Northborough, MAssachusetts
Northborough Fire Services
December, 1996

     The following is a breakdown of the department's life safety activities and statistics for 1996:

Departmental Staffing
The department membership is categorized below:

     During the year, the department has continued to recruit and develop on-call and volunteer firefighters, EMTs, and advanced life support personnel. As such, the volunteer ranks haveremained strong, and based on performance, training accomplishments, and merit, several members have been promoted to trainee or on call positions.
     This personnel recruitment and retention strategy has generated an increased interest in the department and has allowed the department to continue to meet the growing service needs and to provide an exceptional level of customer-oriented service to the community. The following appointments and promotions have been made during the year.

• · Career F!irefighter/EMT Frank Pulsifer
• · On-call Firefighters: Jeffrey Kasaras, Michael Sholock
• · Trainees: James Claflin, Stephen Fricke, Kenneth Milligan
• · Volunteers: Donald LeBlanc, Deana Mongeon,
     Timothy Mutrie, Jason Rennie, Robert Toledo

Emergency Incident Summary
     I am pleased to report that during 1996 for a fourth year in a row almost every fire situation was contained within the area which was involved upon the department's arrival. This fact stands out as a tribute to the training and exceptional performance of our personnel.
     As the department is composed of both career and on call volunteer forces, the need for each group and its performance as an integrated and well-trained team on the incident scene is demonstrated by the effectiveness of the efforts expended
    During the year, the department responded to nineteen hundred and fifty emergency incidents (1,950). When compared to 1995, this represents an emergency response service demand increase in excess of twenty-three percent (23%). Challenging situations during the year included several weather-related events which generated both significant incident volume and serious emergency situations. During one storm, the fire station was struck by lightning doing approximately $4,500 in damage to electronic equipment. Another storm disabled the dispatch center at the police station. In addition, the largest fire incident was a $1,250,000 loss which occurred during the height of a major snowstorm.

     During the year, structure fires resulted in a loss of $1,495,900, vehicle fires caused $39,350 in damage, and other losses accounted for $1,025 with a total dollar loss from fire during the year of $1,536,275. When comparing the dollar loss to the assessed value of properties involved in fire situations, it is apparent that several million dollars worth of property, and more importantly, several lives were saved during the year. Although not every situation would have resulted in a total loss, this comparison reflects well on the capabilities of the department.
     In addition, seven firefighters were injured during the year. The increase in service demand has been accompanied by in increase in both the scope and number of service requests. Based on the significant and repetitive service demand increase, I have found that the department resources are being continuously stretched. Clearly we have reached the limit of our resources and as incident volume increases, other activities such as inspections have begun to be neglected. As the community continues to grow, it is essential that we address personnel staffing and increase both career and on-call forces in a planned manner over the next several years.

Fire Prevention
     Fire prevention inspections during 1996 totaled thirteen hundred and twenty-three (1,323). When compared to 1995, this represents a twenty percent reduction in the quantity of code compliance work which the department has been able to perform. Although some of this reduction may be based on construction within the community, many mandated inspections have not been completed based on the need to reassign resources based upon the escalating call volume. These inspections are detailed as follows:

Self-Inspection Process Initiated
     In conjunction with the annual inspection program, we have continued to deliver a holiday fire prevention self-inspection checklist. This unique approach provides business owners with the ability to take responsibility for safety and to work with the department. Although we can be reached for advice and will inspect if a checklist is not returned, this provides an option to avoid an inspection, maximizes our limited resources, and assists in community relations and effectiveness. Clearly, this is an innovative way in which we can continue to provide a high level of service to the community given the increasing stress placed on the department's resources.

Department Revenues
     During 1996, department revenues have continued to climb and have increased by twenty-one percent (21%) when compared to 1995 figures. A total of $33,121 was collected from permits and fees and $135,599 from ambulance payments.

     An aggressive program of follow-up on overdue invoices and the utilization of a positive collection procedure has continued to assist us in the receipt of overdue payments. The increase in these revenues is directly attributable to the efforts of Deborah Bent, the department's administrative secretary, and Kathy Plante, who was hired during 1996 to coordinate the ambulance billing process. Should you have questions relative to an ambulance bill or need assistance with your insurance company please call Kathy at 393-1540.

Apparatus
     During the year, the department has been working on three apparatus-related projects which are summarized below:

•   New Engine Placed Into Service - The engine which was authorized at the 1995 Annual Town Meeting has replaced our 1973 Maxim pumper which was traded in. This unit was placed into service during the month of March. This vehicle has significantly updated technology and has increased personnel safety by providing a full cab enclosure for all members.·
•   Aerial Ladder Status - As you may be aware, our previous aerial ladder was involved in an accident during December 1995 and could not be properly repaired based upon the aluminum construction of the vehicle. Fortunately, we had placed replacement cost insurance on this vehicle, and although this did not result in the purchase of a new vehicle, we will replace the damaged vehicle with a 1982 refurbished unit at no cost to the town. Based upon the condition of the new unit, I am pleased to note that it will have a significant useful life. During 1996, the department pursued this replacement vehicle as detailed below:
•   A rental unit was obtained from the City of Nashua, New Hampshire, at a rate of one thousand dollars per month ($1,000), a cost which was fully covered by a provision of our insurance coverage. The unit was delivered and placed into service on May 1, 1996. This unit will be returned to Nashua curing January 1997.
•   During the month of January 1997, we expect to receive the 1982 refurbished aerial ladder which was previously in service in the City of Nacogdoches, Texas.

     As was publicized, this was an extremely time-intensive and frustrating negotiation process in which the insurance company's original proposals would have left the town in an unsafe and unacceptable condition. I would like to emphasize the role that both Charlie Kellner and Stacia Smith played in moving this process forward. Stacia worked closely with both town counsel and myself to detail this claim. Clearly, this teamwork has combined to produce a significant value.
     In addition, I would like to recognize the efforts of Captain James Houston during this replacement process. Jay has spent countless hours working to locate an acceptable vehicle for refurbishment, and has worked with me to coordinate the entire project.

Inspection Vehicle & Apparatus Reduction
     Based on an appropriation from the 1995 annual town meeting, an inspection vehicle was placed into service during the month of August. This pickup truck replaces two 1978 military surplus units which were aging poorly and had become extremely unreliable and costly to maintain.

Communications Project Completed
     The communications project which was authorized at last year's town meeting has been completed. Presently, the repeaters have been installed and are functioning well. Although some problems exist with the quality of phone lines from the various voting sites and the programming of portable radios, a tremendous improvement in the clarity and range of public safety communications has been achieved. It should be noted that this project was developed and implemented by the Town's Radio Officer, Brad Newman. During the year, Brad has more than extended himself and worked countless hours as problems have surfaced. Based on Brad's efforts, the system was completed, tested, and fully-operational at the end of June. Although this system functions well, we have had the opportunity to rely on backup systems when lightning damaged the dispatch center. The concept of redundancy has worked well to insure that our system continues to service the town even under the most adverse conditions.

Solomon Pond Mall Joint Response Agreement
     Based upon the unique emergency service challenges which have been presented in the area of the Solomon Pond Mall, we have entered into a joint response agreement for the roadways surrounding the Solomon Pond Mall. Although we will not be involved in a primary fire or medical response to the mall, we will provide a mutual aid ambulance to the mall upon the request of Berlin Fire and will respond in a back-up capacity to the roadways in the Solomon Pond Road Interstate 290 area. Clearly, we are the closest resources to this area and confusion as to municipal boundaries would present a serious impediment to appropriate and timely emergency care. Since the mall has opened, we have provided services to the mall or within the scope of the mutual aid district approximately twenty times.

Advanced Life Support Program
     During 1996, the department continued to develop the ability to educate our personnel as intermediate level emergency medical technicians. When certified, these individuals will be a welcome addition to the growing momentum of our advanced life support program.
     In addition, the department continues to provide several expanded or advanced medical skills. These skills include the following

• Epinephrine lnjection - This is a time-sensitive and critical skill which can reduce the effects of anaphylactic shock.
• · Semi-Automatic Defibrillation - A time-critical skill which can reverse electrical abnormalities that often cause the heart to flutter and inhibit the flow of oxygenated blood to the body. This is accomplished through the use of electrical shocks.
• · Military Anti-Shook Trousers - This device exerts pressure on the lower extremities and in effect provides an instant infusion of two units of blood to essential organs.

Fire District Fourteen
     Massachusetts Fire District Fourteen, which is a geographical area comprised of twenty-three communities including Northborough, continues to provide a wide scope of services which would be impossible for each community to provide individually. During the year, the district has been fortunate to receive a total of three grants (two state and one federal). These funds are utilized to support the district's activities and have allowed the dues charged to each community to remain low. Clearly, the district serves as the predominant agency for controlled regional fire service activities in support of the services offered by each community on a local level. The district operates a backup ambulance which is available to all member communities on a first-come, first-serve basis. This provides a tremendous asset and relieves the communities of the cost of renting an ambulance or relying exclusively on mutual aid communities when their ambulances are in need of repair. This is a tangible regional benefit as it reduces critical response time whenever it is utilized. Below, I have listed additional district accomplishments which directly benefit each member community:

• Group purchasing through MetroFire bids
• Hazardous materials mitigation and training
• Interdepartmental networking
• Mutual aid resource guides
• Regional communications
• Development of agreements and resources to enhance the level of emergency medical services in cooperation with local hospitals
• Interface with the Massachusetts and Federal Emergency Management Agencies

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day
     Once again, the community was fortunate to sponsor a household hazardous waste collection day which was held on November 7, 1996. Working as partners with Zecco Incorporated, approximately two hundred twenty five residents took advantage of the opportunity to dispose of hazardous materials, the majority of which consisted of oil based paints, motor oil, batteries and other household chemicals. Based on the response from the community, we will be holding a similar event during the fall of 1997. Once definitive plans are made, the exact date will be posted on the cable system and released to the media.

Local Emergency Planning
     During 1996, the Local Emergency Planning Committee was very active and was utilized to assist public safety forces in dealing with several hazardous situations. I would like to thank Nancy Lepore, our Local Emergency Planning Coordinator, for her exceptional effort to assist the town in this area. Two major activities have been pursued during the year:

• A full-scale functional emergency response exercise was conducted in conjunction with Isomedix, Incorporated. This exercise required an intensive amount of coordination but resulted in the ability to measure the strengths and weaknesses of the community's response capabilities.
• The town's emergency plan which is a document required by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) was revised. This was a challenge as we were determined not only to update this guide but to make it a usable resource which would be available as a reference tool on computer.

Public Education
     During the year, we have worked to expand the department's fire prevention and public education programs with little cost to the town. Firefighter Sam Richesson has continually reached out to meet the needs of the schools and other community groups. The fire station always welcomes residents, and I have listed many of the available services below:

• Citizen CPR Classes - Held from 9 a.m. to noon on the last two Saturdays of every other month. Reservations may be made by calling the fire station. (Fee of $15.00 per person.)
• Industrial Fire Extinguisher Classes (Charges to cover the cost of instructors and equipment.)
• Fire/EMS/Safety Talks
• Fire/EMS Rescue Demonstrations
• Fire Station Tours
• School Programs (preschool through high school)
• Senior Citizen Safety Programs
• Blood Pressure Checks
• Smoke Detector Education
• Public Education & S A.F.E. Grant Award

     I am pleased to report that the department has received a Student Awareness Fire Safety Education (S A.F.E.) Grant in the amount of three thousand dollars ($3,000). These funds will be utilized to enhance our presence in the school system and provide a larger scope of public fire education and tobacco awareness education. Although it is often difficult to measure, programs of this caliber are essential in reaching out to children who, with the elderly, are most at risk of death from fire. Firefighter Sam Richesson who has had extensive success developing the department's annual fire prevention fair, will be coordinating this program.

Brush Burning Season Summary
     During the brush burning season which runs from January 15 through May 1 annually, the department issued close to one thousand burning permits. In general, we had relatively few problems compared to previous years. Given the recent tree damage from heavy snow, l am sure that brush burning will be popular during the start of 1997. If you would like to get a permit you will need to visit the fire station which is located behind CVS at 11 Pierce Street and purchase a permit for $5 which is good for the entire season. In addition, once a permit has been obtained, you will need to call the fire station at 393-1537 each day you wish to burn. The purpose of this call is to record which addresses will be burning on a given day and to prevent needless responses. In addition, it allows the department to determine the relative hazard of burning brush in relation to weather conditions. If high winds or abnormally dry conditions exist, burning will be restricted.

Recruitment
     As mentioned early in this report, the department welcomes those residents interested in joining the organization and beginning a training program in the capacity of a volunteer firefighter or EMT. Applications for these challenging and rewarding positions may be obtained at the front desk of the fire station or by calling 393-1537. Advancement to on-call positions is based solely on merit, attendance, and training achievement. Questions concerning the application procedure may be addressed by calling 393-1537.

Telephone Listing
     Should you need to contact the department for an emergency or other business, please note the following numbers:

Respectfully submitted, Brian P. Duggan Fire Chief

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