1998 ANNUAL REPORT OF

THE FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT

 

To the Honorable Board of Selectmen:

 I am pleased to submit the Easton Fire and Rescue Department Annual Report for the year 1998 for your review.

 

 Public Education and Fire Prevention

The number one priority of this Department is to prevent the needless injuries, suffering and property loss caused by fires, accidents and related incidents. In this regard, we maintain an extremely active educational program aimed at preventing these incidents before they occur, or reducing the severity of any resulting incidents.

 The highly successful Safety Awareness & Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) program (now in it’s third year), continues to be well received by Easton elementary school children and teachers. Funded by a $5,185.00 competitive grant from the State’s Department of Public Safety, it allows local fire departments to place a firefighter into the schools throughout the year teaching fire and life safety.  Important fire safety lessons designed for each grade level (K-6) are taken right into the classroom and are presented in an effective interactive style impacting over 2000 Easton students.

 Firefighters David Beals, Thomas Nicholson, and Lawrence Blye again taught their fire safety message to all Kindergarten classes and Day care centers on Fire Prevention Week in October. They continued in following weeks teaching grades 1 through 6.

 The highlight of Fire Prevention Week was our annual Open House. Approximately 2000 Town’s people visited the Lothrop St. Fire Station on a beautiful Saturday in October and viewed displays dealing with fire safety, fire prevention, rescue and medical equipment and other fire service tools. All of the Fire Department’s apparatus was on display outside the station, along with the State’s Hazardous Materials Response Unit. Citizens also viewed an auto extrication demonstration using hydraulic rescue tools. The arrival, tour and take-off of the Med-flight helicopter capped off a fun and informative day for all those who attended. Refreshments were donated by many of the community’s businesses most notably Papa Gino’s Pizza. I would like to thank all of the Easton Firefighters and their families for assisting us in making the day a success.

 The Easton Fire and Rescue Department has it’s own web page. Using the latest technology to further the Fire Prevention message, the web site can be reached through the Internet address of: http://www.eastonfire.com. On the site you will find information about our department, fire safety information, as well as links to hundreds of other fire services around the world. I can be reached via e-mail through our web page, or at chief@eastonfire.com . Firefighter Jeffrey Webster (jtwebster@mediaone.net) created and manages the Home Page for our Department.

 Fire safety and fire extinguisher training was provided for local nursing home staff,  regional school bus drivers and Easton businesses under the direction of department Training Officer Captain Walsh and on-duty firefighters. During 1998, Firefighter Anderson and Evan Malone conducted classes in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid to the public, School Employees, Town Pool Lifeguards, and Recreation Department workers.

 The Fire Prevention Division, under Captain John Howard conducted fire inspections as required by State Law.  Schools and nursing homes were inspected on a regular basis.  Underground tank removals and blasting operations were monitored and target areas where fire-safety education was needed were identified.

 

 Operations

Deputy Chief Norman McNeill, Operations Chief, reports that there were a total of 2947 incidents responded to by the department in 1998, for fire, emergency or other related problems.  There were 20 dwelling  fires, 8 fires in commercial property and 6 fires in other types of structures. There were 4333 Fire and Rescue Department equipment responses in 1998.  I am pleased to report that in 1998 none of our citizens lost their lives, but four citizens were injured due to fire.  Estimated property loss for all 1998 incidents to which the fire department responded amounted to $515,000.00, an increase in loss of $50,350.00 from last year.  Fifteen (15) firefighters were injured in the line of duty in 1998, down by two from last year.

 In 1998 the Easton Fire and Rescue Department continued to render too, and request from surrounding towns and cities, mutual aid fire and ambulance assistance. The department responded to 407 auto accidents. Fire personnel responded to 29 spill or fire incidents involving hazardous materials in Easton during the year.

 There were 1386 emergency medical responses by the Fire Department Ambulance in the past year, an increase of 3 responses over last year.  These responses resulted in the transport of 804 persons to local hospitals. In November, the Department received the civil service list and began hiring procedures for two replacement Firefighter/Paramedics. This will bring our Advanced Life Support trained personnel to a total of nine (9) Firefighter/Paramedics and seven (7) Firefighter/Intermediate Emergency Medical Technicians. In addition we have 18 Firefighter/Basic Life Support EMTs.

 All fire stations remained open during the year.

 

 Firefighter Training and Education

Training and education are vital in ensuring that the Easton Fire and Rescue Department is able to respond effectively to the many and varied calls for assistance it receives. The Easton Fire and Rescue Department provides comprehensive training in the following areas: recruit (entry level), in-service skills development and refresher training, special skills development (hazardous materials, arson investigation, technical rescue, etc.), and officer supervisory skills and command skills development.  During the year members attend required training which provides  individual skills development and promotes team building. The results of this effective training program show up on the emergency scene through smooth, safe and effective operations.

 In September, 1998, the Department was able to practice structural firefighting skills using the old Christmas Carols building on Washington Street that was donated for that use by a local contractor, Creative Homes Inc. This type of training is especially valuable in team building. The Department also sharpened it’s auto extrication skills through training with our hydraulic rescue Jaws of Life units, using a number of vehicles donated by May’s Tire and Auto Center, Turnpike St. West Bridgewater.

 As our Town grows and develops, the Department is called to deal with situations that are becoming increasingly complex due to technological advances in our society. The Department is finding that it is more and more difficult to provide in-service training in the advanced technical fields, and that we must send personnel to places such as the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy, Barnstable Fire Academy and the National Fire Academy, in Emmitsburg, MD. As Fire Chief, I am proud of the capabilities and accomplishments of this department’s employees, and can assure you that they are up to the challenges the future may bring.

 

 Fire Alarm

The Fire Alarm Division, under Captain Thomas Stone, has continued to update the fire alarm system. New master fire alarm boxes were installed on commercial buildings. Fire Alarm wire was extended into new developments as needed and a street Fire Alarm Boxes, paid for by the contractor, installed. The Department recently awarded a contract to SigCom Inc. to install the beginnings of a radio box fire alarm system. I have included a request in the FY00 capitol budget for the purchase of 3 radio boxes to upgrade our Town owned buildings. The fire alarm system continues to be budgeted and successfully funded through a Fire Alarm Off-set Receipt Account.

   

 Apparatus

At the April Town Meeting, voters approved the purchase of a new pumping engine and ladder truck. The Fire Department formed an Apparatus Committee led by Captain Stone and comprised of firefighters John White, Arthur Keefe, David McRae, and Fred Chute. This committee conducted in-depth research on types and manufacturers of fire apparatus, visited communities that had received new apparatus to examine quality, and spent a considerable amount of time developing specifications. The Board of Selectmen awarded the contract to Pierce Manufacturing Inc. of Appleton, Wisconsin, based on the committee’s recommendations. Delivery is expected sometime in mid-1999.

 

 Personnel

The officers and firefighters of this department continue to donate many hours of their own time assisting the department and attending training courses in advanced fire fighting and medical techniques in order to perform their tasks in a more efficient manner.  I would again like to recognize and thank all thirty-four of them for their contribution in making the Easton Fire and Rescue Department the professional and well educated organization it is.  As Fire Chief, I take great pride in the capabilities and accomplishments of our personnel who give so willingly of their time and talents for the people of Easton. I would also like to thank my Executive Assistant Lillian McGranachan, and all the Fire Officers and Firefighters of this department for the assistance they provided Deputy Chief McNeill and me throughout this past year.

 

 Conclusions

 In closing, I would also like to thank all of Easton's citizens, officials, boards, committees, and other town departments who have come to our assistance this past year. You may rest assure that we will continue to provide the best in both emergency and non-emergency services in the most efficient manner possible in the future.

 

 I would like to end the 1998 report by reaffirming our Mission statement:

 

Mission Statement

 “The Easton Fire and Rescue Department is committed to protecting the people, property, and environment within our community.”

  “We will be responsive to the needs of our citizens by providing rapid, professional, humanitarian services essential to the health, safety, and well being of the community.”

  “We will accomplish our mission through fire prevention, fire awareness education, fire suppression, emergency medical services and other related emergency and non-emergency activities.”

  “We will actively participate in our community, serve as role models, and strive to effectively and efficiently utilize all of the necessary resources at our command to provide a product deemed excellent by our citizens.”

 

 “Always ready, proud to serve.”

 

 Respectfully submitted,

            Phillip E.  Blye, Chief