HANOVER FIRE-RESCUE

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE HANOVER FIRE DEPARTMENT

July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009

 The Hanover Fire Department responded to 2408 incidents between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009.

Total number of Fire Calls: 758

Total number of Rescue and/or Emergency Medical Calls: 1650

 A total of $670,121.15 in ambulance fees and $11,857.80 in permit fees were collected between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009.

 The Department has seen a steady increase in the demand for service.  During the past five fiscal years total call volume has increased by 27% and the incidence of simultaneous calls (calls that overlap) has increased by more than 250%.  This past year there were 985 simultaneous calls.

 Some notable calls for service during the past fiscal year include:

 December 25, 2008 – The department responded to a fire in a three-car garage at 69 Washington Street.  Upon arrival firefighters found heavy fire on one end of the structure and it was spreading fast.  The garage was located closely between to houses at the end of a long driveway.  Firefighters battled icy conditions and rapidly knocked down the fire.  

 January 15, 2009 – The department responded to a reported chimney fire at 110 Pine Street.  Upon arrival firefighters were met with heavy smoke pouring from chimney as well as the eves of the structure.  The fire had spread from the chimney to the walls and attic area.  Again firefighters were faced with icy conditions. 

 April 16^th, 2009  - The department received a call for a fire at Burger King located at 1835 Washington Street.  Upon arrival firefighters found fire shooting out of a vent on the roof accompanied by a heavy smoke condition.  A fire in the broiler had extended into the ductwork and had ignited the roof.  Firefighters quickly confined the fire minimizing further damage.

 June 12^th, 2009 - The department responded to a motor vehicle collision at 1120 Washington Street.  A sport utility vehicle had struck a tractor-trailer truck head on.  The tractor-trailer pushed the sport utility vehicle more than 100 feet backwards before pining it against a telephone pole.  Firefighters utilized almost every extrication tool the department has while working for more than 40 minutes to free the victim, who miraculously received only minor injuries.

 Emergency medical services (EMS) comprise more than 60% of the Hanover Fire Department’s total call volume. The primary focus of our EMS training has been Advanced Cardiac Life Support.   Hanover Fire paramedics have undergone intensive training in the most recent standards of the American Heart Association for treatment of patients suffering life-threatening cardiac events, especially cardiac arrest.  In one 30-day period in February and March of 2009 that training paid off when three successive cardiac arrests were successfully resuscitated by Fire Department personnel.  With the critical assistance of bystanders and/or first responders from the Hanover Police Department, all the elements of the American Heart Association’s Chain of Life fell into place and, as a result, three victims of sudden cardiac death received a second chance at life.

 Due to the difficult financial times, the Department agreed to defer the purchase of a new rescue-pumper during the 2008 Annual Town Meeting.  A rescue-pumper is a specially configured pumping engine. The new vehicle would have replaced the 1999 rescue-pumper that had more than 100,000 miles on it.  This past year the Rescue Pumper responded to more than 1700 emergency calls and now has more logged more than 110,000 miles.  During FY 06 the Department developed a Fleet Replacement Plan.  The plan calls for replacing pumping engines after 25 years of service.

 The newest pumping engine serves as the primary emergency response vehicle carrying firefighting equipment, extrication equipment, and equipment to deal with hazardous materials. The rescue-pumper is also licensed by the State as a non-transporting, Class V ambulance and carries a cardiac monitor / defibrillator and other necessary lifesaving medical equipment.  After five years, the will serve as the primary response vehicle for the call firefighters The last five years (years 20 thru 25) the vehicle will serve as a spare pumping engine. 

 Failure to replace vehicles in a timely manner has resulted in immediate increases in fleet operating – principally maintenance and repair – costs.  The Department’s Fleet Replacement Plan must be followed to ensure that Hanover’s emergency response vehicles are safe and reliable.   This replacement of this critical piece of fire apparatus must be prioritized.

 During fiscal year 2008 the Department added a third ambulance to the fleet.  The practice of trading in the oldest ambulance towards the purchase of a new ambulance was abandoned for one time.   The old ambulance has been used as a mechanical spare to “fill-in” when either of the two newer ambulances are out of service for maintenance or repairs.  It has also been utilized (when staffing as been adequate thru callback) to respond as the third ambulance during simultaneous calls.  On a few occasions the third ambulance has been the only ambulance the department has had in service.  During FY 09 the primary ambulance responded to 1535 emergency calls, the second ambulance responded to 405 and the third ambulance responded to 80.  The third ambulance has proven to be a valuable addition to the fleet, allowing patients to receive care faster than could have had they waited for mutual aid from a neighboring community.

 The Fire Station Study Committee prepared a report for the May 2008 Annual Town Meeting.  In its report the Study Committee pointed out that most of North Hanover and parts of West Hanover are beyond the range that emergency units responding from Fire Headquarters can reach within the recommended response time of 6 minutes.  The Fire Station Study Committee identified that the a staffed station located at the site of the Curtis School will best enable the department to meet the current and future emergency needs of the town.  Choosing the correct location is critical as it will effect the response times to the entire community. 

 The department continues to identify and apply for grants that will enhance our ability to provide service and eliminate the need for capital expenditures.  Grants applied for during the fiscal year include funds to construct a new fire sub-station, purchase a new rescue-pumper, purchase new personal protective equipment, upgrade extrication equipment, and replace old fire hose. 

 I want to thank the Town’s firefighters for their continued dedication to serving our citizens, as well as Department Heads, Town Boards and the Citizens of Hanover for their support and cooperation during this past year. 

Respectfully submitted,

 Kenneth L. Blanchard

 Fire Chief

Hanover Fire Department Incident Reporting            7/1/08 – 6/30/09

Hanover Fire Department Inspections            7/1/08 – 6/30/09

Residential:

            Oil burner & Tanks            65                                           

            Smoke Detector     194           

            Propane          52                   

            Completion's - New Homes 42     

            Underground Storage Tanks – Removal     12

Commercial Inspections:

            Quarterly Inspections            12

            Fire Alarm Installations  16           

            Sprinkler Installations 4           

            Occupancy Inspections            57

            School Exit Drills    20

            School Drills (Other) 15

            Re-Occupations 12

            Hazard Inspections 25

            New Construction 26

            Other            33

TOTAL INSPECTIONS                        7/1/08 – 6/30/09