HomeMy WebLinkAboutrepaugust14.pdfEXHIBIT 2014-038
September 16, 2015
Honorable Kate Supron
Board of Trustees
Village of Cayuga Heights
Monthly Report – August, 2014
August was a ridiculously busy month for the fire department with a total of 63 runs. There were 44
calls in the Village of Cayuga Heights, 14 calls in the Town of Ithaca and 5 mutual aid requests. We
had 20 EMS runs and 43 fire calls. The severe weather we have been experiencing this summer kept us
going again in August. We had 11 calls on August 3rd. Ten of those calls were for storm damage and
happened between 1430 and 1730. It was a bit hectic for a while. We did respond to a mutual aid fire in
Lansing in mid August. Our crews assisted with fire suppression and then salvage and overhaul.
Salvage at a fire consists of getting the residents possessions out of the structure if possible before they
are destroyed by fire and overhaul is ensuring that there is no chance of the fire starting again by
opening walls and ceilings with hand tools. We had a call at Kendal at Ithaca on August 10th for a
hazmat incident. A maintenance worker at Kendal mixed 2 chemicals together causing a reaction in the
pool area. The section of the building was evacuated and the Tompkins County Hazmat Team was
called to ensure that the area was safe to enter and clear for use. We worked closely with the Hazmat
Team and Kendal staff to ensure a safe outcome for all in this situation.
Our training calendar was full for the month. In the month we did forcible entry training, Engine
Company operations with hose movement, a debrief of the hazmat incident, ALS assist training for our
non EMS members and a checklist party for probies trying to complete requirements for continued
membership. The trainings were well put together and very well attended. We have set the dates for the
fall recruit classes and are looking forward to getting our new members in and trained.
L231 was out of service for several weeks in August. It was sent to Elmira for its annual service and
one of the lift jacks was found to be leaking. This has been a problem with the ladder for several years.
It was determined that the leak was from the same nut and o -ring assembly that we have been replacing
every year. The maintenance supervisor at Tyler advised us that they think the problem originated from
a poorly machined part where the o-ring sits causing it to rip and not seal well. The manufacturer of the
cylinder told us that it was out of warranty and we would have to replace it at a cost of 5K. This was
unacceptable and after some conversations the cylinder was taken off the truck sent to Texas. Two
weeks later the cylinder was fixed and the truck was back in service. We are working closely with E -
One and Texas Hydraulics to come to an equitable solution for payment of the repair.
The bunker rooms are fully staffed at this time. Five out of seven bunkers are currently EMTs and that
is proving very helpful for call responses. We are still working with a local vendor to try and figure out
a solution for replacing the broken air handling unit. They can not find parts for it and it will need to be
replaced before winter sets in.
Morale is very high at the station. As I have said in the past, the busier it is at the station the happier our
members are. We are looking forward to a productive fall.
Sincerely,
George Tamborelle
Fire Chief/Fire Superintendent