South Bend Fire Department 2016 Annual Report

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additional reimbursement for the year 2015.The contract was renegotiated with the Memorial Hospital for EMS services provided which will provide the department with reimbursement. Annual firefighter physicals were conducted in compliance with NFPA requirements and results will be incorporated with the results of the WPE listed above in order to provide SBFD members with a better overall picture of their health and wellness and to more adequately provide wellness coaching. Chief Skwarcan was responsible for managing design and bid for new Fire Station 4. Construction on that building should commence within the next 2 weeks. When complete, it will be the City's first LEED certified building,making sustainability and a healthy workplace paramount.These activities,along with fleet and building management are in line with all 5 values listed in the City mission. 8. Special Operations. The SBFD special operations teams include the Hazmat,dive, swiftwater rescue,and technical rescue teams.In 2016,the Hazmat team specified,bid and began contruction on a new Hazmat response truck replacing the 30-yearold vehicle used by the team. Trainers from the Hazmat team also provided an 80 hour hazmat technician course in order to provide this level of certification for additional personnel.The river rescue trainers provided 7,week-long schools in 2016 for personnel from all throughout the region which was the most in one year for the school.These schools typically host 35 students from outside the area and positively impact the hotel and restaurants in the downtown area. Members of the swiftwater rescue team also helped coordinate the third annual International Association of Water Rescue Professionals Conference at the Century Center. Over 160 water rescue professionals from around the world attended.This conference will be held in South Bend again in 2017.Members of the SBFD Technical Rescue Team continued to add to training and response capabilities through further certification training in 2016.Excellence, innovation,and empowerment all pertain to our special operations teams. 9. Emergency Medical Services. EMS constitutes the majority of the call volume for which the SBFD receives calls for service. In order to stay on the cutting edge of the service the department provides,it is important to study alternative methods of providing that service.The SBFD partnered with enFocus to study potential alternative delivery methods to focused groups of patients associated with the use of bronchodilators.A grant proposal was written to pilot the program and initially, $40,000 has been promised to start the program. Specialty training for personnel has begun and will lead to full implementation of the program in 2017.This embodies excellence, good government,and includes keeping the basics easy for citizens.