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Department of Homeland Security Presses for Integrated Incident Management System
By: Chief J. Dan Eggleston
S I R E N SALBEMARLE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF FIRE RESCUE
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
Spring 2004
Department of Fire Rescue
OUR VISION Albemarle County will be home to the model volunteer/career fire and emergency medical services system.
OUR MISSION The Albemarle County Department of Fire Rescue will provide the highest quality services to protect and preserve the lives, property, and environment of our community.
OUR VALUES We believe in excellence in public
service through:
Integrity We believe in honesty and doing the right thing for our customers and always honoring our commitments.
Innovation We believe in embracing on-going innovation, creativity, and change for achieving continuous improvement and results in our jobs, our organization, and our community.
Stewardship We believe in our role as stewards of the public trust and responsible management of all the county�s human, environmental, and financial resources.
Learning We believe in ongoing learning and improvement of our community, our personnel, and our organization.
Since 9-11, a lot of discussion has occurred about the Incident Management System. Recently, a Department of Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 was established to highlight the importance of an integrated management system. Directive 5 (HSPD-5) states: �To prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies, the United States Government shall establish a single, comprehensive approach to domestic incident management. The objective of the United States Government is to ensure that all levels of government across the Nation have the capability to work efficiently and effectively together, using a national approach to domestic incident management.� While the intent of HSPD-5 was to improve coordination among agencies in the event of a large-scale event, the strategy applies to small-scale events as well.
The DHS outlines the advantages of a coordinated/unified command:
• A single set of objectives is developed for the entire incident;
• A collective approach is used to develop strategies to achieve incident objectives;
• Information flow and coordination is improved between all jurisdictions and agencies involved in the incident;
• All agencies with responsibility for the incident have an understanding of joint priorities and restrictions;
• No agency�s legal authorities will be compromised or neglected; and
• The combined efforts of all agencies are optimized as they perform their respective assignments under a single Incident Action Plan.
� Continued on Page 5
In This Issue� Personnel Changes in Prevention Division Page 2 Firefighters Battle 3-Alarm Blaze Page 3 CARS Places Logistics 137 in Service Page 4 Regional 800MHz Communication System Pages 6-8 Calendar of Events Pages 9-11 The Training Grounds Page 13 FY 2004-05 Budget Update Page 14 Caught in the Act Page 15
Page 2 S I R E N S Spring 2004
There have been some recent changes in the Prevention Division. We have experienced some growth to help us keep pace with future expectations. The first part of February I was offered, and accepted a position as Plans Reviewer. I am very excited about this position and the potential that it offers. I will still be in the field for inspections as the job requires, but I will also have some opportunity to help direct the future of the Department and the County. Just how significant is the Plans Reviewer to the Department and to the County? Stop for a moment to consider the plans for managed growth in all areas of the county: north, south, east, and west, and you will soon find your answer. I will be able to offer a fire rescue department perspective during the planning and construction phase of building that we have not had in the recent past. I will also be able to share information with fire companies that will increase firefighter safety and effectiveness, and decrease the severity and dollar loss of fires we do experience. These may sound like lofty goals, and I realize I will not accomplish this on my own. I welcome your thoughts and ideas as they relate to fire prevention or how
Critical Response �04 Saturday, 17 April 2004
Critical Care Paramedic Course
9-22 May 2004 For more information, visit http://healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/pegasus/
prevention and operations can best work together. I have thoughts and ideas I would like to share with you, and in future articles or in specific classes, I will do just that. For now, I am focused on establishing an inspection program for target hazard occupancy groups in the county. We are working to bring our staffing up to adequate levels in the Prevention Division. We, like many, have been asked to do more with less for a long time and this may continue into the future. Our challenge will be to consistently do that which needs to be done, when it needs to be done. Very recently, Bill Clark was hired as an inspector/investigator to fill the position left vacant by my promotion. We welcome Bill, and we are excited to have him as part of our team! Our community is not unlike others that have experienced rapid growth. We can learn from both the success and mistakes of others.
James Barber is a Plans Reviewer with the Prevention Division.
Mr. Barber can be contacted at:
University of Virginia Health System
Pegasus air & ground medical transport
Winter Survival �04 Winter Survival was another great success this year. 54 participants from 20 different programs/divisions took part. Winter Survival �05 is tentatively scheduled for 26-27 February 2005. For more information & photos, visit http://healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/pegasus/docs/wintersurvival04.cfm
S I R E N S Sirens is the official newsletter of the Albemarle County, Virginia Department of Fire Rescue and is published quarterly. The newsletter is printed by PrintSource of Charlottesville, Virginia. The Volunteer Recruitment & Retention Committee (a committee of the Albemarle County Fire Rescue Advisory Board) facilitates the production of the newsletter.
STAFF & PERSONNEL Administration Chief: J. Dan Eggleston Assistant Chief: John Oprandy Captain: Jason C. Nauman Administrative Assistant: Nellie Durham Operations Assistant Chief: Carl J. Pumphrey Training Captain: M. Scott Lambert Prevention Assistant Chief: Robert Lowry Fire Rescue Advisory Board Chairman: Doug Smythers
HOW TO CONTACT US Mail/Shipping
401 McIntire Road, Suite 222 Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-4579
Voice
434.296.5833
FAX 434.972.4123
Website www.ACFireRescue.org
SUBMISSIONS
Articles, feature stories, cartoons, photographs, classifieds (buy or sell), upcoming training, station news, and station events and functions are welcome.
REPRINTS/PERMISSIONS No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including photocopying, or utilized by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the Department of Fire Rescue. Please direct requests for reprints and/or permissions to the attention of Jason Nauman.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The following individuals have made extraordinary efforts and contributions to make this newsletter possible:
Christina Davis Rebecca Morris
Promotions & New Hires HighlightRecent Changes in the Prevention Division
By: James Barber
Page 3 S I R E N S Spring 2004
Charlottesville-Albemarle Firefighters Battle 3-Alarm Blaze
Charlottesville and Albemarle County firefighters spent much of Tuesday morning, February 10 battling a University of Virginia student house fire. "The 9-1-1 call came in at 0542 reporting a house fire at 416 Monroe lane," said Deputy Chief Charles Werner of Charlottesville Fire Department. The residence was private property, housing University of VA students. As firefighters were enroute to the scene, dispatchers were communicating with the callers and confirmed that everyone was out or getting out. Battalion Chief Dave Hartman issued a 2nd Alarm while enroute." Units arriving on the scene discovered a working fire with heavy fire conditions. First-in companies confirmed all residents were out; several had jumped from upper floor windows to escape. Exits had been blocked when the fire, which appeared to have begun on the first floor, worked its way upstairs from the common open stairway located in the center of the first floor. Due to the house's balloon frame structure, the fire had penetrated wall and floor spaces and was consuming and spreading in hidden structural areas while firefighters were working in the building. Intensity of the situation increased with exposure on Side 2(B) of a 4-story UVA Dormitory 25 feet away, and exposure on Side 3(C), a frame dwelling 10 feet away, and a major exposure on Side 4 (D), a multi-story apartment dwelling about 20 feet away. A 3rd Alarm was then issued. Responding to and battling the blaze were nine engine companies which included apparatus from Charlottesville City, Seminole Trail, Stony Point, and East Rivanna. Also on the scene, one ladder company, seven chief officers, two FD special response vehicles, several CFD volunteer firefighters. CARS responded with one heavy rescue, two ambulances, and one duty officer. Nearly 60 personnel were working the scene. Crozet, Earlysville, North Garden provided station transfer coverage for city stations. Lake Monticello provided station transfer coverage for East Rivanna.
Red Cross, Dominion Virginia Power, City Gas, City Water and UVA Environmental Health and Safety responded. "The first action plan," said Deputy Chief Charles Werner, "was an interior hand line attack with much success in the areas attacked. But fire kept spreading around the interior crews and interior companies began to report structural failure of some flooring, wall and ceiling sections. Thermal image cameras were invaluable to see the areas of structural integrity and movement throughout the structure and aided in fast primary searches to confirm escape of all occupants. The second plan of action called for all companies evacuated and the operation changed to defensive mode. An exterior master stream attack was initiated. Deck guns from Engine 6, Engine 5 and ladder pipe from Ladder 1 were put in service with great success. The fire could not be attacked directly and the crews were very successful at using straight tip, hard punching and deep penetrating streams that overcame the hidden fire. Each of the first three engines on the scene established their own large diameter
water supply from three different hydrants. The fire was then brought under control. Apparatus continued to remain on the scene for approximately 3.5 hours. PAR checks were conducted as close to 20 minute intervals as possible." The house listed 12 residents, seven of whom were home at the time of the fire. Before firefighters arrived on the scene, two students jumped from a back second story window and were caught by fellow residents. One student suffered burns and was taken by rescue to UVA Hospital. Four civilians incurred injuries. One was burned and suffered smoke inhalation and was transported to UVA hospital and admitted. Charlottesville Fire Marshal Ben Powell along with City Police conducted the investigation. It was reported that the smoke detectors were working.
Becky Robinette Wright is a freelance writer based in Chesterfield, Virginia.
Fire, rescue, & EMS writing is her contribution to some of Virginia�s bravest.
Ms. Wright may be contacted at:
By: Becky Robinette-Wright
Charlottesville & Albemarle County Firefighters Battle 3-Alarm Blaze.
Photo by Wally Quast.
Page 4 S I R E N S Spring 2004
Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad places new MCI response vehicle, Logistics 137, in service.
After several months of hard work, CARS recently announced our new mass casualty incident (MCI) vehicle was operationally ready. Known as Logistics 137, this unit replaces a much smaller trailer and gives us added response capability in several areas. �We�ve known for several years now our MCI trailer was too small and overloaded for what we needed,� stated Benjamin Sojka, CARS Fleet Operations manager. �The trailer was heavy and only a few people had the skills to tow it. We just didn�t have the money available to replace the unit. This year, we finally secured funds to replace the trailer with a much larger truck that most everyone can drive and is easy to operate.� A used delivery truck with eight bays was purchased off of the Internet. Steve Hartman, Captain of the Special Events team, then started work in September modifying the compartments and adding the required emergency lighting package. �We didn�t have much money,� added Sojka, �and if it weren�t for Steve�s skills and his putting in hundreds of hours of work we never would have been able to do what we did. This truck is very much state-of-the-art.� During the planning process, it was decided to add as much capability as possible and to utilize extra equipment that was in storage. Used equipment that was in storage was gathered up and put on the truck to put it back in use. Not only will the unit respond to MCI situations, it will be used on Interstate accidents, EMS task force deployments and fire incidents. One compartment is labeled the Interstate Compartment. It contains the equipment needed to handle up to 20 patients. Another compartment contains hydraulic rescue equipment that can be used on simple extrications. Rehab and scene lighting round out the extra capabilities that were added with no cost.
�For a total cost of $25,000, we have a $200,000 vehicle�, says Hartman. �We can triage and treat 150 patients of each priority category. Everything about this vehicle was designed with simplicity in mind. All you have to do is grab the box labeled �Start Here�, read the instructions, and go from there.� Logistics 137 will be used at the upcoming MCI drill in late March. The rescue squad plans on using the new unit for special events such as UVA graduation, football games, and such, as well as emergency responses. �Every couple of years, we have a 60+ car accident on Afton Mountain in WARS
first-due area� says Sojka. �Having everything you need on an easy to drive truck will make all the difference in the world.� Additional information and pictures can be found on the rescue squad�s website at www.rescue1.org.
John Burruss is the Deputy Chief of Special Operations with the
Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad.
Deputy Chief Burruss may be contacted at: [email protected]
Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad Puts New Mass Casualty Vehicle In Service
By: Special Operations Deputy Chief John Burruss
Page 5 S I R E N S Spring 2004
2004 Open Forums
Let�s take a look at our attempt at an integrated and unified incident management system:
1. Establishing separate commands:
I have found no reason to establish separate commands. In fact, it often creates duplication of effort or even worse, missed strategies, and conflict among providers. Unfortunately, there have been cases of serious injury or death that can be contributed to a �splintered approach� to incident management. Why are we establishing separate commands? Good question. For those of you in the IC role, the next time you are on-scene of a �dual command�, seek out the other IC and establish a unified command.
2. Common terminology, tools, and policies:
It�s difficult to interact when you speak a different language. One of the advantages of the IMS is the use of common terminology. However, it depends on the type of IMS you are using. That is why agencies must define the type of IMS and terminology used. I am glad to report that a team composed of Seminole Trail, CARS, City Fire, and ACFR providers are working on a program to standardize terminology, tools, and policies. So far, the team has designed and developed standard command post setups, defined the type of IMS, and a developed handful of emergency scene operational policies. Their effort has helped our initiative to establish a more unified approach.
INDIVIDUAL CRISIS INTERVENTION & PEER
SUPPORT CLASS
3. Training/Education Our current system to train officers relies on the Department of Fire Program�s Officer Series. While the Officer I program provides the basic education for an officer, it does not fully address the skills and knowledge required for an incident commander. Captain Lambert and the Training Committee are working to establish an Officer Academy, which should help address the initial training requirements not met by the Officer I program. However, continuing education for an incident commander is also a necessity.
Although I have highlighted several issues and have included the projects currently underway to solve some of those issues, real change starts with the individual. I challenge each and every one of you to learn more about the Incident Management System, especially relating to unified command. The DHS recently published a new IMS manual, which is available for download at http://www.dhs.gov/interweb/assetlibrary/NIMS-90-web.pdf. I encourage you to download the manual and review the attributes and application of the IMS. Put your newfound knowledge to work and institute change. Contact your chief officer or the Training Division if you are interested in participating in the workgroups. Good luck and be safe.
Chief Eggleston has been Chief of the
Department since 2002.
Chief Eggleston may be contacted at: [email protected]
Saturday & Sunday 3-4 April 2004
Albemarle County Office Building
E-Mail [email protected] for information.
A series of forums encouraging roundtable discussion and open
expression of ideas that affect the future of Albemarle County�s fire, rescue, and emergency medical
services.
Wednesday, 14 January 1900 Hours
East Rivanna
Wednesday, 14 April 1900 Hours Earlysville
Wednesday, 14 July
1900 Hours Crozet
Wednesday, 13 October
1900 Hours Scottsville Rescue*
Everyone is welcome to attend.
*Location tentative.
Integrated Incident Management System � Continued From Page 1
Summer 2004
SIRENS Newsletter
Deadline for Summer Edition Submissions:Monday, 7 June 2004
Page 6 S I R E N S Spring 2004
By: Assistant Chief John Oprandy, Albemarle County Department of Fire RescueWayne Campagna, Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle County Emergency Communications Center
Wayne Stack, RCC Communications Background In 1995, the County, City and University jointly contracted for a professional services radio communications study to examine the public safety and public service independent radio communications systems currently in use and the development of a multi-agency radio communications plan to address deficiencies and needs that were identified as a result of the study. Members of the County, City and University staffs, under the direction of the ECC Management Board, and with the assistance of radio communications consultants, and citizen volunteers, analyzed the entities� joint needs for public safety and public service radio communications. Based on a thorough review of the information presented it was the consultant�s recommendation that the only radio system that could effectively address the deficiencies and objectives identified in the radio communications study would be an 800 MHz Analog/Digital Simulcast Trunked Radio System. The Emergency Services Providers Advisory Committee (ESPAC) concurred with this recommendation after conducting its own subsequent review of the consultant�s study, and other radio communications information. What is a trunked radio system? Trunking is a method by which to increase the efficiency of the use of the radio frequencies. It is the commonly accepted term for electronically controlled sharing of a pool of frequencies among a relatively large number of users. For the purposes of our discussion here, we will consider two radio system architectures: trunked and conventional. In a conventional (i.e. non-trunked) system, each agency is licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to use one or more specific frequencies. If an agency, at any given point in time, is using all of its frequencies for radio conversations, and it needs to hold one more conversation, it�s out of luck. The needed conversation
must wait until one of the busy frequencies becomes clear. Even if the second agency�s frequencies are not being used, the first agency can�t use them because FCC rules won�t allow it. With a trunked system, however, all agencies are licensed on a combined pool of frequencies. If an agency needs a frequency, the trunked radio system assigns it an open frequency from the pool without regard to which agency and which frequency it is. This allows any user to use any frequency. The result is a much-reduced incidence of users waiting for an available frequency. In a trunked system all users (police, fire, EMS, public works, etc.) share the same set of frequencies. This is very much like the teller lines at a bank. Everyone lines up in a single line and as a customer reaches the front of the line she goes to the next available teller. This, as opposed to the supermarket scheme (and the conventional radio system scheme) prevents a shopper from finding himself in the slow line. Trunking simply makes the best use of the licensed frequencies. What problems were identified with the current radio systems? Many deficiencies and critical shortcomings were identified in the existing conventional analog radio systems, particularly the public safety radio systems. The most critical of those were:
Lack of Interoperability. Interoperability is the ability of Public Safety and Public Service personnel to communicate by radio with staff from other agencies, on demand and in real time. In the present independent radio systems, police, fire and EMS agencies are unable to communicate via radio with one another.
75-80% of current radio equipment is
significantly older than normal useful life. The average age of present radio system infrastructure, and of the radio equipment in the ECC, is 20 years. Inadequate in-street radio coverage and
in-building radio signal penetration. Present independent public safety radio systems do not provide adequate in-street or in-building portable coverage.
Insufficient radio channel capacity for present public safety radio systems.
At present City and County Fire Departments operate on only two one-way channels. This does not provide sufficient channels for multiple operations.
Present systems are unreliable. Unable to obtain parts (Used parts are being utilized to maintain systems). No system backup exists (Poor redundancy).
- Continued on Page 7
Regional 800MHz Communications System Project
Page 7 S I R E N S Spring 2004
Present systems experience daily radio
interference City and county frequencies do not have sufficient co-channel interference protection. There are not enough frequencies available for public safety use, and even fewer are available for interoperability purposes. What are the Benefits of an 800 MHz Trunked Radio System? The new system is designed to address critical shortcomings in the region�s current emergency communications system. These shortcomings not only result in the inefficiency of regional operations, but also seriously hinder the provision of critical emergency services to our citizens. Some of the benefits the new system will provide include: • Enhanced radio communications
coverage reliability (in-building/in-street) in the County, City and University through use of wireless microwave technology rather than wire-line technology.
System is more secure and is not vulnerable to loss of coverage or service as a result of wire-line connections being severed by construction accidents or motor vehicle accidents.
• A stand-alone communications
system available to Public Safety/ Public Service agencies during disasters, local emergencies and major events that is not dependent on commercial entities.
Commercial Service Providers do not provide dedicated channels for Public Safety use nor do they provide Public Safety with priority clearance for use of their system during disasters and emergencies.
• Interoperability (the capability of different Public Safety and Public Service agencies to communicate with one another on a daily basis as well as in times of emergencies, disasters, and major events from anywhere within the system coverage).
• A system capable of handling
multiple incidents.
Current Fire and EMS radio communications will not support multiple-channel operations, which require the segmenting of radio traffic from different, but simultaneously occurring, emergency incidents.
• Improved communications coverage
compared to present independent systems.
The current radio system has many dead spots in its coverage area. Because of the heavy co-channel interference, the responder is unable at times to communicate with the ECC or with Fire Communications. This creates responder and citizen safety situations.
• A reconfigurable system to meet
emergency communication needs. This flexibility insures emergency responder and service personnel have the capability to provide better and efficient customer service in times of urgency.
• The ability to keep pace with present
and future radio communications technology, especially digital technology.
What type of radios will we use?
The portable (hand-held) radios will be the Motorola XTS 5000 Model II. You can find information about this radio at: http://www.motorola.com/cgiss/portables/xts5000.shtml
What type of radios will we use?
The mobile radios will be the Motorola Spectra series. Information about this radio can be found at: http://www.motorola.com/cgiss/mobiles/astro_spectra.shtml When will the radios be installed? The current project schedule calls for the new 800MHz radios to be installed during the third and fourth quarters of this year. This will be a significant task that will involve at least one person from every station to ensure coordination of unit installations. Initially, the current radio system components will remain in the vehicles. All vehicular installations will adhere to vehicle-specific installation prototypes, which will have been previously developed and agreed upon. The new 800MHz radios will be installed in the optimal position in each vehicle. If necessary, existing equipment will be relocated. Once we are certain that the 800MHz system is fully operational and meets system performance specifications, and after a suitable confidence period (perhaps six months), we will remove the old vehicular components. When will the system be up and running? Final system acceptance is currently scheduled for the first quarter of next year (2005). To meet this schedule, it will be necessary to complete the Coverage Acceptance Test by the end of September of this year. Our contract specifies that the Coverage Acceptance Test must be performed between May 15th and September 30th. We included this requirement to ensure that the system would be tested and accepted with full foliage on the trees. This will ensure good signal strength throughout the year, not only during the winter months.
- Continued on Page 8
Regional 800MHz Communications System Project -Continued from Page 6
Page 8 S I R E N S Spring 2004
Brief Synopsis Here is a brief synopsis of the 800 MHz radio system project: • Civil work including site preparation,
tower construction and installation has begun at the Peters Mountain site.
• Our contracted system (dispatch consoles, circuits, mobile and portable radios) has been assembled at the Motorola factory in Schaumburg, Illinois. The 800MHz team will be visiting that facility to test the system the week of 15 March.
• All equipment has been ordered. • Fleet mapping (designing the
trunked channels the region will use) is underway.
• Civil work is scheduled to begin at the other tower sites in late April.
More Information Check out these links for additional information: http://www.pswn.gov/admin/librarydocs11/Operational_Best_Practices_for_Trunked_Radio_Systems.pdf http://www.dispatchmonthly.com/stories/stories_old/story-14-old.html http://www.genesisworld.com/trunking.htm
John Oprandy has been with the Department
of Fire Rescue since 1999.
Assistant Chief Oprandy may be contacted at: [email protected]
Wayne Campagna is the E-911 Projects Coordinator for the
Emergency Communications Center. .
Mr. Campagna can be contacted at: [email protected]
Welcome New Members Justin Cohen Dee Walsh Chantel Dean Jon Huang Stacy Logsdon David Knoll Edward Mathews Claire Olson William Metzger Kevin Senser Catherine Reinhart Ricky Yau Baddr Shaksheer Cody Marcum Taylor Weidman
Promotion to "R" Dots Baddr Shaksheer
Promotions to Released Firefighter
David Bailey Travis Paradis
Members Enrolled in EMT Class David Bailey Bill Schawab Sally Kaufmann
Members Enrolled in EMT-I Class Warren Valentine Eric Eccles
Members Enrolled in DPO Course Tiffany Gibson Travis Paradis Andrew McDowell
Promotions to Captain James Reinhold Robert Jennette
Welcome New Members
Eric Graciano Congratulations for Employment with
Albemarle County Sheriff�s Office Andrew Goss
Wedding Congratulations Karen & Eric Kudro (23 January 2004)
Completion of Firefighter II Course Patrick Butler Paul Moody Johnny Zimmerman-Ward
Completion of Firefighter II Course
Spencer Allen
Promotion to EMT-AIC Eric Eccles Congratulations for Employment with Rockingham County Department of
Fire & Rescue Robert Jennette Congratulations for Employment with
Spotsylvania County Fire/Rescue Jimmy Schwab
Engagement Congratulations Chris Johnson
New Homeowner Congratulations Greg McFadyen
James Rowse is a Captain with the Seminole Trail Volunteer Fire Department.
Captain Rowse may be contacted at:
Coming in the next issue�
• The New Car 20 • 25-Year Service Awards • New Officers • New Board Members • Training Updates
Pam Butler is an administrative member with the East Rivanna Volunteer Fire Company.
Ms. Butler may be contacted at:
Regional 800MHz Communications System
Project -Continued from Page 7
Seminole Trail NewsBy: Captain James Rowse
East Rivanna NewsBy: Pam Butler
Page 9 S I R E N S Spring 2004
Page 10 S I R E N S Spring 2004
Page 11 S I R E N S Spring 2004
Page 12 S I R E N S Spring 2004
Low Band Radio System Upgrade
By: Richard Martin Spring is here, and WICKET!! loves the warmer weather! The nice thing about having a black and white dog is that you can spot her during the day and during the night! I�ve started putting another type of training into WICKET!!�s program. She is now learning article (object) search. This comes into play when one of the objectives of a search is to find the subject�s articles, and this will give the clues as to where the subject has traveled and the clues should lead you to the subject. WICKET!! has to learn to stop and indicate on each of the subject�s articles. She also has to learn to ignore articles that do not belong to the subject. I began teaching this as another scent discrimination game. I will ask the subject to scent several objects of different materials (cloth, metal, paper, plastic), and then we will randomly scatter these out in an area mixed with non-subject articles. I will then give WICKET!! the scent article of the subject we are working. WICKET!! will be given the search command and walked through the area. As she finds each object with the right scent she will look at me. This is her first indication that she has found something but doesn�t know what to do with the information. She has only been finding live humans that are big and now she has found things lying in the grass. (Finding humans is fun because they will play with WICKET!! after the find � articles just sit there.) I then ask her to bark at each object. Sometimes the objects have been so small I cannot see them so I have taught her the touch command (earlier). Then I pretend not to see it and ask her to touch it. Well, the expression on her face is �Wash your glasses!� I will repeat this exercise several times to reinforce what I want at each article. Each time we do this game I rearrange the articles. In the beginning, I try to use the most uncontaminated objects I can find. Later she may have to find articles that have been handled by another
person in the far past but most recently handled (the stronger scent) by the subject. As WICKET!! gets better with her discrimination, I will put the objects closer together. Because so many searches have become crime scenes, we have been training our dogs not to pick up anything during a search. We have to train the dog to let the article stay where he originally finds it and alert us to where it is. Then we will mark the area by a ribbon in a tree and call it into base so the article can be identified or eliminated as belonging to the lost subject. About a month ago, I found two friends to lay a trail that turned out to be over two miles long. The subject and the second person took different paths at times so I had a clear understanding that WICKET!! was really following the trail of the subject who she was scented to trail. We all arrived back in the area the next day and I placed the subject with his son at the end of the trail and I started WICKET!! with his scent article that he had left for me the day before. WICKET!! started this trail about 23 hours after it had been laid and she never hesitated at the start. This is the longest aged trail (the next longest aged trail was 14 hours old) she had run and it really was exciting as she pulled me along. WICKET!! had several opportunities to trail anywhere, and I did have to help her about 6 times. Had I let her work it out she may have done it right but I was not familiar with how long I should let her work it out by herself or let her get too frustrated. It is a fine line that I have to learn. I think I will let her work out the next one. She knows the game very well. WICKET!!! has become everything that I had hoped for and then some! She is 19 months old now and right on schedule with her training.
Linda Uihlein is a life member with the Earlysville Volunteer Fire Company.
Ms. Uihlein may be contacted at:
The low band radio system in use by the City and County is being upgraded as an interim step toward the new 800 MHz communication system. The Board of Supervisors has instructed staff to make county fire communications a responsibility of the Emergency Communications Center (ECC). The addition of channels will provide a separate dispatch channel for City and County incidents as well as two (2) tactical channels for on-scene operations for both the City and the County.
County Dispatch 46.460 City Dispatch 46.260 County TAC 1 46.080 County TAC 2 46.020
City TAC 1 46.360 City TAC 2 46.200
The channel assignments and their location in county radios have been distributed to each of the users as the equipment upgrade took place. Over the last several months, we have upgraded mobile and portable radios and installed two (2) additional base transmitters. The Charlottesville Fire Department will continue to use the current transmitter sites. The location of these new transmitters should provide better coverage and more reliable pager activation. County fire radios have been upgraded to a minimum of four (4) channels in all mobile radios and six (6) channels on all primary units. The portable radios have been upgraded to six (6) channels. The low band radios will remain in service for a period of time after the change to the 800MHz system. This will ensure no loss of coverage as the new system is optimized. The projected date the ECC will start dispatching county fire is 1 May 2004. The 800MHz system is scheduled for completion in early 2005.
Richard Martin is a member with the Crozet Volunteer Fire Department.
Mr. Martin may be contacted at:
The Longest Trail� � Fourth in a Series �
By: Linda Uihlein
Page 13 S I R E N S Spring 2004
The Training GroundsBy: Captain Scott Lambert
2003 Record Year for Tornadoes in Virginia By: Becky Robinette-Wright
Hello, and welcome back to the Training Grounds! This month, I would like to take my space to explain how I interact with the Training Committee, and hopefully shed some light on how training is planned for Albemarle County. Let�s begin with the basics. A standing committee of the Albemarle County Fire Rescue Advisory Board (ACFRAB) was created with the intentions of making system-wide decisions on training needs for our county. Each station is represented on this committee in the form of a Training Officer. There are monthly meetings, on the first Monday of the month at 1830 Hours, in which we go over recent training classes, evaluate training needs, and plan training classes accordingly. As a standing committee of ACFRAB, we vote on issues surrounding training � unless there is a sensitive issue to be handled, in which an executive summary is forwarded to ACFRAB with a recommendation. There are four primary focuses that we have at a Training Committee level:
• New Member Training; • Advanced Training; • Officer-Level Training; and • Continuing Education.
For new member training, we offer two different academies � the Fire Academy
The National Weather Service said 2003 was the most active year for tornadoes in Virginia in 50 years. A record 31 confirmed tornadoes were recorded. Governor Warner, in concern for the safety of Virginia citizens, declared March 16,2004, "Tornado Preparedness Day." The plan offered the opportunity for schools, businesses, fire/rescue/EMS, police, and citizens to plan and prepare. The Governor stated that being prepared, lives lost and property damage sustained would be reduced or eliminated. The majority of the tornadoes that struck Virginia were F0 or F1s. A Fujita Scale determines the severity of tornadoes.
and the Rescue Academy. Both of these courses are designed to take new personnel, and allow them to integrate in a functional manner in their respective companies. The commitment to attend either of these courses is significant, so the Training Committee ensures that the classes are pertinent and well designed. Moving to advanced training, there are multiple offerings the Training Committee offers. Currently, the Training Division can administer courses such as Emergency Vehicle Operator (EVOC), Driver-Pump Operator (DPO), Driver-Aerial Operator (DAO), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) emergencies, and a multitude of other offerings. Admittedly, the courses are fire-heavy; however, there is a commitment to further our offerings in the realm of EMS. Hopefully, the addition of an EMS Instructor will allow the Training Division to expand our services in the near future. Officer-level training is starting to take shape. Once again, most of this upper-level training is fire related; however, principles such as leadership, management, and conflict resolution know no boundaries. The aforementioned classes are as applicable for EMS personnel as they are for their fire counterparts. There has been talk of creating an Officer Academy that would
Fujita Scale F0: Up to 72MPH � Light Damage F1: Up to 112MPH � Moderate Damage F2: Up to 157MPH � Considerable Damage F3: Up to 206MPH � Severe Damage F4: Up to 260MPH � Devastating Damage F5: Over 261MPH � Incredible Damage Warning Signs Dark skies that may appear greenish, large hail, loud roar that may sound like a freight train. Tornado Watch: conditions are favorable for formation of tornado. Tornado Warning: funnel cloud spotted; seek immediate shelter.
prepare our personnel to take line-officer positions within their respective companies; details are still being formulated. If you have any input, please share it with your Training Officer! Lastly, continuing education is something that the Training Committee has as a future goal. Currently, there are not enough personnel for the Training Division to deliver con-ed to the different companies throughout the county. However, the Training Committee would like to help recommend schedules for continuing education for specific stations. As of now, Stations 8 and 11 are utilizing the Training Division for some of their continuing education needs, and Station 6 is exploring similar options. Once again, if you are interested in the concept behind this, contact your Training Officer. Hopefully, the explanations above will shed some light on how our training system works. I welcome feedback from anyone on how to make this a better system. After all, Training Rocks!
Scott Lambert has been head of the Training Division since 2002.
Captain Lambert may be contacted at:
Tornado History in Virginia • From 1776-2001,376 tornadoes
were recorded in Virginia. • Before 1990 only one-third were
actually documented. Many were recorded as wind events.
• Tornado fatality records began in 1916.
• From 1950-2003, Albemarle had 5 documented tornadoes; Charlottesville had 1.
Becky Robinette Wright is a freelance writer based in Chesterfield, Virginia.
Ms. Wright may be contacted at:
Page 14 S I R E N S Spring 2004
Radio SeatbeltBy: Jack Mellott
FY 2004-05 Budget
FISCAL YEAR 2004-05OPERATING BUDGET & TAX RATE
PUBLIC HEARING
Wednesday, 7 April 2004 1800 Hours
Albemarle County Office Building
Room #241
A potential danger lurks in our county every second. It is a danger that, until our radio frequencies get fully adopted, has the ability to make a bad situation worse. It�s that whole Channel 2-is-Channel 4 thing. Ugh!!!! This has real potential to ruin your whole day (or worse). Anyone hear a train coming? It has happened to me (and I know it has happened to others too). You know, you show up at an incident, switch your portable to Channel 2 for Operations and what do you do? You do exactly what you�ve been doing for years�you switch to channel 2. If your portable is like mine and has a scan function, you can even hear all the chatter on the �real� Channel 2, but guess what? Other units might just not be able to hear you. I think this is an incredibly dangerous situation. However, we have to find a way to make it work during this time of frequency expansion. Perhaps your station�s radios don�t have this problem. Some of my station�s vehicle radios have text displays that render this problem moot for that particular apparatus. However, some apparatus has older radios and no portables anywhere in the county, to my knowledge, have text displays. Even if your station doesn�t have a problem with the whole Channel 2-is-Channel 4 thing, you might be operating on scene with other companies that aren�t so perfect. So, if there are radio communications problems, you might want to make sure everyone is on the right channel.
We will fight fires as we train to. We will operate radios as we train to (or as we have used them). How are you going to use your radio when things get a bit stressful? I have to admit that I went to Channel 2 (Not Channel 4) without even thinking about it. What am I doing about it? Every crew night (that�s Thursday night for me), my crew has incorporated into our drills, some attention to the whole Channel 2-is-Channel 4 bit. We�ve been doing that for a while now and everyone is mildly sick of it, but we are doing our part to prevent a communications catastrophe. We�ll plan to continue to drill at some level on this every week until sometime after the radio expansion is complete. We haven�t stopped there. Simply having a radio isn�t enough. Should we find ourselves at a working incident, my crew�s plan is to establish two-way communication via radio with our immediate supervisor before taking on an assignment in a dynamic environment (any environment that requires SCBA, a brushfire, etc.). This is a kind of �radio seatbelt�. And just like a seatbelt, it only works when both ends are connected. So be safe. Train hard, and remember that a misstep doing the Channel 2-is-Channel 4 dance could hurt a lot more than your pride.
Jack Mellott is Assistant Chief of the Stony Point Volunteer Fire Company.
Assistant Chief Mellott may be contacted at:
The County Executive has presented his recommended FY 2004-05 Operating Budget to the Board of Supervisors. The recommended budget totals $237.8 million and, as directed by the Board of Supervisors, is based on a real property tax decrease of $0.02 from $0.78 per $100 assessed valuation to $0.76 per $100 assessed valuation. The personal property tax rate was recommended to remain the same at $4.28 per $100 assessed valuation. If the tax rate is reduced, as proposed, no new positions or programs will be funded. If the real property tax rate is only reduced by $0.01, the following fire rescue programs and positions may be funded:
• Two (2) Firefighter/EMT positions for northern stations (4,6, & 8) staffing;
• EMS Instructor; • EMS Supervisor; and • Fire Rescue station computer
services/upgrades. If the real property tax rate is not reduced at all, the following may be funded (in addition to those listed above):
• Public Safety Systems Analyst. Additionally, if approved, the recommended budget may add an additional $303,922 to support the operational needs of the volunteer system and provides $100,000 for turnout gear replacement and emergency repairs: $303,922(Operating Costs & Forgiven Debt) + $100,000 (PPE & Emergency Repairs) $403,922 (Total Volunteer Operational Funding) This proposal equates to a 26.6 percent increase in operational funding over last year and includes $2 million in forgiven debt over time. The increase in total funding is in addition to the over $5 million in capital funds (starting this fiscal year) for apparatus replacement. We believe this proposal takes a significant step towards funding 100 percent of the volunteer fire rescue stations basic operating costs.
For the most up-to-date budget information, visit
http://acfirerescue.org/department.asp?section_id=1827&department=budget
Page 15 S I R E N S Spring 2004
Caught In The Act
Firefighter Reuben �Trip� Cowles works atthe scene of the 2-Alarm Lockesley Terrace Fire on 12 February 2004.
Seminole Trail, ACFR, & CARS personnel work at the scene of an MVC on 5 January 2004.
Charlottesville Firefighter/Monticello District Chief Dave Cason mans the deck gun at the
Monroe Lane Structure Fire on 10 February 2004.
PHOTO BY WALLY QUAST
PHOTO BY WALLY QUAST
STAFF PHOTO
Mike Briskey, Assistant Chief John Oprandy, Chief Dan Eggleston, & Dr. Sabina Braithwaite participate in a team-building exercise at the
10 March 2004 Strategic Planning Work Session.
STAFF PHOTO
Captain Scott Lambert coordinates evolutions at Garnett Center live burn on 17 January 2004.
East Rivanna personnel wait their turn at the Garnett Center live burn on 17 January 2004.
STATION 2 FILE PHOTO
STATION 2 FILE PHOTO
Page 16 S I R E N S Spring 2004
Upcoming Events You Won�t Want to Miss! For the most up-to-date calendar, visit www.ACFireRescue.org
Saturday, 3 April 2004 Crozet Volunteer Fire Department Spaghetti Dinner & Gospel Sing
Monday, 5 April 2004
Volunteer R&R Plan Review
Wednesday, 7 April 2004 Public Hearing on FY 2004-05 Budget
Wednesday, 14 April 2004 Open Forum at Earlysville
Wednesday, 28 April 2004
Jefferson Country Fire & Rescue Association
Saturday, 1 May 2004 Scottsville Volunteer Rescue Squad
Annual Chili Cook-Off
Wednesday, 5 May 2004 County Government Day
Tuesday, 18 May 2004
National EMS Week Reception
Saturday, 22 May 2004 Child Safety Fest
Tuesday, 22 June 2004
Training Academy Graduation & Awards Ceremony
S I R E N SCounty of Albemarle Department of Fire Rescue 401 McIntire Road, Suite 222 Charlottesville, Virginia 22902-4579
www.ACFireRescue.org
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