2020 Report of the State Fire Marshal
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Department of Public Safety Report of the STATE FIRE MARSHAL OF KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE WHERE THEY LIVE, WORK AND PLAY Michael Schirling Michael Desrochers Commissioner Executive Director Department of Public Safety Division of Fire Safety 2020 Report of the State Fire Marshal Division of Fire Safety Mission For over 100 years our mission remains to protect the public and fire service through coordinated efforts in Code Enforcement, Fire Service Training, Public Education, Hazardous Materials Response, Fire Investigation and Urban Search and Rescue. These efforts maximize life safety and property conservation and minimize environmental impacts due to fire, natural disasters, and other emergencies in the State of Vermont. Table of Contents Page Dedication 3 Commissioner’s Message 5 Division Director’s Message 6 The Impact of Fire in Vermont 7 Fire Deaths 10 VT Fire Facts 12 Firefighter Deaths and Injuries 16 Insurance Companies Dollar Loss from Fire 18 Division Highlighted Projects: 26 Overview of Division Activities Rules Codes and Standards Licensing, Variance Boards and Committees Fire and Building Safety Services Licensing and Certification State Fire Academy Public Education and Information 28- 41 Fire Incident Reporting and Data Management Highlighted Projects Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit State Hazardous Materials Response Team Division Special Operations State Urban Search and Rescue Team Rural Fire Protection Grant Program 41 2020 statewide Incident Data 43 Important Contact Information 51 Cautions on Interpretation The main data source for this report is the National Fire Incident Reporting system (NFIRS). While Vermont fire departments are required by state law to report to the Division, NFIRS is a voluntary system, and it includes data from only incidents reported and entered in the system by fire departments that participate. Additionally, not all fire departments that report to NFIRS provide complete data or report all incidents. In addition, fire departments that report in one year may not report the following year or report all the months in the year. Thus, NFIRS may not be a complete representative of all incidents that occur statewide in a year. 2020 Report of the State Fire Marshal 2 Micheal D. Greenia Stanley Baranowski Asst. State Fire Marshal / Public Education Michael Desrochers Asst. State Fire Marshal / Fire Section Chief/ Asst. NFIRS State Program Executive Director Investigator / NFIRS State Program Manager Manager Peter Lynch Robert Sponable, Patrick McLaughlin Chief, of Fire Training Deputy Director Chief, State Haz-Mat Response Team Valerie Bowman Christina Tuzzo Bridgette Hutchinson Regional Assistant Regional Assistant Central Office Administrative Assistant The Division thanks all the fire departments who participate in the NFIRS and others who provided information and data that make analysis possible. Their contributions allow us to estimate the size of the fire problem. We are also grateful to the US Fire Administration for its work in developing, coordinating, and maintaining the NFIRS. Dedication Bruce Martin, Springfield Regional Manager Retires after 37 years of distinguished service The Division of Fire Safety said good-bye to a long-time veteran of the Division. A virtual retirement celebration for Bruce Martin was held on January 13, 2021 to recognize Bruce’s 37 years of devoted service and accomplishments to the Department of Public Safety, Division of Fire Safety. Bruce’s career began in 1983 as an Assistant Fire Marshal and in 1998 Bruce was promoted to District Manager where he served in the role until 2021. Bruce was an active member of the Division’s Hazardous Material Response Team where he served as Crew Chief. If you worked with Bruce, you knew nothing made him nervous, he approached every emergency situation with a real sense of calm. Bruce was an active member of the School Crisis Team where he advocated for school safety. Close to Bruce was his passion for propane and natural gas safety. Bruce was instrumental in developing a certification program for the gas industry to address carbon monoxide safety. Bruce conducted many tragic investigations over the years and was always seeking ways to make sure the incidents were not repeated. Bruce was the Division’s expert on propane and natural gas and was responsible for many safety initiatives that saved lives. If all this did not keep Bruce busy enough, he was very active in the creation of the Vermont/New Hampshire Carbon Monoxide Alliance bringing safety advocates together to strategize how to reduce the production of carbon monoxide in heating systems. Bruce was a very valued member of the fire safety family and his institutional knowledge and friendship will be truly missed. Todd Cosgrove, Chief, Vermont Hazardous Material Response Team Ret. For those of you fortunate enough to have worked with Todd, you know what a profound impact he has had on emergency services across the State and even Canada. Todd made so many personal sacrifices during his distinguished career spanning 48 years. Todd’s fire service career began in 1972, serving as a volunteer firefighter on the Bakersfield Fire Department where he held the Chief’s position for 23 years and continues to volunteer as Assistant Chief. Serving as a volunteer for 48 years speaks volumes to Todd’s passion and devotion to helping others in time of need. While serving as a volunteer in Bakersfield, Todd served in the National Guard for 27 years and retired from the guard in 2011. From 1977-2008 (31 Years) Todd worked at the IBM Plant in Essex Junction full time as an Emergency Responder and held the position of Deputy Chief of Operations. Everyone knows emergency operations at IBM is a high stress position and requires a vast technical knowledge of hazardous materials and firefighting tactics. If this did not keep Todd busy with accomplishments, we can add he was a well-respected lead instructor for the Fire Academy for 28 years and was a member of the Commission to create the Vermont Hazardous Material Response Team, where he has served as Chief of the Team since October 2015. Todd held other positions while advancing his knowledge to include: 3 years as a Homeland Security Training Coordinator for Public Safety, an Assistant State Fire Marshal, Division of Fire Safety for 3 years and was also the Chair of the State Emergency Response Commission. I would need a separate page to list all his credentials and certifications. 2020 Report of the State Fire Marshal 3 All emergency responders who answered their final alarm in 2020 And all Vermonters lost to COVID-19. We will never forget in 2020, Vermont had no line of duty Firefighter deaths. Flags are lowered to half-staff in honor of all Vermonters lost to COVID-19, as they are on the 19th of each month. The 19th was selected because the first two COVID-related deaths in Vermont were on March 19. “as we remember those we’ve lost, let’s honor them by renewing our commitment to protect one another, to support one another and to listen to what the science and the data are telling us. If we do, we’ll get through these difficult times faster, and recover stronger, than any other state.” Governor Phil Scott 2020 Report of the State Fire Marshal 4 State of Vermont Department of Public Safety Commissioner’s Message Having served in a variety of roles in public safety, it is an honor to serve in this role as Commissioner. This year, more than any in recent memory, the men and women who serve our communities in the fire service, emergency medical services, and law enforcement have helped to ensure that the fabric of our State has stayed strong. Through the majority of 2020 and now into 2021, the world has navigated a global pandemic for the first time in a century. Your service, bravery, and dedication have helped Vermont to weather this unprecedented storm stronger than almost any other State. As we move further into 2021 we do so with an optimism that our response and the science that has swiftly brought us defenses against Covid-19 will return our lives to normal in the foreseeable future. Once again, this year’s Annual Report of the State Fire Marshal provides important information and data unique to Vermont that will benefit all firefighters. It also helps to inform our strategy as we move forward. Our collective efforts to modernize the way we serve our communities will continue as we confront ongoing challenges of an increasingly complex operating environment. Finally, I want to once more extend sincere thanks to the entire Division of Fire Safety for their dedicated and consistent support of and partnership with the fire service and all emergency responders in Vermont. I remain proud to work alongside them each day. On behalf of Governor Phil Scott and the entire Department of Public Safety, thank you for your service and for protecting all Vermonters, day and night Stay safe. Michael Schirling, Commissioner, VT Department of Public Safety 2020 Report of the State Fire Marshal 5 Executive Director’s Message The global pandemic has impacted every Vermonter personally and professionally. Adjusting to the science and data-based driven health and safety guidance navigated us into uncharted waters, where we were faced with many unknowns. When I reflect back on our experience, I can assure you, there was doubt we would all pull together to make sure Vermonters were kept safe. I am very proud of how the Department of Public Safety and the Division of Fire Safety responded to the Pandemic and how they support COVID operations. Thanks to all the essential workers and all of those who contributed to supporting the COVID-19 response. Are heartfelt condolences go out to all the families who lost loved ones to the COVID -19 Virus.