September 2019 Florida Fire Service Magazine

THE PUBLICATION

OF THE

FLORIDA FIRE CHIEFS’ ASSOCIATION

September 2019 • VOLUME 27 NUMBER 9

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Florida Fire Florida Fire Fire Chiefs’ Florida Fire

Service is the monthly publication of the Chiefs’ Association, provided to Florida Association (FFCA) members, by the Chiefs’ Association.

Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association 221 Pinewood Drive Tallahassee, FL 32303 Phone: (850) 900-5180 Email: info@ffca.org • www.ffca.org FFCA Staff Wm. Ray Colburn - Executive Director & CEO Denise Holley - Office Manager Scott Leisen - Marketing Director Ngoc Huynh - Conference & Events Director Donna Chason - Administrative Assistant Liz Aperauch - Administrative Assistant FFCA Board of Directors Darrel Donatto - President Neal de Jesus, EFO - 1st Vice President Frank Babinec - 2nd Vice President John Miller - Immediate Past President Ty Silcox, MPA - Secretary/Treasurer Ryan H. Crawford - Northwest Region Director TBA - Northeast Region Director Terry Wooldridge Jr. - East Central Region Director Julie Downey - Southeast Region Director Douglas Riley - West Central Region Director Michael Murphy - Southwest Region Director Wm. Ray Colburn - Executive Director & CEO Cindy Morgan - Foundation Chair Ronald Parrish, MPA, CFO, EFO - Senior Member

FROM THE SECTIONS Message from the Foundation Chair . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

6 FEATURES Being an Empathetic Leader:

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Everybody Wins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Tools of the Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Saving Lives Starting at Home . . . .14 Florida Celebrates Smokey the

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Bear’s 75th Birthday . . . . . . . . . .20

FURTHERMORE FFCA New Members . . . . . . . . . . . .8 The Ultimate Search and Rescue . . .12 Martin County Life

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SAVE-ing Exercise . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Editorial Submissions magazine@ffca.org (850) 900-5180

Retiring EMS Chief’s ‘Labor of Love’

Advertising Scott Leisen, Editor in Chief scott@ffca.org (386) 717-0055

Climbing the Ladder While Walking

Career Comes to an End . . . . . .18

Your Own Path . . . . . . . . . . . . .24 Are There Walruses in Your

Subscription rate for members is $36, which is included in member dues. Archived electronic monthly editions of Florida Fire Service magazine are available at www.ffca.org. Log in as a member and click on the Publications tab.

Florida Fire Service September 2019, Volume 27, Number 9 USPS # 016-759 Periodical postage paid in Daytona Beach, Florida, and additional post offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Florida Fire Service, 221 Pinewood Drive Tallahassee, FL 32303.

Statements of fact and opinion are the responsibility of the author’s alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the officers or the members of FFCA. Copyright 2019 by the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association.

All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced without written permission.

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Risk Management Plan? . . . . . . .26 The Design and Construction of a New Station - A Story of Recovery . . . .28 PCFR ‘Integrity 13’ Continues to Impress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 In brief . . . news from around the state . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Advertisers Index . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Events Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDATION CHAIR

Richard Knoff and Mike Long were recognized for their dedication to the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Foundation Cindy Morgan

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t was my pleasure and honor to be nominated and elected to serve as chair of the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Foundation (FFCF) for another year at the Executive Development Conference in Boca Raton. We also recognized two individuals who gave a tremendous amount of time and work to the foundation for many years: Mike Long, Assistant Chief, Monticello Volunteer Fire

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Department and Richard Knoff, Retired Deputy Chief, Clay County Fire Department.

Both Mike and Richard fulfilled their two terms with the foundation, and we thanked them for their service to this great organization. The board of trustees called for applications to the foundation and received many very qualified candidates. We would like to welcome Jim White, Director, Fire Rescue Institute Valencia College of Public Safety and Danny Sanchez, Florida Territory Vice

President, Motorola Solutions. I believe both Jim and Danny have tremendous experience and abilities to help us continue moving the foundation forward.

The Executive Development Conference was also a great opportunity to welcome new members into the Vigiles Societas. Money given to this fund goes directly toward scholarship opportunities for our communities. Check out our website to learn more: www.ffca.org/vigiles-societas.

Applications for our Firefighter/EMT Community Scholarship Program are open and available on the FFCA website at www.ffca.org/scholarship-opportunities. This is a needs-based scholarship, so please be on the lookout for men and women in your community who desire to be a part of the firefighter family but need some help achieving that goal.

The FFCF is also applying to other foundations and grants to bring in additional funds so we can continue to grow our community scholarships and have resources to support future needs and projects. If you have any ideas or suggestions, please contact me at cmorgan@ten8fire.com.

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Being an Empathetic Leader: EVERYBODY

By Dr. Eric Smith, EFO, Assistant Professor of Public Administration, Barry University

S

ometime in our career most of us have heard someone say: “When you come to work, leave your problems at the door.” Not only is that statement absurd, it’s impossible to do. There are times for all of us when personal and professional obligations collide. Leaders who recognize this incontrovertible fact have a distinct advantage over those who do not.

What is empathy and why is it important for leaders to master it? Dictionaries describe empathy as “the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another person.” Although empathy and sympathy share certain common traits, they are indeed different. One can feel sympathy for someone who has lost a loved one, but they cannot feel empathy unless they have also lost a loved one. Empathy is a reaction to a shared negative experience.

Unfortunately, not everyone sees empathy as a crucial leadership trait. Empathy means being able to understand the needs of others. It means you have an awareness of the feelings and thoughts of others. Expressing empathy doesn’t mean you have to agree with their point of view, it simply means you are willing to

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understand and appreciate their point of view.

Many people view empathy as simply a “touchyfeely skill.” While this view has some truth, it leaves out the difficulty in mastering and maintaining an empathetic leadership model.

This all begs the question: how can empathy make you a better leader? Below are six very good reasons for becoming an empathetic leader.

1. Empathy creates bonds: When you care about another person, you create a strong bond. You are better able to connect and understand their interests and perspective.

2. Empathy gives insight: It’s important to note that what is going on in your mind is different than what is going on in the minds of others. It is only by listening to others that you can understand these differences. When you listen you learn, and when you learn you gain insight into the thoughts of others.

3. Empathy teaches presence: Empathy means being a good listener, focusing your attention on the person in front of you without becoming distracted. Being present means putting others ahead of yourself.

4. Empathy guides understanding: It’s not always easy to understand why someone thinks

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or feels the way they do. People often respond in ways that are surprising, and that may leave you clueless on how to respond. But the goal of the empathetic leader is not to respond, but to listen. Empathy allows you to understand others without passing judgement or making assumptions.

5. Empathy sharpens people skills: Demonstrating empathy is often difficult; it takes time and effort to show awareness and understanding. When it comes to building teams and earning trust, an empathetic leader has to take an interest in people. Showing curiosity about someone’s professional and personal life helps to build empathy and will sharpen your people skills.

6. Empathy cultivates better communication: When you are acting in an empathetic fashion, you listen in a way that makes others want to talk to you. Effective communication means realizing and acknowledging the differences in the E ri c S m it h choices people make and in the way they perceive the world.

What this all comes down to is • • simply that Ba rr y U n i v e r sit y empathy is a leadership skill that is well worth cultivating. A “soft” skill that leads to hard, tangible results through maximizing each team member’s contributions to the organization.

By J. Marvin Hart, Retired Chief Officer, City of Pembroke Pines Fire Department, Indian River State College Fire Academy

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ully grasping the meaning of the word “improvise” is perhaps one of the most difficult challenges a firefighter will ever face.

To have clarity of mind and the ability to think creatively while solving a problem when the equipment, supplies and/or personnel you need are not readily available will change the way you see things, intellectually as well as psychologically. While others are scratching their heads trying to figure out what their next move will be, you can step out of the box and make a difference in the lives of others if you remain calm, take a deep breath and use your imagination when it counts most.

When the mission you are facing is not time sensitive, you have the advantage of requisitioning the personnel and/or equipment you need. But, when you have very little to work with and time is not on your side, there is a very good chance that you will have to improvise; that means decisions must be made and they must be made quickly. Change your way of

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thinking and look closely at your resources again to see how you can use them to your full advantage. Weigh your resources carefully against the options that are open to you and do whatever is necessary to ensure a successful mission.

One of the ways in which you can prepare yourself for the inevitable is to capitalize on inservice training exercises and the critiquing of alarms. Ask yourself throughout each assessment, “How can I perform the same tasks but with limited resources?” When you begin to think creatively and no longer focus on what you can’t do but rather visualize the possibilities of what you can do, it is then, my friend, you will begin to separate yourself from the average employee and be considered a professional in every sense of the word.

As a member of an elite team of men and women who are sometimes commissioned to do the impossible under extraordinary circumstances, be ready to change the way you

think when you come face-to-face with limitations and use the word improvise to ensure a successful mission. Be all that you were meant to be, a part of the solution and not the problem.

The word “adapt” sounds strong and assertive, but I can assure you when things are no longer going the way you planned and you are faced with making a critical decision that will impact the way you live, there is a great deal more depth to the word than most people can imagine. The process of changing the way someone thinks regarding his or her ability to survive under questionable conditions is perhaps one of the greatest leaps a person will ever make in his or her lifetime.

Literally speaking, most recruits who drop out of the fire academy do so the first week of class once they have attempted to place a breathing mask over their face, even when there were no visible restrictions. On more occasions than I can count, instructors have

everyone thinks. Decisions need to be made and they need to be made on the spot. It has nothing to do with being better than someone else, but rather it has everything to do with being better than you were yesterday. When everyone around us is looking for a way out, it is up to us to find a way in and get the job done.

When you or I begin to think that we can’t go on any more, that to push forward means that we must continue battling the same struggles, challenges and risks of our trade, it is then that we must remind ourselves that we can only grow when we stretch ourselves to the limit. There is strength in adversity and there is power in the knowledge that we are not alone

in the fight.

The value of a mind that knows how to be creative, the ability of an individual to survive n Mar vi Hart under questionable conditions and the courage of those who are determined to speak up and Re move forward while tir e ce d C h i e f O f fi others hesitate or turn back cannot be overstated.

The cliché Improvise, Adapt and Overcome are more than words, they are a way of life. r

tried to get the student to acclimate themselves to the rubber straps and transparent shield but, for many of them, they could not adjust or adapt to the psychological effect the mask had on them. There are many reasons a student will drop from a program, but every time they do it gives credence to the saying “not everyone is cut out to be a firefighter.”

There will always be variables in our life that will affect the way you and I live and think, the question is whether or not we will be able to adapt to each of them when they surface. In the fire service, you cannot turn your head the other way or pick and choose the environment you want to work in; you have to deal with whatever comes your way or accept the consequences which, more often than not, can be very unforgiving.

We are all members of a team, a link in the chain and a cog in the wheel that holds everything together and keeps things running smoothly, and it’s essential that we adjust to what’s going on around us before things get out of control. When we fail to adapt to that which we have no control over, I can assure you someone will suffer for it or, even worse, someone may not go home at the end of the day. So, remember when conditions are less than desirable, seemingly unbearable and uncomfortable, it will not be the strongest who survive but those who can adapt to an everchanging environment.

Now that we have a clear understanding of the word improvise: having clarity of mind and the ability to think creatively in solving problems, and the word adapt: the process of changing the way a person thinks regarding his or her ability to survive under questionable conditions, we can now finish connecting all the dots by addressing the final variable in the equation, the word “overcome”.

As you well know, there will always be someone who is pessimistic and ready to pick apart the imperfections of a new idea. To some degree that may be a healthy medium for all of us in checking to see if we are on track, but the real problem begins when we fail to speak up and express our ideas for fear that someone else will question or challenge the way we think.

There is validity to the statement Edmund Burke made in the 1700’s: “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is when good men do nothing” but in this case I will take the liberty of modifying it: “The only thing between success and failure is when good people fail to make a decision and move forward.”

We are professionals and the title firefighter demands that we be assertive in our calling. On most occasions, there is no room or time for vacillating or conducting a poll to see what

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By Joseph A. LaCognata, Chaplain, Fire Rescue Support

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mph and gusts up to 190 mph. I can’t imagine the impact this is having on the island. Here in central Florida, we continue to wait to see if Dorian makes the expected turn to the north, keeping it offshore and us out of grave danger.

Resources from across the state and across the nation have been mobilized and staged to provide an immediate response to our neighbors near and far. Once the storm passes, search and rescue efforts will begin in earnest.

Search and rescue – it’s the responsibility you live by. Not only when dealing with storms the magnitude of Dorian, but also day-to-day as you search out and rescue those in trouble. To those in need, you provide hope, comfort and compassion. You help people make sense of their broken world, their broken bone or their broken heart.

Search and rescue – it’s the intensity you operate with. During this part of the mission, the approach is “risk a lot to save a lot.” All available resources are directed to the mission. A search will continue for as long as the subject might be alive, and conditions allow. h A . La C ogn a Search and rescue – it’s the priority you se p ta Jo focus on. It is a time-critical effort that demands a high level of attention. Time truly is of the essence, because everyone knows that the search and rescue phase doesn’t last forever.

Responsibility – intensity – priority.

F ir t eR or escue Supp Sounds like another search and rescue mission I’m familiar with, that of the search and rescue of the human soul. Luke captures the heart of this mission with these words: “The Son of Man came to seek and save the lost.”

You can find out more about Chaplain Joe and Fire Rescue Support by visiting www.firerescuesupport.com.

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•

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t’s Monday, September 2, 2019. As I sit down to write, Hurricane Dorian is about 100 miles east of West Palm Beach and crawling along at 1mph across Grand Bahama, the northernmost island of the Bahamas. This Category 4 storm currently has maximum winds of 150

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s mental health and wellness in the firefighter community has moved further into the spotlight, the discussion about the unique stressors firefighters face and the mental distress that often comes with the job has become more open. This crucial movement is due in large part to members of the firefighter community working to help their fellow teammates.

In the firefighter community, service members find a second family at the fire station – their home away from home. We know that firefighters are remarkably resilient, and studies have shown there are many proactive tactics firefighters can weave into their daily lives to bolster that resiliency and reduce the risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Time and time again, one factor rises to the top of those lists – peer support. The situations firefighters face while on duty are often traumatic and can begin to take a toll. If ignored, the effects can become crippling, pulling them away from the job they love.

Sometimes, all it takes to prevent this outcome is knowing how to start the conversation and provide support in whatever form that might take. The need for firefighters to be trained in how to effectively support one another is greater than ever before, but it can be difficult to know where to start.

Thankfully, there are many free resources available to firefighters looking to tap into the strong network of peer support in our state.

REACT – Building a Network of Trained Peer Supporters REACT is a peer support program developed by UCF RESTORES® – a leading independent research center that provides treatment at no cost to those suffering from PTSD, including firefighters, throughout the state – to better equip first responders to serve 14

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as a valuable part of Florida’s peer support network. It’s designed to introduce, improve and strengthen the type of support only peers can provide. The program teaches firefighters how to recognize stress injuries in teammates while on the job, allowing them to establish an open line of communication with those who may need to talk about what they’ve seen or experienced. Training also includes how to identify warning signs that indicate a fellow firefighter may need further assistance through professional help.

In the case that professional help is needed, graduates of the REACT training program are provided with ways to connect with culturally competent clinicians. These clinicians have a deeper understanding of the firefighter community and how to provide effective treatment, thanks in large part to programs like the Florida Firefighters Safety & Health Collaborative’s (FFSHC) Clinician Awareness Program. This training, along with keen awareness of the unique stressors firefighters face, allows clinicians to be more readily and naturally prepared to help those in need.

Redline Rescue™ – Taking Peer Support to the Next Level Firefighters encounter trauma on the job more frequently than they would in nearly any other profession. With this in mind, the FFSHC established Redline Rescue, a program that provides firefighters with a unique peer-to-peer forum to discuss their experiences and work through potential trauma. Through Redline Rescue, peer support is available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, thanks to an incredible network of empathetic firefighters who are ready to lend a sympathetic ear to those in need and are trained to recognize warning signs of PTSD and suicidal ideation.

Similar to REACT, Redline Rescue also works

with a framework of clinicians trained in cultural competency.

Developments on the Horizon As the conversation on mental health in the firefighter community has continued to open up, demand for the Redline Rescue program has steadily risen over the years since its launch in 2016. To meet this demand, the FFSHC is developing an automated interactive web portal, which is planned to launch in 2020. The automated portal will, at its core, follow the tried-and-true peer support system Redline Rescue has successfully established while allowing the program greater reach to firefighters across the state. With sights set on automation, FFSHC turned to UCF RESTORES, the collaborative’s committed partner for mental health and wellness, to provide insights into best practices in mental health and peer support that would strengthen the effectiveness of the new platform. In partnership with the FFSHC, UCF RESTORES is developing algorithm-driven questions that will lead firefighters seeking support to their best peer support match. This match is based on geographical location, so they can speak with someone in their area, as well as lifestyle and career factors, such as marital status or years on the job. UCF RESTORES also advises and directly supports the collaborative on various mental health initiatives specific to the firefighter community.

Across the state, forces are aligning to provide better and stronger support for our firefighters – the individuals who have dedicated themselves to saving the lives of others. But, it’s up to our brothers and sisters – regardless of rank or experience – to band together to provide the on-the-ground support that only they are capable of.

The life of a firefighter is full of both celebrations and hardships, but at the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association we know you wouldn’t change it for the world. The bonds within this community are essential to keeping up with the demands of the job and avoiding burnout – or the loss of a life. Today, our call to action is clear: be the support your brothers and sisters need, urge others to do the same and be bold enough to ask for that support yourself.

For more information on the resources shared here, or to learn more about how you can get involved, contact: UCF RESTORES www.ucfrestores.org (407) 823-3910 Florida Firefighters Safety and Health Collaborative www.floridafiresafety.org

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Martin County Life SAVE-ing Exercise

By Martha Ann Kneiss, Martin County Board of County Commissioners, Communications & Outreach Coordinator

T

he Martin County Emergency Management agency facilitated a full-scale training exercise at a local high school this summer involving more than seven partner agencies and two-hundred people. Joining Martin County Fire Rescue and Martin County Emergency Management in the exercise were the City of Stuart Police Department, City of Stuart Fire Rescue, Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Jupiter Island Police Department and Martin County School District.

Operation S.A.V.E. (Swift Assisted Victim Extraction) is a national program developed in 2015 as the result of lessons learned in the aftermath of multiple active shooter incidents.

“Martin County Emergency Management and our local public safety partners regularly train to sharpen skills and establish best practices in providing critical care and response to our community in times of need,” said Michele Jones, Emergency Management Director.

The functional exercise was planned for eight hours and limited to the high school property.

The scenario involved a teenager parking a car at a nearby neighborhood and accessing the high school at the first exterior entrance

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available. After the assailant had been contained, the exercise began when law enforcement and fire rescue arrived on the scene and coordinated entry into the building to initiate S.A.V.E. operations. Led by Martin County Fire Rescue and the Martin County Emergency Management Agency, the objective was to practice and evaluate this method of treating victims during a mass casualty situation.

Traditionally, law enforcement would have to clear an entire scene before fire rescue could enter to provide care to the victims. In the time it took to clear the scene and make it safe, many of the victims would have succumbed to their injuries. S.A.V.E. trains law enforcement and fire rescue personnel to work together to enter active shooter scenes and rescue victims in the minutes immediately following an incident so the victims have a greater likelihood of survival.

“Crews from Martin County Fire Rescue, Stuart Fire Rescue, Martin County Sheriff’s Office and Stuart Police Department worked together throughout the day to make the exercise a success,” said Bill Pecci, Deputy Director, Martin County Emergency Management.

Objectives and core capabilities were

established to ensure a safe environment for the exercise participants and achievement of mission-specific areas. Exercise objectives included: • Evaluating the training and understanding of the S.A.V.E. response, triage and transport • Testing Unified Command concepts and overall incident coordination • Testing operational coordination and interoperable communications At the conclusion of the exercise, participants completed a short survey and took part in a Hot Wash to discuss strengths and areas for improvement. Areas of success included communications, teamwork and learning critical ways to extricate victims. Areas identified for improvement included requests for more S.A.V.E. gear on units and ongoing training.

Explorers from Martin County Fire Rescue, Stuart Police Department, Martin County Sheriff’s Office, and Clewiston Police Department role-played as “victims” throughout the exercise. Other participating agencies included the Florida Department of Health in Martin County, Medical Reserve Corps and Indian River State College.

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Retiring EMS Chief’s ‘Labor of Love’ Career Comes to an End

By Michael B. Kane, MPA, Battalion Chief, Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue & Emergency Services Department Communications & Public Information

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hief Tammy Nugent has been a trailblazer within the field of EMS and is well-known and well-respected in the South Florida area.

One would be hard-pressed to find anyone in the South Florida region who has not heard of Chief Nugent and isn’t aware of her many contributions toward her field of expertise.

Born in Hialeah and raised in Hollywood, Chief Nugent began her career working for Randall-Eastern Ambulance in Miami during the early 1980s. She began her professional firefighter career with the City of Boca Raton Fire Rescue in 1983 and eventually gained employment with Broward County EMS a year later, where she competed as a member of the department’s ALS competition team, placing in the top five at ClinCon twice. She remained with Broward EMS through a comprehensive merger with Broward County Fire in the mid1990s before unifying under the command structure of the Broward Sheriff’s Office in 2003. At Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue, Chief Nugent has held special operations assignments with the Technical Rescue Team and Air Rescue, where she served as captain and coordinator of the program before being promoted to EMS division chief in 2013. As EMS chief, she is responsible for the oversight of 760 paramedics and EMTs, protocols and quality improvement. In June 2019, Chief Nugent oversaw Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue’s reaccreditation through Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS).

Chief Nugent has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, including multiple employee-of-the-month awards, Paramedic of the Year from Broward Health during EMS week (twice) and the Spirit of Excellence Award by the American Business Women’s Association, South Broward Chapter.

For Chief Nugent, employment at the Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue has become a family affair. Her daughter, Brittany Brereton, has been a firefighter/paramedic at the agency for seven years. Chief Nugent is married to Division Chief Michael Nugent, Chief of Special Operations.

Both volunteer with the agency’s Honor Guard/Pipes and Drums where Tammy Nugent serves as a guardswoman and Mike Nugent as a piper.

Chief Tammy Nugent will be retiring this September from a career in which she has faithfully and selflessly served for more than three decades. The Nugents reside in Palm Beach County.

Congratulations to Division Chief Nugent for your many years of pride, service and dedication to the career of EMS and to this agency, as well as to the residents and visitors of Broward County.

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By Andy Andy NeSmith, NeSmith, Fire Fire Prevention Prevention Coordinator, Coordinator, Florida Florida Forest Forest Service Service

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he Florida Forest Service has joined the nation this year in celebrating 75 years of Smokey Bear, the face of the longest-running public service advertising campaign in United States history, continuing his legacy of bringing awareness to unwanted, human-caused fires in America.

The living symbol of Smokey in 1950 following rescue and rehabilitation for burn injuries received on a wildfire near Capitan, New Mexico.

The story of Smokey Bear begins with World War II. During the spring of 1945, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese fired shells from submarines that exploded on an oil field near a national forest in California. Fear grew that more attacks could bring a disastrous loss of life, destruction of property and even ignite 20

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raging wildfires. With many experienced firefighters deployed in the war, it was up to communities to prevent wildfires. To rally Americans to the cause, the U.S. Forest Service organized a committee with the help of the War Advertising Council (now known as the Ad Council) and the National Association of State Foresters. Together, they created posters and slogans, including "Forest Fires Aid the Enemy" and "Our Carelessness, Their Secret Weapon.”

On August 9, 1944, Smokey Bear was introduced on a forest fire prevention campaign poster. Smokey’s living history began in 1950 when a lone bear cub was rescued after being found partially burned and clinging to a tree during a wildfire in New Mexico. News spread quickly, and the little bear captured a nationwide audience. To ensure he was dedicated to a conservation and wildfire prevention publicity program, the cub was handed over to the U.S. Forest Service. Soon thereafter, the newfound living symbol of Smokey Bear made his way to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. To celebrate the wildfire prevention icon’s milestone birthday, the Florida Forest Service, cooperating agencies and partners statewide have worked together to host countless events.

Among the parties and parades, Smokey Bear has made hospital appearances, attended the Florida State Fair, joined summer camps and led a multi-county scavenger hunt. He’s also been seen at multiple stadiums throwing the first pitch, including the Tampa Bay Rays game against the Detroit Tigers in August.

Smokey Bear visits patients at Palm Beach Children’s Hospital in the FFS Everglades District.

In the decades since his debut, Smokey Bear’s “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires” campaign has had a dramatic impact with an approximate 14 percent reduction in the nationwide average number of human-caused wildfires from 2011-2018, compared to the previous 10 years.

Smokey Bear with University of Florida mascots Albert and Alberta Gator during Smokey’s visit to “The Swamp”.

Honor Guard included the Florida Forest Service, Florida Highway Patrol and Polk County Fire Rescue on First Responder Night with the Lakeland Flying Tigers.

Lake County Board of County Commissioners’ Chair presents Smokey Bear and friends with an Official Proclamation in honor of Smokey’s 75th Birthday.

Smokey Bear presents prize packages to the winners of the “75 Days of Smokey Scavenger Hunt” at Charlotte Sports Park prior to a Charlotte Stone Crabs baseball game on August 3rd.

“Happy campers” who located one of the Smokey Bear’s hidden treasures and posted it on Twitter as part of the Myakka District’s “75 Days of Smokey Scavenger Hunt”.

While it’s clear Smokey Bear’s work has been successful, more than 75% of all wildfires in Florida are caused by human carelessness, which means wildfire prevention remains one of the most critical issues in our state. “Florida’s climate creates a unique challenge for our year-round wildfire season,” said Jim Karels, State Forester and Director of the Florida Forest Service. “Our people and partnerships are the key to protecting Florida and its residents. Developing relationships before a disaster hits is critical for a successful coordinated emergency response.”

In addition to the fun-filled events and celebrations, county governments across Florida have recognized Smokey Bear’s birthday with state-proposed proclamations. The Florida Forest Service is grateful for all partners working to educate Floridians and visitors alike on the importance of fire safety and wildfire prevention. It is imperative to stay active in spreading Smokey’s message – a reminder that we all play a vital role in helping to prevent wildfires.

Smokey Bear birthday celebrations will continue through the end of the year. To find a Smokey event near you, visit www.smokeybear75th.org.

To learn more about Smokey Bear and wildfire prevention, visit www.smokeybear.com and follow Smokey on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter with the hashtags #SmokeyBear75 and #OnlyYou. Visit us at WWW.FFCA.ORG

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By Trip Barrs, Fire Chief, Treasure Island Fire Rescue

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any of you reading this are likely quite happy in the position you are currently holding in your fire department and have no desire to promote to a higher rank or to accept any additional responsibilities. Before setting the cruise control on your career, consider the information in this article and think about how great that job of yours is. Was there anyone who helped you get there? How about a mentor or instructor who helped you master a difficult skill? Do you owe those people anything more than just a thank you or do you have an obligation to continue to develop your knowledge, skills and abilities so you can pass that knowledge on to others?

I have heard chief officers reminisce about their days as drivers or company officers and say that those are the best jobs in the fire service. Whether or not you choose to stay at the rank of firefighter or aspire to hold one of the top jobs in the fire service, each of us must walk our own path to get there, be our best in that position and pass on that expertise.

Understanding where you want to go and what is required to get there are crucial first steps in determining what your fire service journey will look like. Some degree of luck and the ability to prepare for advancement also play significant roles in how successful you can be in achieving our goals. Roman philosopher Seneca is credited with the saying: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Taken literally, this means that you can create your own luck if you work hard and strive to constantly improve yourself, no matter what your current or future roles may be. The following suggestions are based on observations made during my fire service career and apply to those of all ranks at all types and size fire departments.

Determining just how far up the chain of command you want to go and how you will specialize your knowledge base is important.

As an example, if you decide that being an

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apparatus driver is where you want to spend the next part of your career, make it your goal to be the best driver you can be. Find some aspect of apparatus operation that appeals to you more than any other and be passionate about learning as much as you can in that area, becoming an expert in your field.

Emergency vehicle driver safety, pump mechanics, hydraulics and diesel engine maintenance are all areas for a good driver to have as a base of knowledge, but specializing in one you have an aptitude for will help position you as the “go-to person” for training or questions in that area. This applies equally to company officers – think Haz-mat, vehicle extrication, EMS, engine or truck company operations as your specialty. Chief officers also need to be especially passionate about some aspect of their job and to develop expertise in that area – think ICS, budgeting, leadership development or emergency management.

Once you have attained this expertise, you will be amazed at the opportunities to teach, mentor and lead that will open for you.

Whether you are a member of a career, combination or volunteer department, giving back to the fire service by sharing your knowledge is the mark of a true professional.

Getting to that level of professionalism requires both education and experience.

Although this has been a topic of debate in the fire service for many years, neither is more important than the other. The US Fire Administration’s Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education (FESHE) initiative provides career advancement guidance and course standardization to help with planning a career of continuous learning and relevant experiences.

The FESHE model illustrates both the training and formal education expected of fire service professionals from entry-level through chief of department. Developing a plan for how you will obtain your educational goals can

be as simple as starting with a five-year block of time and working toward completing a college degree or advanced certification. Many fire departments will assist with the expenses and even provide time off to attend classes.

Building on this idea, one can then see what goals are achievable in the next 10, 15 and 20 years. Having a plan to seek advanced training and formal education ensures your efforts are aligned with your ultimate goal. This is the preparation part that Seneca spoke of, so that when opportunities become available, you will be ready.

Gaining experience begins on day one of the fire academy and continues through your retirement day. This mindset needs to be carried throughout our careers, no matter how high one advances in rank. A professional is always bettering their knowledge base and skill set even when not preparing for advancement. By looking for opportunities to do new things and perfect how you do routine things, you can build on our experience level every day. These cumulative experiences are what build muscle memory and allow you to hone your craft at every level of the organizational structure.

Experience can be obtained by taking on roles outside of the fire department such as public education or volunteering to participate in quality improvement committees. Reading professional publications, firefighter-oriented websites and textbooks will contribute to your knowledge base and keep you current on emerging trends in the fire service. Networking with other fire service professionals at local training classes, conventions and the National Fire Academy helps build connections with others who have similar interests. Discussions with like-minded professionals can be good sources of information about your area of specialization and can provide mentoring opportunities.

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As you move through the ranks or up the seniority list in whichever position you choose to end your fire service career, remember to build your legacy from day one. We should all want to be remembered as someone who left the fire service better than they found it. The way to ensure that this m “Trip” Ba illia rrs happens is to constantly strive to improve W yourself and those around you. Taking advantage of educational opportunities and new experiences and then passing that knowledge on to others is one of the best ways for us all to improve our as s ur profession and instill a culture of lifelong Re e Is l a n d F ir e learning in our departments.

Visit us at WWW.FFCA.ORG

25

By Gordon Graham, Co-founder, Lexipol

Editor’s Note: This article series is designed to introduce you to the concept of real risk management—an approach that goes way beyond a safety program to encompass the 10 Families of Risk and to demonstrate how better understanding these risk families can help you anticipate and mitigate the risks in your own organization. Whether this is your first introduction to Gordon Graham and risk management, or if you’ve been following his innovative approach for years, this series has something for every public safety leader. We encourage you to follow along as we publish additional installments.

Gordon Graham here. As I promised in my last piece, I want to spend some time covering each of the 10 Families of Risk and get you thinking about what specific risks apply to you and your organization in each of these families, and what control measures you have (or should have) in place to address each of the identified risks.

Family One is External Risks. This is the most difficult Family of Risk of the 10 that we face in public safety operations because we have little or no control over these risks.

Weather is an external risk. Pandemics are an external risk. Immigration and emigration are external risks. If you have refineries in 26

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your vicinity, that is an external risk. If your community is adjacent to an ocean, that is an external risk. If your community is in the flight path of an airport, that is an external risk. If you have an interstate highway or train tracks or pipelines going through your community, that is an external risk. And of course, terrorism is an external risk.

So, the challenge becomes identifying the external risks you face, and then making sure that you have control measures to address those risks. Hopefully most of these risks are addressed in your community disaster management plan, in which you have laid out the nature and scope of the risk and what to do in the event that the “unthinkable” event occurs.

I think it was Mike Tyson who said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” While he was talking about the sport of boxing, his words are applicable to disaster preparation. In my 40-plus years of reviewing responses to wildland fires, earthquakes, riots, plane crashes and similar tragedies, I have witnessed a lot of great plans that fell apart after the punch in the mouth.

To prevent this from occurring, you need to ensure today that your plans are in fact viable. Are they properly designed? Are they

up to date? And do your people know what their specific role is when the plan needs to be implemented – in real-time and under a lot of pressure?

I commend to you a great book: Disastrous Decisions by Dr. Andrew Hopkins. Please take a close look at the mess that British Petroleum got involved in following the oil well blowout in the Gulf of Mexico. Read the chapter regarding the “well written” disaster management plan that BP had in place for such an event. Pay particular attention to the several pages in the book regarding the importance of protecting walruses in the Gulf of Mexico in the event of an oil spill.

For those of you who are not familiar with aquatic life and what type of species can be found in the different bodies of water around the world, there are no walruses in the Gulf of Mexico. What we later learned was that BP took an existing disaster management plan from the North Sea and essentially did a “search/replace” exercise to create a separate “new” plan for their work in the gulf. This combination of laziness and arrogance was appalling. Sadly, I have seen similar “search/replace” efforts in public safety agencies in our nation.

Let me wrap up this piece regarding

external risks with some thoughts about terrorism. The truth is that if someone in your community wants to behave badly, they are going to do so. In a free society it is very difficult to prevent “external intentional misconduct”—and that is what terrorism is.

While it is difficult to prevent, we can thwart it by using two techniques: vigilance and random irregularity. We must be vigilant! Sadly, vigilance wanes over time and complacency becomes the norm, until the terrorist act occurs, at which point we once again become vigilant. Another great book, Predictable Surprises, details this cycle with disaster and complacency.

Next, we need to instill in all our people the value of “random irregularity.” Within your standardized best practices, please do not become too predictable on where you eat and where you park and how you respond to calls. All bad people have done throughout history is to study their intended targets and look for patterns. Then they exploit those patterns to help achieve their nefarious goal, whatever it might be.

I look forward to sharing some thoughts on the second risk family—Legal and Regulatory Risks—in my next article. Until then, please remember that real risk management is an important part of your future success.

Gordon Graham is a 33-year veteran of law enforcement and the cofounder of Lexipol, where he serves on the current board of directors. Graham is a risk management expert and a practicing attorney who has presented a commonsense risk management approach to hundreds of thousands of public safety professionals around the world. Graham holds a master’s degree in Safety and Systems Management from University of Southern California and a Juris Doctorate from Western State University.

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27

The Design and Construction of a New Station - A Story of Recovery

By James H. (Jim) Wilson, EFO, BS, EMT-P, Deputy Chief of Fire and EMS, Rockledge Department of Public Safety

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he City of Rockledge, Florida, located on Florida’s Space Coast, is an idyllic community known for its river views and a wonderfully calm and relaxing lifestyle. Citizens have grown accustomed to feeling safe and secure, in no small part due to the consistent high level of service its citizens receive from its Department of Public Safety. The fire department services are rendered from three stations strategically located throughout the city. The oldest of those three stations, Station Number 2 (with a countywide ID of Station 36), first opened in 1967 and was already slated for some updates and improvements when Hurricane Irma paid Florida a visit in September 2017.

While the brunt of the impact was in the southwest section of the state, Irma created a path of destruction throughout Florida as it meandered up the length of the peninsula. Inches of wind-driven rain, sustained tropical storm force winds, and powerful gusts left many Florida cities facing storm-related damages. Rockledge was no exception, and in the aftermath of Irma it was determined that the damage from the storm rendered Station 36 uninhabitable.

At this point, city leadership had a difficult decision to make – rehabilitate the old station in order to preserve its history and meaning or demolish the old and make way for the new. Regarding this difficult decision, City Manager Dr. Brenda Fettrow said, “Fire Station 36 was the oldest of the three fire stations in the City of Rockledge, so the decision to demolish it was difficult. However, when remaining mindful of a key tenet of the Rockledge Strategic Plan, “preserving the past....planning the future,” the decision became apparent. The past would be preserved by reconstructing the new station at the former station’s exact location, and the highly advanced technology incorporated into the facility would ensure the city’s firefighting capabilities well into the future.”

Planning for the construction of a new station is a major undertaking.

As ideas were presented for items to be included in the plans, many issues had to be considered. This building was intended to serve the city and its residents for literally decades to come. And, because it was replacing a station with an abundant history, the new building had to be something special, something unique. A great deal of thought went into the minute details that would make the end result a success. The architects were

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given rough ideas, and from those ideas came the final plans.

Rockledge Mayor Tom Price was acutely aware of the importance of the design and the appearance. From the beginning, it was his goal to ensure that the building paid homage to the past while assuring decades of service to the city in the future. “Because the City of Rockledge has a distinct, historic character that is meaningful to its residents, being able to incorporate certain design elements and architectural styles into any new facilities that are constructed is very important. Although the new fire station was built to include cutting-edge technology, the structure itself has a rustic charm and traditional appeal, and this beautiful facility fits extremely well within the landscape of the City of Rockledge.”

But what would really make this fire station special was the fact that the very individuals who would ultimately work there were not excluded from providing input during the design phase.

Throughout the construction process, constant communication was maintained between those building the station, those who designed it and those who would take possession of it. This close relationship allowed for a smooth flow of work with limited delays and interruptions. As construction progressed, Rockledge firefighters became intimately involved by providing a “legacy table,” which is a custom designed and built dining room table in similar fashion to one housed in another station. Lieutenant Daniel Crowder, one of several firefighters who assisted in the design and construction of the table, stated, “Our goal was to build a table that would last so long that firefighters in the future would not even know who built it – only that those who came before them provided a place to share meals and have fellowship.”

Slowly but surely the new station emerged. What was once bare land and plans on paper became a hardened structure with clear form – a unique design that did not look like a typical fire station. “The construction of this beautiful new fire station was built by taking the long view with strategic management and leadership, which in Rockledge involves hard work, high expectations, and disciplined practices. That is the recipe for how Rockledge remains a great city,” said Chief LaSata.

A great deal more work goes into the design and construction of a new station. Every decision was made only after thorough consideration was

Photo by Ricky Melendez, W & J Construction, © 2019

Open concept with all of the comforts of home (Legacy Table in background)

The kitchen area provides plenty of storage with three separate locker areas to accommodate each shift and connects to both the dining room and living areas to continue the theme of a commitment to the team concept.

A state-of-the-art workout room emphasizes the city’s appreciation for the health and well-being of its most valuable resources, and the close proximity of this room to the other common areas means that no one should ever feel isolated or as if they are not a part of the team.

Safety considerations were also on the minds of those designing and building the station – from eye wash and full decontamination stations to the separate turnout gear storage area, from the powerful automated exhaust system in the bays to the hurricane-rated windows, doors and roof design, safety was an utmost priority. No expense was spared when it came to the safety of the personnel who would be housed in the new station. So well-designed and built is the station that it is capable of withstanding a Category 4 hurricane, making this station an additional shelter for the Department of Public Safety personnel should the need arise. Adding to this potential use, bunk rooms were designed to hold at least two shift’s worth of personnel without sacrificing comfort or convenience. A naturalgas generator large enough to provide power to the entire station, including the air conditioners, bolsters the capabilities of the station in the event of a disaster.

Photo by Brevard County Fire Rescue, © 2019

given to the neutrality of color schemes, the durability of the fixtures and the flow of the whole design. Being good stewards of the investment of tax monies was never far from the minds of those making the choices.

The results of all of the decisions that were made speak volumes about the hard work, as both the quality and the value of the final product are evident.

One of the other major considerations was the comforts and conveniences afforded to those who would be stationed at the fire house.

Common areas took this into consideration and were designed with the idea that the team could enjoy downtime together without feeling crowded. Private areas were centered on allowing personnel to have a place to go where thoughts could be gathered while resting and relaxing.

Bunk beds were provided in each bunk room. By doubling the occupancy capabilities, crews that are called in during major events would be assured a place to sleep. Each crew member also enjoys his or her own personal locker, while each shift also has an assigned space in which they can store common shift belongings.

In the common area, open spaces lead from one room to the other in a flowing design. What truly sets the design of this unique station apart from most others is the exposed wood throughout the common areas.

The hope is that the use of this ceiling design will add to the sense that the facility is far more than just a working fire station – it is a home.

The Uncoupling Ceremony – June 22, 2019

On June 22, 2019, a formal “Uncoupling Ceremony” took place. All of those intimately involved in the design process were present to help open the new station. As a ceremonial hose was uncoupled, alert tones were sounded and it was announced that the station was fully operational and in-service.

In the end, this new station became everything that everyone involved in the process had hoped it would be. There is little doubt that it will stand the test of time and will remain a testimony to recovery, perseverance and the realization of a vision for what might be – a vision solidly founded on honoring the past while looking towards the future.

Dr. Fettrow best summed up the work that went into this incredible tribute to the fire department’s past: “Seldom during one’s career does he or she have an opportunity to be involved in a project so significant that the resulting creation will outlast the vast majority of those involved in its planning. So, being able to spearhead the design and construction of a brand new, state-of-the-art fire station was certainly an honor and a privilege. And I had the good fortune to be surrounded by a fantastic team, including the Director of Public Safety, the Public Works Director and all of the firefighters.”

This article is meant as a tribute to all of the work that went into making this station a reality and should serve as an inspiration to other agencies as they plan their own similar construction projects.

Photo by Ricky Melendez, W & J Construction, © 2019

Visit us at WWW.FFCA.ORG

29

PCFR ‘Integrity 13’ Continues to Impress

By Chris Jonckheer, Public Information Officer, Polk County Fire Rescue

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he National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians’ paramedic exam is by no means an easy hill to climb for aspiring paramedics. In fact, in the state of Florida it boasted only a 57 percent pass rate for first attempts in 2018. That is the secondlowest first attempt pass rate in the country, according to the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. For Polk County Fire Rescue’s 13 Integrity Scholarship graduates, these stats meant nothing as all passed the national registry exam on their first attempt.

“I am extremely proud of the 13 Polk County Fire Rescue professionals who recently passed their National Paramedic exam on their first attempt,” said Polk County Fire Rescue Interim Fire Chief Robert Weech. “The results show their commitment to their profession and the citizens of Polk County. I challenged each and every one of them to achieve at a high level, and they obviously accepted and performed as expected. I look forward to great things from this group as they progress through their careers.”

With the falling state and national average of certified paramedics in the field and their

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rising demand, Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) decided to counter this effect on the county and refill the ranks of its rescue units. PCFR, in conjunction with Polk State College’s Center for Public Safety, designed an accelerated eight-and-a-half-month paramedic program. The individuals who were accepted into the inaugural class would receive a $1,600 monthly stipend; Polk County Fire Rescue would also cover the complete cost of schooling, books and other required materials.

To put the recipient’s tasks into perspective, per national standards a paramedic’s training requires more than 1,000 curriculum hours in the classroom, plus an additional internship and field training. A normal EMT to Paramedic program can run in the area of 12 months, depending on its part-time or full-time status.

“The dedication and commitment of Polk State College School of Public Safety and its staff to this accelerated program played a major role in the success of the 13 Integrity Scholarship recipients. They provided them with a solid foundation and understanding of the required material and techniques,”

continued Weech.

After graduation from the program, the class would then be required to pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians’ paramedic exam. This cognitive exam is administered via a computer adaptive test (CAT). It covers the entire spectrum of EMS care including Airway, Respiration & Ventilation; Cardiology & Resuscitation; Trauma; Medical; Obstetrics/Gynecology and EMS Operations.

“I believe these employees were faced with a monumental task of successfully completing an accelerated paramedic program in eight months,” said Polk County Fire Rescue’s Deputy Chief of Medical Services Raf Vittone. “The idea that all employees passed the challenging National Registry exam on their first attempt is a testament to the student’s dedication and Polk State College’s EMS program.”

With a 100 percent pass rate on their national registry exam, the 13 recipients of Polk County Fire Rescue and Polk State College’s Integrity Scholarship are currently in the field and have chipped away at the national and state paramedic deficit.

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North Port Promotions and Returning Staff North Port Fire Rescue (NPFR) recently celebrated seven promotions within the department, as well as a familiar face returning to serve the City of North Port. Please join us in congratulating (L-R) Kyle Dawson, Terry McCloud, John J. Willis III, Famke Thomas-Wolbers, Trent Ferguson, Rich Yarnall and Chris Kiesel for being promoted to lieutenant. Lieutenant Casey Kelch is also promoted to battalion chief. These candidates performed exceptionally well and were judged through a comprehensive testing process.

Panama City Reopens Station Lost to Michael

By Alexander R. Baird, MPA, FPEM, EMT-P, Fire Chief, Director

On Tuesday, August 13, 2019 the Panama City Fire Department officially reopened its headquarters at Central Fire Station. Central Fire Station took significant damage during the category-5 Hurricane Michael.

As we all know all too well, Hurricane Michael changed our lives forever.

Not only did it leave many of our homes and lives devastated, it left its mark on the fire department and our five fire stations.

The rebuilding of Central Fire Station was a monumental task. We lost walls on two sides of the fire station on the second and third floors. We had significant roof damage, water damage throughout the interior of the structure and damage to apparatus bay doors, not to mention the many little things that go unseen.

For the past ten months, our firefighters have had to live in the two mobile homes beside our apparatus bay.

Fire administration took this opportunity to recognize retired Fire Chief Robert “Bobby” Richardson by renaming Central Fire Station in his name.

Chief Richardson passed away on January 5, 2019 after a long battle with cancer. Chief Richardson had an honorable career with the Panama City Fire Department spanning 30 years, from 1964 to 1994. Chief Richardson moved through the ranks of the Panama City Fire Department to retire after 20 years in the position of fire chief. At the time of his promotion, he was the youngest fire chief in a professional career department in the State of Florida. He was also the president of the Florida Fire Chiefs’ Association from 1982 to 1983.

Chief Richardson participated in many local civic associations including the Panama City Exchange Club and the Panama City Rotary Club, and he was a leader of Boy Scouts and a youth coach. Prior to employment with the City of Panama City, Chief Richardson served in the United States Navy as a submariner. His life was focused on community service.

As a firefighter and fire chief, he was honored by many in the fire service, having been recognized as the Bay County Firefighter of the Year, the State of Florida Firefighter of the Year and the State of Florida Fire Chief of the Year. He was also appointed by the governor to serve on the Florida State Fire Board and as the fire representative for the Florida State Building Codes.

Under the command of Chief Richardson, the Panama City Fire Department was shaped into the fire department it is today, an organization of dedicated, well-trained professionals putting their community’s needs before their own.

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We’re also welcoming back a familiar face to help lead our growing department. Joseph “Jody” McCord also placed high in the testing process, and we’re happy he is returning to NPFR as a battalion chief. He recently retired from NPFR with a rank of deputy chief. He missed us so much that he decided to come back, and we need him.

“He has the right mindset and knows how to help us move a young, growing department in the right direction. His experience, mentorship, and direction will be invaluable to our department as we train new officers and firefighters,” said Chief Scott Titus.

3 Daytona Beach Firefighters Honored

By Sasha Staton, Community Relations and Emergency Preparedness Specialist

The 2019 Annual First Responder Banquet recognized 40 first responders from Volusia and Flagler Counties. Out of those honored, three firefighters were nominated from the Daytona Beach Fire Department. Lt. James Axiotis, Lt. Ryan Bigger and Driver/Engineer Joseph Lekan are valued members of the department and are very deserving of this award. Additionally, Lt. James Axiotis received the Courage Award.

Pictured L-R: Lt. James Axiotis, Lt. Ryan Bigger, and Driver/Engineer Joseph Lekan

Station 38 in Wesley Chapel gets Unique Visitor

By Corey Dierdorff, Public Information Officer

Actor John Cena stopped by to perform a satellite media tour with television stations across the nation.

The media tour previews his new movie "Playing with Fire," which is set to debut in November.

Deputy Chief Cassano Earns EFO Designation

By Corey Dierdorff, Public Information Officer

Hillsborough County Hosts Combat Medics for Training

By Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, Public Relations

For the month of August 2019, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR) hosted the latest group of Special Operations Medics from Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, for training. The group rode along with our Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Paramedics as part of their completion of the Special Operations Combat Medic (SOCM) clinical field internship.

The medics experienced how we apply many of the techniques they learned on the streets of both metropolitan and suburban environments.

SOCM medics must be able to sustain medical patients for up to 72 hours in hostile environments without conventional casualty evacuation assets or resupply. This four-week program was one of their last stops prior to providing medical care in uncontrolled environments.

Pasco County Fire Rescue would like to congratulate Deputy Chief of Operations Michael Cassano on his recent achievement of Executive Fire Officer. The four-year EFO Program provides senior fire officers with a broad perspective on various facets of fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) administration.

The courses and accompanying research examine how to exercise leadership when dealing with difficult or unique problems within communities. Not only does the program provide a broad knowledge of cutting-edge fire administration techniques, but it also provides connections within the fire service community.

Those connections foster information sharing between different fire departments across the nation. The EFO program is held at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland

Palm Coast Fire Department Promotions

By Patrick Juliano, Fire Public Information Officer

Polk County Fire Rescue Receives CAAS Accreditation

By Chris Jonckheer, Public Information Officer

Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) recently received notification of its threeyear accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Ambulance Services (CAAS).

CAAS accreditation assures Polk County residents and visitors that the services PCFR provides have met the commission's high standards for quality patient care, and that PCFR stands ready to care for their families if needed.

In addition, the Polk County Board of County Commissioners and county’s medical community can be confident that the services provided by PCFR have been submitted to careful scrutiny by an independent review process and have met all applicable best practices and highest industry standards.

“This accomplishment is a direct and clear indicator of our division's collective professionalism, ability and commitment to the community,” said Polk County Fire Rescue Fire Chief Robert Weech. “Receiving this accreditation is an outstanding achievement for PCFR, and I consider it to be a team victory.

Our entire staff should be proud to be a part of this inaugural team that has met the CAAS’s high standards. I want to thank all of them for making this possible and express to the public that we will continue to meet and exceed our community’s expectation on a daily basis.”

The CAAS accreditation is designed to help EMS agencies increase their organizational performance and efficiency, increase clinical quality, and decrease risk and liability. The standards CAAS requires define the “Gold Standard” for the medical transportation industry and are of a higher caliber than is typically required for state and local licensing. Currently, there are more than 180 CAAS-accredited agencies in 39 states in the USA, Canada and the West Indies, with more than 200 agencies working on new applications.

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FLORIDA FIRE SERVICE

September 2019

The Palm Coast Fire Department is proud to announce the next wave of promotions for the growth of the organization. Chief Jerry Forte is proud to announce that Capt. Gary Potter has been promoted to battalion chief, succeeding Mark Valentik who retired after 25 years of service. Additionally, Lt. James Neuenfeldt has been promoted to captain, driver engineers Michael Chandley and Nikolay Kulev were promoted to lieutenant and firefighter Jeremy Barton was promoted to driver engineer. Fire department interns Bill Kerek, Joshua Lamont and Brandon O’Hara were also hired to begin their fire service careers.

The newly promoted firefighters were pinned by their family and friends at a ceremony held at city hall. “This next wave of promotions reflects the department’s succession plan put in place years ago to ensure we continue forward without missing a step,” said Chief Jerry Forte. The Palm Coast Fire Department mentoring programs were put into place to prepare personnel for future promotions. The department has been preparing for promotions upon retirement of the senior staff who are part of the original full-time fire department staff from the 1980s.

“The Palm Coast Fire Department provides high quality service to our citizens and visitors, and I would like to thank our retiring fire officers for their long service and dedication to our community,” said Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland. “We welcome our newly promoted fire officers and congratulate all firefighter interns who have been elevated to career firefighters. I am confident our fire officers, led by Chief Forte, will continue to provide excellent care and fire protection services for Palm Coast.”

Lake Mary Gains International Accreditation

Pasco Places New Ladder Truck In Service

By Joseph Landreville, Deputy Fire Chief

By Corey Dierdorff, Public Information Officer

On August 7, 2019, under the guidance and recommendations of the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE), the Lake Mary Fire Department became the first department in Seminole County, the 26th in Florida and the 272nd in the nation to gain international accreditation through the CPSE, Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI). The commission hearing was held at the Fire Rescue International Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

In attendance were: Frank Cornier, Fire Chief, Joe Landreville, Deputy Fire Chief, Wendy Niles, Division Chief/Fire Marshal and Kevin LaForest, Accreditation Manager.

The accreditation process started in June 2017. This two-year process consisted of collecting, analyzing and presenting fact-based data from the department, emergency incident responses and the community we serve.

As defined by the CPSE, the CFAI is an accreditation program committed to assisting and improving fire and emergency service agencies around the world with achieving organizational and professional excellence through its strategic self-assessment model and accreditation process.

Included in the assessments are documents outlining governance and administration; goals and objectives; compliance and planning; financial planning; training programs; human resources development; and internal and external system relationships. Moving forward, we will review the lessons learned during this process to help with developing our plans for providing quality services to our community in the future.

Pasco County Fire Rescue recently took delivery of a brand-new 100 foot platform-type ladder truck at its Fire Station 30 on Massachusetts Road in New Port Richey. The new truck, which has been in the works for the past two years, finally became a reality when it was officially placed in service following a dedication ceremony on July 2, 2019.

The truck is part of a specialized crew that responds to all structure fires and performs focused tasks such as forcible entry, elevated master stream application, vertical ventilation and elevated rescue, among others. The truck differs slightly from other ladder trucks in the county in that its ladder is 22 feet taller and is equipped with a platform bucket at the tip that allows multiple firefighters to be working at height. The truck was built by E-One.

Award Presented to Two Orange County Firefighters

By Mike Jachles, Public Information Officer

Two Orange County firefighters were presented with the Heroism in Fire Service Award on September 11, 2019 by the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association during their Patriot Day Breakfast, held at DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando at SeaWorld. Just before 11:00 p.m. on June 15, 2019 Firefighter/Paramedic Tanner St. James and Firefighter Tyler Walters were on Rescue 33 when they responded to a call on Florida's Turnpike for a crash involving an overturned car in a retention pond, on fire, with a person trapped inside. The victim was halfway out of the car, but bystanders were unable to extricate him. FF/PM St. James began extinguishing the fire while FF Walters and one of the bystanders pulled the unconscious man from the car, which was 75 percent involved. The firefighters immediately treated the patient and transported him to the Trauma Center at Orlando Regional Medical Center.

Their actions prevented further injuries to the victim, ultimately saving his life.

Pictured L-R: Deputy Chief David Rathbun, Division Chief Michael Wajda, Firefighter/Paramedic Tanner St. James, Fire Chief James M. Fitzgerald, Firefighter Tyler Walters and Division Chief Anthony Rios

Bradenton Announces New Assistant Chief On August 13, 2019, Fire Chief Chuck Edwards announced the candidate who will fill the position of assistant chief following the retirement of David Ezell. With 20+ years of demonstrated professionalism, leadership and consistent commitment to organizational improvement, Battalion Chief Tim Geer will prove to be the department's next outstanding assistant chief.

Chief Geer joined the BFD as a firefighter in October 1996 and was promoted up through the ranks, including three years as training director. He is a founding member of the Special Operations program, has served as team coordinator and Light Technical Rescue Team leader (including the response to Hurricane Katrina), and was awarded the Congressional Service Award for service, leadership and a confirmed rescue of a fire victim. As training director, he was an integral member of the accreditation team, successfully led the department’s first Florida Firefighters Occupational Safety and Health Act inspection and implemented the department’s hiring process improvement. As battalion chief, he has served as radio communications coordinator, contributed to the successful grant application for headsets as identified by the department’s safety committee and has been a model of best practices in incident command.

Chief Edwards stated, "As the department faces notable evolution in the next few years, including the reconstruction of two stations and personnel succession implementation, we are confident that the leadership contributions of Assistant Chief Geer will aid in bringing our goals to fruition."

Rooster Volunteers as Hillsborough County Mascot

By Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, Public Relations

Hillsborough County Fire Rescue Station 17 in Ruskin, Florida, apparently has a new mascot – a rooster! This determined bird has been visiting the station for the past several weeks and seems to think he’s part of the crew. Showing himself alert and ready to respond, he even hopped aboard an engine. He hasn’t received an official name yet, but some crew members have been calling him Hei Hei after the rooster in the movie Moana.

Visit us at WWW.FFCA.ORG

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Osceola County Makes Child Wish a Reality

Touch-A-Truck Draws Hundreds of Visitors

By Ivan Mustafa, Division Chief

By Kate Lind

On August 4, 2019, firefighters from Osceola County participated in the “Make a Wish” celebration for a local child. Gabriel Matos had a wish about being a firefighter and has visited his local fire station many times and is obsessed with the fire service. On August 4, Gabriel was officially made honorary firefighter of Osceola County Fire/Rescue and EMS. Division Chief Ivan Mustafa presented him with his honorary firefighter certificate, his own personalized helmet was issued by Lieutenant Brett Ford. He was taken on Ladder 62 to his church escorted by a contingent of Osceola County Sheriff’s Office motor unit personnel. After church, the family had a celebration for him where the community came out offering their support. At the conclusion of the celebration, honorary firefighter Gabriel Matos was driven back home by the crew from E63 under the supervision of Lieutenant Rich Michel. Making Gabriel’s wish come true is an amazing way to not only support the citizens of our community but also recognize the personal struggles many undergo and how we can all work together to overcome even the greatest obstacles. Osceola County Fire/Rescue and EMS is proud to have honorary firefighter Gabriel Matos as a member of our team.

The first annual Touch-A-Truck event in New Smyrna Beach welcomed hundreds of guests who visited with various vendors while having the opportunity to see a variety of trucks up close. First responders and construction companies participated, discussing the purpose and components of the vehicles. Volusia County Fire Rescue brought a crew and the hazardous materials apparatus, HazMat 15, to the occasion.

Photo: Firefighters David Dalzell and Michael Sypian speak with the attendees.

Palm Beach County Attorney's Office Visits Fire Rescue

By Tara Cardoso, Community Education & Communications Team

Palm Beach County Attorney’s Office employees took some time out of their busy schedules for a field trip to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.

The group took a tour of the Herman W. Brice Training Complex to learn about all the different services provided by PBCFR’s firefighter-paramedics.

They also were able to watch several live emergency scene demonstrations.

Employees witnessed firefighters from the Special Operations Team rappel down the training tower to simulate a rescue. Employees were able to see the trucks and tools up-close, and watched firefighters demonstrate how the Jaws of Life are used to cut through mangled metal to rescue trapped people after vehicle accidents. The firefighter-paramedics also simulated a multi-unit house fire response and rescue. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue was happy to welcome our County Attorney’s Office to our training facility.

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September 2019

Deputy Chief Hanson Awarded

By Nicole Chesser, Office of the Fire Chief

Greater Naples Fire Rescue District’s Deputy Chief Shawn Hanson was awarded the Technology Innovation Award during the Special Districts Summit/Southeast held in Orlando, Florida, on August 1, 2019. Chief Hanson was recognized for her leadership in the development and implementation of a countywide Knox KeySecure Program that allows all county first responders quick and secure emergency access to homes and businesses in the event of an emergency.

Hillsborough County Hosts Congressional Visit

By Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, Public Relations

As we enter the most active portion of hurricane season, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR) was honored to host Congressman Ross Spano along with congressional staffers for a tour of our emergency operations center and fire rescue headquarters. Included were district directors and field representatives for Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio as well as Congressman Vern Buchanan.

The informative presentation was held on August 26, 2019 and was led by HCFR Chief Dennis Jones as well as Hillsborough County Emergency Management Director Tim Dudley. The group toured our emergency operations center, emergency dispatch center and our logistics warehouse where medical and other emergency supplies are stored for distribution. While it’s been a fairly quiet hurricane season so far, the message was it is important to be prepared and have a plan!

Submitting Articles Please submit your article as a MS word document and include a high resolution jpeg image as an attachment (do not embed photo in document).

Try to keep submissions under 300 words if possible. E-mail files and pics to: magazine@ffca.org.

If you have an interesting topic that would be informative or entertaining to other departments - feel free to write a feature article for this magazine, we welcome all your submissions! PLEASE INCLUDE A BYLINE.

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