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Home My WebLink About1982 Annual Fire Chief's Report _.� y • j RES .RT: . . 9 . . _ 1 82 . . . . 1 . .. . • .. . _ • . . .: . H . • • . . .. . . : : . 4 i .N, . . Ilk, .. ..„ -•,. .. • . •,,,, ,. ,,. ...,„„t . .. FIRE - -1----' DEPT . *007, ir...f wit . _ V ft,4,) ya$ . ... 4 . ..• . .. . • .. ., . . . . • WILLIAM R. SHAW, MAYOR • BOARD OF FIRE COMMISSIONERS CHARLES W. TL10EEMS, FIRE CHIEF 'ANDREW R. CONSALVI, CHAIP.MAW ROBERT L. ANDERSON, SR. • RICHARD A. SLADE • ANNUAL REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT To the Honorable Board of Fire Commissioners of the City of Ithaca, New York. Gentlemen: In compliance with the laws governing the Fire Department, I have the honor to submit the Annual Report of the operations of the Department for the year ending December 31 , 1982. FIRES AND ALARMS The Department responded to 1642 alarms in 1982 , 468 of which were Emergency Medical Service calls. Total alarms decreased by 69 under 1981 calls. There were 134 malicious false alarms in 1982 , a decrease of 15 from 1981 . On the following page is a breakdown of all the alarms for the year 1982. • j • PROPERTY CLASSIFICATIOII CITY FIRE NON- FIRE M00- FIRE FIRE No.of EMS Calls 468 Public Assembly 7 56 0 6 No. Alarms City 1276 Education 3 119 3 38 No. Alarms out- Institutions 3 29 2 15 side City 366 Residences Total Alarms 1642 Apartments 32 254 1 18 Domitories 5 150 7 149 Mutual Aid Private Dwellings 21 173 11 25 Received 0 Hotels/Motels 0 16 0 0 Given 4 Mobile Homes 0 3 0 0 Travel Trailers 0 0 0 0 Apparatus Out of Mercantiles,Stores 5 45 0 3 Service/Hr. Offices 0 17 0 3 E-1 570.5 E-6 1066.5 Utilities 0 4 1 0 E-2 492.5 E-7 221 Industries 1 20 0 1 L-3 24 E-9 21 Storage 9 7 1 1 E-5 2252.5 L-9 61 Special Properties 46 176 10 5 Aobile Properties 39 36 12 7 UNNUMBERED INVESTIGATIONS 1105 48 318 Investigations In City 125 TYPE OF SITUATION FOUND CITY TOWN Outside 11 Fire 1 71 48 Complaints Explosion (no fire) 0 1 In City 16 EMS (no fire) 405 63 Outside 0 Hazardous Condition 73 8 Public Service Call 10 0 Alarm (no fire) 520 204 False Alarm, Malicious 95 39 Electrical Failure 0 0 Other 2 3 1276 366 -2- 2 • • • • • • • • EMS RESPONSE BY MEDICAL PROBLEM 89 Assist ambulance, No Action taken or patient refused treatment 12 Alcohol-like impairment 13 Behavioral problems 77 Cardiac related 19 Convulsions & seizures 7 CVA/Stroke 11 Diabetic related problems 4.1 Dizziness/Fainting 10 Drug Overdose 1 Environmental injury (heat/cold) 10 General weakness/illness 11 Nausea/vomiting 1 Obstructed airway 2 'Poisoning 8 Possible D.O.A. 5 Pregnancy related 21 Respiratory 4 Shock 93 Bleeding, broken bones cue to falls or MVA 1 Burns -3- t EQUIPMENT USED 11o. of Item of Equipment Incidents Amount 3" Hose 78 17,150 ft. 2 1/2" Hose 14 3 ,650 ft. 11/2" Hose 123 14,400 ft. Ladder Pipe 1 - Ground Ladders 15 774 ft. Aerial Ladders 4 - Indian Tanks 1 4 Tanks Portable Generator 8 13.5 Hours Smoke Ejector 27 16.5 Hours Tarps 21 86 Tarps Masks 27 141 Unit Hrs. Power Saws 2 1.5 hrs. Extinguishers - Department ABC 8x5 lb. ,52x10 lb. , 6x20 lb. , 2x2h lb. Extinguishers - Civilian ABC 3x5 lb. ,5x10 lb. PCD 5x2-3/4 lb. , 2x10 lb. PCW 12x23 gal. CO2 2x151b. -4- ACTUAL FIRES 901 AM-L Equipment Involved in Ignition Heating Equipment 19 Cooling Equipment 1 A/C Refrigeration Equipment 1 Electrical Distribution Equipment 16 Appliances 20 Special Equipment 13 Processing Equipment 5 Service Maintenance Equipment 5 Heat from Exposure Fire 0 Not Applicable 139 Total 219 901 AM-K Form of Heat of Ignition Heat from Fuel-Fired or Fuel-Powered Object 5 Heat from Electrical Equipment arcing or overload 33 Heat from Smoking Material in use or after use 21 Heat from Open Flame or Spark 82 Heat from Hot Object 76 Heat from Explosives , Fireworks 0 Heat from Natural Source 2 Heat Spreading from Another Hostile Fire (Exposure) 0 Total 219 901 AM-N Type of Material Ignited Gas 2 Flammable or Combustible Liquid 35 Volatile Solid 24 Chemical , Metal , Plastic, Applied Paint 33 Natural Product 36 Wood, Paper 49 Textile, Fabric, Fur 36 Material Compounded w/oil 3 Other or Undetermined 1 Total 219 -5- •t 901 AM-N Form of Material Ignited Structural Component or Finish 24 Furniture 24 Soft Goods and Wearing Apparel 8 Adornment, Recreational Material 6 Supplies or Stock 1 Power Transfer Equipment or Fuel 57 General Form 73 Special Form 23 Form of Material-Other or Undetermined 3 Total 219 901 AM-0 Act or Omission Incendiary Act 17 Suspicious Act 28 Misuse of Heat of Ignition 10 Misuse of Material Ignited 39 Mechanical Failure or Malfunction 59 Construction, Design or Installation Def. 11 Operational Deficiency 45 Natural Cause 2 Other Act or Omission 3 Total 219 -6- DEPARTMENT AANPOWER Twenty-four new members were elected to membership in the volunteer companies during 1982. 46 were dropped or deceased. During the year there were 7 firefighter injuries due to fire. There were three civilian deaths due to fire. Average Response Year Alarms 3 Bell 2 Bell No Bell Box 1978 987 14.6 10.0 3.2 16.4 1979 1254 12.9 9.1 2.1 17.2 1980 1141 12. 3 7.8 .4 13.3 1981 1236 8.7 6.4 .4 9.8 1982 1178 7.5 4.4 .8 8.0 Response by Companies With Without With Without Bunkers Bunkers Bunkers Bunkers Co. 41 786 362 Co. #5----1206 907 Co. #2 521 209 Co. ##6---- 1093 946 Co. 43 1956 1245 Co. #7---- 1125 407 Co. 44 33 20 Co. 49---- 786 199 Total Volunteer Response 7506 4295 Off Duty Paid Personnel--1367 Average Off Duty Response 1.2 Explorer Response 291 Average Response/Alarm With Bunkers 6.4 Without Bunkers 3.6 Response Response Alarms Zed/Bunkers WO/Bunkers MFA Cornell University 303 1322/4.4 628/2.1 32 Ithaca College 188 732/3.9 374/2.0 40 The following members have the highest response, two highest per company. Co. 41 Keller Co. 45 Neigh Rhoades Inman Co. 42 Brown Co. 46 Powers McDaniel Fergus Co. 43 Cook, B. Co. 47 Brock Mills Stevenson Co. 44 Co. 49 Schremer Pfaff Paid - J. Cook D. Cook Deuartment Highest: R. Cook 646 -7- TRAINING Volunteer Training Training programs during the second half of 1982 were severely hampered by the lack of a usable training facility. Due to environmental restrictions , flammable liquic's training was not conducted, and the poor structural conc'ition of the fire training building prohibited its use for self-contained breathing apparatus and firefighting instruction. However, the following training courses or subjects were completed. Mandatory New Member Training (New Volunteer Members & Bunkers) 10 new members completed the Department's mandatory 30-hour training program in basic firefighting skills. In-Service and Company Training (Volunteer Firefighters & Bunkers) The following subjects were presented during the year: Equipment Location Portable Pumps Ropes and Knots Ventilation Salvage Covers Standard Operating Procedures Hose Loading, Unloading Tour of Lakeside Nursing Home Ground Ladders Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Fires and Wires (presented by NYSE&G) Response Areas Artificial Breeders Preplan Drafting Aerial Platform Operation Hydrant Connections Search and Rescue New Hose System Schools. Seminars and Conferences Members of the Fire Department Staff and Firefighting/ EMS forces attended the following: New York State Academy of Fire Science Volunteer Fire Service Management Educational Methodology Introduction to Fire Inspection Municipal Training Officers School/Conference Public School Inspection Fire Marshals and Inspectors Conference Minimum Paid Training Standards -8- New York State Chiefs Seminar, Hazardous Materials New York State Association of Fire Chiefs Conference Advanced Life Support Seminar Fire Department Instructors Conference Fire Ground Commander Seminar Introduction to Microcomputers National Fire Academy, Educational Methodology Accident Victim Extrication EMT Refresher Course International Municipal Signal Association Conference Basic EMT - Semester II FIRE ALARM .-88 fire alarm box tests performed 1 new fire alarm street box installed 1 new fire alarm master box installed 2 grounding electocle installed 7 lightning and surge protectors installed 2 fire alarm boxes painted 2 cases of trouble due to fire alarm line breaks 8 cases of trouble due to box, bell , register , air horn, alarm transmitter , light switches 2 fire alarm boxes retired 4,735 feet old fire alarm wire replaced with new "C" wire 667 feet new single conductor fire alarm wire installed 1 ,717 feet fire alarm wire relocated on new poles 750 feet fire alarm wire that had sag removed 3 ,999 feet old fire alarm wire removed from poles 1 ,201 feet new fire alarm wire added to the City System for new box hookups Trimmed trees as needed (that were causing grounding trouble on the fire alarm circuits) 130 Cases of trouble consisting of: battery chargers, portable radio charging units , portable generator, electric motors, boilers, pump motors, air handlers, electric light fixtures, roof ventilators, station house generators, station house plumbing, truck sirens, truck electrical problems , door bells, overhead doors, wheat lights and chargers , training center wiring, air hoses , air compressors , station house electrical wiring. Equipment Installed Install light bars, siren, radios, and other equipment on new 961 , 962 and 941. Remove and install equipment and lights on 906 before and after body work. New wall outlets in Chief 's office. Federal night fighter light bars on 902 , 905, 906 , 907 & 909 New batteries in 933 New heater core in old 941 -9- Renove light fixtures in bunk roan ;+4 Install light fi:7tu.zres , switches anc receptable y in new office, second. floor, Central Station Four new light fi::tu es in Rea'-y Room at Station :?9 Thermostat =-cares at Station 5 a n-' Central Relocate autoziatic light switch battery at Station :r7 Install Doe: shelves in new of:-ice, secone floor , Central Station Refinish 9/1 's lae.c er Relocate station horse antenna at 7's Install (one lights ins new 961 aic. )62 Install alley lights OA 961 an( 962 standby generator an;. transfer switch. at Station ,r7 Install wheat light charger in 961 Install 2 new batteries in Station ,r7 standby generator l tntall new AIIP gw Je in Station ,r7 standby generator .relocate Triangle Steel fine. horn tur: off switch Install three fan heater relays at Central . Station vonaratus Roon IIol-,ee with builrii'_7g of generator roon at Station :r7 Install 7as ?Duran care holenrn in all F.D. vehicles Attenc'.ec' Fire Alarm School helC at Cortlan_" , Z.Y. Attenc'ree Jiagara ..iohawk Fire School at OsweT_o , N.Y. E 2UI Ps IEITT The following purchases were made euring the year: 1 - 4-Drawer File Cabinet 1 - Tree Trimiing Kit - Fec1eral sight-Fighter Snot Lights , with telescoping mounts 2 - Koehler Rechargeable Lights v/two light chargers 2 - PISA .Ias'. Brackets 2 - Suburban 4x4, to replace & stationwagon (961 & 962) 1 - 3/A ton nic?cum to replace old. Alarm Supt. Tr-tc'.c (941 ) 1 - 10 ' Fle<>ible 5" suction hose 1 - Long handle double female aeantor 5"x41/2" (pyrolite) 1 - Long handle double female a(antor 5"1z2.11" (nyrolite) 20 - Aotorola LZinitor Pagers -10- FIRE PREVENTION The following are the results of the Fire Prevention Program for 1982: Inspections: Bowling Alleys 2 Bulk Storage Plants 6 Churches 14 Private Clubs 7 Dry Cleaners 3 Groceries/Supermarkets 0 Home Inspections 1 Lumber Yards 7 Mercantile 272 _2ulti-Residence 0 Nursing Homes 1 Nursery Schools/Day Care Centers 6 Restaurants/Bars/Carry Outs 94 Schools, Public/Private 7 Service Stations/Garages 127 Theaters 0 Warehouses 7 Other 13 Complaints, Investigations of 9 Rcinspections 285 TOTAL 861 Notices Served----Written 96 Verbal 131 Personally Abated Hazards 161 Permits Issued: Gasoline Storage Underground 4 LPG Storage Aboveground 2 -11- Other Fire Prevention Activities: Training with Morse Chain Fire Brigade (Asst. Chief Olmstead) . Fire Prevention Talk and Demonstration at IACC Day Care. Fire Safety Talk at Group Homes at Floral Ave. and Elmwood Avenue. Talks and Demos at Little Feet Nursery School (Lt. Wheaton) ; Boynton Jr. High School (Lt. Utter) ; Game Farm (Lt. Wheaton) ; and Boynton Middle School (Handicapped Children) (Lt. Wanck) . Extinguisher Demo at Cornell Laundry. Extinguisher Demo at Town of Ithaca Building. Talk on Job Opportunities in Fire Service at GIAC. Talk on Fire Prevention in High Rise Buildings at Titus Towers, (75 to 100 tenants) . Fire Extinguisher Demo at Oak Hill Manor. Fire Extinguisher Demo at Tompkins County Trust Co.- New Wing. Fire Extinguisher Demo at N.Y. S. DOT. Counselling at CETA Career Day (Firefighter Van Orman) Fire Extinguisher Demo at Ithacare. Meeting with School District Principals on "Learn Not to Burn" curriculum (Asst. Chief Vliet & Lt. Van Benschoten) . Talk with Staff about Fire Prevention and poster con- test for Horse Borg Warner (Chief Tuckerman and Asst. Chief Vliet) . (Department preparation for "Learn Not to Burn" program) . During Fire Prevention week worked with schools in "Stop, Drop & Roll ' part of "Learn Not to Burn" curriculum (Lt. Van Benschoten & Firefighter Diemond) . Talk with lst,2nd, & 3rd graders at Fall Creek School (FF Diemond) .2 Fire Ext. Demos at K-Mart for employees (Lt. Utter) . Fire Prevention talk and ext. demo for staff and employees of Tompkins County Trust Co. (Lt. Van Benschoten) . Fire Prevention talk and films with staff and employees of Ithaca Gun Co. (2 talks) (Lt. Williams and Firefighter Cas- ciotti) . "Stop, Drop, and Roll" Demo for kindergarten children at St. Johns School (Lt. Van Benschoten) Walk-through Christmas inspection of Commons (Deputy Chief Reeves) . There were 60 station tours with 1170 children and 215 adults. Movies were shown and fire prevention literature distributed to attendees. -12- VEHICLE MAINTENANCE Vehicles all serviced and safety inspections per- formed every six months. Normal maintenance and repairs performed as needed. 941 (1962 Chevrolet 3/4 Ton Utility) Put in service 5/21/82 961 (1982 Chevrolet Suburban) Put in service 5/26/82 Installed wheat light charger Repaired overhead light bar 962 (1982 Chevrolet Suburban) Put in service 8/82 968 (1980 Plymouth Volare Wagon) New set spark plugs 901 (1981 Ward '79 Limited) Minor Warranty work by Albee Tune-up Replaced Alternator Replaced compartment light switches Replaced cylinder head gaskets 902 (1971 Seagrave 1250 Pumper) 2 new tires (right rear) New solenoid for primer motor New mud flaps Installed new batteries Worked on Steering problem Repaired radiator Replaced axle Installed new Jake brake Rebuilt Starter Replaced window regulator Repaired drivers seat 933 (1976 Mack Aerialscope) Replaced batteries and cables Repaired Stang Gun Installed new Jake brake Underwriters Lab. Aerial certification Repaired broken welds on bucket New hydraulic line New shock absorbers -13- �. • ; .. • 1. • • • • • • • • • • 905 (1966 Am. LaFrance 1250 Pumper) New flood & spot light installed (Co. #5 purchased and installed) Rebuilt transmission Rebuilt engine Replaced turn signal switch Replaced muffler Installed new batteries 906 (1968 Seagrave 1250 Pumper) Replaced foot brake valve Installed new radiator Installed new Jake brake Body work (rust) Replaced driver side door window 907 (1962 Am. LaFrance 1250 Pumper) Repaired starter Replaced front brakes and wheel cylinders Replaced rear tires Replaced batteries 909 (1976 Seagrave 1250 Pumper) Power steering control valve rebuilt Installed new Jake brake Replaced radio speaker Repaired transmission Replaced brake appliance and relay valves Replaced starter solenoid Rebuilt engine 939 (1972 Seagrave 100 ' Aerial ) Repaired air compressor governor New mud flaps Installed new Jake brake Underwriters Lab. aerial certification 2 new Mask brackets All new tires New batteries Repaired rung in aerial ladder -14- • a BUILDING MAINTENANCE Central Station Converted 4's bunkroom into 2 offices Repaired Door #2 Replaced furnace thermal coupler Replaced door closer on rear door Installed weather strip on overhead doors Station 5 Repaired shower room faucet Repaired toilet tank Repaired various leaks in plumbing Station 6 Replaced thermal coupler on boiler Station 7 Repaired door closer New roof on rear of station New generator (aux. ) room Station 9 Removed and replaced two areas of floor tiles New roof Window quilts -15- DISBURSEMENTS FOR 1982 A3410-101 Personal Services $ 1 ,129 ,784 A3410-220 Office Equipment 137 A3410-230 Vehicles 29 ,457 A3410-250 Miscellaneous Equipment 9 ,419 A3410-302 Building Maintenance Supplies 3 ,682 A3410-308 Clothing 15 ,784 A3410-309 Gas and Oil 9 ,216 A3410-310 Office Supplies 718 A3410-312 Equipment Parts and Supplies 25,539 A3410-401 Telephone 4,684 A3A10-402 Utilities 44,049 A3410-407 Contractural Services 33,704 A3410-411 Printing 49 A3410-418 Equipment Maintenance 24,111 A3410-419 Property Maintenance 19 ,549 A3410-433 Travel and Mileage 2,518 A3410-435 Advertising 84 A3410-436 Dues and Publications 260 A3410-439 Special Services 15 ,433 Total Disbursements $ 1 ,368 ,177 -16- 7- • For the first time in several years, I am pleased to report to you that there has been a decrease in the number of calls, both fire alarms and emergency service. This is a trend which I would hope will continue. The number of actual fires and malicious false alarms have de- creased, which may be contributed to better education through the Fire Prevention training in our school systems , as well as continued Fire Prevention inspections and public education by our personnel . We are continuing to make progress in our fire suppression ability by improving our equipment through proper maintenance and purchasing safety equipment such as the night fighter lights , which all of our engines now have, and more rigid training of our people. 1983 will see major changes in our firefighting equipment, response procedures and communications equipment. One major change which I am also expecting to see and report to you about in my 1983 report i8 the improvements in our volunteer manpower situation. At the current time we seem to be holding our own, we are still at a critically low level however, the situation is not worsening. I wish to thank all of the officers and members for their conscientious performance to duty and to the Board of Fire Commissioners , Mayor, and the Common Council for the excellent support granted. Respectfully submitted, Charles W. Tuckerman Fire Chief