Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Department 2012

Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Department
2012-13 Annual Report
1
Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Annual Report
Fiscal Year 2012-13
Fire Chief’s Message
Vision and Mission Statements
History
Department Senior Staff
Organizational Chart
Introduction
Response Summary
Administration
Stations
Training & Safety Division
Fire & Life Safety Division
Operations
Emergency Medical Service Division
Community Education
Special Operations
Dive Rescue
Emergency Management
Budget & Support Services
EMS Billing
Explorer Program
Personnel
Volunteer Programs
Gulf Stream Annex
Highland Beach Annex
3
5
6
7
8
9
10
13
17
21
26
29
38
41
42
43
45
47
49
50
53
55
56
59
2
Message from the Fire Chief
Danielle Connor
It is my honor to present the 2012-2013 Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Annual Report. Our newly formatted report
will give the reader an opportunity to review our statistical data and accomplishments within each of our
Divisions: Operations, Administration, Training, Emergency Medical Services, and Fire Safety.
Fiscal year 2012-13 began with a tremendous loss for DBFR, as we lay to rest Driver Engineer Eric Patrie, who
passed away after a long battle with cancer. Fire Departments are often compared to families, and I am proud to
say that this family took tremendous loving care of their brother, Eric, and his family. His absence is felt every
day at DBFR, but our resolve to continue our good and purposeful work remains.
Firefighter safety and wellness is our priority, and this past year a significant capital purchase and investment was made in an all new Self
Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Departmental personnel. This new equipment will ensure the safety of our firefighters from
the inherent respiratory dangers and carcinogens that are found in fires, hazardous materials, and in low oxygen atmospheres. The new
SCBA will allow our professionals to better serve our residents, business owners, and visitors.
This past year, we were fortunate to add eleven new employees to our roster. These include the following Paramedic/Firefighters: Roland
DaSilva, Joe Guillaume, Kyle Kenney, Anthony Parlamento, David Rivera, Kyle Shaw, Joshua Simmonds, Eric Varano, Crystal White,
and Jeffrey Wunsch. This diverse group of individuals brings their diverse backgrounds and experiences to DBFR, including among them
collegiate athletes, U.S. Veterans, and MBA degree candidates. Also joining our team was Oscar Dominguez, who was brought in this past
April as a Technical Support-Logistics Manager. We look forward to long and fruitful careers from these additions.
This past year DBFR responded to more calls than in previous years, transported more patients to local emergency Departments, and the
EMS billing personnel worked harder than ever to surpass their established goal for revenues. We have continued our community
involvement and expanded our home inspection programs. We continually strive to make a difference and to work harder and smarter.
Our aim is to remain an essential component of this community. Members of the Department have made a strong showing through their
involvement in various local, countywide and State professional associations, including the Fire Chiefs Association of Palm Beach County,
the Palm Beach County EMS Council, Florida Fire Marshal’s Association, and Florida Fire Chiefs Association.
Message from the Fire Chief continued on Page 4
3
Message from the Fire Chief continued
As we enter this next fiscal year, we remain committed to delivering quality EMS and fire protection and to finding ways to expand our
services and remain fiscally sound by enhancing revenues and containing costs. Our motto is, “Preparing for the worst….Delivering the
best.” Each day, the men and women of Delray Beach Fire-Rescue, both sworn and civilian, work to deliver the very highest caliber of
service to our residents, business owners, visitors, and mutual aid partners. It is our goal to provide professional, compassionate, and
respectful services to all in need.
The personnel of DBFR remain committed to not only serving the community on a professional basis, but also through their volunteer
efforts. This past year, your Firefighters volunteered on a number of different community based projects, including “Curb Appeal:
Delray,” the MDA boot drive, Miracle League, Thanksgiving food drive for the Caring Kitchen, donations to local elementary schools, and
through a number of health-based events, such as stair climbs for the American Lung Association and competitive runs for a wide variety
of organizations.
It is my distinct honor to be your fire chief and to lead the men and women of Delray Beach Fire-Rescue. Together, we hope that you find
the information in this year’s report informative and insightful. I remain committed to leading this Department in a professional,
proactive, and innovative manner.
Danielle Connor, EFO, RN, EMT-P
Fire Chief
4
VISION
Our vision is to provide fire-rescue, emergency medical and special operations services at
the highest level of excellence, professionalism and commitment to the community.
Proud of our past and embracing our future, the members of Delray Beach Fire-Rescue will
work as an effective and integrated team, dedicated to continuous improvement and
maintaining a positive environment.
The Department will be a model to others and the pride of the community.
MISSION
The Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Department is resolved to provide the highest quality of
emergency services to residents and visitors of our community; effectively mitigating all
types of incidents threatening life or property; educating the public in specific aspects of
health and safety to assure a superior quality of life.
5
History
The Town of Delray voted on September 19, 1911 to incorporate with 56 citizens voting in
the affirmative. On July 29, 1912, the new City Council approved an application franchise
to construct a Water Works System in the Town. August 12, 1912, The Council discussed
organizing a Fire Department. The Delray Beach Fire Department has its roots in the
beginning of the Fire Department on October 1, 1917.
The first piece of firefighting equipment arrived in 1919, a hand drawn hose cart. The
downtown area had a water tower and a few fire hydrants to use for fire protection. A hand
drawn hose cart with several hundred feet of hose was utilized as the firemen would
respond on foot to the fire dragging their hose cart and then hooked up to the closest
hydrant, using the pressure the water tower developed for their fire streams. At this time
the Department took delivery of their first motorized vehicle, a Brockway Torpedo and
1000 feet of hose. In 1924, the first public fire was responded to by motorized fire
equipment.
In 1973, EMT (Emergency Medical Technicians) were brought on board, and a new rescue unit donated by The Women’s Club was
received. The Fire and Rescue runs increased. The number of rescues far out numbering the fire calls. At this time the Advanced Life
Support Service, which included Paramedics and ALS equipment, was implemented.
The Utility Tax Improvement Bond and The Decade of Excellence Bond paved the way for
the Fire Department to make improvements to all its facilities including a new station on the
Beach, a new Fire Station on Germantown Road, a new Fire Department Headquarters at 501
W. Atlantic Avenue and upgrading of most of the equipment and apparatus. Additionally, the
Fire Department contracted with the Town of Highland Beach to provide a full service Fire
Department to that town. After hiring additional personnel to cover Highland Beach, the
City received a Class 2 rating from the Insurance Service Office (I.S.O.) in 1994.
Today, the Department responds to over 12,000 calls per year, including fire and rescue calls.
It also has a broad range of services from dive rescue, hazardous materials, technical rescue,
fire prevention, fire code enforcement.
6
Delray Beach Fire-Rescue
Senior Staff
Danielle Connor
Fire Chief
Victor Williams
Assistant Chief
Steven Anderson
Division Chief
Gregory Giaccone
Battalion Chief
Kevin Green
Assistant Chief
Michael Twigger
Division Chief
Michael Rodriguez
Division Chief
Edward Crelin
Battalion Chief
David Wetzel
Battalion Chief
Cecelia Shade
Administrative
Officer
7
2012-13 Organizational Chart
8
INTRODUCTION
Introduction
The Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Department provides comprehensive fire, emergency medical and special operations response services to
the City of Delray Beach and, through inter-local service agreements the Towns of Gulf Stream and Highland Beach. The Fire-Rescue
Department also provides emergency medical transport service in Delray Beach, Gulf Stream and Highland Beach. Public education,
inspection and plan review services are also provided to the three communities.
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to provide the commissioners, administrators, employees and residents of Delray Beach, Gulf Stream and
Highland Beach a summary of the activities and projects that have been completed during the fiscal year.
Scope
This report contains information about the emergency responses, training, personnel and non-emergency activities that had an impact on
the Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Department and the residents of our service area during the fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2012 and
ending on September 30, 2013.
Emergency Response
The Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Department responded to 13,171 calls for emergency service during the fiscal year. This number includes
the calls that were responded to in Highland Beach (713), and Gulf Stream (123). This represents a 5.67% increase from the 12,464 calls
in the previous fiscal year. Over the ten (10) year period from fiscal year 2003-04 to fiscal year 2012-13, the total emergency call
volume increased an average 2% each year.
9
Total Annual Responses
Ten Year Comparison
FISCAL YEAR
FIRE
EMS
TOTAL
% +/-
2003-04
2,228
9,620
11,848
12.37%
2004-05
2,020
9,508
11,528
-3%
2005-06
2,373
9,632
12,005
4%
2006-07
2,059
9,688
11,747
-2%
2007-08
2,160
10,171
12,331
5%
2008-09
1,893
10,012
11,905
-3.50%
2009-10
2,452
9,508
11,960
0.46%
2010-11
2,558
9,462
12,020
0.50%
2011-12
1,961
10,503
12,464
3.70%
2012-13
2,012
11,159
13,171
5.67%
Average
2,172
9,926
12,098
2.32%
14,000
12,000
10,000
8,000
FIRE
6,000
EMS
4,000
TOTAL
2,000
0
2003-04
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
10
Total Annual Responses Per Unit
Ten Year Comparison
(including Town of Gulfstream and Highland Beach)
Unit
FY 02-03
FY 03-04
FY 04-05
FY 05-06
FY 06-07
FY 07-08
FY 09-10
FY 10-11
FY 11-12
FY 12-13
Squirt 1
3,370
3,248
3,349
3,295
3,325
3,384
3,618
3,130
2,950
2,533
Medic 1
3,043
3,105
3,158
3,111
3,111
3,093
3,257
3,054
2,676
2,861
Engine 2
1,654
1,630
1,637
1,522
1,492
1,470
1,516
1,656
1,882
2,115
Medic 2*
1,620
1,554
1,560
1,563
1,435
745*
825
830
1,679
1,849
Engine 3
3,069
3,071
2,976
3,018
2,617
2,857
2,890
2,705
2,566
2,840
Medic 3
2,758
2,742
2,716
2,645
2,371
2,744
2,664
2,392
2,511
Engine 4
2,276
2,178
2,266
2,051
1,988
2,195
2,435
2,315
2,314
2,505
Medic 4
2,081
2,078
2,288
1,833
1,842
2,206
2,211
2,178
2,141
2,302
Ladder 5
2,471
2,518
2,629
2,474
2,495
2,594
2,610
2,374
2,318
1,949
Medic 5
2,190
2,229
2,389
2,218
2,263
2,276
2,268
2,132
2,178
2,187
397
369
373
440
373
359
382
321
387
362
Ladder 6
1,118
1,087
1,157
1,067
1,019
1,001
1,012
1,224
1,163
1,113
Medic 6
744
851
842
796
767
836
811
885
1,004
976
Special Ops 5
2,778
*Medic 2 taken out of service on 4/1/09. 10/1/09 initiated Medic 2 Peak Staffing (Mon – Fri 8:00 am-8:00 pm).
11
Total Annual Responses Per Station
Station 6
Percentage of
Responses Per Station
2,089
Station 5
8%
4,498
21%
18%
Station 4
4,807
15%
Station 3
4,958
19%
Station 1
Station 2
19%
Station 2
3,964
Station 3
Station 4
Station 5
Station 6
Station 1
5,394
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
12
13
ADMINISTRATION
The Fire Administration Division consists of one Assistant Chief and one Administrative Assistant and is responsible for the:
•
•
•
•
Training and Safety Division
Fire and Life Safety Division
Fleet
Facilities
The Training & Safety Division and the Fire & Life Safety Division are each led by a Division Chief that reports directly to the Assistant
Chief of Administration.
FLEET MAINTENANCE
The Fleet Maintenance Division operates out of the City Garage complex and is staffed by three certified, civilian Emergency Vehicle
Technicians (EVT). They are responsible for the maintenance of six fire engines, three ladder trucks, nine medical transport units, 18
staff vehicles, and 15 specialty units. They are also responsible for the repair and maintenance of all small gasoline engine tools and
equipment used by the Department.
The Fleet Maintenance Budget for 2012-2013 was $422,550. This budget is supported by more than 13,000 hours of maintenance and
repairs performed by the EVT’s and Driver/Operators during routine preventative maintenance and their daily, weekly, and monthly
apparatus checks.
14
ADMINISTRATION Division Continued
UNIT ID
Squirt 1
Engine 2
Engine 3
Engine 4
Truck 5
Ladder 6
Special Ops 5
Ladder 5 (Reserve)
Engine 7 (Reserve)
Engine 8 (Reserve)
Engine 9 (Training)
Medic 1
Medic 2
Medic 3
Medic 4
Medic 5
Medic 6
Medic 7 (Reserve)
Medic 8 (Reserve)
Medic 9 (Reserve)
Battalion 1
EMS 1
Boat 1
Tender 3
Brush 4
Squad 5
Hazmat Trailer
Utility 1
Generator 1
Generator 2
FLEET
MANUFACTURER
2005 Pierce Sky Boom
2007 Pierce Dash
2011 Pierce VeloCity
2008 Pierce VeloCity
2009 Pierce 100’ Aerial Platform
1995 Sutphen 104’ Aerial Ladder
2006 Pierce Dash Heavy Rescue
2003 Pierce Dash 100’ Aerial Ladder
2001 Pierce Dash
2007 Pierce Dash
1992 Pierce Lance
2011 Horton
2005 Horton
2008 Horton
2007 Horton
2008 Horton
2004 MedTech
2004 MedTech
2004 MedTech
2005 Horton
2013 Chevrolet Surburban
2012 Ford F-350
2004 Carolina Skiff, 19’
1989 Ford LN800, 2,000 gallon
1991 International 4x4
2006 Ford F-550
2003 Wells Cargo
2004 Ford F-550
2005 Winco Mobil Power, 75 kW
2005 Winco Mobil Power, 75 kW
15
ADMINISTRATION Division Continued
FACILITIES MAINTENANCE
There are seven (7) facilities that require attention – six (6) fire stations and one (1) training site. Of the six (6) fire stations, five (5) of
them belong to the City of Delray Beach. Fire Station No. 6 is located in the Town of Highland Beach and is staffed by Delray Beach
Firefighters under a contract with the Town. In addition to the fire stations, we also maintain a training site which is actually the old
abandoned Seaboard Railway station located just north of Atlantic Ave. and west of I-95.
Most of the actual maintenance work is taken care of by the City’s Building Maintenance Department. They take care of minor repairs and
maintenance including, plumbing, electrical, and carpentry issues. The heavier work is contracted out to local vendors and contractors.
FIRE STATIONS/FACILITIES
Station No.
Station 1
Station 2
Station 3
Station 4
Station 5
Station 6
Training Site
Address
501 W. Atlantic Ave.
35 Andrews Ave.
651 Linton Blvd.
4321 Lake Ida Rd.
4000 Old Germantown Rd.
3612 S. Ocean Ave.
1525 W. Atlantic Ave
Year Built
1993
1992
1971
2009
1993
1996
1927
Age
20
21
42
4
20
17
85
HARDENING GRANT
Earlier this year, the City was awarded a grant from the State of Florida to harden the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) located
on the second floor of Fire Station No. 1. This grant will provide funding to replace all windows and flat roofs as well as provide a new
200 kW, dual fuel generator that operates off of natural gas (NG) and liquid petroleum gas (LPG). This work will bring the building into
current compliance of the 240 mph wind with a 3 second wind gust rating. The value of the grant is $618,600. The work began in early
November and is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2013.
16
FIRE STATIONS
Station 1
Located at 501 W. Atlantic Ave. Station 1 is our headquarters and
Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and houses all of our
administrative staff. Units that respond from Station 1 are Squirt 1,
Medic 1, EMS 1, and Battalion 1. Emergency response staffing at
Station 1 is 7 personnel including one Battalion Chief, one EMS
Supervisor, and one Station Captain Also kept at Station 1 are 2
reserve engines, Boat 1, Community Service Unit 1, SERV 1, and
SERV 2.
Station 2
Located at 35 Andrews Ave. Units from Station 2 are the primary
emergency response for calls for the Northeast section of Delray
Beach as well as Gulfstream. Units that respond from Station 2
are Engine 2 and Medic 2. Emergency response staffing at Station
2 is 5 personnel with one Station Captain. Also kept at Station 2
are two reserve medic units, SERV 3 and our training trailer.
17
Station 3
Located at 651 Linton Blvd. Units that respond from Station 3
are Engine 3 and Medic 3. Emergency response staffing at
Station 3 is 5 personnel with one Station Captain. Also kept at
Station 3 is Tender 3.
Station 4
Located at 4321 Lake Ida Rd. Units that respond from Station 4
are Engine 4 and Medic 4. Emergency response staffing at Station
4 is 5 personnel with one Station Captain. Also kept at Station 4
are Brush 4, a reserve ladder truck, and a reserve medic.
18
Station 5
Located at 4000 Old Germantown Rd. Station 5 is our Special
Operations station. Capabilities of our special operations team include
HAZMAT, high angle rescue, confined space rescue, dive rescue, and
heavy extrication. Units that respond from Station 5 are Ladder 5,
Medic 5, and Special Operations 5. Emergency response staffing at
Station 5 is 6 personnel with one Station Captain. These personnel are
also members of the state HAZMAT team, available to respond in the
event of a large disaster in the State of Florida. Also kept at Station 5
is Special Operations Unit 1 and the State Response Trailer.
Station 6
Located at 3614 South Ocean Blvd. Units from Station 6 are the
primary emergency response for calls in the Town of Highland
Beach. Units that respond from Station 6 are Ladder 6 and Medic
6. Emergency response staffing at Station 6 is 5 personnel with one
Station Captain. Also kept at Station 6 is a reserve Medic unit.
19
ADMINISTRATION Division Continued
SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS REPLACEMENT
City administration approved our request for a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) for approximately $600,000 to replace all SCBA and
associated components. The purchase of the new equipment was completed during the first quarter of 2013 and brought the Department
into compliance with the latest version of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1981, Standard on Open-Circuit Self-Contained
Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for Emergency Services, 2007 Edition and the NFPA 1982, Standard on Personal Alert Safety Systems
(PASS), 2007 Edition. Personnel received a three part in-service training on the new system and its components. The system was
implemented shortly thereafter.
20
TRAINING AND SAFETY Division
The Training and Safety Division consist of a Division Chief and a Fire Captain. We work closely with the EMS and Special Operations
Divisions to ensure that all of our employees receive high quality training that spans across every aspect of their job.
The Delray Beach Fire Rescue (DBFR) Training and Safety Division is responsible for scheduling and organizing Department-wide
training to ensure our uniform personnel are well trained and are meeting re-certification requirements set forth by state and national
standards. In a world where the Fire Department is responsible for more than just putting out fires, we have structured an “all-hazard”
training model every month that addresses our training needs to best serve the citizens of Delray Beach, Gulfstream and Highland
Beach and keep our Firefighter/Paramedics highly trained. We require each employee to receive a minimum of twenty hours of training
per month and we accomplish that by a monthly training schedule. For example a typical month may look like the following:
Week 1: Emergency Medical Services (EMS) training
Week 2: Fire-ground operations and safety
Week 3: Special Operations (Dive Rescue, Hazardous Materials Response, Confined and High Angle Rescue)
Week 4: Battalion Chief directed shift level training. Division Chief directed Division training.
In addition to scheduled Department training we have members achieving Professional Development by attending College/ University
degree track programs, taking technical Certificate Courses from local Fire Academies, and are self-studying for upcoming promotional
exams.
The Training and Safety Division’s main priority is training our Firefighters and Paramedics to be the best. However, we do have some
ancillary duties that include a wide variety of responsibilities such as:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Hiring of new Firefighter/Paramedics
Recruit orientation
In-service training
Promotional examinations
Records management
Logistics
21
TRAINING AND SAFETY Division Continued
New Hire Process
The Training and Safety Division also spearheads the hiring process for new
process are:
 Online application submission

 Vetting process

 Oral interviews

 EMS scenarios

Firefighter/Paramedics. The steps of the City’s hiring
EKG rhythm interpretation
Background check
Polygraph test
Physical assessment
Beginning with the City’s Human Resource’s Department, candidates desiring to be hired must submit an online application. Our
Human Resource Department goes through all of the applications and performs an initial screening of the application to ensure the
candidate submitted a complete application. The Training and Safety Division then goes through the hundreds of applications one by
one in order to compile a ranked list of the most qualified applicants.
The next step is for the applicants that have been selected to participate in the oral interview. The Oral Board consists of the Division
Chief of Training, several front line Company Officers, and a representative from Human Resources. Each candidate is asked a series of
questions, ranging from their life experience, to what they know about our City and the Fire Department. If they are successful in the
oral interview, they immediately move on to an EMS scenario which is a pass/fail clinical medical scenario. The final candidate list
then moves on to a polygraph and background check. Once these candidates complete the process, they are placed on an eligibility list
that we are able to hire from in order to fill vacancies as they arise.
Recruit Orientation
Immediately following the hire of the new recruits, the Training and Safety Division begins a six (6) week orientation program. During
this program, the new hires are taught everything they need to know in order to successfully begin their career with the Delray Beach
Fire Rescue Department. This includes:
•
•
•
•
Fire suppression
Search and rescue
EMS protocols
City familiarization
•
•
•
Emergency vehicle operations
Tools and equipment
Vehicle extrication
22
TRAINING AND SAFETY Division Continued
In-Service Training
The Training Division with assistance from the Operations
Division’s Train-the Trainers conducted an extensive (8) eight week
training program on the Department’s new Self-Contained
Breathing Apparatus for all certified Firefighters in 2013. The
training consisted of (5) five separate classes; SCBA in-service,
SCBA Proficiency and Emergency Procedures, Firefighter Escape
Pack in-service and prop, Firefighter Escape Pack (3) three story
training tower deployment, and SCBA Accountability (SEMS II
and Pac Tracker).
Additional fire training evolutions consisted of Firefighter
proficiency in hose line deployments, Vent Entry Isolation and
Search procedures, Firefighter survival procedures, and Special
Operations.
All Department Paramedics and EMTs received Advanced Airway,
EKG interpretation, and Advanced Cardiac Life Support training
this year.
Promotional Exams:
The Training Division conducted the 2013 Chief Officer Driver/
Engineer promotional examinations. All promotional examinations
were conducted in accordance with the I.A.F.F. Collective
Bargaining Agreement.
23
TRAINING AND SAFETY Division Continued
Records Management
The Training and Safety Division is also responsible for maintaining all training records for uniformed personnel. We accomplish this
through daily data input by Department Officers into our Firehouse records management software. Since launching this software, our
ability to accurately track our personnel’s training hours has been greatly improved. This is important not only to ensure the safety of
our firefighters, but it allows us to ensure that we are meeting all of our requirements through agencies such as the Insurance Service
Office (ISO), an organization that rates fire Departments based on training, staffing, and other factors. A higher ISO rating could mean
much better insurance rates for residents and businesses of the City.
Logistics
The Training and Safety Division is tasked with ensuring the required inspection/repair/cleaning and replacement of firefighter Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE). This includes structural firefighting pants, jackets, helmets, hoods, gloves, and boots. All of these tasks are
tracked in the Department’s Firehouse records management software.
Not only are we responsible for all Personal Protective Equipment, we are also tasked with issuing and replacing all of our firefighter’s
station uniforms. The safety equipment provided to protect our firefighters meets many standards and is a big part of this Division’s
budget.
Probationary Firefighter/ Paramedics
2013 saw the addition of ten new firefighter/ Paramedics to our staff.
All ten personnel successfully completed the six (6) week recruit
orientation. All probationary personnel are assigned a Mentor Captain
until the completion of the probationary process. Additionally, all
personnel will complete the Paramedic field training program
(S.T.E.P.) during their probationary process.
Roland DaSilva
Joe Guillaume
Kyle Kenney
Anthony Parlamento
David Rivera
Kyle Shaw
Joshua Simmonds
Eric Varano
Crystal White
Jeffrey Wunsch
24
TRAINING AND SAFETY Division Continued
Vision
The vision for 2014 is the continuation of quality and innovative training/ educational opportunities to our personnel. Skills based
training will emphasize a hands-on, realistic approach. Accomplishing this vision will require motivating employing to seek continuing
educational opportunities through local Colleges/ Universities, Fire Academies and Professional Development institutions. Hands on
skills training will be conducted through acquiring vacant structures throughout the City for use as training sites and the partnering with
local Fire Rescue agencies that have a training center we can use. This will allow our members to learn and train in buildings common in
our community as well as having access to fixed training structures. Firefighter safety and survival training will continue to be the first
priority of all training evolutions. This approach in turn will advance the availability and skills of the Department’s Firefighters in
service to the community.
Number of Firefighters Number of Training Hours
in Operations
per Firefighter
Fiscal Year
Total Hours
2002-03
29027
111
262
2003-04
29868
115
260
2004-05
30252
118
256
2005-06
30408
115
264
2006-07
32179
123
262
2007-08
25397
123
206
2008-09
28434
120
237
2009-10
32330
126
257
2010-11
32526
123
264
2012-13
44069
128
344
25
FIRE & LIFE SAFETY
The Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Department’s Fire and Life Safety Division’s mission is to ensure a safe environment exists for residents,
visitors, and employees working within the City limits. The overall mission of the Fire and Life Safety Division is to partner with the fire
safety community and general public to help assure Delray Beach is a safe community for its residents and guests. To accomplish its
mission, the Division conducts inspections of businesses and occupancies as mandated by state and local ordinances, performs life safety
plan review, and investigates all fires occurring within the Fire Department’s jurisdiction with special emphasis on major and suspicious
fire incidents. The Division consists of the Office of the Fire Marshal, five (5) Fire Inspectors, one (1) Plan Reviewer and one (1)
Administrative Assistant.
Inspections, Plan Review and Investigations 2012-13 Fiscal Year
Fiscal Year
Fire Inspections
Plans Reviewed
Fire Investigations
2003-04
4,035
1,172
52
2004-05
4,243
1,119
40
2005-06
3,474
968
60
2006-07
4,668
1,467
38
2007-08
5,511
889
45
2008-09
6,943
941
52
2009-10
6,405
845
63
2010-11
7,052
776
49
2011-12
7,789
934
40
2012-13
8,145
1390
61
Average
5,826
1,050
50
26
FIRE & LIFE SAFETY Continued
During the past fiscal year, the Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Department’s Fire and Life Safety Division conducted a total of 8,145 fire and
life safety inspections. During these routine inspections, inspectors identified 1,109 code violations that resulted in 1,020 corrections
occurring within ninety (90) days thereby creating a safer environment. There were 1,390 plans reviewed during the fiscal year that
generated an additional $148,298.01 in revenue for the City. Finally, Fire Inspectors conducted 61 fire investigations to determine cause
and origin.
27
FIRE & LIFE SAFETY Continued
Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Department Fire & Life Safety Division’s 2012-13 Accomplishments
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Increased number of total fire safety inspections by 10%.
Elimination of fire code violations resulting in a safer community.
Increased number of total construction plans reviewed by 25%. Expands the local economy.
Increased number of persons provided with fire and accident safety training by 38%.
Raises level of public awareness in the areas of fire/life safety, health, and wellness.
Increased fees for fire safety services. Diversifies revenues from levied taxes to fees for service.
Retired a Captain/Fire Inspector after 26.5 years of dedicated service
Retired a Captain/Fire Inspector after 30 years of dedicated service
Promotion of two (2) Captains into the Fire Safety Division
Promotion of the Division Chief/Fire Marshal into the Fire Safety Division
Five (5) members currently serving the Milagro Center as youth mentors
28
29
Total Events Per Month – Delray Beach
Month
Medical
Emergency
Motor Vehicle
Accidents
Service
Calls
Fire
Minor Fire Major
Alarm
Activations
Special
Operation
Total
October
744
78
32
31
56
17
4
962
November
731
73
51
20
52
14
6
947
December
885
91
34
9
57
18
8
1102
January
855
90
44
12
78
19
15
1113
February
871
82
44
16
58
19
11
1101
March
915
77
46
22
65
19
2
1146
April
814
111
33
15
53
18
8
1052
May
795
81
61
20
61
7
3
1028
June
742
86
52
4
76
23
8
991
July
742
87
39
11
68
10
7
964
August
710
65
45
10
70
18
5
923
September
680
93
31
25
63
112
3
1006
Total
9484
1014
511
195
757
294
80
12335
30
OPERATIONS
The Operations Division consists of one Assistant Chief, one Division Chief, three shift Battalion Chiefs, one Special Operations
Captain, one Community Education Specialist/Public Information Officer (PIO) with one Administrative Assistant and is responsible
for:
•
•
•
•
•
Three shifts totaling 127 budgeted Firefighter positions working 24 hour shifts
Operations personnel staffing of six (6) fire stations with minimum daily staffing of 33 Firefighters. This includes the Highland
Beach Fire Station #6 with five Firefighters funded by the Town of Highland Beach.
The Emergency Medical Services Division
Community Education/PIO
Special Operations Program consisting of:
1.
2.
3.
4.
•
Regional Haz Mat Team for Palm Beach County
Region 7 Regional Domestic Security Task Force, State Haz Mat Team
Dive Rescue Team
Technical Rescue
Staffing of Special Events for fire and EMS response
The Emergency Medical Services Division is led by a Division Chief who reports directly to the Assistant Chief of Operations. The
Community Education Specialist/PIO reports directly to the Division Chief of EMS. The Special Operations Program is coordinated
by a Captain who reports directly to the Assistant Chief of Operations.
31
OPERATIONS continued
Personnel Staffing
Staffing is standardized at each of the six (6) fire stations with an Engine or Ladder Truck and a Rescue (Medical Transport Unit). Every
Engine/Ladder Truck is staffed with a minimum of three (3) personnel. Each of the six (6) Rescue Trucks is staffed with a minimum of two
(2) Firefighter/Paramedics. In addition the Department has one Battalion Chief, one EMS Captain, and one Special Operations Truck, each
staffed with one person. The minimum daily staffing of 33 personnel is shown below:
Station #1
Battalion 1 – one Battalion Chief
EMS 1 - one Shift EMS Supervisor
Squirt 1 - Captain, Driver Engineer, Firefighter
Medic 1 - two Firefighter/Paramedics
Station #2
Engine 2 – Captain, Driver Engineer, Firefighter
Medic 2 – two Firefighter/Paramedics
Station #3
Engine 3 - Captain, Driver Engineer, Firefighter
Medic 3 - two Firefighter/Paramedics
Station #4
Engine 4 - Captain, Driver Engineer, Firefighter
Medic 4 - two Firefighter/Paramedics
Station #5
Truck 5 - Captain, Driver Engineer, Firefighter
Medic 5 – two Firefighter/Paramedics
Special Operations 5 – one Driver Engineer
Station #6
Ladder 6 - Captain, Driver Engineer, Firefighter
Medic 6 - two Firefighter/Paramedics
32
Battalion Chief Wetzel
Captain Beardsley
Captain Camera
Captain Jepsen
Captain Liguori
Captain Pearce
Captain Reynolds
Captain Staab
Captain Zidar
D/E Cason
D/E Deckers
D/E Dorsett
D/E Hansley
D/E Gurley
D/E Marchsteiner
D/E R. Rose
D/E Schied
D/E Wood
FF/PM Bell
FF/PM Beyer
FF/PM Bradford
FF/PM Connolly
FF/PM Craney
FF/PM DaSilva
FF/PM Dolphus
FF/PM Gunsten
FF/PM Hutchinson
FF/PM Lewis
FF/PM Locigno
FF/PM M. Mahoney
FF/PM McKessy
FF/PM Rivera
FF/PM Roulette
FF/PM Shaw
FF/PM Smith
FF/PM Spivey
FF/PM Thompson
FF/PM Wagner
FF/PM Walker
FF/PM Wunsch
FF/PM Wyatt
FF Bitzer
C-Shift
Battalion Chief Crelin
Captain Albano
Captain Beckowitz
Captain Dagnan
Captain Falcone
Captain Gainer
Captain Lynch
Captain Moews
Captain Wise
D/E Briard
D/E Caruso
D/E Fick
D/E Marullo
D/E Mazzeo
D/E McCleary
D/E Merrill
D/E Spain
D/E Torres
FF/PM Adams
FF/PM Baker
FF/PM Bast
FF/PM Bunnell
FF/PM Burroughs
FF/PM Delong
FF/PM Devery
FF/PM Dorcas
FF/PM Durante
FF/PM Franco
FF/PM Granath
FF/PM Harkcom
FF/PM Kenney
FF/PM Klemann
FF/PM Levy
FF/PM C. Mahoney
FF/PM Meyerson
FF/PM Muller
FF/PM Oliva
FF/PM Szrejter
FF/PM Turnbach
FF/PM White
FF/PM Woertz
FF Osborn
B-Shift
A-Shift
Battalion Chief Giaccone
Captain Gibson
Captain Hirst
Captain Marino
Captain McAlley
Captain Mockenhaupt
Captain Ojea
Captain Press
Captain I. Rose
D/E Fagan
D/E Fiorey
D/E Holmsted
D/E Kovacs
D/E LaMarco
D/E Lang
D/E Langely
D/E Weatherspoon
D/E Zimmer
FF/PM Bahe
FF/PM Boyd
FF/PM Cafone
FF/PM Creasman
FF/PM De La Rionda
FF/PM Drayson
FF/PM Garcia
FF/PM Guillaume
FF/PM Jacobs
FF/PM Kavanagh
FF/PM Lasko
FF/PM Lawson
FF/PM Mead
FF/PM Mejeur
FF/PM Miller-Angel
FF/PM Murphy
FF/PM Pollack
FF/PM Reynolds
FF/PM Simmonds
FF/PM Simpson
FF/PM Tabeek
FF/PM Tarantino
FF/PM Thornton
FF/PM Varano
33
OPERATIONS continued
Training
This year the Operations Division, working with the Training & Safety Division, continued it’s “Back to Basics” theme and focused on
initial company operations and forcible entry utilizing the Multi-Force®, forcible entry door system prop. This patented door system
provides firefighters with the ability to repetitively practice forcing open left or right-handed doors, inward or outward swinging doors, in
metal or wood jambs. This is valuable training that can have a major impact on our ability to gain quick access to building that are locked
and secured, when seconds count. A few other examples of the fire training completed by operations personnel this fiscal year are
highlighted below.
SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus): This year, the Department replaced all of its SCBA. It was critical that all firefighters
understand the additional safety features of the new SCBA. The training was delivered in four phases to ensure enough time was given to
each firefighter. These new SCBA are state-of-the-art and include many new safety features including:
• SEMS II (Scott Electronic Management System): This electronic accountability system tracks every SCBA user on the scene of an
emergency by monitoring air cylinder pressure, air consumption, and the status of the user’s personal alert safety system (PASS).
The system also allows the Incident Commander the ability to send an evacuation signal to each SCBA user on the emergency scene
should the need arise.
• Pak-Tracker. This electronic tracking system allows a team of firefighters to locate a lost, disoriented, trapped/downed firefighter
when their location is unknown. By using a hand-held device, the search team is able to track down the lost firefighter by searching
towards an electronic signal transmitted by the lost firefighter’s SCBA.
• EBSS (Emergency Breathing Support System). This “buddy breathing” system allows firefighters to share their breathing air in
emergency situations.
EZ-Scape IV: NFPA approved personal escape bailout system. The system includes 50 ft. of rope, anchor connector, and descent device
for hands-free emergency escape from the upper floors of a burning building.
Bailout: Another on-going firefighter safety drill (firefighter bailout) was completed using the Boca Raton Fire Training Tower to allow
personnel to practice escape procedures. This drill ensures firefighters remember how to properly utilize the personal escape bailout
system mounted on their SCBA, to bailout of a window on rope to escape a rapidly progressing fire.
Initial Company Operations: Another area we worked on was measuring our ability to perform emergency operations according to the
2010 edition of NFPA 1410, Standard on Training for Initial Emergency Scene Operations.
34
OPERATIONS continued
In addition to the training and practical drills conducted, the
Department also completed the following:
• The annual pressure testing and inspection of all 40,000 feet of
fire hose to ensure compliance with NFPA Standards. A third
party vendor was used to conduct the tests. New hose was
purchased to replace hose that failed the performance testing
• Annual testing of all eleven (11) fire suppression apparatus
were pump tested to ensure reliability and compliance with
NFPA Standards. A third party vendor was used to conduct the
tests.
• Annual testing of all Aerial Ladder Trucks and ground ladders
were inspected and tested to ensure compliance with the current
NFPA Standards. A third party vendor was used to conduct the
tests.
•. All portable power tools and equipment are inspected and
serviced by the manufactures representative. The hydraulic
extrication tools are inspected and pressure tested to ensure
they are operating to design pressures and specifications
35
36
OPERATIONS ACTION SHOTS
37
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE Division
The core of the Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Department EMS Division is based on the medical model, which in
essence insists that direction and practice must be derived from the highest standards of medical training and medical
care. The EMS Division strives for emergency medical care that is founded on the highest standards of training, best
medical practices, scientific evidence, and close supervision by physicians experienced in EMS.
The Medical Director plays a significant role to ensure the success and the ongoing medical quality improvement of
the EMS system. Craig Kushnir, DO, is the Department's Medical Director, and his substantial responsibilities include
developing and approving medical protocols, approving continuing medical education, undertaking new and ongoing
medical quality improvement activities.
EMS Division 2012-13 Accomplishments
Cardiac Patient Outcomes
The EMS Division has been working closely with local hospitals on improving patient out-come by reducing 911 to reperfusion time for
STEMI (ST segment elevation myocardial infarction) patients. When DBFR Paramedics identify a STEMI patient in the field they declare
the patient a “Cardiac Alert” to the receiving hospital and transmit from the field a 12-lead ECG so the catheterization team can be
activated.
National standard is 90 minutes from 911 to reperfusion. Hospitals judge their performance on door-to-balloon time once the patient enters
the hospital to the moment the balloon is inflated in the heart restoring blood flow. We hold the hospitals accountable for their performance.
The national goal is 30 minutes from EMS dispatch to arrival of the hospital. Nationwide less than half of all patients with STEMI’s meet
this goal. In Delray Beach public education equates to earlier activation and Paramedic training equates to early diagnosis, and rapid
transport. Our 911 to ER average is 27 minutes, 3 minutes better than the national goal. Our goal is to continue to shave seconds each year
and continue to improve our patient outcomes and quality of life.
38
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE Division continued
By creative purchasing, we were able to purchase recertified Zoll E Series Cardiac/Defibrillator monitors for every Paramedic
Suppression Unit. Worth over $120,000.00 new, this upgrade from the older series cardiac monitors showed a savings of over
$98,000.00. Features enhance Suppression Unit Paramedic capabilities for earlier STEMI recognition and alerting the receiving medical
facility of a “Cardiac Alert” prior to a Medic Unit arrival. Once the Medic Unit arrives a seamless handoff and transport of the patient
takes place further reducing on-scene time.
Transmission of critical patient ECG information is done through an onBoard Mobile Gateway (oMG). These wireless mobile router
and broadband access points were procured by a County EMS Grant and installed in every Advanced Life Support unit. These devices
provide fast, secure transfer of this critical data to the receiving medical facility when time is of the essence.
Stroke Alert Patients
DBFR Paramedics are trained to rapidly evaluate the patient using an
acute stroke protocol inclusion criteria, use of the Cincinnati Stroke
Scale, determination of last time seen normal, and duration of
symptoms to determine which appropriate stroke center to transport the
patient. Use of this criteria, recognizing the seriousness of stroke, and
notifying one of the three surrounding stroke centers of a “Stoke Alert”
have documented improvement in 1-year survival rate, functional
outcomes, and quality of life when patients hospitalized for acute
stroke receive care in a dedicated unit with a specialized team.
Portable Carbon Monoxide Meters
Paramedics can measure the carbon monoxide level in the blood. This
is a non-invasive test that measures the carbon monoxide level through
a finger sensor, eliminating the need to draw blood or wait for lab
results. This decreases the risk of the Paramedic’s exposure to blood.
The Paramedic will be able to accurately determine if the patient or
firefighter is suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning.
39
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE Division continued
Communications
In addition to the oversight of the EMS operations of the Department, the
EMS Division is also responsible for the radio and dispatch
communications of the operations personnel. This includes weekly
meetings with the communication center to ensure accuracy, as well as
training opportunities for the Communication Specialist. Some of the
developments in this area for the FY include:
• Enhanced Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) capability whereby
dispatchers are trained to help callers administer lifesaving procedures
for patients prior to fire rescue arrival on scene;
• Dispatchers being trained on detailed unit information, ensuring that
the right units are sent to the right types of calls;
• Regularly updated call assignment cards to ensure proper responses.
The radio communications aspect of the EMS Division includes detailed record keeping and maintenance for portable and mobile radios.
These systems are crucial to firefighter survival and communication and, as a result, must be properly maintained and tracked. The
Division has a system in place which ensures this takes place.
Because of the great importance of reaching emergency scenes in a rapid manner, the EMS Division implements and maintains a system
for dispatching calls and communicating properly over the radio. This system includes:
• Enhanced 911 system which provides EMD;
• Scripted dispatch transmissions that prevent delays in responding;
• A Mobile Data Terminal (MDT) in each unit that displays call information including address, nature of the call, pertinent scene
information, and a map detailing the location and resources available near that location, such as fire hydrants; and
• An EMS reporting system that allows for call information to be transferred directly into the Patient Care Report (PCR) maintaining
greater accuracy in reporting.
40
Hospital Destination Report
Destination
Count
Percentage
Bethesda Memorial
2632
35.5%
Boca Raton Regional
455
6.1%
Delray Medical Center
4320
58.3%
JFK Medical Center
3
0.0%
West Boca Medical Center
5
0.1%
Total: 7415
Transport Type
Type
Count
Percentage
ALS 1
4049
54.6%
ALS 2
91
1.2%
BLS
3275
44.2%
Total: 7415
41
COMMUNITY EDUCATION
The goal of the public education section of Delray Beach Fire-Rescue during the past year was to streamline the Department’s initiatives.
These initiatives include:



Home safety surveys for all City residents focusing on fire and life safety in the home;
Free CPR classes for City residents and workers provided in conjunction with Delray Beach
Ocean-Rescue; and
The Community Health and Preparedness program whereby residents are educated about
important topics such as heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, fall prevention, high blood pressures,
CPR/AEDs, and hurricane preparedness.
In addition to the continuation and improvement of these initiatives, the Department has made
strides to continue to educate as many school children as possible within the City. This is done
through fire safety presentations throughout October—also known as Fire Safety Month—and
through the utilization of career days throughout the year. Additionally, the draw of the fire station
has been used to provide a field trip destination that helps get the message out about fire safety.
The goal of the community education section of the Department moving forward is to continue the three initiatives above and also make
great strides in the improvement of the Department’s social media presence. Social media is perhaps the greatest way to reach the greatest
number of City residents, so it will be capitalized upon in the new FY in order to help residents better understand health and safety.
42
SPECIAL OPERATIONS
Our Special Operations Program continues to move forward and is led by the Special Operations Coordinator, Captain Mark Siciliano.
The shift Captains are: A-Shift, Sean Gibson; B-Shift, Todd Lynch; and C-Shift, Mark Reynolds. DBFR Special Operations team operates
out of Fire Station #5 located at 4000 Old German Town Road and is responsible for Dive Rescue, Hazardous Material Responses, High
Angle Rescue, Confined Space emergencies, and heavy rescue vehicle extrications.
Many personnel in the operations Division have been busy attending several special operations courses to obtain specialty certifications.
In 2012 DBFR trained and certified two new Hazardous Materials Technicians and three new Dive Rescue Instructors. These new team
members are joining an established team of professionals in which they will continue to train constantly in order to maintain the high
level of proficiency that is expected of them. DBFR still operates as one of four hazmat teams within Palm Beach County to provide
regional hazardous materials response. The contract for this service brings in funds of $235,000 annually from the Solid Waste Authority.
We have also received a 2012 State Homeland Security Grant for $14,765 for our participation as a statewide regional hazardous
materials/WMD team.
Hazardous Materials Team
We currently have 70 certified Hazardous Materials technicians in the Department. These
members are divided across the three shifts and 40 hour staff positions. DBFR is a Type I
Hazmat Team as a State resource. This means we have the enhanced response capabilities
to respond to and mitigating incidents involving hazardous materials, radiological
materials, and WMD including chemical and biological substances. We were recently
selected to be one of three Hazmat Teams in Region 7 to receive funding from the State
Homeland Security Grant Program. These funds allow us to sustain chemical detection
equipment and provide training for our hazmat technicians. The Department has used
these funds to create and deliver a new training program to meet the required certification
standards of the State Emergency Response Commission for Hazardous Materials.
Members of our Haz Mat Team attended specialized training courses such as the Terrorist
Bombing course in New Mexico, and Radiological courses in Nevada this year. Many of
these courses are funded through state grants from DHS and others from the Urban Area
Security Initiative (UASI) grant funding. The UASI funding is another funding source that
our Department has benefited from by being a Regional Domestic Security Task Force
(RDSTF) Haz Mat/WMD Statewide Response Team.
43
SPECIAL OPERATIONS continued
DBFR received a new piece of equipment from the State to enhance our chemical detection abilities for
hazardous materials incidents and incidents involving WMD. The GasID by Smiths Detection is a portable
vapor and gas detection device. It uses infrared spectroscopy to identify over 5,500 different vapors or gases
in just minutes. This unit cost over $50,000 and was funded by the State Homeland Security Grant Program.
Dive Rescue Team
The Dive Rescue Team consists of 38 personnel trained as
dive rescue specialists. These divers are divided among three
shifts and spread throughout the City on any given shift.
DBFR has standardized dive equipment available on every
suppression unit and medic unit which assists with rescue
situations when time is limited. This equipment has been
standardized on all fire Department apparatus to ensure the
same equipment is present regardless of what unit shows up
for a safer and more efficient operation. We currently have
four Dive Rescue 1 Trainers that provide our dive training inhouse. This allows for consistent training that is specific to
the Department’s needs and the community’s response needs
44
SPECIAL OPERATIONS
45
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
The City of Delray Beach’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP) is the written document that provides guidance on
handling any type of disaster within the City limits. The City of Delray Beach Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is where the key City
leaders will work together at the direction of the City Manager. The EOC is operated and maintained by the Fire-Rescue Department. The
EOC is activated either at a monitoring phase, partial or full activation. The City Manager makes this determination when considering the
need to coordinate the City’s resources in response to a possible disaster, or an actual disaster.
The City also maintains specific plans to deal with disasters, outlining each Department’s responsibilities. These individual plans are
developed by each Department within the City and maintained in one overall City plan. Annually, prior to hurricane season, the City
conducts an exercise simulating a disaster of different types requiring the full activation of the EOC. Typically, this simulation allows the
City staff to exercise their plan while coordinating City Departments to respond to and recover from various types of disasters.
On June 3, 2013, the Emergency Management Division and Community Emergency
Response Team (CERT) held its Annual Hurricane Preparedness Training Session at Fire
Headquarters. The event was a success with one hundred and seven (107) residents
attending and receiving information on assisting them with their storm preparation.
Likewise, our local CERT organization received interest and was able to schedule fourteen
(14) of the residents attending the hurricane preparation review in the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) recognized CERT Basic Training Course.
On July 23, 2013, the City and the Emergency Management Division
conducted the Annual Hurricane Exercise and Hurricane Preparation Review.
City leadership participated in a review of roles and responsibilities,
Departmental Emergency Support Functions (ESF), and the WebEOC
software platform being used by the Palm Beach County Division of
Emergency Management. This web based software is essential prior to, during
and after disasters because it allows for communication between the
municipalities and the Palm Beach County EOC. Both events were
informative, participatory, and well received.
46
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT continued
President Barack Obama began his final campaign push with a rally in Delray
Beach. On October 23, 2012, President Obama visited Delray Beach for an
impromptu campaign rally. The 8,200-seat Delray Beach Tennis Center was
filled to capaCity as President Obama prepared for more than just a typical
election rally. Preparation for receiving the President of the United States was
intense and involved multiagency coordination. The Delray Beach FireRescue Department and its Emergency Management Division coordinated
with the U.S. Secret Service, county and local law enforcement, state, county,
and local political leaders, as well as other entities to create an environment
conducive for the President’s visit.
47
48
SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION
The Support Services Division consists of one Administrative Officer, one Executive Assistant, one Administrative Assistant, and two
EMS Billing Specialists. This Division is responsible for:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Leadership and direction of the Administrative Staff
Approval and processes of all purchases
Payroll administration
Coordination of EMS Transport Revenue
Preparation and administration of the Annual Budget
EMS Billing Division
Support Services for all Divisions
BUDGET
The Operating Budget for the Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Department is broken down into three (3) sections, Personnel Costs, Operating
Costs and Capital Costs. Over the years the budget has fluctuated due to the budgetary cuts. The total budget is up 9% from last years
2011-12 Budget of $21,385,154 budget to this years $22,882,424..
Personnel Costs
Operating Costs
Capital Costs
Administration
1097371
Administration
591171
Highland Beach
2868379
Highland Beach
167615
Operations
Emergency
Management
Fire Safety
14570705
10000
946622
19493077
Operations
Emergency
Management
Fire Safety
2288527
8821
98680
3154814
Administration
Highland Beach
Operations
Emergency
Management
Fire Safety
Total Budget
55800
8000
167733
3000
0
234533
$
1,744,342
$
3,043,994
$
17,026,965
$
21,821
$
1,045,302
$
22,882,424
49
EMS BILLING DIVISION
On February 1, 1995 the Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Department assumed the responsibility for emergency medical service transport for
emergency incidents within the City of Delray Beach and the Town of Gulf Stream. On July 10, 2000 the Department also assumed this
responsibility in the Town of Highland Beach. During the FY 12/13, 7,118 calls were billable out of the 7415 patients transported to the
hospital This number represents a 1.8% increase from the 6,992 patients that were transported in FY 11/12.
On January 1, 2011, the Delray Beach Fire-Rescue brought billing back in-house after having it outsourced for three years. The
Department’s collection rate was a very low 42%. However, since bringing billing back, the collection rate has increased by 21%. As of
September 30, 2013, the collection rate is at 63%. The EMS Billing Division is working diligently to raise the collection rate and meet
the goal of the City Manager.
FISCAL YEAR
NUMBER OF TRANSPORTS
REVENUE
2003-04
5,941
$1,359,274
2004-05
5,865
$1,442,286
2005-06
5,568
$1,411,396
2006-07
5,891
$1,273,023
2007-08
6,827
$1,827,769
2008-09
6,714
$1,920,646
2009-10
6,308
$2,040,697
2010-11
6,731
$1,930,896
2011-12
6,992
$2,224,205
2012-13
7,118
$2,311,086
50
EXPLORER PROGRAM
Explorer Post 320, sponsored by Delray Beach Fire Rescue, has been in
existence since 1982 when the leaders of the Fire Department recognized a need
in the community. They saw that the City and surrounding communities needed
a program to steer young people into a career in the fire service. The program
would also serve other purposes such as community involvement, and keeping
the young people of the City engaged in a safe, healthy environment with good
role models. Since its inception, the program has had an average annual
membership of twenty young people between the ages of 15 and 20 years old. It
has always been chartered through the Learning for Life program which had its
origins with the Boy Scouts of America. Learning for Life’s Exploring program
is based on providing career opportunities, life skills, citizenship, character
education, and leadership experience. These opportunities motivate the
members of the post to do things that they otherwise never would have
considered possible. Our Explorers participate in many events throughout the
year and excel in all facets of the program. These events prepare them for the
career path ahead and allow them to see many aspects of the job. This allows
the Explorers to choose their profession based on their experiences with the fire
service and not stereotypes.
Each of our members has a probationary period that enables them to decide if
the Fire Explorers is right for them. After this period, they are offered the
chance to join the Post and become members. Each member is expected to
attend meetings and events throughout the year. All of our Explorers are issued
a uniform and structural firefighting gear to use in training. Meetings are held
twice per month at the Fire Headquarters building. One meeting is dedicated to
the business of the Post, where members elect leaders, plan future events and
participate in physical fitness training. Our second meeting is dedicated to
training, which consists of fire ground skills, emergency medical skills, and
some aspects of special operations. The members are afforded the opportunity
to earn Ride-Along status, which pairs the eligible explorer with a member of
the Department on shift. This allows the explorer to see what the job is really
like and observe while responding to calls. The Explorers have to complete an
entire check-off prior to this taking place and they earn a coveted spot in the
program.
51
EXPLORER PROGRAM Continued
Each year we participate in many Exploring competitions throughout our area. These events prepare the members for the rigors of the
profession and most of the training will be used later in their academic pursuits. The Annual Fire Explorer Challenge event at the Indian
River State Fire School is modeled after the Firefighter Combat Challenge events held all over the country. This is termed “The toughest
two minutes in sports” by ESPN which covers the event. Explorers compete against the clock in a race of obstacles that simulate tasks
performed on the fire ground. Our Post scores well each year we compete. This year our female Explorers took top honors in the event,
scoring first, second and fourth places. We also compete annually in the Firematics event at Coral Springs Fire Academy. This team
based competition pits Explorers from Broward, Palm Beach and Lee Countys against each other in emergency medical skills, fire
ground skills, and rescue skills. The Post enjoys competing in this event and it provides them an opportunity to network with other posts
and have a lot of fun. We also compete in the Gulfstream Council Firematics which is held at a different fire Department each year.
This year our members were able to travel to two great events outside of our county. We traveled to Tavares, Florida to attend the Florida
Fire Chief’s Fire Cadet Summer Camp. The Explorers attended classes and training sessions held at the Lake Tech Institute of Public
Safety. This fire school is a top notch facility near Orlando that offers the explorers the chance to train in extrication, rappelling,
firefighter survival skills and many others. The camp lasts three days and the explorers eat together, train together and have down time
together to build camaraderie. At the end of the event, an awards ceremony and dinner is held to reward the hard work that is done
during the camp. The Post enjoyed the camp immensely and can’t wait to go again this summer.
52
EXPLORER PROGRAM Continued
Another trip offered to the members is the Florida Fire Chief’s Fire Rescue East conference held
in Daytona Beach. The Post travels to the conference and tours one of the largest trade shows of
fire and EMS related displays on the Eastern coast of the United States. The explorers have the
chance to see the latest fire trucks, ambulances and fire-rescue gear at the show. They also meet
other Explorers from around the state and learn about their programs. This opportunity gives the
members valuable information to take back to the Post and incorporate into our program.
Finally, the most important aspect of Exploring is learning how to serve the community. This
aspect of our youth program enables its future leaders to see that giving back their time and
talents is a very rewarding experience. The Post participates in many annual events that benefit
the City of Delray Beach. These include the Back To School event that was held at the Village
Academy, where kids from area neighborhoods were given school supplies and participated in
many fun events. We also volunteered in the Pediatric Awareness Day, held at Fire Station 4,
where over 100 kids learned about many aspects of safety. The children participated in activities
such as bike helmet awareness, fire safety and drowning prevention. Another rewarding
experience for our members was helping with the Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive sponsored by
the Delray Firefighter’s Benevolent and Delray Medical Center. The Post participates in the
Annual Curb Appeal event where they assist in painting the house of a needy resident and
completing landscaping in the front yard. The Explorers sponsor a street cleanup on SW 4th
Avenue between 10th Street and Linton Boulevard and complete this task quarterly. One of the
most rewarding events that the Post helped with was the First Annual Eric Patrie 5k Run. This
event was held to benefit the family of Eric Patrie, one our own firefighters who died this past
year of brain cancer. This was a chance to see how firefighters can come together to take care of
their own. Many of our members attended Eric’s funeral and were moved to volunteer for the
event. Working during the race instead of attending the Firematics event, for which they had
trained, shows their level of commitment to their community and the Department. Explorer Post
320 is a diverse, active organization that the residents of the City of Delray Beach can be proud
to say is their own.
53
PERSONNEL
Retirements
Assistant Chief Russell Accardi
Captain James Tabeek
Captain David Brassard
Captain Richard Bush
Promotions
Victor Williams – Promoted to Assistant Chief of Administration
Michael Rodriguez – Promoted to Div. Chief of Fire Life and Safety
Christine McCrady – Promoted to Captain
Kevin Saxton – Promoted to Captain
Daniel Waldrep – Promoted to Captain
Andrew Close – Promoted to Captain
Kenneth Hansley – Promoted to Driver Engineer
New Hires
Oscar Dominguez – Technical Support Manager
Firefighter/Paramedics
Roland DaSilva
Joe Guillaume
Kyle Kenney
Anthony Parlamento
David Rivera
Kyle Shaw
Joshua Simmonds
Eric Varano
Crystal White
Jeffrey Wunsch
54
2012 Firefighter of the Year
Driver Engineer Eric Patrie
DE Patrie’s illnesses and struggles were very well documented. He is us. Unfortunately, Eric knew
the end result, but yet Eric was still Eric. When his health permitted, Eric came to work with the
same positive attitude and the same sarcasm that he was known to have.
When Eric was confined to a hospital room, it was truly amazing to see how we banned together for
his support. Eric battled for over a year to keep his spirits high and when it came to the point he was
not able to, we took over. That was the reminder of why we do the job we do. When people are
having the worst days of their lives we are there, we are there to reassure them that we will do
everything in our power to make sure we take care of them. This is a statement that we should never
lose sight of, and Eric further cemented that into our minds.
2012 Employee of the Year
After Eric passed, we as a whole came together to show our love and respect in a manner that the
three of us have never experienced. This year is the only year Eric can be named Firefighter of the
Year and with talking to other members of the Department, it only seems right we give him this
honor.
Administrative Assistant Debra Nastasi
Throughout 2012 Debra has shown her ability to go above and beyond her normal duties as an administrative
assistant. Debra is typically the front line face/voice for Delray Beach Fire Rescue, whether it is answering the
phones or greeting people at the door. She always does it with the professionalism that is needed for that
position. On top of her daily duties of assisting five Captains, the C.E.S / P.I.O. and the Fire Marshal, Debra
has taken on many other projects.
Debra plays a large part is many programs including CERT, Hurricane Planning Guides, and data retrieval of
archived plans. Debra's biggest contribution to Delray Beach Fire Rescue would be her endless efforts with the
monthly newsletter HOT TOPICS. Her skills as editor have now carried onto a new publication, The Delray
Beach & Fire Pension Fund Newsletter and Forum, which is distributed by print and online.
55
VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
Volunteerism
Being active in the community should not stop when your shift is over. Fire-Rescue members
continue to play an active role in both Delray Beach and the fire service with an almost endless
list of volunteer and benevolent activities. In 2012-13 the Delray Beach Fire-Rescue
Department participated in:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Fire-Rescue Water Safety Day
Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)
Caring Kitchen – Thanksgiving Day Meals provided for 84 families
Donate the Easter baskets for the City Easter Egg until for families who can't afford them
Built a wheelchair accessible ramp and deck for a resident who was wheelchair bound
Miami 55 story Stair Climb event – (American Lung Association)
West Palm Beach 20 story Stair Climb event – (American Lung Association)
United Way Campaign
Involvement with local elementary schools
Delray Reads
Children’s Home Society
Community Improvement Curb Appeal
Sister Cities golf tournament fundraiser
Chamber of Commerce fundraising events
Miracle League of Delray Beach
Pompey Park after school program serving Thanksgiving meals to children
56
Town of Gulf Stream
Annex
Proudly Serving the Town of Gulf Stream since 1992
57
Introduction
The City of Delray Beach has an inter-local agreement to provide comprehensive fire, emergency medical and special operations
response services to the Town of Gulf Stream. This contractual service began on October 1, 1992, when the Delray Beach Fire-Rescue
Department replaced the previous providers of emergency services. The Department also provides public education, inspection and
plan review services as a part of the agreement.
Purpose
The purpose of this annex is to provide the commissioners, administrators and residents of the Town of Gulf Stream a summary of the
activities and projects that have been completed during the fiscal year.
Scope
This annex contains information about the emergency responses that had an impact on the Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Department and
the residents of the Town of Gulf Stream during the fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2012 and ending on September 30, 2013.
Emergency Response
The Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Department responded to 123 calls for emergency service during the fiscal year. This represents a 13%
increase from the 109 calls in the previous fiscal year.
Total Calls Per Month
16
10
12
13
10
12
10
7
9
10
7
7
58
Total Calls Per Month
Month
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
Total
Medical
Emergency
Motor Vehicle
Accidents
Service
Calls
Fire Minor
Fire Major
Alarm
Activations
Special
Operation
Total
2
7
7
7
12
8
6
7
5
2
4
2
69
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
2
0
1
0
2
8
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
1
5
0
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
3
6
1
1
2
3
3
1
2
3
3
5
2
32
1
0
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
4
10
12
10
10
16
13
7
12
9
7
10
7
123
3%
Percentage of Calls
Medical Emergency
Motor Vehicle Accidents
26%
Service Calls
Fire Minor
56%
Alarm Activations
2%
4%
Fire Major
7%
2%
Special Operation
59
Town of Highland Beach
Annex
Proudly Serving the Town of Highland Beach since 1993
60
Introduction
The City of Delray Beach has an inter-local service agreement to provide comprehensive fire, emergency medical and special
operations response services to the Town of Highland Beach. This contractual service began on October 1, 1993, when the Delray
Beach Fire-Rescue Department replaced Palm Beach County Fire Rescue as the agency providing emergency and non-emergency
service. The Department also provides public education, inspection and plan review services as a part of the agreement.
Purpose
The purpose of this annex is to provide the commissioners, administrators and residents of the Town of Highland Beach a summary
of the activities and projects that have been completed during the fiscal year.
Scope
This annex contains information about the emergency responses that had an impact on the Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Department
and the residents of the Town of Highland Beach during the fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2012 and ending on September 30,
2013.
Emergency Response
The Delray Beach Fire-Rescue Department responded to
713 calls for emergency service during the fiscal year. This
represents a 3% decrease from the 736 calls in the previous
fiscal year.
Total Calls Per Month
90
80
Station 6 firefighters have been visiting the high-rise
buildings throughout Highland Beach conducting pre-fire
planning and familiarization with the buildings fire
protection systems. The firefighters have also inspected all
of the hydrants within the town and working with the City of
Delray Beach GIS Coordinator have mapped the locations
of the hydrants to be available on the vehicle computers.
40
30
76
70
60
50
Station 6 Personnel
79
70
58
59
64
64
58
55
47
45
38
20
10
0
61
Total Calls Per Month
Month
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
Total
Medical
Emergency
39
41
50
57
59
62
41
34
26
19
35
28
491
Motor
Vehicle
Accidents
1
1
1
3
1
0
1
0
2
0
0
1
11
Service Calls Fire Minor
5
9
6
3
7
6
7
7
2
4
3
6
65
0
0
0
2
0
0
1
1
0
0
2
1
7
1%
Fire Major
Alarm
Activations
Special
Operation
Total
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
2
1
1
2
0
9
12
7
6
4
10
7
14
14
16
14
11
8
123
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
7
58
59
64
70
79
76
64
58
47
38
55
45
713
Percentage of Events
17%
Medical Emergency
Motor Vehicle Accidents
1%
1%
Service Calls
Fire Minor
9%
Fire Major
2%
69%
Alarm Activations
Special Operation
62
Highland Beach Training Photos
The crews of the Highland Beach station do
more than just run calls and train for the next
emergency. We are honored that Captain
Marino represented our Department as the
master of ceremony for the annual Light up
the Holidays event which takes place in
Highland Beach in the month of December.
The event involves lighting the Christmas
tree, Menorah and various musical
performances . In attendance for this tradition
were the Town officials, residents, sponsors,
and local entertainment.
63
CONNECT TO US….
www.delrayfirerescue.com
www.mydelraybeach.com
64
65