GRESHAM FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES 2019 ANNUAL REPORT
CITY OF GRESHAM TABLE OF CONTENTS
Message from the Fire Chief...... 2-3
Vision, Mission, Values, Goals...... 4
Introductions...... 5-15
Fire Department Fleet...... 16-17
Year In Review...... 18-19
Budget Overview...... 20-23
Administration...... 24-31
Fire Response Data...... 32-37
Emergency Services ...... 38-47
Operations...... 48-77
Programs...... 78-102
Retirees...... 103
Local 1062...... 104
Glossary...... 105
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 1 MESSAGE FROM THE FIRE CHIEF
As I reflect on my first-year appointment to Fire Chief of Gresham Fire and Emergency Services, the thought of expectations surfaces as the primary theme.
Over the past year, I experienced meeting many wonderful people both inside and outside the fire department. Everyone I crossed paths with was willing to bring me up to speed about a wide variety of topics. The subjects of discussion ranged from the history of the City of Gresham, to the fire department’s background, to Oregon’s complex tax structure. Fire Chief Mitch Snyder I was also asked many questions. The one I was asked the most was, “Has my experience been anything like I expected?”
As I think about if my experience has been anything like the standards can be very expensive, NFPA standards are not I expected, I realize what an intriguing question this is! mandatory. The standards are simply guidelines determined Intriguing because I do not specifically recall ever consciously to provide the best results. thinking about what I expected. As the year moved forward, however, it became clear I subconsciously developed Community leaders must determine the acceptable level of expectations. Expectations I believe are expected of me and service balanced with a reasonable level of expense. NFPA are, evidently, expectations engrained in me over the course standards are endorsed by the two leading agencies within of my fire service career. the fire service industry, the International Association of Firefighters and the International Association of Fire Chiefs. It is my belief members of the community want a fire Essentially, how well a fire department meets the NFPA department that, while being fiscally responsible, is doing standards is a fire department’s report card. everything it can to protect the people it serves and to minimize damage to their property through preventative Within the following pages of this annual report you will measures and emergency response. The real question is, find some specific measurables that report on how Gresham “How does a fire agency know how successful it is at Fire is performing with regard to various national standards. responding to and protecting life and property?” Along with these reports are some associated explanations regarding the fire department’s annual budget. The intent of To explain how your fire department measures the ability this report is to demonstrate all the work being accomplished to protect our community, allow me to simplify as much by the men and women of your fire department and how as possible a complex set of data driven measurables. The these efforts are financially supported. Along with your National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) developed fire community leaders, each member of Gresham Fire and department industry standards that, when properly followed, Emergency Services is working toward meeting industry have proven to deliver the best possible outcomes toward standards with a vision of providing world-class emergency protecting and saving life and property. Because meeting services aimed at providing a safe community.
2 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 ”It is my belief members of the community want a fire department that, while being fiscally responsible, is doing everything it can to protect the people it serves and to minimize damage to their property through preventative measures and emergency response.” — Chief Mitch Snyder Gresham Fire and Emergency Services
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 3 OUR VISION Gresham Fire and Emergency Services is an organization that is responsive to its internal and external customers. We are service and leadership oriented to serve our employees and the community. We will effectively manage our requests for assistance and properly mitigate our customer’s problems.
OUR MISSION The mission of Gresham Fire and Emergency Services is to protect lives, property and the environment.
OUR VALUES Gresham Fire and Emergency Services focuses on Quality, Integrity, and Respect.
OUR GOALS Fire will work effectively with the community and our regional partners to: • Protect the health and safety of our customers and ourselves. • Provide the highest quality service possible within resource constraints. • Be responsive to the needs of our customers. • Use resources effectively and efficiently.
4 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 INTRODUCTIONS
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 5 CITY OF GRESHAM
MEET THE COUNCIL
1. Shane Bemis Mayor
2. Jerry Hinton Council President
3. David Widmark Councilor
1 2 4. Eddy Morales Councilor
5. Janine Gladfelter Councilor
6. Karylinn Echols Councilor
7. Mario Pamero Councilor
3 4
5 6 7
6 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 INCIDENT REPORT
16,078 Medical Incidents
1,857 Non-Medical Incidents
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 7 CITY OF FAIRVIEW
MEET THE COUNCIL
1. Brian Cooper Mayor
2. Natalie Voruz Council President
3. Balwant Bhullar Councilor
1 2 4. Cathi Forsythe Councilor
5. Darren Riordan Councilor
6. Keith Kudrna Councilor
7. Mike Weatherby Councilor
3 4
5 6 7
8 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 INCIDENT REPORT
982 Medical Incidents
181 Non-Medical Incidents
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 9 CITY OF TROUTDALE
MEET THE CITY COUNCIL
1. Casey Ryan Mayor
2. David Ripma Councilor
3. Glenn White Councilor
1 2 4. Jamie Kranz Councilor
5. Nick Moon Councilor
6. Randy Lauer Councilor
7. Zach Hudson Councilor
3 4
5 6 7
10 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 INCIDENT REPORT
1,532 Medical Incidents
255 Non-Medical Incidents
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 11 CITY OF WOOD VILLAGE
MEET THE COUNCIL
1. Scott Harden Mayor
2. Patricia Smith Council President
3. Brian Loy Councilor
1 2 4. Bruce Nissen Councilor
5. John Minor Councilor
3 4
5
12 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 INCIDENT REPORT
632 Medical Incidents
69 Non-Medical Incidents
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 13 MULTNOMAH COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 10
MEET THE BOARD
1. Michael McKeel Board Chair
2. Dave Keller Director
3. Charles Ciecko Board Secretary
1 2 4. Robert Battles Director
5. Dave Persons Director
3 44
5
14 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 INCIDENT REPORT
418 Medical Incidents
185 Non-Medical Incidents
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 15 GRESHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT FLEET
WATER RESCUE RESCUE BOAT
16 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 BATTALION CHIEF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, LADDER TRUCK RADIOLOGICAL, NUCLEAR, FIRE ENGINE EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS
HEAVY RESCUE USAR BRUSH UNIT
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 17 YEAR IN REVIEW
WELCOME CHIEF MITCH SNYDER 2019 brought many successes for Gresham Fire and Emergency Services. The department welcomed the arrival of their new Chief, Mitch Snyder and from there the department got to work on creating new policies and plans for the future.
With the support of Chief Snyder, the Gresham Fire Department began the work on a strategic planning journey which will be completed by the end of 2020. This is a wide ranging view of the organization and how it will work in the coming year to meet rising response demands of the Gresham community and East County region, local and national standards, acquire land and build necessary fire facilities, and develop a sustainable funding mechanism through the formation of the “SAFER Council.” (Sustainable, affordable funding for emergency response.) Gresham Fire has begun developing a strategic plan which will address rising response demands.
18 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 NEW TRADITION KICKOFF Fire developed a new retirement ceremony utilizing the original Gresham Volunteer Fire Bell and “Betsy,” the first motorized fire engine ever purchased by the City of Gresham. To kick off this new tradition, Fire Fighters and Fire staff celebrated the careers of Dianna Pelster and Joe Costigan by ringing their “last alarm” from the bell and sending both on their final fire engine ride with Betsy.
LOGISTICS AND PROCUREMENT In an effort to keep emergency apparatus in service within their regularly assigned response area, Fire decided to lease a new warehouse and hire a logistics/procurement officer for the fire department. Not only does this position order supplies for every Gresham fire station, the logistics/ procurement officer delivers and maintains the essential stock of materials for each individual station.
DESIGN FOR THE FUTURE The original Gresham Volunteer Fire Bell. An internal rebranding committee was developed to help create and establish a new patch and badge design on behalf of the Gresham Fire Department. They plan to launch department had a strong desire to improve communication the new branding in 2020. and transparency and decided to develop their own Public Information Officer group. This group is responsible for PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER TEAM issuing press releases and public announcements that both Lastly, with the large amount of service calls over the span promote and educate the public about the fire department’s of four major cities and one unincorporated district, the Fire services and responses to the East County region.
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 19 BUDGET OVERVIEW
20 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 ABOUT GRESHAM
We are a dynamic, diverse community rich in history and natural beauty. POPULATION GROWTH Gresham is a fast-changing place, evolving from a pioneer outpost to 1960 TO 2014 an agricultural center then to an aspiring suburban hub and now the state’s fourth-largest city.
Gresham also has one of the lowest property tax rates in Oregon. 110,042 105,594 90,205
Rapid growth, ever-changing needs and a prudent budget demand 33,050 68,249
a City government that is resourceful and resilient – continuously 10,030 finding smarter ways to provide traditional services like clean water, 3,944 public safety and well-maintained roads, while also meeting new 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020 social service and recreational needs through inspiring community SOURCES: Population Research Center, Portland State partnerships. University and U.S. Census Bureau
PROPERTY TAX RATE PER $1,000 ASSESSED VALUE FOR OREGON’S FOUR LARGEST CITIES
34 percent minority $6.84 $3.61 $7.20 $7.01 35 median age Portland Eugene Salem Gresham SERVES FIRE FIRE LADDER LIGHT RESCUE 150,000 RESIDENTS STATIONS EMPLOYEES ENGINES TRUCK SUVS 7 113 7 1 2 4 CITIES 1 RURAL FIRE DISTRICT
2019 SNAPSHOT OF GRESHAM FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES 16,888 1,068 410 192 Annual calls for service False alarms Other hazards Fire Investigations 11,127 459 78 19.6% EMT Calls Vehicle accidents Vehicle fires Cardiac arrest survival rate (as of 2015) 3,372 435 1,159 Service calls Outside or structure fires Plans Reviewed $150,000,000 In property saved
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 21 GRESHAM FIRE & EMERGENCY SERVICES FY 2019
SOURCES OF FUNDING Property Tax $11,246,440 Other General Fund Revenue $8,012,829 Fire Service Agreements $4,838,024 Police, Fire, Parks Fee $1,553,600 Grants $558,995 Reimbursements $634,116 State 911 Revenue $170,500 Miscellaneous Fire Revenue $100,000 Fee $81,359
Total $27,186,839
BUDGET EXPENDITURES Personnel $19,008475 Support Services $4,838,024 Public Safety Dispatch $907,038 Materials & Services $1,457.441 Capital Outlay $975,861
Total $27,186,839
PERSONNEL BY DIVISION PERSONNEL FUNDING SOURCES Fire Administration 4.75 General Fund 70.75 Emergency Operations 98 Fire Service Agreements 18.50 Fire Life Safety 7 Public, Fire, Parks Fees 18 Fire Training & Safety 3 SAFER Grants 4.50
22 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 FIRE DEPARTMENT BUDGET BY FUND
Fund FFY2016FY2016 FFY2017FY2017 FFY2018FY2018 FFY2019FY2019 General Fund $18,424,031 $19,491,739 $21,526,373 $22,933,014 Police/Fire/Parks Fund $2,264,972 $2,460,692 $2,534,396 $2,608,398 Facility Fund $193,500 $193,500 $193,500 $208,740 Designated Purpose Fund $343,334 $488,279 $122,101 $695,326 Equipment Replacement Fund $500,471 $929,536 $486,747 $741,361
$21,725,308 $23,563,746 $24,863,117 $27,186,839
Support Service $3712,416 $4,145,257 $4,471,822 $4,838,024 Minus Support $18,012,892 $19,418,489 $20,391,295 $22,348,815
PROPERTY TAX RATE COMPARISON $5.39 $5.39 $4.38 $4.27 $6.82 $6.19 $5.32 $4.52 $3.61 $7.89 $7.12 $8.11 $7.92
Eugene Albany Portland Springfield Salem Corvallis Lake Oswego Hillsboro Medford Oregon City Beaverton Milwaukie Gresham
Gresham is significantly constrained by a property tax system that limits revenues to an arbitrary and inequitable permanent rate, as well as the artificial assessed value of our properties. This chart shows how differing property tax rates result in different taxes collected by cities throughout Oregon. It illustrates how disproportionately Gresham is affected by this system, requiring us to develop creative solutions to deliver outstanding public service to our residents.
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 23 ADMINISTRATION
24 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 MEET THE STAFF
1. Mitch Snyder Fire Chief
2. Scott Lewis Administrative Chief
3. Randi Deverell Administrative Supervisor
4. Alyssa Roupp Administrative Assistant II
1 2 5. Katie Lowell Administrative Assistant II
6. Frank Ray Senior Management Analyst
7. Alex Dieringer Logistics Technician
3 4
5 6 7
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 25 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Fire Chief Administrative Administrative Supervisor Assistants
Operations Division Administrative Division
A Shift B shift C shift Training, Safety Emergency Life Safety Sr. Management Battalion Chief Battalion Chief Battalion Chief & EMS Management Division Analyst
Emergency Captain Deputy Station Captains Station Captains Station Captains EMS Officer (2) (3) (2) Manager Fire Marshal
Station Station Station Training Officer Fire Deputy lieutenants lieutenants lieutenants Corps Fire Marshals
Fire Fighters Fire Fighters Fire Fighters CARES Volunteer Programs Inspectors
26 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES
The Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) for Gresham Fire FIVE KEY AREAS and Emergency Services are established to provide guidance Purpose to department employees and to define acceptable Defines the need for the SOG and/or what the guideline practices. SOGs are designed to assure that the department will accomplish. operates in a manner consistent with the mission, goals and values of the organization and provides a framework Responsibility for decision-making. We establish SOGs for department Who is responsible for seeing that the provisions outlined in activities or operations and to identify responsibility and the policy or SOG is adhered to. accountability in all areas as required. Definition DEVELOPMENT AND REVISION Clarifies terms or phrases ensuring a thorough All new guidelines and any revisions of existing guidelines understanding by all personnel. shall be written in accordance with the defined format above. SOGs should assist and not hinder operations. All Scope employees should examine their operations with a critical Defines the limits, area, breadth, or parameters as well as eye and work to improve the system. which units are affected by the activities defined in the SOG. SOGs are required to be consistent with legal requirements as defined in the Oregon Administrative Rules, the Procedure Gresham Administrative Rules, and our collective Lists and describes the steps, actions and behaviors bargaining agreements. necessary to accomplish the purpose of the SOG.
In general, the employees most impacted by the procedure and who are required to implement the procedure should be involved with the SOGs development. SOGs should provide specific direction or guidance based on the needs of the organization. Finally, SOGs should be practical, inclusive and not exclusive.
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 27 EMERGENCY SERVICES STRATEGIC PLAN
Gresham Fire and Emergency Services has operated without • Resource concentration a strategic plan for more than two decades. Moving into • Response reliability the next fiscal year, July 2019/ July 2020, Fire will endeavor • Mutual and automatic aid systems to complete our strategic plan. The planning process is • Support programs comprised of many phases, steps and tasks. PHASE II PHASE I Future system demand projections and community risk Evaluation of current conditions Gresham Fire will complete an assessment of the future First, establish a baseline assessment of the current community conditions, service demand, and fire protection conditions and service performance. The purpose of risks that the organization can be expected to serve, including: this evaluation is to assess the agency’s operations in • Community growth projections. comparison to industry standards and best practices, • Impact of growth on emergency service planning as well as to create a benchmark to measure for future and delivery. service delivery. • Community risk evaluation will be completed including considerations of land use and zoning factors and This baseline assessment will include: identification of specific hazard types. • Organization overview • Management components PHASE III • Planning for fire protection and emergency medical services Future delivery system models • Capital assets Based on findings in the preceding sections of the study, • Capital improvement programs Fire will develop strategies to guide the organization moving forward. An analysis will be conducted on staffing, service delivery and performance, including: STAFF CONTACT • Service demand Chief Mitch Snyder • Resource distribution
28 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 ”When you establish a destination by defining what you want, then take physical action by making choices that move you towards that destination, the possibility for success is limitless and arrival at the destination is inevitable.” _Steve Maraboli Motivational Speaker and Author
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 29 FIRE SERVICE CONTRACTS
The City of Gresham provides fire and emergency services to FIRE PREVENTION SERVICES the cities of Troutdale, Fairview and Wood Village, collectively • Review of building and construction plans for compliance called the “Three Cities” under the authority of ORS Chapter with applicable fire codes and ordinances within 190 through an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA). the Three Cities. • Fire investigation within the Three Cities. Gresham and the Three Cities have an established and • Review of fire codes and ordinances for adoption by the successful 25-year contract relationship for fire and Three Cities. emergency services and continue to build upon the existing • Fire prevention and education programs, which may partnership. Contract benefits include: include civic groups, presentations at schools, and other • Unnecessary duplication of staff, equipment community events. These programs are consistent with and training. other outreach efforts in Gresham. The Three Cities agree • Promoting efficiency and effectiveness in local to adopt the same fire code, with amendments, adopted government administration and service delivery. by Gresham. Each of the Three Cities individually grant Gresham the authority to enforce that fire code. CONTRACT PROVISIONS • The Three Cities pay Gresham for the agreed cost of MULTNOMAH RURAL FIRE PROTECTION providing fire and emergency services. DISTRICT 10 • Gresham provides fire suppression, fire prevention, Under a separate but similar IGA, the City of Gresham emergency medical services and specialty rescue and provides fire and emergency services to Fire District 10. The response services to the Three Cities. The level of service IGA includes Gresham Fire’s use of Fire Station 75, Troutdale; provided is the same level provided to the City of Fire Station 76, SE Dodge Park Boulevard; and the Fire Training Gresham and its residents. Center, 1520 NE 192nd Ave. Fire District 10 also provides Engine 76 and a reserve engine for Gresham Fire to use. SPECIALTY RESCUE AND RESPONSE SERVICES • Regional Hazardous Materials Team for chemical spills Fire Station 76 at 302nd Avenue and Dodge Park Boulevard and biological incidents at fixed sites such as opened in June 2015 and is the only station operated by manufacturing facilities and transportation accidents, Gresham Fire to open in the last 40 years. including interstate and rail. • Water Rescue BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 2019/20 • Technical Rescue Team to include confined space for Wood Village $462,181 industrial users and high angle rope rescue. Fairview $1,136,327 • Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) for structural collapse. Troutdale $2,286,248 • CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and District 10 $1,155,200 Explosive) response, including mass casualty. IGA total $5,039,956
STAFF CONTACT Scott Lewis, Administrative Chief
30 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 FIRE CORPS
MEET THE VOLUNTEERS
1. Brad Oman Mail Courier
2. Linda Oman Mail Courier
3. Greg Muhr Photographer
1 2 4. Matthew Willard Photographer
3 4
ABOUT THE FIRE CORPS Since its start in 2004, Fire Corps has helped fire and Emergency Medical Services departments in 48 states to build more capacity by engaging community volunteers to assist in a variety of non-emergency roles. These community volunteers can make a real difference for their local department, both by expanding the services a department can offer and by enabling first responders to focus more on training and emergencies. Fire Corps is a partner program under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Citizen Corps.
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 31 FIRE RESPONSE DATA
32 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION NFPA
Fire departments nationally look to the NFPA standards when NFPA delivers information and knowledge through more developing and delivering fire and emergency services. than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, These standards cover everything from our uniforms to fire education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with engines and aerial ladder trucks. The standards also prescribe others who share an interest in furthering our mission. how we should be organized, what resources we should have Our mission is to help save lives and reduce loss with available, and how to deploy those resources. information, knowledge and passion.
NFPA 1710, Standard for the Organization and Deployment The NFPA standards development process encourages of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, public participation in the development of its standards. and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire All NFPA standards are revised and updated every three to Departments, for example, provides guidance on how many five years, in revision cycles that begin twice each year. firefighters, fire engines, and ladder trucks should respond to fires and how fast they should get there to be the most Normally a standard’s cycle takes approximately two years effective and safest. to complete. Each revision cycle proceeds according to a published schedule, which includes final dates for each ABOUT THE NFPA, BY THE NFPA stage in the standards development process. The four The National Fire Protection Association is a global fundamental steps in the NFPA standards development self-funded nonprofit organization, established in 1896, process are: Public Input, Public Comment, NFPA Technical devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic Meeting (Tech Session), and Standards Council Action loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. (Appeals and Issuance of Standard).
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 33 HOURLY INCIDENT RESPONSES 5 MINUTE RESPONSE STANDARD MET AS % OF CALLS, BY HOUR OF DAY 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 0:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
Engine 31 23% 24% 25% 21% 36% 6% 33% 40% 54% 65% 47% 41% 58% 28% 55% 47% 55% 62% 47% 44% 50% 62% 58% 36%
Engine 71 21% 14% 13% 8% 15% 11% 19% 52% 47% 50% 65% 52% 55% 38% 51% 38% 43% 41% 46% 49% 41% 29% 26% 14%
Engine 72 24% 17% 24% 22% 19% 32% 35% 68% 52% 59% 58% 60% 56% 63% 59% 61% 54% 50% 63% 50% 60% 45% 42% 33%
Engine 73 33% 41% 20% 22% 10% 22% 22% 56% 60% 59% 62% 65% 55% 54% 57% 56% 65% 57% 53% 67% 53% 38% 43% 53%
Engine 74 20% 18% 28% 20% 13% 15% 28% 39% 36% 44% 48% 47% 62% 37% 37% 41% 37% 40% 47% 36% 55% 39% 35% 28%
Engine 75 22% 9% 12% 21% 17% 59% 22% 24% 39% 43% 51% 52% 49% 42% 39% 47% 39% 46% 35% 33% 46% 30% 33% 29%
Engine 76 0% 23% 0% 10% 0% 0% 9% 17% 10% 46% 42% 49% 22% 26% 27% 23% 40% 16% 30% 34% 8% 19% 8% 8%
Response Standard Met Response Standard Not Met
In the above chart, each block represents the response time is exemplary, and in 2019, we prevented property loss of for each fire engine during each hour of he day. The NFPA $147,374,856. Although we are dedicated to continuing to response time standards are guidelines aimed to reduce fire improve our response standard as best we can, the budget deaths and property loss. Nationwide, more than a third of and resources available continue to be limited and our the 50 most populous U.S. cities are unable to meet these emergency services have not been able to keep up with the standards due to the complex factors that are at play in growing community demands. response times--including the hiring of more firefighters, relocation of stations, or construction of additional stations. Through our Emergency Services Strategic Plan development, our SAFER Council, piloting a 24/7 staffing While at the current time, Gresham Fire does not meet with the LSD, and initiating plans for alternative response national standards for response times, our safety record units, the GFD plans to improve service delivery.
34 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 STRUCTURE FIRES 1ST UNIT ARRIVAL IN 4 MINUTES AND FULL FIREFIGHTING FORCE WITHIN 8 MINUTES 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 0:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
5% 0% 10% 6% 0% 10% 12% 20% 13% 22% 0% 31% 29% 20% 15% 23% 10% 44% 17% 13% 0% 36% 30% 6%
95% 69% 83% 78% 50% 90% 71% 92% 77% 78% 89% 88% 91% 72% 73% 74% 67% 94% 87% 88% 71% 71% 100% 61%
Response Standard Met Response Standard Not Met
THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION (NFPA) SETS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR FIRE DEPARTMENTS
NFPA 1710 5.2.4.1 - Initial Arriving Company ”The fire department’s fire suppression resources shall be deployed to provide the arrival of an engine company within a 240-second travel time to 90 percent of the incidents.”
NFPA 1710 5.2.4.2 - Initial Full Alarm Assignment Capability “The fire department shall have the capability to deploy an initial full alarm assignment within a 480-second travel time to 90 percent of the incidents.”
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 35 GFES UNIT RESPONSE TO MEDICAL AND NON-MEDICAL INCIDENTS
19,258 2,969 Medical Incidents Non-Medical Incidents
Primary Unit Responding Medical Non-Medical Total Responses Command 7 116 109 225 Engine 31 1,054 313 1,367 Engine 71 2,609 477 3,086 Engine 72 2,667 429 3,096 Engine 73 1,251 188 1,439 Engine 74 1,542 571 2,113 Engine 75 1,439 305 11,744 Engine 76 510 131 641 Brush Unit 2 2 4 HazMat 3 3 6 Heavy Rescue 71 8 1 9 Rescue 31 2,265 27 2,292 Rescue 74 3,247 65 3.312 Truck 71 2,543 343 2,886 Water Rescue 75 2 5 7
Total 19,258 2,969 22,227
Represents all responses including those outside of GFES primary service area.
36 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 UNIT AVAILABILITY 10:00 11:00 12:00 13:00 14:00 15:00 16:00 17:00 18:00 19:00 20:00 21:00 22:00 23:00 0:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00
Command 7 98% 98% 98% 97% 98% 99% 99% 97% 97% 95% 99% 95% 97% 95% 97% 96% 97% 97% 94% 97% 96% 97% 99% 97%
Engine 31 91% 94% 93% 92% 96% 94% 94% 92% 88% 91% 91% 89% 86% 91% 90% 88% 87% 86% 85% 87% 92% 86% 90% 92%
Engine 71 93% 93% 94% 93% 95% 96% 94% 94% 89% 87% 91% 89% 88% 88% 85% 88% 87% 86% 87% 89% 90% 91% 92% 91%
Engine 72 94% 94% 94% 93% 93% 95% 93% 92% 90% 90% 90% 87% 89% 87% 87% 88% 88% 88% 86% 88% 88% 87% 92% 92%
Engine 73 96% 97% 95% 98% 96% 97% 97% 94% 92% 91% 93% 92% 94% 91% 93% 94% 93% 90% 93% 93% 91% 95% 95% 96%
Engine 74 94% 94% 94% 92% 97% 96% 94% 92% 93% 90% 91% 89% 91% 89% 90% 90% 89% 89% 90% 90% 90% 92% 94% 91%
Engine 75 97% 96% 95% 95% 96% 97% 96% 95% 94% 92% 94% 91% 93% 90% 93% 95% 93% 91% 92% 93% 93% 93% 95% 94%
Engine 76 98% 98% 99% 98% 99% 100% 98% 97% 97% 95% 97% 94% 96% 95% 97% 95% 97% 96% 97% 96% 96% 96% 98% 98%
Fire Truck 71 96% 95% 97% 95% 97% 98% 96% 93% 93% 91% 93% 92% 93% 90% 90% 93% 92% 92% 90% 94% 93% 94% 97% 95%
Rescue 31 93% 96% 97% 98% 97% 98% 96% 95% 91% 90% 90% 89% 87% 87% 91% 88% 91% 90% 90% 89% 91% 91% 93% 93%
Rescue 74 96% 97% 96% 95% 97% 97% 96% 94% 92% 90% 93% 90% 94% 91% 92% 93% 89% 90% 91% 91% 92% 93% 94% 94%
Response Standard Met Low Availability, but meets Standard Response Standard Not Met
Unit Availability is the percent of time that a response unit is not engaged in firefighting or EMS incidents, and is thus available to respond to incoming calls for service. The standard for Unit Availability is that a responding unit is available to respond to an incoming call 90 percent of the time.
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 37 EMERGENCY SERVICES
3838 FIREFIRE DEPARTMENTDEPARTMENT ANNUALANNUAL REPORTREPORT || 20192019 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES
Gresham Fire units responded nearly 20,000 times for medically related incidents in 2019, while utilizing some of the best technology available to provide care to the sick and injured. Our overall cardiac arrest survival rate is 14.7%, which is a significant drop from the nearly 20% in 2018, and getting closer to the national average of 10.4%.
Personnel • 64 Paramedics • 33 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
Equipment • 8 advanced life support apparatus including: - 1 truck company - 1 rescue - Each unit staffed with at least - 1 highly trained Paramedic.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND WORK PLAN Calls for service • 11,127 medical related incidents in 2019 including: • Technology includes the Life Pack 15 cardiac - 117 cardiac arrests monitor and defibrillator. - 2,552 trauma incidents • First in the region to have all units supplied - 493 diabetic incidents with nine LUCAS mechanical CPR device and - 622 drug or alcohol related incidents video laryngoscopy, a small video camera device used to place a breathing tube STAFF CONTACT in a victim who is not breathing. Captain Jay Cross • Program provides medical training to all Gresham Fire staff, including continuing education for EMTs and Paramedics. • Ensures Gresham Fire stays current on medical trends and community issue like influenza.
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 39 TRAINING DIVISION
Gresham firefighters fill many different roles to protect the community. Firefighters are cross trained in emergency medicine including advanced life support paramedics, auto extrication techniques, rescue disciplines, fire control and KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND WORK PLAN suppression and many other techniques in order to meet the • Most training is conducted as part of the needs of the community. firefighter’s normal workday. • Much of this training is overseen by the Gresham Fire Training Division is responsible for the training company officer assigned to a crew or station. and safety of more than 100 firefighters and staff. • Training Division staff provide training in Their duties include: specialty topics or high-risk, low • Scheduling, coordinating, and delivery frequency training such as live fire and multi • Record keeping company drills. • Structural Fire Suppression training • Each month firefighters complete state and • Wildland Firefighting federal mandated training, which is assigned • Rescue training by the Training Division. • EMT/Paramedic training • Gresham continues to be a leader in • OSHA Compliance specialized technical training including Confined Space Rescue, Trench Rescue, Firefighter health continues to be a major topic of discussion Rope Rescue, Collapse, Hazardous Materials industry wide. Gresham continues to put emphasis on and Water Rescue. firefighter fitness. A highly skilled and trained workforce equipped with reliable and effective response tools will contribute to the safety of its residents.
STAFF CONTACT Training and Safety Chief, Josh Butler
40 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 MEET THE STAFF
1. Eric Lofgren Training and Safety Chief
2. Jeff Ingram Training and Safety Officer
3. Jay Cross Medical Officer
4. Shane Kooch Assistant Training Officer 1 2
3 4
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 41 TRAINING CENTER
Training Center located at 19204 NE San Rafeal, Portland.
Training all Gresham firefighters for numerous emergencies is ongoing and challenging. As changes to current standards by the Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS), the
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) are constantly altering training requirements, training staff are continuously revising and updating training programs to meet new standards. New building designs, new construction methods, and increasing density combine to present unique problems for our firefighters.
The training facility is the location for much of Gresham Fire’s training. Recruit academies as well as scheduled department drills and classes are coordinated out of this facility.
STATION HISTORY KEY HIGHLIGHTS The training center owned by Fire District 10 is occupied • Delivery of Apparatus operator academy. and used by Gresham Fire as part of an Intergovernmental • Acquired structures live fire training. Agreement. Built in 1966 it has 3.65 acres and 12,792 • Improved Cadet program development. square feet of classroom and apparatus storage. Upgrades • Enhanced partnerships with outside for 2019 include new HVAC systems and flooring. training agencies. • Wildland certification for UNITS ASSIGNED out-of area deployment. Reserve Apparatus (3), Rehab Unit
BUDGET Materials $326,232 Overtime: $97,000
STAFF CONTACT Training and Safety Chief, Josh Butler
42 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 Training Hours New Certifications Promotional BY THE Documented Processed Processes NUMBERS 8,751 78 3
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 43 LIFE SAFETY DIVISION
The goal of the Life Safety Division is to provide a safe over 100 fires. The cause and origin of the fires are then used community, both for our residents and firefighters. to help prevent future events.
The Life Safety Division consists of six members for a Life Safety staff provides new construction plan review growing population of over 148,000 people. A safe and inspection services to cities and the county within our environment is provided through fire investigations, new response area. This service verifies that the fire department construction plan review and inspections, inspecting new has safe access to and within buildings of all occupancies. In businesses, providing limited public education, and 2019 they reviewed 1,519 construction plans and inspected complaint-based referral inspections. 552 construction projects.
Fire prevention services are provided equally to the Life Safety staff conducts business and state license cities of Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village, Fairview and inspections to verify compliance with the Oregon Fire Code. unincorporated Multnomah County through a fire service They assist business owners in starting their business off contract. The service area covers approximately 60 miles. with a fire safe building. State license inspections require a fire inspection prior to the business being able to open Our response area includes over 4,000 businesses that can their doors. Staff inspected 100+ businesses for licensing be inspected under a fee-based fire inspection program, standards in 2019. approved by City Council in the early 2000s. Some of the businesses include: 102 schools, 431 apartment complexes, Staff receives safety complaints regarding buildings 218 places of assembly (churches, nightclubs, bars, etc.), and and systems both from fire crews, fire protection system 314 storage warehouses. companies and the general public. Staff responded to over 100 complaint-based referrals. Fire investigators are dispatched to fire scenes including structures, vehicles, dumpsters and miscellaneous fires. Staff and fire crews provide limited public education and Investigators are both state and nationally certified and some training due to budget imitations. We hope to add staff are also Evidence Collection Technicians. Investigators respond in the future and serve our community in an even more 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In 2019 the team responded to effective capacity.
44 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 MEET THE STAFF
1. Shawn Durham Fire Marshal
2. Robert Mottice Lt. Deputy Fire Marshal
3. Kyle Stuart Deputy Fire Marshal
4. Duston Yacapin Deputy Fire Marshal
1 2 5. Samantha Chandler Fire Inspector
6. Brandon Baird Fire Inspector
3 4
5 6
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 45 CARES
KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND WORK PLAN • Coordinated by a masters level nurse. • Serves as clinic placement for nursing students in the Population Health and Chronic Care classes, as well as leadership students. • Students reach out to individuals referred by Alicia Printemps-Herget Gresham Fire to assess the patient’s health CARES Coordinator care challenges and goals. • Students work with the client’s primary care Gresham Fire frequently responds to people and facilities provider and agencies to provide the that call 911 as their primary means of health care. Often, services and care the client needs, with the these residents might have chronic health issues and face goal of helping the client learn to take barriers to getting regular, preventative health care. Thanks charge of their challenges without utilizing to an innovative partnership with OHSU School of Nursing, the 911 system outside of an emergency. the Gresham Fire CARES program connects nursing students with residents in need.
46 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND WORK PLAN • Support City departments in development of Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP). • Continue to assist City departments with responses to disasters and large-scale emergencies. • Focus on aligning the Emergency Operations Kelle Landavazo Center (EOC) functions with City service Emergency Manager areas and create cohesive teams to increase operational capacity within the EOC. The Office of Emergency Management provides the City’s • Provide relevant training opportunities for emergency management response training, exercises, EOC teams. planning efforts and regional coordination and collaboration • Actively participate with county, state, and to help the City mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover regional partners to increase inter-agency from disasters and large-scale emergencies. The program also and Gresham’s information sharing to secures federal grant funds, assists City departments with maximize our planning, training and emergency response planning, emergency management exercising efforts. volunteers, and provides public education and outreach. • Support the Regional Disaster Preparedness Organization in their efforts to increase coordination between public, private and nonprofit sectors in preparedness, response and recovery. • Determine emergency notification protocols utilizing the Everbridge system.
47 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 47 OPERATIONS
48 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 FIRE AND EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
Gresham Fire & Emergency Services (FES) operates six FIRE STATION 75 fire stations within its service area and through a unique Fire Station 75, on Cherry Park BLVD, is a Fire District Intergovernmental Agreement also provides service from 10 Station used by Gresham Fire under our Fire Service Portland Fire Station 31, which is staffed jointly by the cities Agreements. Our Water Rescue and Boat operations are of Portland and Gresham. Each station includes an engine staffed by this station. company that is an Advanced Life Support unit and has a trained firefighter/paramedic assigned to the crew. FIRE STATION 76 Fire Station 76, located on Dodge Park BLVD, is the newest FIRE STATION 71 Fire District 10 Station that serves the unincorporated area Fire Station 71, Public Safety Building at City Hall houses south to the county line and east to the Sandy river. The the Aerial Ladder Truck, Battalion Chief, Urban Search and Station opened in 2015 and is the only new station opened Rescue (USAR) and a Technical Rescue Team (including in east Multnomah County in about 40 years. The station confined space and high-angle rescue.) is owned by the Fire District and is staffed and operated by Gresham Fire. The Brush Unit that responds to grass and FIRE STATION 72 wildfires is located at this station. Fire Station 72, on Kane Drive, maintains a Regional Hazardous Materials (Haz-Mat) team to respond to FIRE STATION 31 chemical spills and biological incidents at fixed sites, such Fire Station 31, located on 174th houses the Gresham Fire as manufacturing facilities, and transportation accidents, Cadet Program and staffs one of the three 24-hour shifts for including interstate and rail. that station.
FIRE STATION 73 FIRE ADMINISTRATION Fire Station 73, at South East Highland Road, houses the PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING AT CITY HALL Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive Our Fire Administration provides the offices for the Fire Chief (CBRNE) component of a regional response team and serves and Administrative staff, as well as the Life Safety Division. as a mass casualty unit. The conference room doubles as the City’s Emergency Operations Center. Located on the first floor, with Fire FIRE STATION 74 Station 71 on the second floor, and adjacent to the fire Station 74, located on San Rafael Street next to the Fire apparatus bays. Training Center, assist with training activities
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 49 FIRE STATION 71 1333 NW Eastman Parkway, Gresham
PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS STATION HISTORY Urban Search and Rescue Program Station 71 moved from its former location on West Powell Established in 2004, Urban Search and Rescue involves Boulevard, which was the site of the old city hall, to its cur- the location, extrication, and initial medical stabilization rent spot in 1980. The actual fire station occupies an area of victims trapped in structural collapse due to natural of the Public Safety building on the west end second floor disasters, mines and collapsed trenches. and is upstairs from the Fire administration offices. The apparatus occupies 5 of the 6 bays or garages with Police A multi-hazard discipline, USAR team members are trained using the 6th bay. in a variety of low-frequency, high-risk emergencies: • Earthquakes COVERAGE AREA • Storms, cyclones, tornadoes Mostly single family and multi-family residential. Covers • Floods and dam failures the main access of Powell Butte Nature Park; commercial/ • Technological accidents retail businesses; main thoughfares; and MAX light rail. • Terrorist activities • Hazardous materials releases UNITS ASSIGNED Engine 71, Rescue 71, C7, Heavy Rescue 71, Trench Van 71 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS In addition to emergency response the USAR team also: BUDGET • Serves as the confined space back-up team for the City’s Station 71: $2,600 Department of Environmental Services. USAR/TRT: $20,150 • Works with community partners including Boeing, Radios: $13,000 Microchip, On-Semi Conductor and Albertsons to Small Tools and Equipment: $35,404 provide joint training opportunities and collaborate on best rescue practices. STAFF CONTACT Captain Eric Byrne
50 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 INCIDENT REPORT
4,497 Medical Incidents
554 Non-Medical Incidents
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 51 MEET THE STAFF
Mike Traeger Jason McGowan Josh Butler Eric Byrne Battalion Chief Battalion Chief Battalion Chief Captain
Ray Kellstrom Reggy Becker Anthony Foster Mike Snodgrass Lieutenant Lieutenant Lieutenant Lieutenant
Jason NIcholls Kestin Kim-Proudfoot Jake Fish Tim Murkland Lieutenant Lieutenant Lieutenant Lieutenant
Tyson Guillory Steven Hartsock Kevin Larson Mitchell McIntire Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter
52 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 MEET THE STAFF
Michael Stuck Joel Anderson Pat McAbery Dillon Pendleton Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter
Brett Swenson Bo Thran Miles Brokaw Robert Chamberlin Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter
Jeff Markham Erik Olson Firefighter Firefighter
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 53 FIRE STATION 72 500 NE Kane Drive, Gresham
PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS STATION HISTORY Physical Fitness, Atmospheric Monitors Initially designed for an all-volunteer station to service HazMat - Hazardous Materials Program eastern quadrants of the city. Call volume mandated at When Portland Fire and District 10 merged in 1984, Gresham least three paid personnel 24/7. Fire started its own HazMat team. Initially, this team provided hazmat response for the states of Oregon and Washington. COVERAGE AREA In 1990, they assisted the Office of the State Fire Marshal with Rural-Western border roughly Cleveland Avenue to the establishing the original 10, now 13, regional response teams. west. To the east, 282nd Avenue in south end and 302nd Gresham then became a HazMat 3 State Team. Avenue in the north end. The northern border is southeast Stark; the southern border is the Clackamas/Multnomah PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS County line. Gresham firefighters, who receive specialized training in the prevention and mitigation of incidents involving hazardous UNITS ASSIGNED materials, perform both regular firefighter duties as well as Engine 73, HazMat 3, Recon 3, Spill Trailer serving as part of the HazMat team. BUDGET Team members are required to maintain a working Station: $1,000 knowledge of: HazMat: $7,500 • Highly-specialized chemical protective clothing. Wellness/Fitness: $2,000 • Field use of complex scientific monitoring equipment. Air Monitors: $5,346 • Safe methods of containing chemical spills. • Correct techniques for “off-loading” chemicals from STAFF CONTACT damaged containers into intact containers. Captain Andrew Goeden • Various reference materials to determine hazards of chemicals. • Proper methods and locations for disposal of hazardous wastes. • Basic chemistry.
54 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 MEET THE STAFF
Andrew Goeden Tiffanie Andrews-Rost Jeffrey Hairston Captain Lieutenant Lieutenant
Seth Theroux Taj Wortham Brandon Guerrero Emily Snodgrass Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter
Craig O’Meara Charles Sabella Nicole White Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 55 INCIDENT REPORT
4,221 Medical Incidents
466 Non-Medical Incidents
56 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 Total State Regional HazMat Total HazMat HazMat BY THE Response Teams Incidents 2019 Phone Consults NUMBERS 13 49 13
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 57 FIRE STATION 73 2301 SW Pleasant View Drive, Gresham
PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS STATION HISTORY CBRNE Station 73 was built in 1980 with original staffing of two CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, firefighters and a Mini Pumper apparatus. Soon thereafter, Explosive) is a program that started in response to the through the unified lobbying of the Southwest Gresham September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Gresham Fire received Neighborhood and Gresham Firefighters Local 1062, the multiple apparatus and equipment, some of which has been station added an additional firefighter and upgraded to a designated for a CBRNE event, with the CBRNE rig (Light fully equipped Fire Engine. Station 73 has maintained, and Heavy Squad) and Trailer being positioned at Station 73. continues to enjoy, this community support. Subsequent funding, and support, comes from the Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI) group. COVERAGE AREA Primary response area is 6.5 miles and includes the Peer Team following neighborhoods: Southwest Gresham, Northwest The mission of the Peer Team is to “Promote the health and Gresham, Pleasant Valley, Persimmon, Gresham Butte, and well-being of all members and their families, by providing Centennial. Area can be described as primarily a residential confidential support and assistance to peers in distress.” with rural and light commercial sections. 14 risks identified Because of the unique demands of the job, many firefighters including schools, high-density housing and elderly care prefer to talk to someone who is culturally competent and and assisted living facilities. understands their unique situation of being a first responder. UNITS ASSIGNED Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Maintenance Engine 73, Heavy Squad 73 CBRNE, CBRNE Trailer Gresham Fire utilizes Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for any situation that is determined to be an BUDGET immediate danger to life and health. These include Fire and Station 73: $2,600 Hazmat incidents. The SCBA program is responsible for the Peer Team: $5,000 maintenance, compliance, repair, training, and general needs SCBA Maintenance: $30,905 of all department SCBAs and their subparts. STAFF CONTACT Captain Mick Wesener
58 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 MEET THE STAFF
Mick Wesener Lloyd Nickson Greg Renfro Captain Lieutenant Lieutenant
Chandra Holestine Ken Hooser Ty Symons Jeff Teeter Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter
Samuel Brost-Turner Will Eddy Jeremy Forrest Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 59 INCIDENT REPORT
1,690 Medical Incidents
227 Non-Medical Incidents
60 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 CBRNE • Scene evaluation • Firefighting EMERGENCY • Rapid detection • Hazardous materials RESPONSE • Search and rescue Operations • Medical triage/treatment • Decontamination
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 61 FIRE STATION 74 1520 NE 192nd Ave., Portland
PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS STATION HISTORY Station 74 has a unique service area, as it serves Gresham, Built in 1966 by Fire District 10, the station was taken over by Fairview and Wood Village with mutual aid from Portland Gresham in 1988. The station originally housed an Engine Fire and Rescue. This station also neighbors the Gresham Fire and a Truck company. Training Center. COVERAGE AREA Station 74 homes both the Mapping and Uniform programs High value commercial buildings, like Boeing and and maintains the critical hose and ladder equipment. the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Freeways: I-84 and occasionally I-205, railways, moorages, residential Mapping Program structures, schools, churches, community parks and rural In Fire and Emergency Service, seconds save lives and areas. arriving to the correct destination is imperative. Dispatch computer systems are complicated and tend to fail at times. UNITS ASSIGNED Mapping systems such as Active 911 can fill these gaps in Engine 74, Rescue 74 service and allow our companies to arrive to every call for service. The quality and efficiency of this program helps BUDGET prevent total fire loss and saves lives. Station 74: $3,350 Uniforms: $41,320 Uniform Program Hose: $8,100 The Gresham Fire Uniform Program provides Class A and B Ladders: $5,132 uniforms for Firefighters, Chiefs, and the Fire Marshal’s office for the Fire Department. STAFF CONTACT Captain Peter Graves
62 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 MEET THE STAFF
Peter Graves Ryan Doern Eric Stevenson Captain Lieutenant Lieutenant
Michael Bono Jaswha James Brent Stewart Jared von Schell Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter
Joseph Covey Lyle Keathley Riley Keltz Bill Terrill Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 63 INCIDENT REPORT
4,174 Medical Incidents
598 Non-Medical Incidents
64 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 Emergency BY THE Medical Services Total Runs Fires NUMBERS 4,772 174 1,502
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 65 FIRE STATION 75 600 SW Cherry Park Ave., Troutdale
PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS STATION HISTORY Pre-plans Station 75 was built by District 10 in its current location in Water Rescue Program 1975 (District 10 Station # 49). Built to cover the Troutdale The rivers and streams that flow through Gresham present area. Housed Engine 49 and Rescue 9. Gresham took over some serious hazards to both the public and rescue in 1992 or 1993 and staffed the station with a single personnel. Risk is historically high when Engine company. residents underestimate: • Water depth COVERAGE AREA • Temperature Coverage includes the City of Troutdale, areas in Gresham, • Water power as well as I-84, rural neighborhoods, railways from Portland • Various hazards along the shore into the Columbia River Gorge, the Troutdale Airport, parts The risk increases when rescuers do not have of the Sandy River, Columbia River and shared responses proper training, or equipment, when responding to into Blue Lake with Station 74. these emergencies. UNITS ASSIGNED The U.S. averaged 3,868 fatal, unintentional drownings a Engine 75, Water Rescue 75, Rescue Boat 75 year from 2005-2014, about 10 deaths a day. Statistically there are more deaths each year due to drowning than from BUDGET fire. This is true locally, regionally and nationally. Drowning Station 75: $1,700 is the second leading cause of death, from unintentional Water Rescue Team: $4,500 injuries, for people ages 5-24, according to the National Safety Council. STAFF CONTACT Captain Kestin Kim-Proudfoot
66 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 MEET THE STAFF
Kestin Kim-Proudfoot Ryan Miller Julie McAlister Captain Lieutenant Lieutenant
Justin King Brandon Wymore Brian Flowers Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter
Taylor Lee Richard Dyal Randy Horton Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 67 INCIDENT REPORT
2,064 Medical Incidents
310 Non-Medical Incidents
68 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 Miles of rivers/ streams Acres of still Years of Team members within Gresham Fire’s waters, including providing water trained in Surface BY THE response area Water Rescue lakes and ponds rescue services NUMBERS 35 54 20 12
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 69 FIRE STATION 76 30300 SE Dodge Park Blvd., Gresham
PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS STATION HISTORY Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Station 76 is owned by District 10, and is staffed with Personal Protective Equipment is designed to protect Gresham Fire personnel. Station 76 is the newest station in firefighters from serious injuries or illnesses resulting from the department , built in 2015 right across the street from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, the original Dodge Park fire station. mechanical or other hazards. It covers a variety of devices and garments such as respirators, turnout gear, gloves, COVERAGE AREA blankets and gas masks. 14 square miles. Primarily rural. U.S. Highway 26 and county line run along the southern part. The Sandy River Staffing Management is the northern boundary. Borders Clackamas FD#1 In collaboration with Telestaff technology, the program team and Sandy Fire. E76 and BU76 mutual aid with both works to ensure each station is staffed efficiently and meets neighboring departments regularly. the required staffing standards for each specialty and fleet found at each station. UNITS ASSIGNED Engine 76, Brush Unit 76, Reserve Engine 76
BUDGET Staffing Management: $8,500 PPE: $125,000
STAFF CONTACT Captain Daniel Lickteig
70 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 STATION 76: MEET THE STAFF MEET THE STAFF
Daniel Lickteig Rob Womack Craig Hardie Captain Lieutenant Lieutenant
Victor Polyakov Kurt Pothast Christopher Ivey Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter
Joe Griffin Jeff Saul Brandon Norbury Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 71 INCIDENT REPORT
489 Medical Incidents
107 Non-Medical Incidents
72 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 73 FIRE STATION 31 1827 SE 174th Avenue, Portland
PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS STATION HISTORY Fire Cadet Program Built in 1958, by the City of Portland, Station 31 was Originally, Fire District 9 station built in 1950s. In the 1960s, operated exclusively by Portland Fire until the early 2000s. Multnomah County Fire District 10 absorbed Fire District In 2010 the original station was demolished and re-opened 9 and took over the station, renaming it Station 45. In the in 2011. Today, both Portland and Gresham Fire serve 1980s, the mid-Multnomah County Sewer Project connected Station 31. homes and businesses and precipitated Gresham and Portland to annex mid-Multnomah County, encompassing COVERAGE AREA areas of Fire District 10. Station 31 serves Gresham, Portland and unincorporated Multnomah County. The service boundaries are: 148th Annexation placed the boundary of the two cities Avenue to the west. 190th Avenue to the east. Powell immediately east of then Fire Station 45 and transferred Boulevard to the south and Glisan Street to the north. the ownership of the station to the City of Portland. The Gresham/Portland agreement shares staffing and funding of UNITS ASSIGNED the station. Portland Fire renumbered the Station 31. A new Engine 31, Rescue 31 station was rebuilt on the site, reopening in 2011. BUDGET Today, Gresham Fire staffs one of three 24-hour shifts. The $54,800 contributed by the City of Gresham. station and response vehicles are owned and maintained by Portland Fire and Rescue. covers mostly urban residential STAFF CONTACT areas, churches and schools, access to the Powell Butte Captain Chad Freyer Nature Park, as well as commercial and industrial buildings.
74 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 MEET THE STAFF
Chad Freyer Captain
Dylan Crimp Jordan Flikkema Nick Haney Firefighter Firefighter Firefighter
Grant Kimble Joel Pagano Firefighter Firefighter
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 75 INCIDENT REPORT
2,056 Medical Incidents
196 Non-Medical Incidents
76 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 Daily Average Responses BY THE Total Responses Call Volume covered by GFD NUMBERS 5,070 14 1,690
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 77 FIRE DEPARTMENT PROGRAMS
78 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 EMPLOYEE AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS • Awards Ceremony and Employee Recognition • Community Education • Fire Cadet Program • East Metro Special Weapons and Tactics SWAT • Health and Wellness • Peer Support Program
EQUIPMENT PROGRAMS • Atmospheric Monitors • Fire and Apparatus Service and Maintenance • Hoses and Ladders • Personal Protective Equipment PPE • Radio Systems • Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus SCBA • Uniforms
TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS • Mapping iPad • Mobile Data • Thermal Imager Camera ITC
ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS • Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal • Incident Management Teams • Pre-Incident Fire Planning • Staff Management • Wildland Fire Program
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 79 AWARDS CEREMONY AND EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION
The Award Ceremony program has been in place for the RECOGNITION AWARDS past 20 years, and is funded through private donations and • Firefighter of the Year City funds. • Employee of the Year • Exceptional Service Awards Currently there are 11 personnel assigned to the Awards • Special Unit Citations Committee to represent 10% of the department through a • Distinguished Conduct Awards variety of ranks and assigned divisions. • Medal of Valor • Citizen Life Saver Awards EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION • Community Awards Years of service are noted in five-year increments with a • Years of Service certificate and challenge coin. • Promotions • Swearing-In of Employees The Wall of Service, implemented in 2017, honors retirees with at least 20 years of service. Retirees receive a cash award BUDGET and badge shadow box. $5,950 for both programs
AWARDS CEREMONY STAFF CONTACTS Acknowledges and celebrates Gresham Fire employees and Captain Travis Soles residents who perform exceptional acts of valor or service to Administrative Supervisor, Randi Deverell the community. Organized by the Awards Committee. Each year’s ceremony is held in January of the following year.
80 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 COMMUNITY EDUCATION
Gresham Fire actively works in the community to engage and educate about fire safety and household fire prevention. Each member of our staff is dedicated to being an outstanding role model in public service for the children and young adults seeking a career in the fire industry.
Our staff frequents community events like National Night Out, the Gresham Arts Festival, City Fest in Gresham. In addition, Gresham Fire attends events and prevention meetings throughout the cities the department serves in East Multnomah County.
In recent years, Gresham Fire has partnered with the Clackamas County Fire Department to showcase the importance of house hold smoke alarms and sprinklers with the use of a live demonstration burn trailer.
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 81 FIRE CADET PROGRAM
The Gresham Fire Department has homed the Fire Cadet program for nearly 30 years. Originally the program was considered an “explorer post” run in partnership with the Boy Scouts of America. As the program evolved and grew the fire department took over the program in its entirety. Today 10% of the Gresham Fire staff started through the explorer program.
Gresham Fire & Emergency Services “Firefighter Cadet Program” is designed to provide teen agers and young adults ages 15-21 with opportunities in leadership, teamwork, career exploration, and responsibility as it relates to the fire service. Fire Cadets are taught basic firefighting skills, teamwork and self-reliance. Once Cadets demonstrate their basic skills and knowledge proficiency they can ride-a-long with career staff to experience the work that we do.
BUDGET: KEY HIGHLIGHTS $15,275 • 25-30 cadets • 8 career Gresham Firefighters who STAFF CONTACT rotate as advisors Captain Eric Byrne • Weekly drill night training • Training in fire service skills and knowledge • Ride-a-longs with career crews • Uniforms • Firefighting gear • Response to larger incidents for support operations • Team work • Community involvement • Career exploration • Character development
82 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 EAST METRO SPECIAL WEAPONS AND TACTICS (SWAT)
SWAT medics are certified paramedics trained in Tactical
Combat Casualty Care to assist in the delivery of high-risk warrants and respond to special emergency and hostage situations with police. East Metro SWAT responds within Gresham and unincorporated Multnomah County, and assists the cities of Portland and Vancouver in Clark County.
TYPES OF RESPONSE • High-risk warrants • Emergency call outs • Hostage response • Active shooter
SWAT / FIRE COLLABORATION SWAT and Gresham Police trained together to prepare for a possible hostage response involving a structure fire.
The Technical Rescue Team participated in training to assist a KEY HIGHLIGHTS SWAT response involving ropes and low-angle terrain. • 28 total operators from Gresham Police, Fire and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office Training has led to multiple life-saving awards. All East Metro • 2 Fire paramedics SWAT operators are trained by SWAT medics in tourniquet • 17 warrants delivered application, wound care and packing, chest seals for • East Metro SWAT served 17 warrants in 2018, penetrating injuries, and combat gauze to stop bleeding. which led to the conviction of multiple murder and attempted murder suspects. BUDGET $37,789
STAFF CONTACTS Captain Kestin Kim-Proudfoot Lieutenant Ryan Doern
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 83 HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAM
Gresham Fire strives to be healthy and fit. Studies show heart disease is the No. 1 cause of line-of-duty deaths for fire department members. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are proven to help fight heart disease.
The National Fire Protection Association sets recommendations for health related fitness programs for firefighters. This standard, known as “NFPA 1583: Standard on health-related fitness programs for Fire Department membersrecommends: • Regular medical evaluations. • Peer fitness trainers and assessments. • Exercise and fitness programs. • Health education. • Data collection.
Gresham Fire uses NFPA 1583 and the International Association of Fire Fighters/Fire Chiefs Wellness Fitness Program as the basis for annual fitness evaluations. KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND WORK PLAN The program lets fire department members chart and • Periodic medical screenings to ensure every monitor the changes that happen as members age. member is fit to perform and excel at the rigors of the job. BUDGET • Four Peer Fitness Trainers conduct the annual $13,000 fitness assessments each year. The budget includes: • Assessment includes total body weight, body • Annual Fitness Assessment fat percentage, waist to hip ratio, and resting • Equipment maintenance heart rate. The test also measures aerobic • Exercise equipment capacity, muscular strength and endurance, • Ongoing efforts to upgrade exercise facilities at and flexibility. each fire station. • Firefighters are given their results, potential • New fitness and injury prevention tools: Rollers, yoga problematic trends and areas of concern, mats, jump ropes, etc., at all stations. and recommendations to improve their • Fitness training: Members of the Fitness team overall health. conduct station visits to review physical fitness • Evaluations are non-punitive. The goal is to and stretching techniques. Increase the individual’s overall health and • Continuing education: All Peer Fitness Trainers keep up fitness while decreasing or eliminating with ongoing changes in the health, wellness and fitness unhealthy trends. fields; annual credential recertification required.
STAFF CONTACT Lieutenant Jeff Hairston
84 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 PEER SUPPORT PROGRAM
Fire’s Peer Support Team promotes the health and well-being of all members and families with confidential support and assistance to peers in distress.
Often, firefighters encounter Gresham residents who are struggling with the worst days of their lives. Fatalities, injuries, loss of homes--this exposure to tragedy takes a toll on firefighters’ mental health.
According to a national report, firefighting is the most stressful job in the U.S. • 95% of firefighters nationwide report experiencing critical stress on the job. • 46.8% of firefighters experience suicidal thoughts. • 75% say on-duty stress is causing lingering or unresolved emotional issues. • 60% reported sleeplessness, recurring or unwanted memories of events, anger. KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND WORK PLAN • 35% of firefighters have spoken to their peers about their • Trained Peer Supporters chosen by their stress. Of those 35%, 71% found it a helpful tool. fellow firefighters. • 94% believe greater awareness about behavioral health • Peer Supporters provide feedback, help and duty-related post-traumatic stress will lead to problem solve, listen with compassion, and improved services. when appropriate, assist with referrals to mental health professionals. STAFF CONTACT • Mental health counselors who provide Lieutenant Lloyd Nickson support customized to firefighters. • Referrals to more intensive in-patient trauma retreat when emergency care is needed.
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 85 EQUIPMENT PROGRAMS
86 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 ATMOSPHERIC MONITORS
The Atmospheric Monitoring Program is responsible for the maintenance of the City of Gresham and Oregon
State Fire Marshal’s Regional Response HazMat 3 fleet of monitoring equipment. This includes combustible gas meters, exotic chemical identification, and radiologic monitoring equipment.
TYPES OF EQUIPMENT Gas Monitors Located on each engine, truck, and heavy rescue company for the purpose of monitoring flammable vapors and toxic carbon monoxide at various types of incidents. Also used for required air quality monitoring for confined space entries.
Radiation For the purpose of identifying the presence of ionizing radiation. Carried on all front line apparatus, as well as heavy rescue. The Heavy Squad carries a cache of survey meters for KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND WORK PLAN the purpose of identifying contamination of large volumes • Provide training to department members of victims in a weapons of mass destruction event as well as in the proper use of monitoring equipment. dosimeters for tracking responder exposure to radiation. • Perform light repair on equipment. • Coordinate major repairs or scheduled calibration. HazMat 3 • Evaluate and test new equipment at the HazMat 3 carries an extensive array of monitors for state and local level. identifying, classifying and monitoring for multiple hazards both known and unknown. The capability to monitor for the presence of hazardous chemicals has a direct impact on the STAFF CONTACT safety of both Fire personnel and the public. Firefighter Emily Snodgrass Gresham Fire can establish whether areas, homes Firefighter Charles Sabella and businesses, etc., are safe to enter with the use of specialized equipment for measuring toxic and flammable environments. From natural gas-related incidents to complex toxic chemical release, Fire, in conjunction with HazMat 3, can prevent or minimize loss of life, property and environmental damage.
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 87 FIRE APPARATUS SERVICE MAINTENANCE
Properly maintained and repaired fire apparatus are critical to the safe and effective delivery of fire and emergency response services. To meet this high standard of service, for the last two years the City of Gresham contracted Hughes Fire Equipment, Inc. of Springfield, a factory authorized repair and maintenance service provider, to deliver high-quality fleet services for all of Gresham’s large apparatus fleet. This service has been in accordance with fire industry technical standards for the maintenance of emergency vehicles.
LEASE AGREEMENT Maintenance building at the Fire Training Center • To conduct this work with minimal service impact to Gresham, Hughes Fire Equipment, Inc. leased a portion of the Maintenance building at the Fire District 10 Fire Training Center. • The proposed lease provides certainty to Gresham Fire KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND WORK PLAN of easy access to vehicle service within the City. • The Fire Service Agreement with Multnomah Rural Fire This contractual arrangement permitted the Protection District No.10 requires monies collected from City’s Fleet Division to move its operations from subletting the portion of the Training Center to be used the Public Safety and Schools facility to the for the improvements of the property. These funds will County Yeon Facility at 190th and Division. This be used to make improvements and to conduct deferred change disrupted the City’s capacity to provide maintenance on the facility. Fleet services, therefore a temporary contract • This includes the replacement of heating and air with an outside vendor provided the needed conditioning equipment in June 2019. relief for Fleet staff to conduct an orderly move and reorganization. KEY TERMS OF THE LEASE • Use: Facility use is limited to the repair and maintenance Gresham Fire will begin transitioning a portion of fire apparatus and related equipment. of its large apparatus back to the City Fleet • Area: Approximately 2,340 square feet of vehicle Service at the Yeon Facility at the start of the new maintenance building at the Fire Training Center and an fiscal year beginning July 1, 2019. It is anticipated outdoor paved area of approximately 7,500 square feet. Fleet services will demonstrate the ability to • Term: July 1, 2017, to June 30, 2018, with the option of properly ensure the safety and readiness of two, one-year extensions that will take the lease through the City’s fire apparatus, in accordance with June 2020. the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) published standards. STAFF CONTACT Administrative Chief Scott Lewis
88 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 HOSE AND LADDERS
TESTING
Each fall every hose and ladder in the department needs to be tested. with three engines in reserve, more than 30,000 feet of hose is tested annually. Hoses are tested for strength and durability. Every ladder is tested for flexibility and durability.
HOSES Standard hoses and lengths Engine Hoses • 5” – 1,075 Feet • 3” – 50 Feet • 2 ½” - 1,350 Feet • 1 ¾” - 750 Feet • 1” Booster – 150 Feet Truck Hoses • 2 ½ - 50 Feet • 1 ¾ - 50 Feet KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND WORK PLAN Fire hoses and ladders are inspected and tested LADDERS annually. They must meet the requirements of Standard ladder configuration the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, Engine Ladders or they must be repaired or replaced to maintain • 24’ Extension and ensure the safety each firefighter. • 14’ Roofer • 8’ Attic Ladder Truck Ladders • 105’ AERIAL • 24’ Extension • 2– 35’ Extension • 18’ Roofer • 16’ Roofer • 14’ Roofer • 12’ Roofer
BUDGET $27,000 ($9,100 applied to testing)
STAFF CONTACT Captain Daniel Lickteig
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 89 PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE) PROGRAM
NEW TURNOUTS • Project Turnout Program - boots, hoods, helmets Manager: Captain Lickteig gloves, etc. • Purchased 20 new sets per budget year, between • Total cost since July 2018: approximately $14,000 $60,000-$70,000. • Time spent equals 1-2 hours/shift at the beginning of PPE CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE budget year working with vendor on sizing and setting Manager: Lieutenant Stevenson up yearly order. Several emails and phone calls made • Provide required yearly safety cleaning and inspection off duty to answer vendor questions immediately. of all turnout gear for the department. This is performed • Time spent working with line personnel equals 1-3 through Northwest Safety Clean. Cost is $30,000 hours/ month to get them needed turnouts from supply $35,000/year. Includes 15-20 hours overtime a year for for backups and rotating over 10-year old PPE to training pick up and gear delivery. center for cadets. • Provide ongoing PPE cleanings at Station 76 for all • Time spent working with new vendors on potential new department personnel. products equals three hours for fiscal year 2018/19. • All three shifts assist, averaging 10 hours/month on duty. • Captain available on or off duty to receive calls from these vendors. STAFF CONTACT Captain Daniel Lickteig PPE ACCESSORIES Helmets, gloves, hoods, passports, boots, etc. Manager: Lieutenant Rob Womack
90 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 RADIO SYSTEMS PROGRAM
Communication is vital to emergency response and
mitigation. Modern radios are a complex combination
of hardware and computer technology that can allow
unprecedented interoperability.
RADIO UPDATE Gresham Fire recently replaced all front-line portable radios with state-of-the-art Motorola portables. Updating the radios assure Fire it has the latest technology and reliability. Gresham Fire also recently replaced Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). The new SCBA have built-in Bluetooth technology to allow for better communication quality while wearing the mask.
STAFF CONTACT Firefighter Pat McAbery
KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND WORK PLAN • Regular radio maintenance. • Maintain “Firecom” headset intercom systems in vehicles. • Troubleshoot new radio Bluetooth connection. Significant staff time experimenting, training and documenting the inconsistent quality of communication using this system. • Engage with engineers from both radio suppliers along with other fire agencies locally and around the country to make the system reliable. • Multiple upgrades to the firmware of the radios (firmware tells the radio how to work) along with updates to the SCBA. • Continue working toward making fireground communications the highest quality possible. • Explore solutions to hearing the radio in high noise and stress situations.
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 91 SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS (SCBA) PROGRAM
Gresham Fire and Emergency Services utilizes Self- Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for any situation determined to be an Immediate Danger to Life and Health (IDLH). SCBA is an essential piece of firefighting equipment that provides respiratory protection to firefighters, while working in toxic environments. Firefighters wear SCBAs to perform the duties at structure fires, and when working near hazardous materials and with confined space incidents. Fire recently upgraded outdated equipment to the MSA G1 series of SCBA.
The SCBA program is responsible for the maintenance, compliance, repair, training, and general needs of all department SCBAs and their subparts. This program is operated by two MSA certified technicians based out of Fire Station 73.
STAFF CONTACT KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND WORK PLAN Lieutenant Greg Renfro • Work closely with Fire’s suppliers to maintain OHSA and MSA compliance to ensure best practices for safety and use. • The SCBA program is operated by two MSA certified technicians out of Station 73. Both technicians are on-duty firefighters.
92 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 UNIFORM PROGRAM
Gresham Fire’s Uniform Program provides Class A and B uniforms for firefighters, chiefs and fire marshal’s office for the department.
When worn under turnout clothing, the work uniform will provide additional insulation to those portions of the body that are covered. Work uniforms worn during emergency medical calls might serve to attenuate blood or body fluid exposure.
Adopted in 1985, NFPA 1975: Standard on Station/Work Uniforms, was intended to specify work uniforms that were constructed of flame-resistant materials. Consequently, requirements were put in place that materials used in these uniforms be flame resistant as well as heat resistant.
NFPA 1975 was revised in 2014. The clothing for firefighters needs to be fire resistant as well. 100% cotton, or Nomex KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND WORK PLAN meet this standard. The Gresham Fire Department uniform • Provide additional insulation to those program is constantly working to meet and uphold this portions of the body covered by the national standard for firefighter safety. work uniform. • Reduce blood or body fluid exposure ITEMS PROVIDED INCLUDE: with work uniforms worn during emergency • Class A dress uniform medical calls. • Coats • Meet federal uniform guidelines. Uniforms • Sweatshirts should be fire resistive; cotton 100 percent or • Button up shirts Nomex meet this standard. Wildland boots • Pants must be all-leather and at least 8” tall. • T-shirts Gresham Fire’s Uniform Program is working • Shorts to meet this national standard for • Footwear firefighter safety. BUDGET $40,000
STAFF CONTACTS Captain Peter Graves
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 93 TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS
94 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 MAPPING IPAD PROGRAM
In 2012, the need for a more efficient way to track data and mapping became apparent. A new program was developed that is not only used at Gresham Fire, but inspired other fire departments to follow, including Portland, Clackamas, and Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue.
IPAD USE • Backup mapping for Mobile Data Terminals • Pre-Plan Management • Data Storage • Hazardous Materials Guide • EMS Protocols • Resource Guide • E-mail
THE FUTURE OF MOBILE PLATFORMS As technologies improve, so will the applications for use of mobile devices. Records Management Systems will KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND WORK PLAN integrate to a mobile platform to alleviate duplication of • Seconds save lives in emergency response effort and reduce time writing reports. and arriving to the correct destination is imperative. Dispatch computer systems are STAFF CONTACTS complicated and tend to fail at times. Captain Peter Graves • Mapping systems such as Active 911 can fill Tristan Whitehead, Information and Innovation these gaps in service and allow our companies to arrive to every service.
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 95 MOBILE DATA COMPUTER PROGRAM
Gresham Fire equips 22 vehicles with updated Mobile Data
Computers (MDCs). This equipment allows us to send and receive information with Fire Dispatch, provided by the
City of Portland’s Bureau of Emergency Communications
(BOEC). Additionally, we are exploring ways to expand the information retrievable while en-route to, and while on, emergency scenes.
Like all other computers, after several years of use they become obsolete and need replacing. They no longer have the speed and capacity needed for newer programs. In our case, automatic vehicle location, mobile mapping, and pre-fire planning greatly enhance our operations.
MOBILE DATA COMPUTERS USES IN THE FUTURE One of the next uses to be implemented is personnel tracking, using an MDC application that interacts via Bluetooth and wireless radio frequency identification KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND WORK PLAN (RFID) with our Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus. This Vehicle response tracking applications, often technology will allow the incident commander to monitor known as automatic vehicle location (AVL): the amount of breathing air available to our firefighters • Identify where a unit is located working inside the building on fire. geographically using the geospatial positioning system (GPS). STAFF CONTACT • Receive automated incident location Captain Jay Cross information and provide the most effective response. • Provide a date/time-stamped tracking of the unit during its travels.
96 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 THERMAL IMAGER CAMERA PROGRAM
Gresham Fire established a thermal imager camera (TIC) replacement committee in 2018. The TIC is a valuable tool that allows firefighters to use thermography to “see” heat variations through smoke.
This technology is important to save lives when searching for victims as well as to ensure firefighter safety during structure fire operations.
The TICs have proven a valuable resource to Gresham firefighters due to advances in technology related to image clarity, screen brightness and user interface.
The TIC program requires annual training in operations and periodic maintenance and repair of the cameras. Currently there are six TIC members assisting with the program.
STAFF CONTACT KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND WORK PLAN Lieutenant Michael Snodgrass • Conducted extensive research and tested thermal cameras. • Recommended the MSA 6000 model; Gresham Fire purchased 14 devices in 2018. • Coordinated firefighter education. • Oversaw apparatus installation. • Transitioned into training, support and repair personnel.
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 97 ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS
98 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 OREGON OFFICE OF STATE FIRE MARSHAL INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAMS
The Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal maintains coordination among responding agencies during fires, three Incident Management Teams (IMT) providing floods, earthquakes, structural collapse, tsunamis, hazardous comprehensive incident command to manage ongoing material spills and other natural or human-caused incidents. emergency operations, with expertise in logistics, finance, planning, public information, operations, safety and The IMTs are responsible for developing a plan of action to community issues. The IMTs are most frequently deployed in aggressively and safely mitigate the incident to which it has support of wildfires under the State’s Conflagration Plan. been assigned, either through Unified Command or a single incident command structure. Fire Officers from Gresham work in the Planning Section and as Geographical Information System Specialists. STAFF CONTACT Battalion Chief Michael Traeger Teams respond with resources mobilized by the governor for a conflagration or other emergency that has overwhelmed the control and resources of local emergency responders (ORS 476.510). Incident Management Teams enhance
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 99 PRE-INCIDENT FIRE PLANNING
Pre-Incident Planning is the process of inspecting target hazard structures or areas and creating a simplified document that can be used by incident commanders during emergencies.
Pre-incident planning increases safety and efficiency during emergency operations by accounting for: Known hazards and other operationally significant details.
• First iterations of preplans are hand drawn and indexed using a 4-digit numbering system. • Physical documents are later replaced by an all electronic system, utilizing iPad and iPhone devices to deploy documents to the end user. • The all-electronic system reduces time of plan creation to deployment from six months to one day.
STAFF CONTACT Lieutenant Ryan Miller KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND WORK PLAN • Location of utilities, such as electric, water, and gas valves. • Distances for extended hose deployments, rural water supply concerns. • Location of fire suppression systems, fire department connection, risers, alarm panels. • Location of lock boxes and access points, building numbers. • Each fire station captain is responsible for the overall status of the preplans within their first area of response. • All hazards are preplanned by the staff most likely to arrive first to these areas in an emergency.
100 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 STAFFING MANAGEMENT
The staffing management team works together with an STAFF CONTACT efficient staffing program, Telestaff, to ensure each station and Captain Daniel Lickteig fire engine have the right number of people, with the right types of skills/ specialties for each shift. There are many strict PROGRAM TEAM rules or protocols about how many people need to be on-duty Captain Daniel Lickteig for each station and engine to run safely. For example, this Lieutenant Rob Womack includes the number of paramedics, technical rescue staff and Lieutenant Eric Stevenson officers that are required on each shift at each station. Firefighter Joe Griffin The staffing team uses Telestaff to also help manage things Tristan Whitehead, Information and Innovation like overtime, personal time off, training and for instances when crews may be called on to support wildland fires around the region.
This program not only enhances the department’s efficiency, but is also increasingly effective for the communities each station serves.
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 101 WILDLAND FIRE PROGRAM
Gresham Fire and Emergency Services responds to numerous local and regional wildland, grass and brush fires every year. In Oregon, Gresham Fire responds with Multnomah County strike teams during conflagration declaration deployments within the state.
The 2019 wildland fire season forecast shows potential for increased fire activity because of hot and dry weather. The Oregon State Fire Marshal is predicting an increase in wildland fire conflagration declarations and deployments for Oregon fire departments.
Due to the increased demand for the suppression of destructive wildland fires locally, regionally, and nationally, Gresham Fire will need to invest in additional resources to meet the increased needs including the following: • Training • Tools and equipment KEY HIGHLIGHTS AND WORK PLAN • PPE maintenance, repair, replacement • Deployed to California twice during the • Brush apparatus tools and equipment 2018/2019 budget year with the • Deployment cache purchasing Multnomah County strikes teams. • Responded to four in-state conflagration STAFF CONTACT fires, a significant increase in out-of-county Lieutenant Michael Snodgrass wildland fire responses. • Continue to develop wildland response capabilities. • Purchased a new brush rig. • Upgraded the wildland response cache. • Installed hard suction onto the wildland deployment apparatus.
102 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 FAREWELL RETIREES
Joe Costigan Firefighter Joe Costigan was hired June 6, 1994. During his career, Joe was awarded numerous Unit Citations and Outstanding Service awards, as well as the Medal of Valor from Gresham Fire and the Medal of Honor from the Oregon Fire Chief’s Association for the rescue of two children from a house fire on Chase Road in Gresham in 2004. Joe was an integral part of the EMS program and served as a Paramedic Training Officer and County Continued Quality Improvement rep for many years. Joe was also a member of the Technical Rescue Team and Hazmat Team and finished his career at Station 72, retiring on June 30, 2019.
Dianna Pelster Firefighter Dianna Pelster was hired on June 6, 1994. Before she began her career with Gresham Fire, Dianna was a professional paramedic with a local ambulance co mpany. Dianna is also a registered nurse and worked with many new Firefighters as a Paramedic Training Officer. Dianna was a member of the Water Rescue Team and also served as a staffer at Station 76 for many years. She received a Unit Citation from our awards committee in 2016. Dianna retired on June 6, 2019, and is enjoying her new career as a realtor, as well as working on her farm with her many animals.
FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 103 GRESHAM PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION LOCAL 1062
Local 1062 represents the nearly 100 men and women serving in the Gresham Fire Department. Most people assume Fire Fighters are only called on to extinguish fires in structures and wildland, however that is not the case. Fire Fighting is an all-hazard occupation responding quickly and professionally to mitigate these emergencies to the public we serve and surrounding areas. We are also trained to provide medical treatment whether it be injuries from a traumatic car accident or life saving interventions to a heart attack victim. Our members work diligently to train and be ready at a moments notice when these calls for service come in.
Beyond being professional emergency responders, we take on the position to be advocates for our community to those that need it. Calling 911 usually comes when someone has reached their limit and we are there to help.
Our members also provide the knowledge of fire codes to keep people safe and prevent the emergencies before they occur. The Life Safety Division has the tough job of meeting the needs of new construction while balancing maintaining fire codes in old town Gresham. Their training also includes investigating how fires started which can be used to gather information nationally about fires.
Local 1062, Gresham Professional Fire Fighters continuously supports the community we serve. We are happy to be part of the Teddy Bear Parade, Fire Engine Pull, sponsoring needy families for Christmas and giving tours to local schools. The members have also created the Community Assistance Fund paid for mostly by the fire fighters to give citizens real time assistance at the time they immediately need it.
No matter the call, our fire fighters will respond quickly, professionally, and compassionately to protect life, property, and environment.
Kevin Larson President, Local 1062 Gresham Professional Fire Fighters
104 FIRE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT | 2019 FIRE
CITY OF GRESHAM GFES STAFF MEMBERS
After many hours of work that both city and fire department annual report staff put into the development of the 2019 Gresham Fire and Emergency Services annual report, I made a critical error while editing the final document. It wasn’t until I received the final printed version that I realized we had inadvertently removed some pictures of several members of our great staff. This page is intended to recognize and correct this error. With my most sincere apologies, please allow me to now recognize the following members and their contribution to GFES throughout the 2019 year. FIRE CHIEF MITCH SNYDER
Travis Soles Andrew Nguyen Timothy Habeck Captain, Station 75 Lieutenant, Kelly Relief Lieutenant, Kelly Relief
Rustom Abbasov Ronald Carranza Christopher Hatch Firefighter, Station 74 Firefighter, Station 71 Firefighter, Station 74
Darrin LaBuda Jared Pargas Ian Wynne Firefighter, Station 74 Firefighter, Station 74 Firefighter, Station 72