What we do – The Ann Arbor Fire Department and its service to the community Recently the city council was informed that the fire department only responds to 250 fires a year. The rest of our responses are being dismissed as “only medicals and car crashes” (Remarks made by Roger Frasier- City Council meeting December 7th) This portrayal of what we do is entirely inaccurate and dismisses the valuable, many times life saving work that we do in over 6000 calls a year. The following report should shed light on the services provided by the fire department so that a clearer understanding of facts is available for those concerned. The information in the report can be obtained by running a statistical report summary on the “firehouse software” used by the Ann Arbor Fire Department. The query dates used in obtaining this information is January 1st 2009 to December 7, 2009. Medical emergencies – 3313 responses YTD The first point that must be brought to light is that medical emergency response makes up only 62% of the fire department call volume. Ann Arbor Fire Department does not respond to all ambulance requests within city. In 2002/2003 the City Administrator closed Fire Station Two and Engine Company One, ultimately reducing the number of firefighters on duty from 24 to 15. He further directed the fire chief to reduce the number of medical runs to which the fire department responds. As a result, the Fire Department was directed to respond to the “top five” medical emergencies only. These included calls for cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, difficulty breathing, unconscious patients, and car crashes with injuries. This concept did in fact reduce the number of calls. Throughout the 1990s, the fire department would respond to between 8000 and 9000 calls per year; this new approach eliminated many responses normally made by the AAFD. At present, it can be said that the fire department is responding to more than the top five as described above. Multiple changes in dispatch arrangements and requests for assistance by Huron Valley Ambulance routinely send fire department units to calls outside the top five. Rescue incidents are captured within this category as well. These incidents have always been the responsibility of the fire department as we are the only agency equipped to handle situations such as extrication of trapped occupants, water rescue emergencies, ice rescue incidents, and elevator rescue. Car crashes with injuries are also reported in this category. As trained EMTs, we have the ability to work with the ambulance service to remove and package patients for transport to the hospital. The ambulance service typically sends two paramedics per patient to transport an injured person; in reality, four EMTs are required to package and transport one patient in a timely fashion. Aside from the patient care aspect of car crashes, the fire department is on hand to deal with leaking fluids that can be dangerous to the safety of responders, and can threaten the environment. There is no other agency within the city that has the ability to deliver this service. It has been, and always will be, the job of firefighter/EMTs. The fire department is a crucial component of EMS in Ann Arbor. When responding from its assigned station to a nearby call, a fire department unit can be at an emergency within 4 to 6 minutes of the call. There is no doubt that in the case of a life threatening call, this quick response by firefighters can and does save lives. Firefighters using automatic defibrillators save lives every year in Ann Arbor. This fact is undisputable. As with every other fire department in Washtenaw County, and the majority of the departments in Southeast Michigan, we play a vital role in EMS that cannot be dismissed or ignored. The ambulance sends only two people to an emergency; we send the rest of the workforce. Fires, – 255 responses YTD These are actual fires. Our mission is to saves lives and property, this is where we are put to the test. In military vernacular, this is our version of combat, in police jargon, this is our “shots fired” call. The fire is real, the threat to lives is real, the threat to property is real, and this happens between 250 to 350 times per year in Ann Arbor. Anytime a fire is reported, there can be dire consequences. These 255 fires range from rubbish fires, to vehicles, to houses, to stores and businesses. Fire events require the largest commitment of resources and equipment. We must always treat reported fires with urgency, and realize the real potential that they have, there is no such thing as small fire, the ability of a fire to spread quickly and double in size is well reported. We are a city with buildings and homes that can range from modern to over one hundred years old. We are a city where ten to fifteen people may live in what was once a house for a single family. Unlike some of the more modern post World War Two cities, Ann Arbor, with its origins in the late 1800s, will always have a need for a strong, capable fire department. Explosion, Rupture, Excessive heat- 24 responses YTD While not common, sometimes systems fails, or explosions and ruptures occur without a resulting fire. These incidents may be categorized here. Sometimes overheats occur with household equipment, or in mechanical processes. These incidents range from dramatic dangerous events to non-issues, depending on the situation. Regardless of the severity, when citizens report explosions, or when mechanical failures occur, and the potential for fire exists, the fire department responds. Hazardous Conditions - 253 responses YTD This vague title does not do this category justice. It is a catch-all group that involves the response to calls such as hazardous material incidents, electrical hazards, and carbon monoxide incidents. Many of these events pose very real threats to our citizens. Gasoline spills, diesel fuel leaks, or any other hazardous material can have a very negative impact on property and the environment. Natural gas leaks are common and pose a very real threat. When pipe lines are broken, natural gas can fill basements or home and business with a flammable gas. The fire department responds with the gas company to protect our citizens from the dangers that are present during a gas leak. Carbon Monoxide incidents occur every year, in some cases whole families, or entire apartment buildings can be put in jeopardy. Our firefighters, many of whom are specialists in dealing with the incidents cited above, routinely respond to and mitigate these emergencies. This category also includes electrical emergencies. Many times, firefighters are called to houses when electrical appliances or wiring fails. Arcing and shorted equipment can and does cause fires. It is not uncommon for firefighters to locate arcing and shorted equipment in smoke-filled buildings or homes that have been evacuated. Fortunately, with a rapid response, we successfully discover the problem and disconnect power to check for any potential fire, and clear the building of smoke. Again, we are trained and equipped to help in these matters and frequently do. Lastly, this category captures our wires-down incidents. This may seem like an emergency for the power company and no doubt it is; however, the initial response to power lines down will be by the fire department. Many times these lines come in contact with houses, or even backyard fences in neighborhoods. Until the power company arrives, which can take many hours, the scene must be secured, and the citizens kept safe. Service Calls- 236 responses YTD In these incidents, the fire department assists citizens and other agencies such as the police with a wide variety of problems. These responses shown in this category may include “lock-out” responses, AAFD will respond to lock-outs when infants or small children are locked in, or left in vehicles. The fire department may also provide assistance to police. At times, we are called upon by police to assist in accessing buildings, forcing entry, or reaching rooftops with ladders; in some instances, we are asked to provide lights for crime scene situations. Assistance to citizen calls are listed in this category as well. We are sometimes asked to help in wide ranging problems that people have. We are glad to assist, for example, when an elderly person calls for help after a pipe has broken in their home on a freezing winter night. Many times, especially in dealing with Ann Arbors elderly population, these “assistance when there is no one left to turn to calls” are most gratifying to firefighters. False Alarms 659 responses YTD Fire alarms and false alarms are an unavoidable fact of life for every fire department. Many homeowners and businesses have alarm systems installed. Sometimes these are mandatory requirements from the insurance company. Sometimes these systems are installed voluntarily by homeowners who want their most valuable asset, their home, protected. These systems do however transmit false alarms. Sometimes the alarm is sent due to malfunction, sometimes do to smoke from cooking, and other time alarms are sent maliciously. Regardless of the reason, when alarms are sent to the fire department, we send one unit to investigate the alarm and make certain that there is no fire. Good Intent Calls- 567 responses YTD This category is similar to false alarms. Usually, these good intent responses are made when fires or emergencies are reported; yet upon further investigation, they are determined to be non-incidents. Many times, these are reported as smoke investigations. When citizens see or smell smoke and suspect that there may be a fire, they call the fire department. This is precisely what they should do. Ann Arbor citizens are generally concerned about their properties and their neighbors as well. As a result, we have a safe community. Every member of the fire department, would rather respond to an unfounded smoke investigation; as opposed to letting a small fire or smoke condition go unreported and result in a fire. Special Incident Type-16 responses YTD So far this year 16 reports have been filed under this category. These incidents generally fall outside of normal categories and are anomalous in nature. In conclusion we place great pride and value in all the services we provide to the city and it residents. The fire department has made significant sacrifices and concessions over the years. In 1993 when I hired into the Ann Arbor Fire Department I could not have been more proud. It was a department that had great strength and operational ability. In those days there were 126 members of the department. We operated seven fire companies from six fire stations under the direction of a Battalion Chief. Typically we had 24 to 26 firefighters on duty per day. I used to think that we were unbeatable, fires did not have a chance against us. We had our own communications center and dispatchers, as well as our own mechanics division that maintained our fleet and stations. Today, the dispatchers and mechanics division are gone. We are left with one employee to maintain the fleet. Station two has closed, taking with it Ladder Company Two. Engine One is gone as well, and the department has been reduced to 94 members. We have operated with as few as fifteen firefighters per day, currently under the direction of former Chief Hopkins, we have an 18 per day minimum. Our operational capability has indeed diminished, and services we provide have been reduced. Further cutbacks will take their toll again. Yet through it all, we remain dedicated and passionate in answering our calls and trying our best to make due. Lieutenant Craig Ferris Ann Arbor Fire Department