Buckeye Fire Department's Annual Report

BUCKEYE FIRE-MEDICAL-RESCUE DEPARTMENT

2021 ANNUAL REPORT

MESSAGE FROM FIRE CHIEF

JAKE RHOADES

A

s Fire Chief, it is my pleasure to present the 2021 Buckeye Fire-Medical-Rescue Department’s Annual Report. The department continues to be an example of professionalism and service delivery excellence in all levels of our response.

Last year was a difficult year for the department with the loss of Fire Chief Bob Costello. Chief Costello joined the department in 2004 and served as Fire Chief since 2008. Chief Costello was a fixture in the community and the Arizona Fire Service, and had a tremendous impact not only to Buckeye, but to the State of Arizona.

It is truly an honor to follow Chief Costello and continue supporting the great work achieved by the department under his leadership. Through strategic planning and building cooperative relationships with the community, region and other city departments, I look forward to serving Buckeye as it continues to grow.

The information included in this report is a reflection of the combined efforts of the outstanding men and women who proudly serve the Buckeye Fire-Medical-Rescue Department, and the Buckeye community. Their arduous work and dedication are the reason the department was successful and productive. They truly are the best of the best.

We are proud of the services we provide and want to share with you our successes and major accomplishments that helped us achieve our mission. This report not only highlights how well we performed, but also identifies areas of improvement. Continuous improvement will be our mantra moving forward and we are blessed to have the men and women in the department ready to make changes and improve the level of service to our community.

The title “fire department” although traditional, is by no means accurate or an all-inclusive reflection of what our department provides today. We not only respond to structure fires, but also provide training, staffing and response needs for all hazards within the community. Our emergency medical services (EMS) accounts for a majority of our daily workload and we are proud to serve the city with response models to provide advanced life support medical calls for service.

Buckeye is a member of the Phoenix Regional Dispatch and Development System, commonly called Automatic Aid. This system ensures the closest available resources responds to a service call from 27 valley departments, regardless of city boundaries, and that an orderly and reliable incident command system is utilized.

Buckeye’s population is currently 110,000 and growing at a 6% annual rate. With over 600 square miles, the department faces many challenges in the future to ensure we not only maintain our level of service, but increase it.

2

Now is the time to start reviewing our response models and service delivery and find ways to enhance what we are doing now, while meeting the demands and needs of the future. As the city grows, and we identify service gaps, expanding the Fire Department will be necessary. Whether that’s relocating or adding new fire stations and resources, or expanding current facilities is yet to be determined. For now, our members embrace their roles and continually prepare for our day-to-day challenges, as well as the ones on the horizon.

New department leadership brings about an emphasis on professional development and training. The Paradox on Training states “As the fire service does a better job in preventing fires and other emergencies, the less proficient firefighters become; basic skills must be practiced and refreshed. This paradox accelerates the need for training in order to provide superior services in the community.”

Our focus is not only on quantitative data, but on qualitative measures that provides a training program that meets the needs of our staff to ensure you receive the best possible service, regardless of the emergency. This ensures our firefighters are employing the best decision making to ensure your safety at all times.

Changes in response models, emphasizing training and the continuation of current practices in fire prevention not only provides obvious short-term benefits, but long-term results that decrease the Insurance Service Office (ISO) ratings and International Accreditation. We are focused on this rating since it is one of the National Standards for service delivery, but also means lower insurance rates within the city of Buckeye.

I would like to thank the Mayor and the Buckeye City Council, as well as the citizens of Buckeye, for their unwavering support for all the members of the Buckeye Fire-Medical-Rescue Department. The department is a key component in the city’s efforts to provide a safe community for its residents, visitors and businesses.

The future of Buckeye looks tremendous, and it is my honor to be a part of this great department and city. I encourage you to contact us if you have any questions, or if you have suggestions to improve our services to you.

I also invite you to visit our website (buckeyeaz.gov/fire) to read further information about your Buckeye Fire-Medical-Rescue Department. We are here to help and contribute to this vibrant, progressive, responsible, and safe community for all who call Buckeye home.

Jake Rhoades FIRE-MEDICAL-RESCUE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT

OUR MISSION

THE PREVENTION, PREPARATION AND MANAGEMENT OF EMERGENCY INCIDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

OUR VISION

TO BE THE BEST AND BUILD FOR THE FUTURE.

VALUES

ESTABLISHING VALUES EMBRACED BY ALL MEMBERS OF AN ORGANIZATION IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. THE DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZES THE FEATURES AND CONSIDERATIONS THAT MAKE UP THE PERSONALITY OF THE ORGANIZATION. OUR INTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS DEVELOPED VALUE STATEMENTS WITH EMPHASIZED KEY WORDS AS THE CORE VALUES TERMS.

HONOR

COURAGE

COMMITMENT

TRUST

OUR MEMBERS’ COMMITMENT TO CHARACTER, INTEGRITY AND TRADITIONS. A RIGHT EARNED AND NOT GIVEN.

THE ABILITY TO OVERCOME FEAR THROUGH TRAINING, FORTITUDE, INSTINCT AND COMPASSION FOR OTHERS. THE WILLINGNESS TO DO THE RIGHT THING IN ADVERSITY.

THE PASSIONATE AND UNWAVERING CALL TO PROTECT AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE. WE RECOGNIZE THE COMMUNITY IS THE REASON FOR OUR EXISTENCE.

THE FAITH IN EACH OTHER AND OF THOSE WE SERVE THROUGH ATTITUDE, CONDUCT AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

BUCKEYE FIRE-MEDICAL-RESCUE BY THE NUMBERS...

642

SQUARE MILES

$17,488,260

DEPT ANNUAL BUDGET FIRE-MEDICAL-RESCUE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT

110,000 POPULATION

98 6 UNIFORMED PERSONNEL

6

CIVILIAN PERSONNEL

FIRE STATIONS

9

ENGINES

1

HAZ MAT UNIT

2

LADDERS

2

BRUSH TRUCKS

3

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART 104 TOTAL PERSONNEL 98 SWORN PERSONNEL 6 PROFESSIONAL STAFF

FIRE CHIEF ASSISTANT CHIEF PROJECT MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT

MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

4

FIRE PREVENTION

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

ORGANIZATIONAL & COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS

A SHIFT COMMANDER

B SHIFT COMMANDER

C SHIFT COMMANDER

EMS CAPTAIN

FIRE INSPECTIONS

TRAINING

CAPTAINS

CAPTAINS

CAPTAINS

COMMUNITY PARAMEDICINE MANAGER

FIRE PREVENTION SPECIALISTS

PREPAREDNESS

ENGINEERS

ENGINEERS

ENGINEERS

PARAMEDIC

COMMUNITY RISK REDUCTION

TECHNICAL RESCUE

FIREFIGHTERS

FIREFIGHTERS

FIREFIGHTERS

PUBLIC EDUCATION

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

FIRE-MEDICAL-RESCUE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT

2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Improved response times by

:14 SECONDS

Improved response times by 14 seconds; Focusing on turnout time and demonstrating an annual decrease from 1:49 to 1:35

•

Implemented an occupancy inspection program to inspect businesses in the City

•

Participation in the Firefighter Cancer Screening Program with Cancer Treatment Centers of America. Continued to promote cancer awareness and prevention procedures

•

Increased organizational safety through command training

•

Increased staffing in the Fire Prevention Division to address increases in development and mandated timeliness associated with residential and commercial projects

•

Implemented daily apparatus inspections that support the Fire Department’s record needs and communicate issues to Fleet Maintenance through PS Trax

•

Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP) were updated to ensure maximum survivability and to minimize property damage in the event of a disaster

•

Completed annual inspections of approximately 1,700 city-owned hydrants

•

Met all required standards in the department’s Preparedness Division required by the Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program during the Annual Palo Verde Generating Station Plume Phase exercise, which was evaluated by FEMA Region 9 • Members of the Preparedness Division worked with Maricopa County Department of Emergency Management; Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office; Arizona Department of Emergency Management; Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Nuclear Regulatory Commission; and several other jurisdictions

•

Completed the Annual Threat & Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (THIRA) which is used to identify threats and hazards in the region • This information is used to help secure federal funding for grants. Grant funding assists the department with purchasing equipment, and to provide training to prevent, protect, mitigate, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism or other catastrophic events

•

Created the Personnel and Professional Development Division with a focus on succession planning and preparing members at all organizational levels and rank to reach their individual potential • The new division oversees EMS, Training, Preparedness, Emergency Management, and Special Operations

•

Buckeye Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) updates were completed and recently approved by City Council.

• The EOP provides a directive to city departments to prepare for and execute assigned emergency tasks to ensure maximum survivability of the population and to minimize property damage in the event of a disaster

•

Fifteen members completed the Captain’s Academy consisting of class instruction on Tactics & Strategies, Fire Instructor I, Fire Officer I, and Building Construction

Buckeye Fire Medical Rescue was the first department in the state to administer COVID-19 vaccines

Designated Premier EMS Level Agency by the Arizona Department of Health Services

FIRE-MEDICAL-RESCUE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT

5

PERSONNEL ACHIEVEMENTS

2021 AWARDS Firefighter of the Year Garrett Baker Engineer of the Year Marc Andrade Captain of the Year Billy Burnett ALS Provider of the Year Alex Groneman Captain

City Council recognized Pete Shiple for 20 years of public service

Fully Involved Cody Rounds Engineer Chief’s Award Tim Hodges Captain Chief’s Award Bill Stockley Assistant Chief

BLS Provider of the Year Michelle Rogers Captain

NEW HIRES City Council recognized Chad Gilliam for 20 years of public service Mike Malcom named recipient of the 2021 Community Impact Award Haley Haltmar completed National & State Certified Paramedic training

Jeremy Dowden completed Certified Technical Rescue Technician training Eric Bridges completed Certified Technical Rescue Technician training

Marc Andrade completed Certified HAZMAT Technician training

Heath Joyner was named “Recruit of the Class” by Fire Recruit Class Bill Tomachoff completed Certified 21-1 making him the department’s HAZMAT Technician training first recruit to receive this award.

PROMOTIONS Joe Frazier, Captain Dan Malanowski, Captain Matt Thomas, Captain Garrett Baker, Engineer Brett Gilliland, Engineer

6

Eric Hoser, Engineer Ben Mazza, Engineer Cody Rounds, Engineer Mike Selzam, Engineer

Jake Rhoades Fire Chief

Tyler Milakovich Firefighter

Kurt Barnes Firefighter

Marlin Paschal Firefighter

Grant Bradbury Firefighter

Lane Plutowski Firefighter

Myles Cumberland Firefighter

Cory Wenzel Firefighter

Heath Joyner Firefighter

Cole Yohn Firefighter

Alex Magallon Firefighter

Jaime Baca Fire Inspector II

Ethan McFadden Firefighter

Sergio Nunez Fire Inspector I

RETIREMENTS Cary Juve 17 years of service

John Morin 16 years of service

FIRE-MEDICAL-RESCUE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT

2021 COMMUNITY & SPECIAL

EVENT PARTICIPATION Department personnel attended a number of events held across the community. Members met with members of the public, participated in charitable events, displayed fire apparatus, spoke on fire prevention and safety, or were on hand to provide Fire/EMS support at the following events: •

• • Child Seat Safety Event

• •

•

• •

• • •

•

MARCH

•

Heart Attack Survivor reunites with Crew 703 Battalion Chief Mike Malcom, a certified child car seat technician, joined other participating jurisdictions in the Annual Child Seat Safety event hosted by the Goodyear Fire Department Safety Drive-thru Literacy Health & Safety Fair hosted by the Buckeye Family Resource Center

AUGUST

Sleep in Heavenly Peace Charity Bed Build for Kids, hosted by Parker Fasteners

SEPTEMBER

Hobo Joe Dedication Ceremony Patriot Day, National Day of Service and Stair Climb Presentation with home school students in Tartesso and Verrado Heritage School

• • •

• •

• • • •

APRIL

• • •

MAY

FIRE-MEDICAL-RESCUE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT

•

•

“The Barket” Pet Fair in Verrado hosted by The Giving Tree Foundation Sundance Park Phase II Groundbreaking Ceremony

Fry’s Verrado Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Annual Memorial Day Ceremony at Louis B. Hazelton Memorial Cemetery Water Day Events • Summit Community Church • Verrado Elementary School • Verrado Heritage School • Tartesso Elementary School Meals of Joy Annual Duck Derby

•

Grace Fellowship Church Annual Fall Festival Tartesso’s 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat Event Verrado’s Greatest Carnival & Circus Buckeye’s 81st Annual Halloween Carnival Festival Park Trunk or Treat Event

NOVEMBER

Annual Veterans Day Parade Palm Valley Church Wishbone Festival Hidden Lake’s Kidzona Festival

DECEMBER

Main Street Coalition’s Cotton Fest Festival Foothill’s Christmas Parade Tartesso’s Annual Parade of Lights Main Street Coalition’s Glow on Monroe Santa visit to family of fallen ADOT Officer Ramirez Buckeye Elks Lodge annual Children’s Christmas Breakfast and Shopping Event Verrado’s Annual Main Street UTV Holiday Light Parade

Patriot Day Stair Climb

•

• •

OCTOBER

School presentations: • Odyssey Prep Academy • Marionneauix Elementary • Choices School Downtown Library’s 50th Anniversary Celebration 8th Annual Verrado High School Career Fair

Glow on Monroe Parade

7

2021 EMERGENCY RESPONSE

8,448 Incidents within Buckeye

9,717 Total Incidents

MEDICAL - 6,840 SERVICE - 876 VEHICLE COLLISION - 667

MISC. - 617 FIRE - 408 FIRE ALARM - 309

MISC. - 617

MEDICAL - 6,164 SERVICE - 778 VEHICLE COLLISION - 463

FIRE ALARM -298 FIRE - 224

9:17 FIRST UNIT ON SCENE

(90TH PERCENTILE) Combination of time from initially calling 911 to when the first emergency response unit arrives on scene.

8

FIRE-MEDICAL-RESCUE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT

7,545

2018

8,059

2019

CALL VOLUMES

8,408

2020

9,717

2021

0

Total Calls by Year (last 5 years)

704 - 833 705 - 761 706 - 896

8,408

2020

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

570 576 507

9,717 Total

12

10,000

631

Incidents by Hour of Day 237

10,000

Outside Buckeye - 357

9,717

2021

0

8,000

2021 Calls by Station

703 - 1,581

8,059

2019

6,000

702 - 2981

7,545

2018

4,000

701 - 2,308

6,788

2017

2,000

594 593 583 586 593

540

524

558 510 411 391

394

295

282 223 218 209 196 183

1

2

3

4

5 6 A.M.

FIRE-MEDICAL-RESCUE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT

7

8

9 10 11 12

1

2

3

4

5 6 P.M.

7

8

9 10 11

9

Incidents by Days of the Week

Incidents by Month

(9,717 total) SUN

MON

1,297

TUE

1,374

THUR

(9,717 total) WED

1,399 FRI

1,465

796

697

1,387

FEB

697

73

6

814

PEORIA

BUCKEYE FEB

824

857

7 17 SURPRISE 4

787

9

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

1 NOV

OCT

MESA

TEMPE

95

DEC

11

CHANDLER

3

TONOPAH

GILBERT

GOODYEAR AVONDALE

AUG

SEP

32

SUN CITY/ SUN CITY WEST/ SUN LAKES

GLENDALE MAR APR

JUL

857

OCT

NOV

787

DEC

(788 total)

SCOTTSDALE

PHOENIX

JAN

MAR APR

PEORIA

35

SURPRISE

8,448

JUN

824

Mutual Aid by Jurisdiction

925

886

822

793

MAY

925

Responding to calls outside of the city’s jurisdiction to lend assistance when needed.

(9,717 total) 754

793

886

1,346

Incidents by Jurisdiction 762

754

822

SAT

1,466

JAN

796

762

814

24 2 TOLLESON

SCOTTSDALE

GLENDALE

553

BUCKEYE VALLEY

115

1

MESA

TEMPE

GILBERT

31

GOODYEAR AVONDALE

QUEEN CREEK

1,037

PHOENIX

CHANDLER

QUEEN CREEK

MARICOPA COUNTY

2

GILA BEND

Mutual Aid Provided to Jurisdictions (1109 total)

67

6

PEORIA

26

SURPRISE

SCOTTSDALE

PHOENIX

7

GLENDALE BUCKEYE

79

MESA

TEMPE

6

GOODYEAR AVONDALE

GILBERT CHANDLER

916

MARICOPA COUNTY

2

GILA BEND

10

QUEEN CREEK

Turnout Times

The time between when a call is dispatched to an emergency and when the unit leaves the fire station.

BC701 BC702 BR701 BR704 E701 E702 E703 E704 E705 E706 HM705 L703 S703 UTV703 TOTAL

A SHIFT

B SHIFT

C SHIFT

AVG. TIME

0:01:31 0:01:29 0:04:05 0:04:26 0:01:35 0:01:30 0:01:55 0:01:51 0:01:47 0:01:38 0:03:20 0:01:39 0:03:08 0:08:31 0:01:42

0:01:32 0:01:00 0:03:16 0:03:24 0:01:28 0:01:29 0:01:55 0:02:22 0:01:47 0:01:49 0:02:54 0:02:33 0:03:37 0:09:53 0:01:47

0:01:31 0:01:55 0:02:59 0:03:56 0:01:18 0:01:35 0:02:16 0:01:38 0:01:40 0:01:57 0:02:44 0:02:46 0:02:55 0:04:57 0:01:49

0:01:31 0:01:56 0:03:34 0:04:06 0:01:28 0:01:32 0:02:04 0:01:52 0:01:45 0:01:48 0:02:57 0:02:23 0:03:17 0:07:52 0:01:46

FIRE-MEDICAL-RESCUE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT

COMMUNITY PARAMEDICINE PROGRAM 2021 Year End • 2,635 Total

FIRE PREVENTION 2021 YEAR IN NUMBERS:

782

700

Phone Visits

COVID Tests

506

422

Home Visits

COVID Vaccinations Jan-June

2,930

39

28

1,804

Patient Assists

Car Seat Installations

2

156

Hospital Visits

Other

Flow Tests

Inspections

1,126 Plans Review

24

Fire Investigations

5,884 Grand Total

FIRE-MEDICAL-RESCUE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT

11

TRAINING 0

2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

TECHNICAL RESCUE • •

Requires 200 hours of class and proficiency confined space, high angle, trench and swift water rescue An additional 43 hours required yearly to maintain certifications

AIR RESCUE TECHNICIAN •

Buckeye Fire is one of only four departments in the Valley trained specifically for air rescue operations

HAZARDOUS MATERIALS TEAM • •

12

Total Training Hours

INSURANCE SERVICE OFFICE (ISO) 32,974 NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOC. 24,748

AZ DEPT. OF HEALTH SERVICES 7,541 SPECIAL OPERATIONS 1,482

Requires 200 hours of class and proficiency in hazardous material recognition/mitigation, meter reading and decontamination procedures An additional 43 hours required yearly to maintain certifications

FIRE-MEDICAL-RESCUE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT

EMS & FIRE INVESTIGATION

EMS DIVISION TOP FIVE CALL TYPES 1. Sick person 2. Fall with injury 3. Difficulty Breathing 4. Cardiac 5. Altered level of consciousness Of these five call types, a cardiac call is the most serious.

The American Heart Association reports: • There are more than 356,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the U.S. each year • Nearly 90% are fatal • Performing CPR before paramedics arrive significantly improves your survival rate

FIRES INVESTIGATED 25 FIRE INVESTIGATIONS CONDUCTED

17 3

Single Family Homes

Commercial Businesses

3 2

Vehicles

Schools

FIRE CONTAINMENT

2 Contained to object where fire started 3 Contained to room where fire started 7 Fire spread from where it started

$730,000

Buckeye routinely holds classes for certification in Basic First Aid and CPR twice a month, on Thursdays, at the Dr. Saide Recreation Center, 1001 E. Centre. Visit buckeyeaz.gov and search CPR classes to register.

FIRE-MEDICAL-RESCUE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT

Total value of properties before fire

$257,000

Total dollar loss 13

FIRE STATION LOCATIONS

4 1

FIRE STATION 704 Sun City Festival 27360 W. Wagner Complex Dr.

FIRE STATION 701 Downtown Buckeye 404 S Miller Rd.

4

5 5

FIRE STATION 705 Tartesso 3055​1 W. Tartesso Pkwy.

3 2 6 1

2

3 14

FIRE STATION 702 Sundance 1911 S Rainbow Rd

FIRE STATION 703 Verrado 2582 N Verrado Way

85

6

FIRE STATION 706 Westpark 25821 W. Magnolia St.

BUCKEYE FIRE ADMINISTRATION 21699 W. Yuma Rd. Suite 101 Phone: 623-349-6700 Fax: 623-349-6750

FIRE-MEDICAL-RESCUE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT

REMEMBERING & HONORING

FIRE CHIEF BOB COSTELLO 1959-2021 Fire Chief Bob Costello passed away in April of 2021. Chief Costello joined the department in 2004 and became Fire Chief in 2008. He was known as a forward-thinking leader, dedicated to the department, friends, family members and the community he served.

He received numerous accolades and recognition on his achievements throughout his 17 years in Buckeye including: • Bringing the first Community Paramedicine Program to Buckeye, which won numerous awards: • Heroism Award from Buckeye Valley Chamber of Commerce in 2016 • Healthcare Hero Award from the Phoenix Business in 2019 • Serving on Arizona’s Emergency Medical Services Council from 2001 – 2004, and from 2016 to his last appointment by Governor Ducey in 2020.

• Exemplary Service to Humanity by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion, Feb. 2019 • Dr. Paul Johnson Award presented by Abrazo West Campus in May 2016 In 2010, Chief Costello and his department took over operation and maintenance of the Louis B. Hazelton Memorial Cemetery, saving the city an estimated $50,000 annually. He is responsible for the success of the recent expansion of the cemetery, including the Adopt-A-Bench and Adopt-A-Tree programs, giving families different methods to honor and memorialize their loved ones.

Chief Costello leaves behind a footprint of his compassion and selfless service on the community, its residents, and the department. We remember his service, his legacy and the impact he had on the community. His hard work and outstanding efforts will have positive impacts on Buckeye for years to come.

FIRE-MEDICAL-RESCUE DEPARTMENT ANNUAL REPORT

Chief Costello continues to be recognized for his service today: • He was posthumously awarded the 2021 Firefighter of the Year Award during the 48th Annual Opening Ceremonies of the Arizona State Fire School • Banner Estrella Medical Center dedicated a “star” in his honor in recognition of the Community Paramedicine Program • The U.S. Fire Administration and National Emergency Training Center ordered flags lowered at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial located on the campus of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland • Arizona House of Representatives honored Chief Costello with a moment of silence during its May 20 House Floor Session • During the Floor Session, Representative Joanne Osborne (LD13) introduced House Resolution 2015 in memory of Chief Costello 15

buckeyeaz.gov/fire