Introduction
July brought vacationers and summer residents out in full force.  The National Park reported that the campgrounds were filled to capacity by the end of the month.  Private campgrounds in the area were full as well.  The increased population, along with the staffing of the Empire station, contributed to both the types of calls to which responses were made and the call volume for the month. 

Personnel

• Early in the month the Department accepted the resignation of Mike Buhler.  Mike has been with the Department since 2001 as a firefighter and EMT.  We appreciate the contributions Mike made during his tenure with the Department. 
• The May report failed to note the resignation of Rachel Schaap.  Rachel started with the department in 2003 and was later chosen as the department’s first full time EMT/firefighter.  She also served as the leader of C shift for a time.  Rachel left to pursue a wildland firefighter position with an engine company in Idaho for the Fish and Wildlife Service. 
• The contract to provide fire services for Empire Township includes staffing Station 2 with two EMT/firefighters, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Until the quarters are complete at the station, however, two crew members are travelling from Glen Arbor to Empire on a daily basis.  Due to the present minimal personnel situation, secondary to the recent resignation of staff, daily assignment of staff to Station 2 has required that all fulltime EMT/firefighters work two additional 12-hour shifts during the two weeks of their rotation when they are scheduled for 48 hours.  This mandated overtime began the first week of July and has supplemented the hours provided by part time personnel in the evenings and occasionally during the day.  Friday through Sunday are the hardest days to fill with part time staff and this has contributed to the necessity of the summer overtime policy.  It is hoped that additional qualified personnel will be hired soon to relieve the burden that has been placed on full time EMT/firefighters.  
• One EMT/firefighter from each shift has been assigned to complete initial organizational tasks at Station 2; Eric Dubord on A shift; Andrew Anthony on B shift and Bryan Ferguson on C shift.  Each has been assigned an area of administrative responsibility and will provide leadership at the station on their respective shifts. 
• Ten EMT/firefighter-candidates were interviewed near the end of the month, with three being selected to continue in the hiring process, which includes a physical agility test and psychological and knowledge tests.
• The department received the services of an individual that was performing community service.  He worked at both stations four Thursdays in July and assisted in readying the vehicles and stations for the 4th of July parade and open house. 

Training

• No training sessions were scheduled for the month of July, however, with orientation to the use of equipment and vehicles housed at the Empire station, considerable opportunity for training has been available.  As staffing improves and water access points become less congested with summer activities, daily operation of equipment—pumping and flowing water, etc. will continue.   

Administration

• July 1st marked the start of the contractual agreement between Empire and Glen Arbor Townships.  This month’s Activity Report is the first for the newly-formed Glen Lake Fire Department.  Changes will be made soon to the website as transitional activities for both Station 2 (Empire) and Station 1 (Glen Arbor) continue. 
• A representative from the State of Michigan inspected our EMS-licensed vehicles and reviewed our agency licensing requirements.  Three areas were noted as not completely compliant.  Several forms have been modified and all files are being reviewed for completeness so that the proper paperwork can be provided to the State of Michigan upon request.  Staff members that contribute to the orientation of new employees are reminded to be sure to sign all orientation sheets as they are reviewed in the that process. 

Apparatus

• All apparatus at Station 2 have been thoroughly cleaned and waxed.  The contents of each piece of apparatus has been inventoried and arranged similarly to the equipment in other department apparatus.  This will assist in efficiently finding equipment for all department members.  Wildland tools and equipment have been significantly re-arranged in 241.  All members are encouraged to review the cabinets on the apparatus to become/remain familiar with the location of tools and supplies.
• Gas cards have been assigned and placed in each of the apparatus at Station 2.  Cards are designated specifically for each piece of apparatus.  Please remember to return gas receipts to the envelope on the bulletin board at the station for eventual transfer to Station 1.  A separate gas card has been assigned to the station for gas cans, etc.  It is located in the flammable liquid storage cabinet. 
• Wheel chock brackets have been installed on 211 and 241. 
• The battery issue on 241 was resolved by Andrew Anthony’s detective work.  The battery is no longer frequently dead.
• An SCBA bracket was installed in the side compartment on 221; a new pressure gauge has been installed and the tank to pump valve has also been repaired so that it no longer leaks.
• 211’s compartment trays have been re-built.  The monitor base has also been installed on this truck. and the pump deck radio inspected for future repair. 
• A siren has been installed on 282 (the Polaris).  Lights have been ordered and will be installed when they arrive.
• The nozzle on the front of 241 does not stow properly.  Inquiries have been made of the manufacturer and a replacement motor will be installed when it arrives. 
• Accountability tag rings have been mounted in all apparatus at Station 2, similar to those at Station 1.  All staff members are reminded to clip their accountability tag onto the trucks to which they are assigned on calls. 

Equipment

• An inventory of equipment at Station 2 has been completed and all hose from Station 2 has been tested. 
• The majority of wildland fire tools have been placed in the trailer (283).  6-8 tools have been placed on top of 241 for initial attack purposes. 
• The chainsaw from 211 has been overhauled and the bar replaced with a 20 inch one, so that all chain saws can use the same-size replacement chain.  In addition, the chains on all department chainsaws have been sharpened.
• Several SCBA bottles have been found to require hydrostatic testing.  These have been taken to Northern Fire and Safety.  Arrangements are being made to have all SCBA flow-tested and to have required maintenance performed on those from Station 2. 

Facilities

• A significant amount of cleaning and maintenance has taken place at Station 2.  The floors and building have been power-washed and the process has begun to make the facility fully compliant with local and federal requirements.  MSDS and required employee information has been posted.  A safety cabinet for petroleum liquids has been purchased, and utilities and the operation of the overhead doors have been reviewed.  General maintenance (painting, trim repair, etc.) is being planned and will take place over the next several weeks. 
• The exterior of the Glen Arbor Public Safety Building has been treated for insects.  In conjunction with this service, rodent traps have been placed throughout the building.  Less bugs, and no long-tailed visitors to date. 
• The flag pole at the Empire station has been refurbished and repaired.
• Max’s Service inspected the washer at station 1 to identify the reason for the spin cycle not working reliably.  They are unsure of cause, but will replace the transmission motor under warranty.  Please continue to be diligent about not overloading and about balancing the loads in the washer. 

 Special Events

• The annual Fire and Rescue Association Pancake Breakfast was held on Sunday, July 6, 2008.  Approximately 675 attendees enjoyed pancakes, sausage, applesauce, cherry sauce, and a beverage.  There was great participation by all staff members in the preparation, set-up, cooking and clean-up of the event; a nice event—a job well done!!
• The annual open house was held on the last Saturday of July.  Events included equipment demonstrations, a ring toss, the dunk tank, a car extrication demonstration, and food.  Due to ‘B’ Shift’s efforts, the dunk tank was painted and refurbished and looked awesome for the day.  All shifts participated in cleaning and preparing the station to receive visitors.  Thank you to both on-duty and off-duty staff members that participated/volunteered to meet and greet those that attended. 
• The department participated in two parades in July; the fourth of July parade in Glen Arbor and the Anchor day parade in Empire.  Several members volunteered to drive apparatus in these parades. 

Acknowledgements

Thank you to Pancake Breakfast donors for their contributions of Maple Syrup (Still Point Farm) and Coffee (Leelanau Coffee Roasters).

Submitted by:

John A. Dodson
Chief of the Department