make you as proud to live, work, and play in Our administrative staff greets customers with infor- the “City in the Country” as I am. mation and highly responsive services. And our Fire Jon Canavan, Fire Chief 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 4 About the Fire Department

The Poway Municipal Water District established the Poway Fire Department in 1961. Shortly thereafter, the Poway Firefighters Association purchased and operated Poway’s first ambulance. After City incorporation in 1980, the Safety Services Department was established and tasked with administration of the Fire Department and Contract Law Enforcement. In 2019, Contract Law Enforcement moved to report to the City Manager’s Office, changing the name to the Fire Department, and no longer the Safety Services Department. Today, the Fire Department is an all-hazard, all-risk response agency. From three fire stations, 17 personnel respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service by staffing three paramedic engines, a paramedic ladder truck, two paramedic ambulances and one incident commander (Fire Battalion Chief).

The Department maintains response aid agreements with surrounding jurisdictions and participates in the California State Fire & Rescue Mutual Aid System and FEMA’s Urban Area Search & Rescue team. The Poway Fire Department maintains active participation in the International Fire Chiefs Association, California Fire Chiefs Association, League of California Cities, San Diego County Unified Disaster Council and the San Diego County Fire Chiefs Association. The Department’s resources are grouped into the Metro Zone area of San Diego County Opera- tional Area and partners with fire departments from San Diego City, Miramar, Chula Vista, National City, Coronado, Imperial Beach, and U.S. Navy Federal.

The Fire Department accounted for 27% of Poway’s general fund expenditures with 86% of that dedicated to personnel costs. Sources of revenue to offset expenditures include am- bulance fees, a fire protection tax, mutual aid reimbursement, new construction development services fees, and issuance of annual fire and life safety operating permits.

FY 2020-21 General Fund Expenditures

Fire Supression & Paramedics Community Services & General / Admin Non-Operating $13.4M | 27% Parks Maintenance $3.9M | 8% $1.6M | 3% $8.6M | 17%

Law Enforcement Development Services & Housing Public Works $14.3M | 28% $4.9M | 10% $3.3M | 7% 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 5 Organization Chart

The City of Poway Fire Department is staffed by 57 budgeted fulltime employees. The delivery of services are managed from five functional areas including: Administrative, Fire Prevention, Operations/EMS, Training/Safety, Logistics/Support, Disaster Preparedness. 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 6

Fire Department Facilities

Fire Station # 1 13050 Community Road

Fire Station # 2 16912 Westling Court

Fire Station # 3 1433 Pomerado Road

Training Tower 12335 Crosthwaite Circle 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 7

Service Call Operations/EMS 6%

The Operations/EMS Division is the largest func- Good Intent tional division of the Fire Department. Also re- 11% ferred to as fire suppression or paramedics, the Operations/EMS Division is responsible for the False Alarm/ delivery of emergency and non-emergency ser- False Call 5% vices, including fire suppression, rescue, emer- Rescue and Emergency gency medical services, hazardous materials re- Medical Fire sponses, and public assistance. The Operations/ Services 2% EMS Division is managed by one of three Fire 46% Battalion Chiefs. In addition to program man- Other * EMS Transports 1% agement, the Fire Battalion Chief – Operations/ 29% EMS provides direct supervision of an assigned shift. Additional staffing of the Division includes *Other includes: hazardous 12 Fire Captain/Paramedics, 12 Fire Engineer/ conditions (no fire); overpressure, rupture, Paramedics, and 24 Firefighter/Paramedics. The explosion, overheat; special Division receives clerical support from the de- incident type partment’s Senior Administrative Assistant. The Operations/EMS Division maintains a constant staff response model with three shifts of personnel working 24- hour work periods on a rotating schedule. From three fire stations, 17 personnel staff three paramedic engines, two paramedic ambulances, one paramedic ladder truck and one incident command vehicle. Each paramedic engine cross-staffs a wildland fire engine. In addition, personnel may staff a water tender as needed and a CalOES-assigned fire engine when requested. All personnel within the Division are licensed paramedics. The EMS Section responded to COVID by creating temporary policy stating that full personal protective equipment would be worn on every medical call, no matter what the initial call information included. Where during normal times paramedics are to wear protective gloves and a liquid permeable EMS coat on medical aids, they now were instructed to also include eye protection and an N-95 mask on all medical responses as well as placing a surgical mask on every patient. Crews were also advised to wear a disposable gown on any medical call where there was possibility of increased airborne particles beyond normal, including cardiac arrests and any nebulized medication treatment. This would be normal PPE for medical aids that included an aerosolized or airborne infectious disease as per the department Infection Control Manual and techniques, but with the prevalence of COVID and the possibil- ity of asymptomatic spread, it was included on all medical responses Year FY 15/16 FY 16/17 FY 17/18 FY 18/19 FY 19/20 and transports. At the end of 2020, Total Incidents 4572 4763 5184 4778 4550 crews started receiving COVID vac- cinations. Transports 2172 2212 2279 2092 1954 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 8

The Poway Fire Department provided Mutual Aid California’s mutual aid The City of Poway Fire Department actively participates in the Cali- system with: fornia Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid Plan in support of the California Disaster and Civil Defense Master Mutual Aid Agreement, as provided for in the California Emergency Services Act. This statewide mutual aid system is designed to ensure that adequate resources, facilities, and other support services are provided to jurisdictions whenever their own resource capabilities are exceeded or overwhelmed during 10 any incident. Engines Resource requests for fire engines is supported with City-owned ap- paratus. In addition, the Poway Fire Department maintains an assign- ee agreement with the California Office of Emergency Services for use of a Type I state-owned fire engine. OES Engine 421 was delivered to the Poway Fire Department in 2020 replacing an older state-owned engine. OES Engine 421 is used as a back-up fire engine and is de- 2 ployed when called upon by the mutual aid system. Strike Team Leaders

1 Strike Team Leader-Trainee

50 Firefighters

In 2020, the Poway Fire Department responded to 10 mutual aid inci- dents throughout California. • India Fire – Camp Pendleton 8,185 • Apple Fire – Riverside County Personnel Hours • Lake Fire – Angeles National Forest • LNU Lightning Complex – Lake-Napa-Sonoma Counties • Carmel Fire – San Benito-Monterey Counties • Dolan Fire – Los Padres National Forest • OES Pre-Position – San Diego County $560,000 • Silverado Fire – Orange County Reimbursement Funding • OES Pre-Position – San Diego County • Creek 5 Fire – Camp Pendleton/Fallbrook 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 9

Training/Safety

The primary function of the Training/Safety Division is the delivery of training and professional development activi- ties through classroom education sessions, manipulative skills practice, team response drills and advertisement of outside educational/training opportunities. The state-of-the-art, five-story Poway Fire Department Training Tower is a source of pride in the Department. The 1-acre facility provides personnel a location to perform live fire training, simulated building fires, wildland firefighting hose lays, multi-company drills flowing water, technical rope rescue drills, and auto extrication. On average, a Poway Firefighter spends 2-3 hours every day learning new information, reviewing essential job knowledge and practicing manipulative skills.

The Training/Safety Division creates an Annual Training Plan that provides the training goals, objectives, subject targets, and schedule for the upcoming year. A consistent element of each year’s plan is the delivery of 2-3 hours per month of EMS in-service education for licensed paramedics, manipulative skills evaluation, multi-company drills and wildland firefighting refresher. Another highlight of the plan is a voluntary firefighter wellness program target- ing firefighter well-being, injury prevention and personal safety education.

The Covid-19 pandemic made significant impacts on 14,511 training and professional development efforts in 2020. TRAINING HOURS Due to social distancing safety precautions, multi-com- pany training activities were affected, minimizing the number of students per training session. Many State- Company Training 8299 wide classes, conferences, and seminars were can- Driver Training 1422 celled that Poway Firefighters traditionally participate in. In 2020, virtual training opportunities were utilized EMS Training 712 as the primary method of instruction when delivering multi-company training. Software programs like Micro- Facility Training 1665 soft Teams, Zoom, and Sims-U-Share were frequently used to deliver fire simulation based training that would Hazardous Material Training 401 normally be completed in a classroom full of partici- Officer Training 1491 pants. Crews were also able to take advantage of the Fire Training Tower to complete manipulative training Specialty Training 302 during single company training activities. Even through the pandemic challenges, the Poway Fire Department Recruit Training 61 was able to complete all training mandates and meet the goals outlined in the 2020 Training Plan. Training Drills 281 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 10 Logistics/Support

In 2020 we were able to complete the second year of a three- Engines Paramedic year replacement plan of telecommuncations equipment. 5 4 Ambulances This included the replacement of an outdated Regional Com- munications Systems (RCS). Which included replacements of NextGen RCS radios, chargers, and accessory equipment. This system is used for fire department communications between firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers, and law enforcement. The life safety of firefighters and citizens depends on reliable, functional communication tools that work in the harshest and most hostile of environments. Chief Aerial Ladder All firefighters operate in extreme environments that are mark- 2 Officer 1 Truck Vehicles edly different from those of any other radio users. The radio is the lifeline that connects the firefighters to command and out- side assistance when in the most desperate of situations. To operate safely in these dynamic environments, it is imperative that firefighters have the ability to immediately communicate information accurately.

The State of California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Brush Incident (OES) upgraded their fleet of Fire Apparatus. The City of Poway 3 Engines 2 Command continues to operate an OES engine and was able to obtain a Vehicles replacement of the older ICS Type 1 Fire Engine (All-Risk). The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the local govern- ment assignees are parties to a contractual agreement. The state permits the use of the engine for mutual aid responses, local multiple alarm fires, temporary replacement for out-of- service engines, training, or other local needs. In return, the assignee is required to dispatch the engine with the required personnel to any emergency. Cal OES Water 1 Engine 1 Tender OES engines respond to all risk emergencies in their operation- al area, region, state, and out of state as requested. The con- tinued success of California’s unique and highly effective Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System demands a maximum level of understanding and cooperation by all who use and support it.

The City of Poway was faced with a virus that effected the na- tion in 2020. As part of actively combating the virus the Fire De- partment took an active approach to keeping the first respond- Utility Fire ers and the public safe. Multiple COVID check in stations were 2 Trucks 2 Prevention developed and set up throughout the fire stations. Classrooms Vehicles were reconfigured to accommodate personnel while maintain the recommended safety precautions provided by the CDC. The fire department administrative office was reconfigured with protective sneeze guards. The men’s bathroom communi- ty shower was reconfigured to meet safety standards required by the CDC.

The City of Poway and the Poway Fire Department took many Incident Public Safety proactive safety measures during 2020 to help keep everyone Support Education 1 1 safe. Trailer Trailer 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 11 Fire Prevention

The Fire Prevention Division is a division of the Fire Department. The Fire Prevention Division is responsible for the application of statutes, laws and regulations to safeguard the public health, safety and general wel- fare from the hazards of fire, explosion or dangerous conditions in new and existing buildings, structures and premises, and to provide safety and assistance to firefighters and emergency responders during emergen- cy operations.

The City of Poway adopts by reference the International Fire Code and the California Fire Code. Local amendments are included in the triennial adoption process that ad- dress Poway’s unique climatic, geologic and topographic characteristics. This adoption creates Poway’s Fire Code within the Poway Municipal Code. The Poway Fire Code is submitted for filing to the Building Standards Commission.

A large area of Poway is located within the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Area (VHFHSA) indicating its threat by wildland fire. Fire Prevention staff applies additional code requirements and fuel modification requirements to new construction projects in these areas. Vegetation management programs applied to existing parcels is managed by Code Compliance in consultation with staff from the Fire Prevention Division.

The Division is responsible for conducting fire and life-safety inspections of businesses, multifamily residential occupancies, educational, institutional, and permitted facilities. The Fire Prevention Division performs fire safety clearance inspections of preschools, Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE), and other licensed facilities assigned by the State’s Community Care Li- censing Division. The Division also processes 2020 Fire Prevention Accomplishments applications and performs inspections for the use of large tent & canopies. Other Division 137 Low hazard fire safety inspections activities include the on-going evaluation of fire and life-safety codes and referenced 125 Institutional & Apartment Annual Inspections amendments, management of the fire compa- ny inspection program (FCIP), public educa- 650 Annual Operating Permit Inspections tion outreach, and support of fire cause and origin investigations. 228 New business license inspections Due to COVID-19 restrictions many busi- nesses were forced to close at various times 23 New fire department operating permit inspections during the year and efforts to reduce per- son-to-person exposure contact created 28 Operating Permit Inspections at General Atomics a challenge for our crews to complete the annual inspections. Dedicated fire & life 32 Community Care Licensing inspections safety inspectors prioritized inspections in the businesses considered moderate to high Special Permit inspections for pyrotechnic display for 6 hazard occupancies where a fire department July 4th shows issued operating permit was required. 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 12

Disaster Preparedness Preparedness by the Numbers The City maintains an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) that provides guidance for a coordinated and integrated response to a disaster in San 2020 CERT Academy Diego County. In addition to managing the City’s EOP, Disaster Prepared- (19 graduates) ness includes the coordination of volunteer groups, training City staff and volunteers, coordinating emergency care & shelter preparations, delivery of community education, and seeking grant funding. 2,100+ flyers distributed about resources available A significant function of Disaster Preparedness in Poway is coordinating during COVID and training volunteers. The Fire Department relies heavily on volunteers to prepare, respond, and recover when emergencies occur in Poway. 2 Drive-Thru Preparedness Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) consists of more than 100 Fairs (500 families served) residents who provide over 1,000 hours of community service to augment emergency response personnel during special activities and response to disasters. CERT members are trained in basic first aid, disaster medical oper- 4 Food packing events with ations, fire safety, light search & rescue and disaster psychology. Feeding San Diego and San Diego Food Bank Poway Neighborhood Emergency Corps (PNEC) is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. It consists of residents dedicated to neighborhood education and communication. Organized into 60 geographical areas, PNEC members 2 Zoom Temporary Evacua- meet quarterly to learn disaster preparedness techniques. tion Point Training sessions

Poway Auxiliary Communications Team (PACT) consists of licensed Ham Radio Operators ready to ensure Poway can communicate during a disaster 1 Poway Auxiliary when cell phones and landlines are inoperable. With over 100 area residents Communications Team Drill possessing a Ham Radio operator license, PACT augments vital communica- tions. $1.4 million When stay-at-home orders were issued in March, volunteers with CERT and Grant Awards PNEC came together to provide awareness to community members about resources available to the homebound. Wearing PPE and socially distancing, volunteers canvassed neighborhoods with information on how to access assistance. Additionally, CERT members partnered with local food banks to distribute food and offered two drive-thru emergency preparedness events edu- cating over 500 families on how to prepare for fires and other emergencies.

An important role of Disaster Prepared- ness is applying for grant funding opportu- nities and managing awarded grants. The Department of Homeland Security makes available large funding amounts for gov- ernment agencies to build more resilient communities and stronger response ca- pabilities. Past grant awards have funded the purchase of radio communications equipment, staff and volunteer training and enhancement of community volunteer programs such as CERT. In addition, the Disaster Preparedness Coordinator assists staff with navigating compliance and re- porting documentation after a disaster has occurred and is eligible for Federal or State reimbursement. 2020 ANNUAL REPORT | PAGE 13 “To reduce the loss of life and property from fire, medical, and environmental emergencies through education, hazard reduction, and response.”

Poway Fire Department [email protected] 858-668-4466 www.poway.org