Untitled - Town of Windham

FIRE DEPARTMENTrisk to the community due to lack of or reduction in services. These reductions can cause significant timedelays. The changes made were carried out until year end, at which time staffing levels increased back to asafe and adequate number. Moving to 2013, Management and Staff will continue to monitor this issue closelyand make the appropriate operational changes throughout the year to achieve our fiscal obligation, all thewhile keeping the safety of the community and our Fire Fighters a top priority.TRAINING: The Department continued with its yearly training schedule, with EMT and paramedic refreshertraining continuing to be one of the largest training areas. In addition, refresher training was conducted inareas such as ice/water rescue, blood borne pathogens, self-contained breathing apparatus and RapidIntervention Team (RIT). One of the greatest challenges in training is keeping up with the ever-changingregulations. Federal, State and local regulations cover areas such as infectious substances, respiratoryprotection, hazardous materials, emergency vehicle operations, and structural fire fighting. Among the majortraining disciplines that personnel train on are in areas such as Suppression, EMS, and Hazardous MaterialsResponses;. In 2012 the State Fire Academy through Homeland Security received nearly $4 million dollars ingrant funding to assist New Hampshire departments in raising their training and preparedness level whether inHazardous Materials, Technical Rescue and Incident Command. Through this opportunity, our departmentmembers received nearly $39,000 of additional high level training that otherwise may not have been availablefor years to come. Through this grant, both overtime and backfill costs were reimbursed to communities andthus, ultimately, it became a “no cost” to the community.GRANT FUNDING: The department received a “No Match” grant for nearly $35,000 which enabled ourdepartment to purchase various equipment to detect against chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear andenvironmental emergencies. One of the most used pieces of equipment purchased through these funds was anadditional Thermal Imaging Camera that allows firefighters, through infrared technology, to locate downedvictims that may be trapped or missing in a fire. As of this writing, the department awaits word in hopes ofsecuring a federal grant to purchase Self Contained Breathing Apparatus. Last year the department, throughthe CIP, placed a warrant article before voters asking them to support the purchase of this equipment only ifthe department was successful in its grant application. The article passed, however because the department didnot receive the grant funding, the equipment was not purchased. This year, the department again through thetown warrant, is asking voters to support $202,867 for the purchase of this equipment, and that it not becontingent upon award of the grant.In closing, I want to thank management and labor for their support, hard work and dedication throughout theyear. I also want to thank the residents of Windham for their continued support of your Fire Department andwe want to assure you that the members of the Department will continue to train and stand ready to meet thegrowing and ever changing needs of our community; while delivering competent and compassionate service.As always, if you have any questions or need any information, please do not hesitate to call or stop by theFire Station. On behalf of the members of the Fire Department, we wish everyone a very happy and healthynew year.INCOME STATEMENTReceipts 2011 2012Ambulance $247,074.90 $257,988.58Permit Fees $19,294.00 $18,805.00Copy, Other Fees $157.00 $593.34Contracted Services* $4,646.08 $2,361.99Sub-Total $271,171.98 $279,748.91*Represents 10% of the money collected and placed into the Public Safety Contracted Details Fund for thefire/hazardous materials contracted services through December; final collections pertaining to 2012 for this fund areexpected to be approximately $73,000.2012 ANNUAL REPORTS 82 TOWN OF WINDHAM, NH