The Bugle Report. We Take the Edge off Chaos. By: Chief John Sinclair

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1 Kittitas Valley Fire Rescue Serving Ellensburg and the Kittitas Valley May 2017 Volume 1, Issue The Bugle Report We Take the Edge off Chaos By: Chief John Sinclair A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to be at a conference and sit right next to Chief Allen Brunacini as a bevy of presentations flashed before us depicting all of the contemporary issues facing the modern fire service; active shooter s, terrorism, hazardous materials and other topics of destruction. During one of the breaks between speakers, Chief Brunacini leaned over to me and said the best we can hope to do is to take the edge off chaos. His comment and got me to thinking. First he is right. We enter people s lives typically on their worst day. For some that is a structure fire, or a horrendous car wreck, or a cardiac arrest of a beloved family member. None of these incidents are things that we caused, but we do have an opportunity to make them better. Sometimes only a little bit better, but better nonetheless. The family that loses a home but has their pictures and family mementos saved. The family, whose father goes into cardiac arrest, is resuscitated and at the hospital, later dies, but before he does the family is able to gather to say goodbye one last time. As first responders, we don t like to lose. We want to save everyone and save every house or structure we come to. That is our black and white world. The truth of our world is that it has many shades of grey. We need to make sure that our personal expectations can match our professional expectations and more importantly our limitations. We cannot overcome physics and we cannot always cheat the grim reaper. Back when I was teaching paramedic classes, I used to tell students if you can t help the patient, then your next obligation is to help the family. I was recently reminded of this when I bumped into a former student from 30 years ago. Why am I waxing philosophical? There is a point to all of this. The next several presentations after Bruno s statement had to do with behavioral health in the fire and EMS service. First know and understand this, what we do, takes its toll on our mental health. We can also be hijacked by our childhood past and also by our personal expectations. Some of us have an expectation that we can beat the laws of physics and save every structure that is on fire. Some personalize every patient we lose and think it is our fault. Not the fault of 40 years of smoking, fatty food, drinking and other bad life choices our fault. We get into the if-only cycle. If only we had arrived quicker. If only we had one more person to help with pit-crew CPR. If only.. I know for a fact, I have said these words. I have blamed myself, my crew, and the doctors at a hospital, for a failure that had nothing to do with any of us. Sometimes patients hurt themselves bad enough to die. Or their disease process is more advanced than anyone thought. Some buildings are built to burn down. 1

2 There are several other ways to help if you need it. I know several psychologists that specialize in this area of PTSD. Our returning combat veterans have contributed to our understanding of the human condition and many new methods of treatment have been implemented. We take the edge off of chaos, but what if the chaos in in our mind? Then come see me. We will get you help. No matter your position in the organization, we will find a path for you. We are learning a lot about how to help.you just have to ask. Let me switch gears with you since we are talking about stress. It has come to my attention that some people are stressed about the ongoing discussions related to a possible merger with Districts 1 and 7; if you are please come see me. Until then understand this. We are not in a hurry. The Board wants to take a very deliberative approach to this. We will have LOTS of discussion about before it happens. Both Districts will need to have a plan to get a levy lid lift passed before we can do any merger. They will need to equal our funding before a merger can occur. So, if you have heard rumors, please call or come by and chat. I am happy to set the record straight. Someday soon the monsoons will stop and the weather will heat up. Not sure what month that will happen, but soon. Let me know if you need anything. Be safe John NEXT COMMISSIONER MEETING IS: Thursday, May 11, KVFR, 400 East Mountain View 2

3 DEPUTY CHIEF S MESSAGE By Deputy Chief Elliott Operations: The operational pace (+20%) at end of February has now moved back into the realm of reasonable we are currently about 4% above 2016 pace and 1.% above 201. Transfers from KVH are down significantly which assists with workload and keeps units in the community, in service. The updated forecast for 2017 fire season is for an historically normal season starting at end of July or early August with some forecasts showing high chance of a windier and slightly warmer summer. The forecast also indicated a higher chance of winds from the south, which tend to bring some instability (thunder/lightning). EMS: Mental health services KVFR is starting to see a higher percentage of patients who are in crisis and accessing mental health services through EMS. There are many reasons and we will be participating in efforts to identify local things we can do to improve preventative care in this area. Training/ Prevention: Many of our personnel are in the second year of fire training and have been assigned a dozen or so highrisk occupancies to update the pre-plans. This, coupled with the work that Captain Isotalo and FF McBride are doing to make the pre-plans more accessible should result in significant improvements for crews on-scene. Miscellaneous: The St 22 plans are complete and are available for review in Deputy Chief Office. If you know good contractors, please encourage them to bid the project. The new volunteer engine specs are being advertised for bid expect mid-2018 delivery. Reviewed Responses Through March 2017 KVFR Fire EMS False Alarm Good Intent March YTD Hazard no fire 8 27 Service Other TOTALS

4 Training and Safety Notes May 2017 Wildland: If you need to make up the Pack test or the Wildland Annual Refresher here is your opportunity. Pack Test: When: May 11 th Location: EHS track Time: Personnel that still need Pack Test: Brunner, Micah Moen, Chris Cavanaugh, Ryan Nelson, Kaelan Eberhart, Urban Preciado, Jose Fuentes, David Wallace, Brad Wildland Refresher: When: May 1 th Where: St. 29 Time: Personnel that still need Red Card Refresher: Brunner, Micah Fuentes, David Delvo, Kathy Isotalo, Melissa Eberhart, Urban Overland, Josh Eisele, Kyle 4

5 Wildland Firefighter I (S-131) Date: May 4 th, 8 th, and 10 th Time: Location: Station 29 Wildland Field Day Date: May 6 th Time: Location: South parking area Helen McCabe State Park SR 821 Mandatory Training (2 nd Drill): Heat Stress and Hearing Conservation training: Have a great May 2017 and I will see you on the drill ground! May Drills: 1 st Drill: Wildland Tabletop (Paperwork, Radios, etc.) START TIME: nd Drill: Mandatory Heat Stress, Hearing Conservation, & Wildland Pre-Fire OTEP: KVFR Module 1, May 1 Station 29 DRILL SCHEDULE: 1 st Drill: Fire Ground Operations Company: Date: Time: Location: Fairview/Broadview May St. 29 Westside/Reecer Cr May St. 29 Badger Pkt/Denmark May St. 29