Galesburg Fire Department 2018 Annual Report: Fire Calls, EMS, False Alarms, and Training, Lecture notes of Statistics

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2018 Annual Report

Thomas E. Simkins, Fire Chief

Galesburg Fire Department

INTRODUCTION It is my privilege to present the 2018 Annual Report detailing the accomplishments of the Galesburg Fire Department (GFD). This is my 10 th^ Annual Report as Fire Chief capturing both emergency response statistics as well as information on the daily activities of the department during 2018. The following pages reflect an ever-increasing call volume by a department fully invested in supporting community activities. Thanks and congratulations to a dedicated group of firefighters and officers who harmoniously meet this challenge each day. Special kudos to Captain John Seitz for his time and energy spent in class at the National Fire Academy and providing training to our personnel in fire reporting. Many thanks also to our wonderful Administrative Assistant, Jenni Moser, who goes the extra hour or mile each day pouring over reports from 42 different personalities to insure the numbers in this report are a true representation of our activities.

Thomas E. Simkins, Fire Chief

EMERGENCY RESPONSES

Emergency Activity Reporting

The Galesburg Fire Department continues to utilize Firehouse to create emergency response reports that transmit our emergency activity information to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for inclusion in state and national fire incident statistics. FEMA allows access to Illinois statistics by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. GFD has participated in the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) for over 30 years and has submitted Galesburg’s information electronically since 1995.

Firehouse categorizes all response activities (Fire/EMS/Rescue) into nine primary categories that are broken down into 97 sub-categories. This summary report begins with a 10-year view of total responses in 10 primary categories.

Figure 1 Galesburg Fire Department Comparison of EMS and Total Call Volume, 2009-

Total Calls / EMS

2,118 2,227^ 2,228^ 2,219^ 2,253^ 2,295^ 2,420^ 2,^

2,852 3,

3,533 3,653^ 3,628^ 3,595^ 3,^

4,005 4,286^ 4,^

4,

4,

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 EMS/RESCUE TOTAL CALLS

Station's first-in area, and 39 fires (45.3%) originated in the area protected by Fremont Street Station. Two fire calls were outside the city limits.

For the 41 structure fires in 2018, the kitchen was found to be the area of origin of the highest number of fires with 11 fires (26.8%). Five fires (12.2%) originated in or on an outside wall surface. There were 4 fires (9.7%) that started in bathroom areas, 4 in trash or rubbish chute/containers, and 4 in vehicle storage areas.

Of the 41 structure fires, 18 (43.9%) fires were caused by unintentional actions of humans, 7 fires (17.0) whose cause is still undetermined after investigation, and 4 (9.7%) that were still being investigated at the time of this report. There were 3 fire causes (7.3%) attributed to failure of equipment or heat source and another 3 fires were intentionally set.

Dollar Loss

The total dollar loss for all fires in 2018 was $431,625. This is the second consecutive year of record low dollar losses for the Galesburg Fire Department as shown in the table below. Unintentional fires accounted for $305,155 of the total dollar loss. There were no major fires in the community, but the Dave’s Auto Body fire on Grand Avenue in April of 2018 was listed at a $250,000, accounting for more than 60% of the total dollar loss.

Based on federally established incident reporting guidelines the following costs cannot be included in the NFIRS reported dollar loss figure: overtime, clean-up costs, emergency lodging/food for fire victims, business interruption coverage, and other costs associated with a fire incident. Our dollar loss figures are actual dollar amounts paid out by insurance companies for structure and contents loss or actual uninsured structure repair figures. In the case of uninsured property, the assessed structure valuation may be used.

Overpressure Rupture, Explosion, and Overheat (no fire)

In 2016, there were no reports of overpressure rupture, explosion, down from 2015.

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017^2018

Medical Emergencies

Galesburg firefighters are Licensed Emergency Medical Technicians trained in the use of cardiac defibrillators. Firefighters respond to emergency medical calls to initiate medical care or assist

Galesburg Hospital’s Ambulance Service (GHAS) paramedic units. Galesburg Fire Department does not transport patients to medical facilities. Galesburg Hospitals’ Ambulance Service paramedic units do all emergency and non-emergency ambulance transports in Galesburg. If a GHAS ambulance is not available or the ambulance crew needs our assistance at a non- emergency scene, we will respond at their request. The Emergency Medical System Director, who is a Galesburg emergency room physician, reviews and approves GFD medical response policies. Fire Department members’ credentials are reviewed annually by the Galesburg Area EMS System to ensure compliance with all Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines. In 2016, the department expanded its mission and service by carrying and administering basic life support medications. This included Narcan for overdose situations, nitroglycerine for chest pains and heart attacks, and epinephrine for anaphylaxis and allergic emergencies.

The department responded to 3,145 medical and rescue emergencies in 2018. There were 2, calls for emergency medical assistance unrelated to vehicle accidents in 2018. Of these, GFD was the first medical response agency on-scene on 2,096 responses (73.2%). GFD personnel assisted Galesburg Hospital Ambulance System's personnel who arrived first or simultaneously with GFD on 771 (26.8%) alarms; provided medical care at 83 vehicle accidents with injuries and 8 vehicle/pedestrian accidents while performing extrication of trapped victims at 4 incidents. Citizens were removed from stalled elevators on 9 occasions and there were 2 other non- classified rescues made in 2018. GFD responded to 170 calls to vehicle accidents where there were no injuries, but where other hazards such as fuel spills were present. There was one call for ice rescue and one call for large area search in 2018.

Hazardous Condition – No Fire

There were 143 (2.9%) responses in the Hazardous Conditions - No Fire category in 2018, one more than in 2017. The major sub-categories include 47 natural gas or LP gas leaks; 22 arcing or shorted electrical equipment; 12 carbon monoxide incidents; 7 gasoline spills; 14 power lines down; and 3 overheated motors. The department was requested for clean-up only at 20 vehicle accidents.

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 131 138 123 119 147 131 130 125 142 143

Service Calls

A total of 479 responses were classified as Service Calls in 2018. Following a one-year decrease in service calls in 2017, this total is significantly higher than any previous years. Reasons for this increase may be an ever-wider array of services by the department and the expanding use of cell phones by the public. Once again, the significant sub-category (69.7%) of this field was 334 invalid assists (264 in 2017). The department also responded to 45 calls for unauthorized burning which is about a 20% decrease from recent years (53 in 2017).

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017^2018 157 197 208 234 241 282 369 402 370^479

Figure 3 Galesburg Fire Department Emergency Responses by Time of Day, 2018

Alarm Volume Relevant to Time of Year

As depicted in Figure 4, there was not a month or season of 2018 when the department was significantly busier with alarms. As in 2017, April had the lowest call volume at 346 (11.5 call per day). The high month was October with 484 calls (15.6 calls per day).

Figure 4 Galesburg Fire Department Emergency Responses by Month, 2018

12:00 midnight-6: am. 6:00 am - 12:00 noon

12:00 noon - 6:00 pm

6:00 pm - 12: midnight

(^410 ) (^373 )

408 405 412 402 436

484 434 354

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

Alarms

Response by District

Responses are broken down into station districts or territories. The statistics in this category represent fire company territories and not EMS response territories, which are significantly different. When apparatus become busy with other calls, training, inspections, and various other duties, other units respond to calls not normally assigned to the territory where the call is originating. Therefore, these statistics are of geographical significance only, unit response breakdowns are more reflective of which stations and vehicles were actually doing the work.

As depicted in figure 5, Central Station’s first due response territory had 27.6% / 1,334 calls. This covers part of Ward 5 and primarily all of Ward 4; 29.8% / 1,446 calls originated in Brooks Street station's first-in response territory (part of Ward 1 and primarily all of Wards 2 and 3) and 42.4% / 2,056 calls originated in Fremont Street station’s first-in response territory (part of Ward 1 and primarily all of Wards 5, 6, and 7). Less than 0.2% / 9 calls were for mutual aid outside the city.

Figure 5 Galesburg Fire Department Emergency Responses/Loss by Engine Company Response District, 2018

Response Time

Average response time for the first unit on scene at all calls (excluding calls where the department was canceled prior to arriving on scene) in 2018 was 4 minutes 5 seconds. This is an increase of 8 seconds over the previous year. 89.7% of all calls were responded to in less than 6 minutes from the time of alarm. These figures are somewhat skewed to the high side in that not all

Fremont Station 2,056 Alarms 42.4% 39 Fires $89,505 loss

Brooks Station 1,446 Alarms 29.9% 33 Fires Central Station1,334 Alarms $300,220 loss

27.6% 12 Fires $28,200 Loss

District 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 Total

Central 4 351 177 46 15 1,081 18 5 74 1,

Brooks 6 91 1,086 36 16 432 22 3 19 1,

Fremont 12 189 80 1,271 127 759 14 10 100 2, Outside City 0 3 2 3 1 4 0 0 2 15

Total 22 634 1,345 1,356 159 2,276 54 18 195 6, Figure 6 Galesburg Fire Department Annual Unit Emergency Response Totals vs Response Territories

Mutual Aid

The department responded to 9 mutual aid calls (0.2% of total calls) outside the city in 2018. Of these, 4 were requests by Henderson Fire Protection District. There were 2 requests from Oneida-Wataga FPD and one each from Abingdon FPD, Knoxville FPD, and Clover FPD (Woodhull). Of the 9 calls, 3 were for rescue/extrication and 2 were for assistance at fires. There was one call for the Hazardous Materials Team for a petroleum liquid spill on I-74 just south of Woodhull. On 3 mutual aid calls, our crews were cancelled prior to arriving at the scene.

Deaths and Injuries

There were no fire related civilian or firefighter deaths in 2018. There were two minor injuries to firefighters during the year. Captain Schmitt strained his back while carrying a patient and Firefighter Ben Johnson injured his hand moving a patient.

NON-EMERGENCY ACTIVITIES

• Currently at 42 sworn firefighters with average daily manning at 11.03 personnel
• Completed annual testing and maintenance of 3 fire pumps, 1 aerial ladder platform, 16 ground ladders, 48 air paks, 82 air cylinders (20 hydrostatic tests), 98 air masks, numerous hazardous materials monitors, 3 SCBA compressor systems, 3 building sprinkler systems, 155 lock boxes in the city, and 12 fully-encapsulated hazardous materials suits.
• The department requested bids for a contract to purchase SCBA over the next 5 years. The department then purchased 3 new paks and 6 air cylinders in 2018 and plans to purchase 4-6 each year for the next several years.
• Applied for an Assistance to Firefighters Grant for 20 new SCBA air paks in 2017, was declined, but resubmitted the application in 2018. The grant totals approximately $146,000.
• Completed daily testing of all fire apparatus and associated equipment.
• Performed codes studies and plan reviews for 45 projects, conducted 322 original inspections of commercial occupancies, numerous re-inspections and 75 commercial self- inspections. The department is seeing a trend for fewer violations in recent years.
• The Fire Prevention Bureau issued 272 occupancy and 24 use permits while overseeing 2 prairie burns. Sparky the Fire Dog robot, a long-time favorite with area children, received a complete overhaul during the year.

• GFD maintained 8 fire personnel certified in juvenile firesetter interventions. The department held interventions on three youth in 2018.
• During Fire Prevention Week and at other times, suppression personnel visited and conducted fire drills at all elementary schools and all Knox College residence facilities.

Aerial Platform #51 operating at the Jimmy’s Pizza Fire in Wataga

• In conjunction with the Illinois State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Fire Marshal inspected all 8 of the public schools in Galesburg.
• The Fire Protection Bureau drafted an informational pamphlet for food truck owners and assisted city administration with drafting a new food truck ordinance.
• The Fire Chief and Fire Marshal met with administrators from School District #205, Regional Superintendent’s Office, and GPD concerning 13 recommendations from the Illinois Terrorism Task Force School Safety Working Group. The conversation pertained to changes in alarm systems and response at schools necessitated by active shooter incidents. These conversations will go forward in 2019.
• In its 6th year, the Fire Protection System Records program continues to grow in a positive direction. In 2018, the system insured annual maintenance and testing of 215 sprinkler systems, 27 standpipes, 241 fire alarm systems, 7 fire doors, and 99 hood systems. The Bureau notifies building owners to provide documentation of annual testing to the department.
• Working with the 9-1-1 Coordinator, the Administrative Assistant and members of the department examined software systems for fire reporting, inspections, training, and various records. This included demonstration from Tyler and ESO. The Firehouse system that has been in place for many years was bought out and long-term support is questionable. This system is not meeting the city’s needs.

Firefighter Josh Webber at the Jimmy’s Pizza fire in Wataga

• The department generated $36,550 in false alarm fees (2017).
• Investigated all fire-related incidents including 41 structure fires
• Continued to manage and use the fire-recall notification system, FireQRVS, to shorten response time and provide a more efficient method of contacting off-duty members during emergencies.
• All facilities were maintained on a daily basis; a new HVAC system was installed at Brooks Street Station. Overhead doors at Central Station had new seals installed and were primed and painted red by on-duty firefighters. A new eye wash station and heater in the Chief’s Garage were installed at Central.
• The final grade separation, the East Main Street Underpass, was completed and the Farnham Street Bridge was rebuilt in 2018. Response territories and routes for all stations were re-configured and put into policy that was trained on by all members.

Pumper/Platform #51 gets its Monday morning check

• Galesburg Firefighters continued their annual support of the Salvation Army by ringing bells for three days at Wal-Mart.
• GFD and Local #555 again won the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Golden Boot Award for Central Illinois in 2018, collecting $21,986 through the “Fill the Boot” campaign during the Labor Day weekend. This is a testament to the graciousness of the people of Galesburg and the surrounding area.
• In May and June, firefighters performed annual testing and maintenance on the 1, hydrants in the city. This includes 1,379 public and 200 private hydrants (some private hydrants are maintained and tested by the property owner). There were very few, if any, complaints of rusty water during the testing again this year. Hydrants were painted as needed to comply with NFPA 291. This is the first time the department had single individuals in small trucks doing the testing. This process seemed to take the same 6 weeks as in previous year and allowed for better coverage of the city with the remaining manpower.
• 145 hydrants were flow tested to meet the department’s goal of flow testing 10% of the hydrants each year.
• The department continued inspection of turnout gear as per NFPA 1851. A goal was set in 2018 to equip every firefighter with a front-line and back-up set of turnout gear in 5 years. A new, 5-year turnout gear contract was bid out and awarded to MES. GFD purchased 8 new sets of turnout gear and other protective equipment as-needed in 2018.
• A new gear extractor was purchased and installed at Brooks Street Station.
• 239 sections of department-owned fire hose of various sizes were tested. There was only 1 section that failed and removed from service. The department did not purchase hose during the year, but did buy three nozzles. A new hose-testing machine was purchased during the year.

was mitigation of a simulated leak in a class A chlorine tank. Firefighters maintained and tested including approximately 16 haz-mat monitors and detectors valued at over $100,000.

Probationary Firefighter Josh Lenz Probationary Firefighter Kyle Sampier

• The Haz Mat Team planned and participated in training exercises with BNSF Railroad and Henry Hill Correctional Center.
• The department took over administration of the Region #9 Technical Rescue Team previously managed by Canton. Galesburg has the bulk of the team members and equipment.
• The department continued to build relationships with other City Departments through common training with GPD and Galesburg Hospitals Ambulance Service. GFD Inspections continued to meet periodically with the inspectors in Community Development.
• Firefighters completed the countless daily and weekly checking of apparatus and equipment, cleaning of stations, upkeep on all refrigerators, washers, dryers, and heating systems while attending to public calls for non-emergency service.
• The number of properties in the Contract Fire Protection Program remained relatively steady at 24 representing annual revenue of about $10,000 to the City.
• A new emergency generator for the Public Safety Building was put into service in late
  2017. Firefighter Moffitt voluntarily removed the old generator and cleared the room in the northeast corner of the apparatus bay. Department members are planning to remodel this area into a cardio-workout room.
• MABAS Division #31 received a new Search Camera that is designed to locate victims trapped in collapsed buildings, under water inspections, and many others. This equipment was passed down through FEMA, Illinois Terrorism Task Force and the Illinois MABAS organization.

• The Galesburg Area Vocational Center Fire Science Program enrolled 11 junior and senior level students (9 boys and 2 girls) from area high schools in 2017-2018. Students are bused from GHS and attend class taught by 3 GFD Captains/firefighters at the GFD Training Site each day during the school year. GFD personnel at the High School also teach the EMT first-Responder curriculum each day.
• KCEMA submitted annual and quarterly documentation for the Emergency Management Performance Grant. The city received approximately $28,000 through a county pass- through from FEMA to offset the Fire Chief’s salary.

The Brooks Street Station crew provided a hot dog lunch for community members who picked up trash near Kiwanis Park during the United Way’s Annual Day of Caring

• The Fire Chief or one of the management staff attended most of the meetings of the Emergency Telephone Systems Board, Fire and Police Commissioners Board, Development Review Committee, Traffic Advisory Commission, City Council, Knox County Board, Western Illinois Firefighters Association, and MABAS Division #31 among others.
• The KCEMA Emergency Operations Plan was re-written and submitted in June as required every two years by IEMA. The plan was approved.
• KCEMA completed 4 classes in emergency management and participated in 4 exercises to satisfy requirements for EMA accreditation.
• Knox County EMA developed training based on a tornado scenario at Oak Run. Three sessions were held with emergency response personnel from Oak Run, Appleton, Dahinda, Knoxville, Williamsfield and Victoria. KCEMA hosted a tabletop exercise the EOC at PSB.
• Firefighters assisted with removing the outdoor weather siren at Park Plaza. Due to redesign of the parking lot, the siren was relocated. Firefighters refurbished and repainted the siren and assisted with erecting it at Colton Park.

The Galesburg Fire Department said goodbye to two of its long-time members during 2018. Battalion Chief Todd Peterson retired on August 8 with exactly 30 years of service. Firefighter Tom Baughman completed 38 ½ years of service to the community when he retired on November 30th. We will miss their leadership and abilities, but most of all, their camaraderie and brotherhood.