Firehouse news for May

[July 06, 2012]  Following is a copy of the report submitted by Lincoln Fire Department Chief Mark Miller to the Lincoln City Council members in May for the month of May 2012.

(Copy)

Emergency and fire related activities

Emergency Runs for May 2012 included the Lincoln Firefighters responding to 164 responses including 1 transformer fire, 1car fire, 13 motor vehicle crashes, and 10 alarm activations.

Fire related runs 39

EMS related runs 112

Rescue related runs 13

Non-Emergency activities

Follow up inspections for May included Hardee's, Big R, Lincoln College, Lincoln Banquet Center, Sysco, Chelsea's Treasures, AAA siding and Alexander Lumber.

Fire Prevention activities included alarm drills for Castle Manor and resident prevention and safety talks.

Maintenance of the station and apparatus

May is a very busy month with hose testing and apparatus wash wax and polish.

Each shift is responsible for testing hose on assigned apparatus and the hose rack. This year we had 800 feet of supply hose fail. This 5 inch hose was all near twenty years old and has begun to fail with many pin-hole leaks throughout the lengths. With all the leaks the hose will not keep the 200 psi test requirements for 5 minutes.

300 feet of defensive attack hose failed due to mechanical damage from burns and folds.

Also failing was a 100 foot section of high rise attack hose that is used when we respond to large commercial buildings.

Replacement hose has been ordered at around a cost of $5000.

The Fire department placed in service a new hot water pressure washer that is used to clean road grime and grease off the apparatus and the bay floors. The washer is also used to clean fire hose and ground ladders during the testing month.

A list of truck repairs has been compiled and in June repairs and service will be completed.

Engine 5104 has again had a major failure of the water tank and will not hold water throughout the day. This Engine is a 1991 and has a severe corrosion problem from the water tank leaking for many years without correction. In June an emergency purchase for a replacement fire engine will be requested.

Training Activities

Fire Inspectors for the month of May were very busy attending an Inspector I class in Addison Illinois. The class was five weeks long and consisted of inspection procedures and code updates on fire alarm systems, fire suppression systems, fire rated building construction components, report documentation and inspection procedures.

All Inspectors attended along with the Fire Chief and all passed the State Exam.

In-house training for the month of May included: preparation for the mass casualty drill for Lincoln and Logan County.

The Logan County Health Department trained Lincoln Fire Department members on procedures for responder emergency medication treatment from the strategic national stockpile of medications.

[Copy of report from Chief Mark Miller, Lincoln Fire Department]