Fire Department

I hereby submit the following report in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 48, Section 42:

The Southborough Fire Department responded to 1,280 emergency calls in 2005. This number represents in increase of 139 emergency responses (12.2%) over 2004. Additionally, the Department conducted 802 inspections, plan reviews and public education programs.

The following is a breakdown of the emergency responses:

Fire and Emergency Responses 524

Medical Emergencies and Motor Vehicle Accidents 756

The Department is comprised of the following personnel:

· 1 Full-time Fire Chief

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

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

· 5 Call Firefighter/EMT’s

· 7 Call Firefighters

· 3 EMT’s

· 1 Safety Officer

· 1 Chaplain

It is important to note that 95% of the Full-Time members, and 24% 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 2005:

New members:

· Call Firefighter Thomas Hogan

Members that resigned from the Department:

· Call EMT Brett Bechtel

· Call FF Andrew Zanella

· FF/EMT-Paramedic Nathan Jarvi

Four, 42-hour work shifts are required to cover the 168 hours in each week in order to provide both fire and emergency medical services 24/7. A minimum of four FF/EMT’s are assigned to Headquarters per shift. Due to collective bargaining agreement requirements, there are two shifts with five personnel, and two shifts with four. This staffing is still below the 2000 Fire and Police Staffing, Equipment and Facilities Study recommendation of six per shift. 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; however, major incidents and multiple calls occurring simultaneously place a serious strain on our response capabilities and require the recall of all off duty and on-call personnel, as well as the use of mutual aid. Any reduction in staffing would greatly impact the services which we provide the residents of Southborough.

The Southborough Fire Department received a Federal Fire Act Grant to install a direct-connect vehicle exhaust removal system at Fire Headquarters. This system will capture 99% of the diesel exhaust (a known carcinogen) through hoses directly connected to the vehicle exhaust, filter it, and discharge it outside of the station. The bid has been awarded to Air Cleaning Specialists. Installation is scheduled for early 2006. The Department also received a Massachusetts Fire Equipment grant in the amount of $21,000 for the purchase of radio equipment and much-needed replacement fire hose and nozzles. Additionally, the Department received a Massachusetts Student Awareness of Fire Safety (SAFE) Grant in the amount of $2,124.61. The SAFE grant is used to purchase supplies and provide instructors to teach fire safety to the school children and general public.

A new heating system was installed at Fire Headquarters. Funds were appropriated through Article 32 of the 2004 Annual Town Meeting.

Town Meeting voters approved $61,409 to upgrade the Department’s problematic radio system from the Low Band to UHF radio spectrum. The project is nearly complete and has provided a vast improvement is radio communications. The total project cost was nearly $80,000, however, some funds were provided through the State Fire Equipment grant.

Captain/EMT Joseph Mauro, Lieutenant/EMT-Intermediate Victor Robidoux , FF/EMT-Intermediate Peter Phaneuf and FF/EMT-Paramedic Kenneth Strong were recognized in October by the Metropolitan Boston Emergency Medical Services Council for their Outstanding Team Response. The Award was for their response to a call for a two year-old that fell from a third-floor window. Because of their quick response and excellent care, the child had made a nearly full recovery.

A tragic and horrific accident occurred during the early morning hours of October 13, 2005 on Northborough Road . The accident resulted in fatal injuries to two Southborough teen sisters, and the serious entrapment of a third teen from Northborough. This accident left an indelible mark on all of the emergency responders. Upon arrival at the scene, I immediately called Critical Incident Stress Teams to ensure the well-being of the emergency responders and their families. Department members Lt. James Peltier, FF Jason Roach, FF Dana Amendola, FF David Wills, Lt. George Hubley, FF Anthony Alessi, Safety Officer John Peltier, and Fr. Craig Lister were all recognized by me at a Board of Selectmen’s Meeting for their outstanding service in conjunction with the accident. Southborough/Northborough Trauma Response Network Team members (Retired Fire) Captain David Dockstader, Virginia Dockstader, Fire Department EMTs Susan Chorey and Linda Shine, Laurie Sugarman-Whittier and Northborough Fire Chaplain Richard Martino, as well as Ted’s Of Fayville Towing were also recognized for their actions in response to this incident.

Flooding rains in October caused damage to the main electric service at Fire Headquarters. The service, which was a fire and electrocution hazard, was condemned by the Wiring Inspector. Facilities Manager Basilio Diaz oversaw the installation of the replacement underground and electrical service.

Firefighter/EMT-Intermediate Victor Robidoux completed an intense full-time program at Mass Bay College to receive his Paramedic Certificate. Congratulations to Lt. Robidoux for his hard work! Additionally, Firefighters Peter Phaneuf, Matthew Rice, and David Wills are currently enrolled in Paramedic training.

The Department replaced its 1999 Ford Crown Victoria Fire Prevention/Inspection vehicle (a used police cruiser) with another used police cruiser, a 2003.

Once again, the members of the Southborough Firefighters Association sponsored the annual Children’s Halloween Party, as well as presented scholarships in the amount of $500 to Kerry Kendall. Members of the Department under the direction of Susan Chorey worked with the Salvation Army of Framingham to collect toys for the less fortunate during the holiday season. Thank you for your support.

FIRE PREVENTION/PUBLIC EDUCATION DIVISION

(Captain Joseph C. Mauro, Fire Prevention/Public Education Officer)

A total of 802 inspections, plan reviews and public education programs were conducted in 2005. The following is a breakdown of inspections:

2005

180 26F Smoke detector (home resale) inspections

14 26F Re-inspection

46 26B Smoke detector (new home) inspections

4 26B Re-inspection

55 Oil burner inspections

5 Oil burner re-inspections

48 Propane inspections

4 House number re-inspections

32 School inspections and fire drills

36 Annual town license renewal inspections

43 Commercial building inspections

8 Tank Truck inspections 527CMR 8.00

2 Pre-blast survey

0 Blast Observations

10 Underground Tank removal observation

13 Misc. safety inspections (insurance, etc.)

21 Complaints Investigated

3 License Renewal Follow-up Inspections

11 Follow-up Inspections

1 Unvented Heater Inspection

6 In-service Inspection

The following programs were presented to the public:

66 School Fire Prevention programs

17 Misc. Fire and Safety Programs

30 Fire Station tours for groups

The number of plans reviewed were as follows:

91 Residential Smoke Detector plans (new

Construction & renovation)

26 Commercial plans (new construction, fire

Alarm, sprinkler, site plans, etc.)

9 Site Plans Reviewed

21 Construction Meetings/Inspections

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.

In November, two members of the department attended the 40 Student Awareness of Fire Education training at the Massachusetts Fire Academy and became certified to teach the S.A.F.E. program in the schools. Captain Joseph C. Mauro and FF Jason Roach completed the class and brought the number of trained educator in the department to four.

· On the Sunday of Heritage Day weekend, the Southborough Fire Department once again held the annual 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 Jaws of Life demonstration, thermal imaging camera demonstration, children’s interactive games, and fire apparatus demonstrations. This year members of the department constructed a living room prop set-up in the rear parking lot to demonstrate what happens in an actual fire. The prop was divided into 2 sections, one with a sprinkler head installed and one without. Both rooms contained a battery operated smoke detector. Each room was lit on fire to show the effects of a house with residential sprinklers and a house without. Each room was furnished with a couch, chair, end tables, carpeting and a Christmas tree. The room with the sprinkler head kept the fire confined to a chair with the tree receiving no damage. The room without the sprinkler head was completely destroyed and was fully engulfed in fire in less than 5 minutes. This demonstration showed the importance of fire safety in the home and the importance of installing working smoke detectors on each level of your home.

· 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, the cub scouts and various pre-schools. A 3-hour program was once again successfully delivered to the students and faculty of St. Mark’s School in September and involved awareness about dorm fire safety practices. This year the students and faculty at Fay School were included in a separate program. The program included an interactive demonstration of common fire hazards and ways to prevent fire incidences from occurring. Since the program was first presented four years ago, the number of accidental fires caused by the residential boarders at St. Mark’s, as well as Fay School has been zero. The program was initiated after several small fire incidents involving reading lamps coming in contact with bedding and other combustibles as well as other fire events, such as burned food in microwave ovens in the dormitories at both schools. Through yearly inspections, education and cooperation from the school staff we have been able to reduce the number of incidents making sure that each establishment is as safe as possible.

PLAN REVIEWS, INSPECTIONS, and FIRE INVESTIGATIONS

· For the second straight year the number of inspections for new residential houses as well as existing houses has declined. Due to the economic climate and rising interest rates, the number of new homes and resale of existing homes has declined. The number of new home inspections has also declined with the completion of two over 55 housing complexes located at Carriage Hill and Vickery Hill. The number of commercial inspection of new and renovated occupancies remained consistent with new buildings being completed during the year. With the increase price of heating oil and natural gas, the installation of propane tanks for heat and cooking has increased. With this increase there are several new heating devices such as unvented heaters which need to be inspected by the fire department. Inspection will increase in the next year with the passing of a new law that will require the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in residential occupancies.

· The number of larger fire incidents in Southborough has increased over the past year. This is due in part for an increase of brush fires during the dry weather in the spring. One significant building fire occurred and a call for a fire in the building at St Mark’s main building tested the vulnerability of the department:

Ø In February a significant fire occurred in a home on Newton Street that resulted in a large monetary fire loss. The fire was caused by children playing with a lighter. Fortunately no one was injured as a result. Three mutual aid fire departments assisted.

Ø The department was also kept busy during the spring with several suspicious brush fires and fires destroying the portable toilet at 911 Field. One fire burned over five acres, and required the assistance of the State Forest Fire Control, as well as four mutual aid communities.

Ø A call received for a fire in the building at St. Mark’s School tested the ability of the department to handle a major fire in the main building. The incident occurred in April at approximately 8:00 AM with a 9-1-1 call reporting a fire in one of the classrooms. A subsequent call was received at the dispatch center reporting fire in the loading dock at the opposite end of the original location. This caused a significant amount of mutual aid to be called to assist the six Southborough firefighters who responded to the initial call. This large response was requested because of the age of the building and potential life hazard, as well as the lack of resources from Southborough to be able handle the event. Fortunately, there was no fire but a moderate smoke condition was present from a heating unit belt. Concurrently, an electrical fire was reported in an office building on Turnpike Road further stretching our thin resources.

These incidents exemplify that not all fires are preventable but hopefully through technology, inspections and prevention these incidents can be limited.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES DIVISION

(Firefighter/EMT-Paramedic Kenneth Strong, EMS Coordinator)

The department had an increase of nearly 10% over last years Ambulance calls. Many townspeople expressed their great appreciation of the fine EMS personnel. Our walls have been decorated with many thank-you cards throughout 2005! Members of the department were awarded the “Outstanding Team Response award” from the Metropolitan Boston EMS Council for a call at Fay School . The department offered many hours of continuing education classes for its members.

Dr. Taryn Kennedy, Director of Emergency Services at Marlborough Hospital , continues to provide oversight and support to the Department. Within her role as Medical Director to the department she presents Quarterly Morbidity or Mortality rounds for the EMT's, and the Doctor is Actively involved in training and Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement.

The Departments two ambulances are fully equipped with cardiac monitors that has 12 lead ECG capability. This allows the Paramedics to confirm an acute myocardial infarction and notify the receiving hospital. The ambulances are equipped with 30 Advanced Life Support (ALS) medications that the Paramedics can administer. Each ambulance is equipped with Epi-pen auto injectors used by EMT's for acute allergic reactions/anaphylactic reactions. Semi-Automatic defibrillators are carried on all front line fire apparatus. Last year we received a brand new 2005 Horton Ambulance.

Currently the Department has 8 Paramedics, 8 EMT-intermediates, and 11 Basic level EMT's. Three members are currently attending Paramedic School and we look forward to their completion. This year the Department had its first member within the department graduate from Paramedic School and obtain State certification. Congratulations to Lt. Victor Robidoux the newest Southborough Fire Department Paramedic.

The following is a list of classes approved by the Office of Emergency

Medical Services and held at the Department during 2005.

2 hour-Morbidity and Mortality rounds (held quarterly).
3 hour-Autism safety and approach.

16 hour-Pediatric Advanced Life Support PALS.
8 hour- Advanced Cardiac Life Support ACLS.
3 hour- Allergic reactions/Anaphylaxis.
48 hour-Advanced DOT EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN Refresher.
3 hour- Stroke awareness.

TRAINING DIVISION

(Lieutenant/EMT-Paramedic Christian P. Dano)

Throughout the year of 2005, the department held monthly training sessions ranging from 3 hours to full 8 hour training days for all full-time and call firefighters. These training sessions are extremely important to maintain the skill level of the firefighters and EMTs and to ensure that we are ready for any type of emergency. The following subjects were covered this year:

· Natural gas emergencies

· Pump operations and advancing hose lines

· Ladders and ladder operations

· Life flight operations

· Live burn exercises

· Mass decontamination

· Emergency vehicle operations

· N.I.M.S (National Incident Management System)

The Southborough Fire Department has also continued with in-service training which is designed for the full-time staff to accomplish during their shift. Hundreds of hours of training were completed this year. The topics can range on anything that has to do with the fire service, equipment used by the department, learning street and hydrant locations, rules and regulations of the department, etc.

FF Neal Aspesi, A certified Instructor, provided mandatory NIMS IC-700 courses to municipal employees from 10 disciplines. IC-700 is required by the Federal Government in order to continue to receive Federal Grant funding.

Many of the firefighters have been furthering their education by going to paramedic school, working toward degrees, and certification classes through the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy or other agencies both on, and off-duty.

· FF. Neal Aspesi – NIMS Instructor, Safety Officer, Instructor II, Hazmat Tech, Homeland Security: Instructor Training, WMD trainer & WMD Incident Complexities, Emergency Management Institute IC-700 & IC-800, Incident Command System, Surface Ice Rescue, NIMS ICS-300, Hazardous Materials Technician, Flammable-Liquid Fire Fighting Techniques for Municipal Firefighters.

· FF David Cobb – Structural Firefighting Practices, Haz-Mat First Responder Operational, Firefighter I/II, Recruit Training Mass Fire Academy `

· Lt. Christian Dano- English class, management class thru skill path, Safety Officer.

· Capt. Joseph Hubley- Safety Officer, IS-700

· Capt. Joseph Mauro- Safety Officer, Public Fire & Life Safety Educator

· Lt. James Peltier- Safety Officer, High angle rope rescue

· FF. PJ Phaneuf- Confined space rescue

· FF. Paul Pierce- Recruit Training Mass Fire Academy

· Lt. Robidoux- State certified EMT- Paramedic

· FF. Mathew Rice- EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Ops) Instructor

· FF. Christopher Shanahan- EVOC Instructor

Additionally, Chief Mauro, Captains Hubley & Mauro, and Lieutenants Dano Peltier & Robidoux attended a one-day seminar on Coaching and Teambuilding Skills for Managers and Supervisors.

SENIOR CITIZEN LIAISON and CPR COORDINATOR

(Lieutenant/EMT-Paramedic Victor G. Robidoux)

During the past year of 2005, the Southborough Fire Department has continued to make positive strides in helping the citizens of Southborough. As the Department’s CPR coordinator and Liaison to the Southborough Senior Center, and with the assistance of the Fire Department members, we have made good progress in 2005.

The Department assisted the Senior Center with obtaining an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED). The AED is located at the Senior Center, 9 Cordaville Road. This device is essential to survival when a person is having a heart arrack. Employees and volunteers at the Senior Center were trained in CPR and the AED. In addition to the AED program, the Fire Department continues to be involved with the File of Life program, as well as Senior Center meetings.

I am happy to report that we have certified over 75 people in American Heart Association CPR training. This training is provided to the citizens for a nominal fee for a two-year certification. We have also assisted the local Cub Scout, Girl Scout and Boy Scout packs and troops with first aid merit badges.

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.

On a personal note, I would like to wish Department of Public Works Superintendent John Boland the best in his retirement. John was always a guiding light among the Department heads. He is a wealth of knowledge and always prevailed with a cool, calm manner. Additionally, he proudly served the Fire Department as a Call Member, retiring at the rank of Deputy Fire Chief

The residents and businesses of Southborough are a constant source of donations of time, material and/or funds to aid us in serving the citizens and visitors of Southborough. Thank you very much for your valuable contributions!

Please visit our web site for continuous updated department and safety information: www.southboroughfire.org.

Respectfully Submitted,

John D. Mauro, Jr.,

Fire Chief

Hit Counter