Greetings everyone, I hope all is well and another week is past us.  Few things to go over, so let’s get started.

 

·         New Rescues—looks like Horton will be building our next 10 rescues.  The PO should be executed in about 45 days, and then look for the new units to come in around July.  They will still have Chevrolet chassis but the patient compartment will be slightly different.  I will get the design pics out once they’re done.  Who’s getting them?  62, 57, 20, and the 7-oldest remaining Internationals.

 

·         New MDT’s---there has been an issue with the winning award.  We are working through that problem with the vendor now.  I’ll keep you updated as soon as I know something.  Our MDT inventory is rapidly depleting.

 

·         SAFER Grant---still waiting…

 

·         New Squad assignments--are attached and go live when the captains list is certified.  The captain of Squad 12 will be determined by the new captains list.  Additional firefighters and engineers will be assigned at a later date.  Again, this is a fluid and dynamic staffing issue.  The most important step is getting the units created and staffed appropriately.  Why is this so important?

 

o   I know a lot of change has been occurring lately and that can make people nervous.  The W4 policy is an attempt to inoculate our department from cancer; in other words, get us out of the cancer game.  Unfortunately, we won’t see the results for another generation of firefighters and I’m okay with that.  One day,  the new approach to overhaul will hopefully payoff for our future retirees.  Then the Line of Duty Death occurred in Waycross.  That fatality occurred during overhaul due to collapse.  I looked up http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/ to see how many times a year that happens.  The results?

§  2011---Caught or trapped 10 LODD’s, Collapse—3

§  2012—Caught or trapped 1 LODD, Collapse—4

§  2013—Caught or trapped 25 LODD’s, collapse—8    (way too high!)

§  Ever thought of how many LODD’s the JFRD has had?

22 total…here’s the breakdown:

1—Trapped

2—Collapse

10—Heart Attack

7—MVA / Tailboard

1—GSW

1—Drowning

 

 

·         This has strengthened my resolve to make sure JFRD is ready in the event a tragedy like Waycross happens again in our department;  yes, it’s happened here before.  My push will be to bring back firefighter survival and RIT training for everyone.  Sometimes firefighters are unable to wait for help to arrive and they need to know how to save themselves (FDNY Black Sunday).  Other times, you will have no choice (trapped).  These three squads will be the tip of the spear as it relates to RIT training with our truck companies and others.  If you didn’t watch the Black Sunday interview with Jeff Cool of FDNY, here is the link again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvxtBC2gQ1g  We are actively trying to get him to come to Jacksonville for a three day lesson on his experience that day and the importance of firefighter survival.  I’ll let you know as that conversation progresses.

In short, the Squad concept is designed to protect you today, the W4 policy is designed to protect you in the future.  Both are our way of insuring each and every one of you

goes home safe.

 

·         Budget---we are working on next year’s budget now.  Nothing is solidified, but as we progress, I will certainly keep you in the loop. 

 

·         City Council members riding at fire stations---a few have shown an interest and one already has ridden at station 10.  If a City Council member shows up at your station, please extend all courtesies to them. This is your opportunity to educate them on why our job is so important and the demand placed on our department daily.  And an opportunity to make a friend.

 

Time to give some thanks….

 

·         Multi-Agency Marine Emergency Response Project – On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday this week a table top exercise was held at the training school as Phase II of the marine response project. The project began in May 2013 and is a collaboration between JFRD, USCG Sector Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Port Authority, the Jacksonville Marine Transportation Exchange, private shipping companies and other port stakeholders. All of these agencies were represented over the three day exercise period. Phase I of the project was the shipboard firefighting training many of you received over the past few months. The project will culminate on April 2, 2014, with an eight hour full scale exercise at JaxPort involving a cargo vessel simulated to have one of its holds involved in fire. Once again, JFRD is on the leading edge. Nowhere on the east coast has this sort of marine multi-agency coordination, training and exercise initiative been attempted. Many thanks to all those who have worked tirelessly to make this project a reality. Specifically, Lt Scott Kornegay, Lt Tracey Davis, Chief Drysdale, Chief McCormick and Engineer Pam Ramsdell have all gone above and beyond spearheading this project. Thank you to F1, F4, F8, F9 and EPD for your participation and support. Job well done! 

 

I know there have been a lot of changes in a short amount of time.  I do my best to get out the who’s, what’s, and why’s but sometimes I make mistakes or accidently leave someone out.  I assure you, it’s not intentional.  The reorganization of Fire 4, Fire 8, and Fire 9 made sense based on responsibilities and span of control problems that I faced.  The new battalion positions were implemented to move the teams forward and give a level of attention to detail that hasn’t existed since the 40 hour AMIO position went away.  The new battalion rank insignia was important to us because it was the only rank not delineated.  You could line 36 chiefs up, and the lay person couldn’t tell you who was who.  That’s sad, because the Battalion Chief is one of the most respected positions on the department.  Everything else has been done to try and protect us from liability or to move this department forward.  I truly hope everyone can see that.

 

Well that’s it for this week.  I hope everyone has a good weekend and you get to spend some time for yourself with family and friends. 

As always, we thank you for what you do, why you do it, and for always showing why you are the best Fire Rescue Department in the Country!

 

Respectfully,

Kurtis R. Wilson

Chief of Operations
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department