Introduction
The large amount of snow around the building confirms the anticipation of 6 more weeks of snow.  Call volumes for the month have been as significant as those during the summer months, including several simultaneous requests for service involving both EMS and fire suppression services. 

Personnel

• A number of slots available for part time staff are not being filled. Full time personnel have begun to fill in these slots to ensure full staffing capability on a daily basis.

Training

• Three training sessions were held in February.  The first was the annual CPR refresher attended by 20 people.  A make-up session will be scheduled for early spring. 
• The topic of the second departmental training session was Firefighter Safety and Survival, presented by Steve Ward.  Following a brief lecture, members donned turnout gear and practiced moving through difficult situations.  Nine people attended this session.
• On Saturday, the 16th of February, the first of two, elective continuing education sessions was held.  This was a day-long event that provided a total of seven ongoing education credits required for EMS license renewal.  Five of the credits offered were practical skills credits.  Eleven people attended this session. 
• Steve Ward has stepped down as Training Officer for the Department.  Steve had been appointed at the end of 2007 and found that he was unable to devote the time necessary to fulfill the role.  Steve will remain active with the Department and will hopefully provide occasional training assistance. 
• Several staff continue to participate in outside training sessions—primarily Company Officer pre-requisite courses. 

Administration

• The Glen Arbor-Empire Township fire department integration workgroup has continued to meet on a regular basis.  Items being discussed include the formulation of a contract, Empire Fire Department building renovations, staffing configurations, capital equipment considerations, and funding.  The group will review plans at the Townships’ respective Annual Meetings at the end of March. 

Apparatus

• Positions of various pieces of apparatus have been adjusted to accommodate the large piles of snow around the west end of the building.  There is not enough clearance to pull the bus and vehicles with trailers out of the apparatus bays on the west side of the building; these adjustments have been made for the remainder of the winter.
• Several pieces of apparatus have experienced problems with valves and seals, believed to be a result of the cold weather and infrequent use.  All staff are reminded to fully drain the pumps after use.  The pump drain is to stay open, with care taken to close any other drains that may have been opened during the process.
• The back-up ambulance experienced a problem with its shoreline power and developed an over-charged battery.  This problem presented itself over the course of a day with a fowl odor and culminated in the release of fumes and significant overheating of the battery compartment of the ambulance.  The involved battery was bulging and hot enough to present a danger of combustion.  The situation was fortunately identified late in the day before permanent damage was caused to either the building or vehicle.  The affected battery has been replaced and shore power is not being used for 392.  All staff are reminded to promptly share knowledge of discrepancies/unusual equipment findings with the Shift Supervisor to ensure the safety and care of equipment, building and personnel. 

Facilities

• Maintenance attention continues to be focused on the furnaces and boiler.  One of the furnaces failed during a very cold period and was found to have a plugged filter.  All staff are reminded to include a check of all three furnace filters during the monthly furnace room check and are asked to replace any filter that is dirty. 
• The eave melt and floor heating systems are being watched carefully to monitor system fluid and anti-freeze levels for signs of any potential leak in the system (pink fluid).

Special Events

• An ambulance stand-by was provided for the annual Polar dip event in Empire.
• Rachel Schaap provided an evening presentation for the Glen Arbor Women’s Club.

Acknowledgements Received

• In remembrance of Roy Taghon
  

• Chris Stapleton
• Sharon and Pat Oriel
• Stan and Jo Bruebaker
• Mark Cundiff
• Mary Belkonen and Yvonne Bugai
• Mary E. Rader and Heidi R. Rader
• Barb and Erik Foged
• Ross and Mary Boissoneau
• William and Janet Davis
• Judy Wendels
• Lance and Dana Roman
• Kathleen Warnes
• Mary Hagan
• Joan Kramps
• Bob and Felicia Bloom
• Whistling Misser

• In remembrance of Evelyn Gretzema
• Michelle and Russell VanNortwick
• Sharon and Pat Oriel
• Dean and Jeanette Temple
• Jeanette Wepking
• Sarah Carolyn Baldwin
• Terry Gretzema
• Fred W. Singer
• Dr. Fred Foust
• Dr. and Mrs. E. Richard Ensrud
• Rita S. and Sparkle Rinsky

Submitted by:

John A. Dodson
Chief of the Department