The Southborough Fire Department experienced a busy year in 2002 responding to 1,259 emergency calls.  The number decreased by 69 calls from the previous year, when we experienced a late winter rain event that resulted in well over 100 flooded basement calls, which we did not experience in 2002.

  Of the 1,259 calls that the Department responded to, 717 calls (56.9%) were medical emergencies.

  The Southborough Fire Department took a monumental leap forward in 2002 by obtaining a license from the Commonwealth to operate the ambulance service at the paramedic level.  On March 4, 2002, U-Mass/Memorial, which was providing paramedic service to Southborough and eight other surrounding communities, discontinued service.  In anticipation of this discontinuation of service, the Fire Department hired four paramedic-trained firefighters over the last few years.  By having paramedics operating within the Department, we can ensure that you and your family can receive the best possible treatment in the shortest amount of time.  In the past, basic EMT’s would respond to your emergency followed by paramedics from Marlborough, Worcester or Framingham, if they were available at all.  Now the paramedics are responding in the Southborough ambulance from the Fire Station arriving at your house generally within 5 minutes or less.

  I am sad to report that Southborough experienced its first fire death in nearly 20 years.  On September 16, 2002 a woman was severely burned in her home while asleep.  Despite the valiant efforts of the firefighters EMT’s and Paramedic on duty that night, the woman passed away as a result of her serious burns the following day.  The cause of the fire was smoking in bed.

  Voters at the Annual Town Meeting in April approved a warrant article in the amount of $275,000 to replace an aging pumping engine.  A committee of firefighters drew up specifications based on the basic needs of the Department.  Greenwood Fire Apparatus of North Attleborough won the contract for an Emergency One Typhoon pumping engine, which replaced the 18 year old truck.  The Department took delivery of the new engine in December.

  The Department suffered several mechanical breakdowns to apparatus in 2002.  During a windstorm on May 3, a tree snapped near the base and landed across the roof of Car 27, the 1995 Ford Explorer, which was parked in the parking lot at Fire Headquarters.  The damage was extensive and resulted in the vehicle being totaled by the insurance company.  Ambulance 29, a 1993 Ford/Road Rescue was out of service for most of the summer with engine and air conditioning problems.  Ladder 26, the 1984 Hahn aerial ladder suffered an engine failure in July, which had to be rebuilt.  The radiator also had to be replaced.  During one weekend in August, Engine 21 was out of service with brake problems.  When Engine 22 was placed in service at Station 2, it was discovered that the transmission cooler rotted on the ride between stations draining the radiator.  As it was a Friday, parts were not available for either engine until Monday.  This left Southborough with only one out of three pumping engines working!  The Town of Ashland Fire Department, through its generosity, lent Southborough an engine to use for the weekend. 

  The window replacement project at Headquarters is complete. Through the cooperative effort of Facilities Manager Basilo Diaz, the contract was awarded to Rod Morrison Contracting.  All of the old wooden casement windows, many of which would not close tightly and leaked, have been replaced.

  Once again, the members of the Southborough Firefighters Association sponsored the annual Children’s Halloween Party.  Members of the Department worked with the Salvation Army of Framingham to collect toys for the less fortunate during the holiday season.  Thank you for your support.  

  The MBTA Station opened in June.  Several Safety issues were identified at the new station.  The Fire Department as well as the other Town Departments are in the process of working with MBTA officials to correct the safety issues.

  The Southborough, Ashland, Hopkinton and Milford Fire Departments have joined forces in a unique agreement to provide technical rescue services at significant monetary savings to the member Towns.   Five members of the Southborough Fire Department, assigned to this team known as the Southern Fire District 14 Technical Rescue Team, train on a monthly basis to respond to such incidents as structural collapse, trench rescue, confined space rescue, high angle rescue and open water emergencies and rescue.  These are all services which fire departments across the country are required to respond to and mitigate. The costs associated with training and equipping all members of each department is prohibited.  By training a limited number of firefighters from several departments on a regional basis, the best possible solution is realized by all of the towns involved.  The team was deployed on July 24 when an explosion and collapse ripped through a three story home in Hopkinton.  Members of the team using their technical knowledge and equipment stabilized the collapsed building and made their way through the wreckage to reach two children trapped by the explosion and collapse.

  Members of the Department have completed projects in-house, resulting in savings to the Town.  Such projects have included safety improvements to mezzanine storage area access, painting and cosmetic repairs, and improvements to the workshop and EMS storage rooms.

STAFFING

  There are currently five personnel assigned 24/7 to provide fire and emergency medical service.  This number drops back to four when a member is on a day off.  A minimum of two FF/EMT’s are assigned to Headquarters and two Firefighter/EMT’s are assigned to Station 2 at all times.   Full-time firefighters are augmented by an on-call staff.  The current staffing configuration allows us to adequately handle a majority of the routine emergency calls.  Any reduction is staffing would greatly impact the services which we provide the residents of Southborough.

  The Department is comprised of the following personnel:

·        1 Full-time Fire Chief

·        1 Administrative Secretary/Dispatcher (32 hours/week)

·        18 full-time Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s)

·        4 Call Firefighter/EMT’s (a reduction of 3 from 2001)

·        12 Call Firefighters (an increase in one from 2001)

·        4 EMT’s

·        1 Volunteer First Responder

It is important to note that 79% of the Full-Time members, and 29% of the on-call members live outside of Southborough.  This results in longer response times for fire apparatus that requires off-duty and call personnel to drive.

The following personnel changes occurred in 2001:

            New Members:

·        FF/EMT-Paramedic Christian Dano – Full time 

·        Firefighter Andrew Zanella –Call Department

Left the Department:

·        Call FF/EMT Jeremy Fiorvanti

·        Call FF Keziah Mauro

·        Call FF Sean Meisenheimer

·        Call FF Stephen Morrison

FIRE PREVENTION

(Captain Joseph C. Mauro, Fire Prevention Officer)

·        A total of 475 inspections were conducted in 2002. This represents approximately the same number of inspections compared with the previous years 469 inspections. The following is a breakdown of inspections:

 2001          2002   

  148           135            26F Smoke detector (home resale) inspections

      9             11            26F Re-inspection

    57              57           26B Smoke detector (new home) inspections

      9               2          26B Re-inspection

    51             65            Oil burner inspections

      9               5           Oil burner re-inspections

    31             32            Propane inspections

      7               4                      House number re-inspections

    35             25            School inspections and fire drills

    31             31            Annual town license renewal inspections

    50             42            Commercial building inspections

      6             20           Tank Truck inspections 527CMR 8.00

      3               6           Pre-blast survey/blast observations

      0                7          Blast Observations

      2               5            Underground Tank removal observation

    20              27          Misc. safety inspections (insurance, etc.)                    

·        The following programs were presented to the public:

   60              97            School Fire Prevention programs

     5              12            Misc. Fire and Safety Programs

     3              16            Fire Station tours for groups

·        The number of plans reviewed were as follows:

  112           163            Residential Smoke Detector plans (new 

                                    Construction & renovation)

    77            39            Commercial plans (new construction, fire

                                              Alarm, sprinkler, site plans, etc.) 

                10            15        Site Plans Reviewed

FIRE PREVENTION PROGRAMS PRESENTED

·        The National Fire Protection Association’s Learn Not to Burn curriculum was once again presented to the kindergarten and first grade classes at the Finn School. This program was presented in 4 separate modules throughout the school year. The students were presented with information such as match and lighter safety, stop-drop-roll, and crawling in smoke. The final module involved bringing the department smoke trailer to the school and demonstrating the effects of smoke in a burning house. The students were also given the opportunity to have some fun by using a fire hose to extinguish a mock fire in a prop constructed of plywood. I would like to thank Fire Fighter Nancy Mabardy for providing assistance teaching and scheduling the school programs. Nancy is a S.A.F.E. certified instructor and is significant to the success of this program.

·        On the Sunday of Heritage Day weekend, the Southborough Fire Department held an open house sponsored by Papa Gino’s Pizza in Marlborough. Papa Gino’s provided the pizza and the members of the fire department had an opportunity to open the doors to the citizens of the town. Some of the activities included the smoke house demonstration, thermal imaging camera demonstration, children’s interactive games, and fire apparatus demonstrations. The open house was a success and was attended by approximately 400 residents. I would like to thank all the fire fighters and their families who volunteered their time for making this a successful day.

·        Several fire safety presentations were delivered throughout the year and included presentations to the faculty of the New England Center for Children, Southborough Senior Citizens, and various pre-schools. A 3-hour program was delivered to the students and faculty of St. Mark’s School in September and involved awareness about dorm fire safety practices. The program included an interactive demonstration of common fire hazards and ways to prevent fire incidences from occurring.

·        A new program was initiated this year, in conjunction with the Southborough Senior Center, to check and change smoke detector batteries for elderly residents of Southborough. The program was conducted during the last two weeks of October with approximately 60 homes checked. Not only were batteries checked and changed, but also detectors were replaced if they were older than 10 years and detectors were added to homes without proper coverage. The batteries and detectors were provided through donations from the Home Depot Stores and the Southborough Fire Department donation account. The program was a big success and we hope to expand on the program in the next year.     

PLAN REVIEWS, INSPECTIONS, and FIRE INVESTIGATIONS

• While not all fires can be prevented, it is the responsibility of the Fire Department to ensure that the incidences of fires, fire deaths, and injuries be reduced through proper prevention and education. This is accomplished through the review of residential and commercial plans to ensure proper safety codes are followed. There were a total of 216 residential, commercial, and site plans reviewed during the year.
• The economy has resulted in a slight decrease in the construction of residential and commercial occupancies. The largest residential projects are the over 55 housing complexes located at Carriage Hill and Vickery Hills. The large commercial projects include the new Woodward School and Trottier School expansion, St. Mark’s Center for the Arts, and a new office building at 134 Turnpike Road. There are several other commercial projects and renovations being constructed or considered for the up coming year.

During the year there was a total of 7 fires investigated and 4 complaints investigated for potential fire code violations. One of the fires involved a fatality which resulted in the first fire related death in Southborough in nearly 20 years. Property lose from fires continues to remain low with an estimated lose of $56,000 for all the fires combined. 

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES

(Lt. Victor G. Robidoux, EMS Coordinator)

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division had a busy year.  I am pleased to inform you that we successfully reached our goal as listed in the 2001 Annual Town Report.  March 16, 2002 was the day that the Town received a Paramedic-level license from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS).  I am thankful to have had the opportunity to work with so many knowledgeable individuals that served on the committee within the department.

  The good news is that the work did not stop there.  The EMS storage room was completely reconfigured.  Revisions to the ambulance reports were completed.  We are continuously monitoring and documenting all EMS skills with oversight from Dr. Taryn Kennedy, the Department’s Medical Director. Statewide Treatment Protocols were updated.  The Department has purchased state-of-the-art equipment for the upgraded service and both of the Department’s ambulances are fully equipped and meet all regulatory requirements.  Each ambulance carries a Lifepak-12 cardiac monitor with 12 lead capability and an integrated automatic external defibrillator as well as a Broslow Pediatric Emergency System.  We carry a wide variety of basic and advanced life support equipment, including portable glucometers, end-tidal CO2 detection devices and advanced airway management tools.  Semi-automatic external defibrillators are now carried on all frontline fire apparatus, including the Chief’s command vehicle.

  All of the above equipment and technology would be of little use unless there was a presence of skilled and proficient Emergency Medical Technicians at the Basic-, Intermediate- and Paramedic-trained levels.  The Department conforms with all EMS continuing education training standards as prescribed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts OEMS.  The following is a list of EMS continuing education training classes held over the past year:

• Department of Transportation EMT Basic and Intermediate Refresher
• Monthly Run Report review/Morbidity and Mortality rounds
• Paramedic Assistant
• Glucometer usage
• Airborne and bloodborne pathogens awareness
• Nasalgastric and oralgastric tube
• Infectious disease control
• Broslow pediatric system
• Cold and warm weather emergency
• IV hot sack usage
• Multi-casualty/Incident command system drill
• Report writing and documentation
• Adult and pediatric intubation review
• Semi-automatic defibrillator review
• EPI-PEN review

  The year 2002 has brought many progressive changes to the Southborough Fire Department Emergency Medical Services.  We will continue to strive to be the best provider of pre-hospital emergency care for the community.

TRAINING

(Lt. John L. Kendall)

  Regularly schedule department drills were conducted from January to October.  January was the bi-annual CPR recertification for the entire department.

  Other drills were conducted to meet the department’s needs, and to refamiliarize the members with the different aspects of firefighting.  Emphasis was placed on the use of our large diameter hose for water supply, and using handlines for different functions. All drills were scenario based and allowed members to assume different roles such as pump operator, nozzle, back-up, etc.  This allows the instructors to work with individuals who need to brush up on functions, as well as allow the members to experience team effort.  The last drill for the season was held in October and consisted of annual testing large diameter hose, as required by the NFPA and ISO.  Training was ended at this time due to the EMT Refresher course that members needed to attend.

  Specialized training was conducted in December by Greenwood Fire Apparatus.  Members were shown all areas of operation of the new pumping engine prior to it going into service.

  Throughout the year several members have attended various fire related courses.  Most of this specialty training was done on the individual member’s own time.

Neal Aspesi –               Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Basic Recruit Course 11 weeks  (Outstanding student of his class award)

                                    Massachusetts and National Certification Firefighter I/II

Massachusetts and National Certification – Fire Officer 1

                                    Fire Officer Supervisory – 60 hours

                                    Advanced Arson Investigator                  

Incident Response to Terrorist Bombing – New Mexico Tech – 60 hours

Associates Degree in Fire Science – Quinsigamond Community College

Matthew Boland –          Massachusetts and National Certification – Firefighter I/II

Kenneth Franks –            Massachusetts and National Certification Fire Instructor I

Several Massachusetts Firefighting Academy courses including Instructor Methodology 60 hours

5 day Fire Department Instructor Conference @ Indianapolis

Specialized rescue courses – Member / Assistant Coordinator Massachusetts Southern Fire District 14 Technical Rescue Team

Joseph Hubley –                Massachusetts and National Certification Fire Instructor I

Nancy Mabardy –             Massachusetts and National Certification Fire Officer I

S.A.F.E. (Student Awareness Fire Education) Instructor Conference

Joseph Mauro –            Massachusetts and National Certification Fire Officer II

                                    Massachusetts and National Certification Fire Instructor I

                                    Interior Fire Alarm Level I Certification

Advanced Arson Investigation

Interior Fire Alarm I.M.S.A.

James Peltier –             Five day Fire Department Instructors Conference @ Indianapolis

                                    Several Massachusetts Firefighting Academy courses including

Flashover - 12 hours, Rapid Intervention – 12 hours

Specialized rescue courses – Member Massachusetts Southern Fire District 14 Technical Rescue Team

Jason Roach –              Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Basic Recruit Course 11 weeks

                                    Massachusetts and National Certification Firefighter I/II

Victor Robidoux – Specialized rescue courses, Member Massachusetts Southern Fire District 14 Technical Rescue Team.

Matthew Rice – Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Basic Recruit Course  11  weeks

Massachusetts and National Certification Firefighter I/II

Specialized rescue courses, Member Massachusetts Southern Fire District 14 Technical Rescue Team.

Mark Sadowski - Specialized rescue courses, Member Massachusetts Southern Fire District 14 Technical Rescue Team.

Kenneth Strong - Massachusetts Firefighting Academy Basic Recruit Course 11 weeks

                                      Massachusetts and National certification Firefighter I/II

  Several members of the department have participated in various programs for National Certification and are awaiting testing results.

  Four members attended a Power of Direct Communication seminar conducted by Building Blocks Consultants at the Northborough Fire Department.  Members attending were:

            Joseph Hubley, Peter Phaneuf, James Peltier, and Victor Robidoux

During December, and continuing into January, William Miller of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy provided in-service training in Elevator Emergencies.

  Firefighter safety is at the forefront of all training provided to members, whether in-house or by outside agencies.  The national trend has been, and will be to protect ourselves, as well as other persons and property.  When emergencies occur, the fire department is typically the first agency to respond, no matter what the problem. The members of this department are highly qualified individuals who understand and respect this.  It is the wish of the Training Committee that we be able to provide the best training available to our members to maintain this level of safety. 

EMERGENCY PLANNING AND PREPARDENESS

(Captain David J. Dockstader)

After conducting a tabletop disaster exercise in 2001, Southborough conducted a full-scale disaster exercise on May 18, 2002.  It was one of the largest exercised conducted in the Commonwealth last year.  Many agencies and departments, both from Southborough and the surrounding area, participated.  A great deal was learned from the drill.  Your emergency management staff put in a stellar effort in this exercise and are to be commended.  The following organizations participated: Southern Fire District 14 Technical Rescue Team, Worcester EMS, The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, District 3 Hazardous Materials Response Team, Northborough/Southborough Trauma Response Network, Marlborough Hospital, Local schools, colleges, businesses, Explorer posts from Northborough, Westborough and Southborough, The American Red Cross, and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.  The New England Center for Children, Allied Cold Storage and MetroWest Tunnelers located at the MWRA project provided space for the exercise.  Meeting, working with and coordinating all these agencies prior to a real incident greatly improves relationships. Lessons learned will be the basis for a federal grant application to upgrade the Town’s emergency operations center. 

  Monthly CPR for citizens continued as well as the biannual training for members of the Police and Fire Departments.  EMT Cynthia Bechtel trained seven new CPR instructors.  The Recreation Department summer playground staff were trained in First Aid and CPR.  Various industries and businesses in town took First Responder and First Aid training.  Firefighter-Paramedic Christian Dano was appointed to coordinate First Aid and CPR training.

Firefighter Nancy Mabardy was elected by the Southborough Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) as Vice Chair.  Southborough participated in a mock statewide amateur radio exercise in March, thanks to radio operator Robert Lagasse.  The LEPC held a public hearing on October 28, 2002 to meet federal requirements.  I served as an evaluator in Shrewsbury and Westborough, and Firefighter Mabardy served in Westborough for their disaster exercises.

Southborough is in the process of applying for certification for the LEPC.  The last major hurdle is required hazardous materials training for Fire, Police and DPW personnel.  Training is scheduled for early 2003.

  The LEPC will be applying for Terrorism Grants through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).  These grants only cover the costs of 50% of the projects however.

CONCLUSION

  I would like to thank all of the members of the Southborough Fire Department and their families for the dedicated service that they provide to you, the citizens of Southborough. I would also like to thank the members of the Board of Selectmen, all of the Town’s Department heads and Town Boards and Committees for their continued cooperation, assistance and support.

Respectfully Submitted,

John D. Mauro, Jr.,

Fire Chief