|
| City
of Olmsted Falls Division of Fire/EMS - Tim Potts, Chief
The Fire Department is staffed 24 hours per
day, seven days per week by a staff of three firefighters.
The firefighters are also trained as emergency medical service
providers with the majority of the staff functioning as paramedics.
Seven full time employees including the Chief and Lieutenant are supported by a part - time staff of 21.
Southwest General
Health Center and specifically, Dr. James Rybak, Medical Director
for the Southwest Region, provide the required continuing
education.
"During the 2006 calendar year, Department personnel responded to 583 requests for emergency medical care and 172 fire emergencies. Construction of the new, centrally located fire station on Columbia Road has helped to equalize the time of response to the three (3) sectors in the City with an average response time for Fire and EMS emergencies of under five minutes." |
| Equipment
Purchases
Olmsted Falls was fortunate to receive funding
through the Assistance to Firefighter's Grant program in 2002,
2003, 2004 and 2005. Awards totaled nearly $500,000 with the
City responsible for only 10% in matching funds.
Modern personal
protective equipment for the firefighters, additional portable
radios and a high-pressure breathing air system was purchased
in 2002 with the $114,000 provided by the federal government.
The Department had never owned a breathing air system which
is used to fill the air bottles firefighters wear when working
in smoke filled environments. Neighboring communities provided
this service in the past.
The 2003 grant proposal provided $225,000 towards the purchase
of a new fire engine. The final cost of the truck was $305,000
with the City required to pay approximately $80,000 toward
the vehicle.
In 2004, $80,000 in funding was sought to replace equipment
that no longer complied with State and Federal Standards and
to better equip the new engine. New hose, nozzles, additional
breathing apparatus, forcible entry tools, ventilation fans
and vehicular radios replaced equipment that was nearly 25
years old. The Department also purchased for the first time,
a complete set of hydraulic rescue tools (Jaws of Life) that
are frequently used to extricate victims trapped in motor
vehicles.
The 2005 grant request for $50,000 focused on equipment used
to rescue firefighters who may be trapped during fire operations
and to upgrade existing equipment. Improved masks for the
breathing apparatus, specialized saws, a thermal imaging camera,
and gas detectors were purchased.
The Department continues to seek new funding sources each
year to replace or purchase new Fire and EMS equipment.
|
| Emergency
Responses
During the 2005 calendar year, Department
personnel responded to 571 requests for emergency medical
care and 2164 fire emergencies. Response time to the three
sectors of the community vary. Construction of the new, centrally
located fire station on Columbia Road has helped to equalize
the time of response to the three (3) sectors in the City
with an average response time for Fire and EMS emergencies
of under five minutes.
Emergency Medical
Service transports were sent to five area hospitals including
Southwest General, Fairview General, St. John’s Westshore,
Elyria Memorial and Metro Health Medical Center.
|
New
Station
Faced with multiple design challenges, the architectural team
of Collins, Gordon and Bostwick worked closely with Fire Department
personnel and city planners to construct a modern facility that
incorporates the many architectural themes found throughout
the City.
Focusing on the future emergency service needs of the community,
the fire station includes several key components unique to this
type of facility including "Safe room" vestibules,
an EMS clinic and a 30 person training and community room that
is capable of functioning as an Emergency Operations Center
in the event of a disaster. The Administrative area includes
offices for the Chief, Lieutenant, Fire Prevention and a watch
office/reception area that is adjacent to the apparatus bays.
Adequate space has been included for storage, laundry and housekeeping
services and communications equipment.
The living areas include three double bedrooms for the firefighters,
a dining area, full service kitchen, dayroom, shower and toilet
rooms, lockers and physical fitness training space. There are
individual lockers for bedding, personal storage and PPE for
each of the 26 firefighters.
|
Disaster
Preparedness
The tragic events of September 11th and Hurricane Katrina have
made everyone aware that a natural, man-made or terrorist event
could occur in or near their own community. The communities
of Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township are not immune to such
an event and have formed a committee to develop an all-hazards
emergency action plan.
Throughout most of this year, the Fire Chief's and officers
have met to develop the base emergency plan and coordinate the
response with that of Cuyahoga County and the neighboring communities.
Once completed, portions of the plan will be available for the
public to review on each of the community's web sites.
Residents should begin to prepare themselves in the event that
a disaster occurs in the Olmsted communities. Guidance for supplies,
equipment, and other information can be obtained from teh Department
of Homeland Security's website at: http://www.ready.gov/america/npm/index.htm
|
| Inspections
and Services
In addition to providing Fire and EMS Services to the community
and participating in a county-wide mutual aid response system,
the Department also provides other important services to the
community.
Fire Inspections
- The Department has four (4) state - certified Fire Inspectors
that conduct occupancy inspections on residential, mercantile
and commercial facilities. Yearly maintenance inspections
are scheduled for each commercial structure to identify potential
hazards, update pre-plan information and assist the owners
with any other safety concerns. For more information please contact fireinspector@olmstedfalls.org
Fire Prevention Programs - Homeowner Associations,
schools, churches and other organizations interested in fire
safety can contact the department to arrange for a representative
to provide a presentation to their group.
CPR, AED and First Aid Programs - Evening
and weekend courses in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the
use of automated external defibrillation by the American Heart
Association Instructors are available to interested individuals
or groups. First Aid programs are also available to individuals
and companies interested in complying with OSHA requirements.
I welcome your input on any and all issues affecting the City
of Olmsted Falls Fire Department. Please feel free to contact
me via EMAIL
|
|
|
