Introduction
Substantial snow fall and the closure of the Narrows bridge have created a challenge for both stations as winter is upon us in full force.  Frequent shoveling and keeping vehicles clean, despite the weather. are a focus of our daily activities. 

Personnel

• Five people were interviewed for the remaining firefighter/EMT slots on our schedule.  Three have been selected to be hired and will begin employment in January. 
• Aaron Brown began employment as a paramedic with the department in December.  He completed a large portion of his orientation and has begun working with each of the other paramedics to obtain approval to function in the medical control region. 
• Employee physicals, scheduled for early in the month were cancelled by the company with which we had contracted.  They will be rescheduled for sometime after the first of the year and will be done by a local physician. 

Training

• For the month of December there were brief training sessions on two topics.  The EMS topic for the month covered Elder Abuse and Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD).  It was instructed by Sue Elben, a nurse with Munson.  The fire training for the month was a classroom session on Chimney Fires and an in-service on the new TAC Sticks.  This session was instructed by Bryan Ferguson and Jon Marchel.  Attendance was as follows: 
• The Elder Abuse and CISD class was held on Wednesday the 3rd.  Ten people attended. 
• The Chimney Fires and TAC Stick in-services were held on Wednesday the 10th, with an attendance of 14 people. 
• A CPR class was held at Station 1 for a local doctor’s office. This course was taught be Dr. Don Strachan.
• A very nice summary of training attendance for 2008 was prepared by Bryan Ferguson and distributed to each member.  Bryan served as the training officer for the department in 2008. 

Administration

• Staff duty calendars are now posted in the All Access files on the Department’s server.  Log into any computer at the station to open the schedule file and print a copy if one is needed. 
• Calendars on which to sign-up for future months’ duty are posted through April.  Some modifications to the sign-up process will be made once new firefighters have been assigned and openings assessed.
• Work continues on updating and expanding our pre-incident plans with photos, GPS coordinates and other useful information.

Apparatus

• The new ambulance was placed in service early in the month following staff orientation activities, including driving and equipment review.  The new ambulance is designated as 391.  The “old” 391 has been re-designated as 392, with the “old” 392 being taken out of service.  This vehicle will be sold via a bid process by the Township.
• SCBA packs and cylinders have been installed in the driver’s side compartment of 391 to permit the storage of the duty crew members’ turnout gear.  This will facilitate operations when one crew member is left in Empire during the transport of a BLS patient from station 2’s service area. 
• The early winter weather has provided for several opportunities to use the chains on the new ambulance.  Tires that are more accommodating to the driving done in our region also have been placed on 391 to improve traction and safety.
• The operation of the rear dump valve on 321 continues to present a challenge.  Andrew Anthony is working with the manufacturer, Bray, to resolve the issue. 
• The transmission on 312 has proved a challenge during the cold weather.  It has been somewhat touchy about going into “pump” gear.  Everyone is reminded to exercise valves and operate the pumps during apparatus checks. 

Equipment

• Work has been done to improve the function of the tablet computer used for entering and submitting truck checks.
• The battery for the monitor in 311 has been found to need charging on several occasions.  Please remember to check the monitor when examining the contents of the rear passenger compartment cabinet during routine truck checks.  If the battery has three or less “dots” light up during its check, please replace it.  The expiration date on the IV pack in the jump kit should also be routinely checked. 
• During a check of the back-up portable generator for station 2, the duty crew found that there was not a power cord that properly fit the outlet for the power supply.  This has been remedied and an instruction sheet has been posted to ensure that anyone using the generator to engage back-up power will shut down the main power supply and connect the generator properly. 
• Several sections of hose were damaged when they fell off 211 while returning to Station 2 following a response for wires down.  Everyone is reminded to be vigilant of the equipment carried on the outside of apparatus.  While this incident was due to the hose load fitting loosely in the hose bed, equipment attached to the exterior of the apparatus should be checked routinely to ensure its security. 
• The breathing air compressor required cleaning and repair of an air leak.  There was no compromise in the air quality it produced.  Breathing air is tested quarterly and an annual air compressor certification inspection is made by an outside agency.  The certificates are posted near the compressor. 

Facilities

• The air conditioner unit at Station 2 has been covered for the winter months to protect it from snow and plowing damage.
• The eve-melt system at Station 1 required service due to loss of fluid within the system.  A thorough inspection was completed by Sedlacek’s Plumbing and Heating and additional anti-freeze was added to the system. 

Acknowledgements

• A thank you note was received from the Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce for the fire department’s assistance with the Glen Arbor Christmas tree lighting. 
• Thank you for the treats from the following people: 
• Bill and Dottie Thompson
• Roni Hazelton
• Tim Barr
• John and Josephine McCormick
• David Laansma
• Cathy Sevensma
• The department’s annual holiday celebration was held Christmas week.  Thank you to Chief Emeritus DePuy (assisted by Brian Clark) for frying turkeys and for all the “pot-luck” contributions from everyone that attended.  A white elephant gift exchange rounded out the evening’s activities.  Everyone appreciated the fellowship and opportunity to enjoy each other’s company at this gathering. 

Total Department Activity	Total	(YTD)	Staff  Hours*	YTD Staff Hours
DECEMBER 2008
Medical Responses	32	375	160	2567
Fire/Rescue Responses	21	127	84	813
Training Sessions	2	53	24	940
Vehicle Inspections	75	945	244	2012
Special Events	0	22	0	225
Walk-In	12	110	12	127
Total Activity	142	1632	524	6684
*These hours reflect time accumulated by all Department members;  part-time      and full-time.

Submitted by:

John A. Dodson
Chief of the Department