EMS staff working overtime
Growth, change in density of buildings and hospital wait times factor in

Catherine Griwkowsky
News Staff
Friday August 22, 2008

Strathcona County Emergency Services has maintained a quick response time, but employees are starting to feel the county’s growing pains.

The amount of overtime employees work has increased.

Fire Chief Darrell Ried said there have been lessons learned from the massive Bruderheim fire in May.

He said some of the challenges as the county grows is the number of simulatneous calls, hopsital wait times, urban service performance, reliance on overtime and community planning like higher density housing.

From July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008 Strathcona County Emergency Services reached a milestone with over 5,000 emergency responses in the past 12 months.

catherine@sherwoodparknews.com
 

Fast Figures

• 31-per-cent increase in the number of fire responses in the second quarter (From 234 in 2007 to 306 in 2008.)

• 12.8-per-cent increase for the number of rescue responses in the second quarter (78 in 2007 to 88 in 2008.)

• 4.4-per-cent increase in the second quarter for ambulance responses (from 867 in 2007 to 905 in 2008)

• 7.2-per-cent annual increase in total responses) from 1,179 in Q2 for 2007 to 1,299 calls in 2008 )

• 10.2-per-cent increase in quarter two.

• 9.9-per-cent increase in the number of 911 calls answered from 2006 to 2007 (12,816 calls in Q1, 12,883 calls in Q2 2008.)

• Projected annual growth 5.8 per cent in 2008 with over 51,000 calls.

• 129 redeplyments in 2007.

• 59 redeplyments in the first half of 2008.

Emergency services stellar in Strathcona
Concerns over provincial control of ambulances legitimate

Aug. 25, 2008

Congratulations to the 9 new recruits that are now active on their Platoons! 

Local 2461 executive board are proud to recognize the latest internal promotion to Deputy Chief.  The position of Deputy Chief of Operations

was awarded to Vern Elliott.  We are excited to have Deputy Chief Elliott as part of the management team. 

Strathcona County Announces their position on Ground Ambulance Changes

County wants to keep fire, ambulance service

Dave S. Clark
News Staff
Friday June 06, 2008

Early indications are Strathcona County will retain its integrated fire and ambulance services, despite an announcement last week that the new provincial health board will be taking control over ambulance service across Alberta.

Health Minister Ron Liepert announced last Thursday the province will spend $217 million by April 1, 2009, to take responsibility of the service, up from $190 million in 2007-08.

“We need to review the report in more detail, but our first indication is our integrated service will continue,” Deputy Mayor Jason Gariepy said.

The province wants to take control of all ambulance services, but there will also be an option for the province to contract the service out to municipalities, which is what Strathcona would potentially do to retain its integrated service.

Currently, Strathcona firefighters are also paramedics or EMTs, so they man all the ambulances within the municipality. This is known as an integrated service. Sixteen other municipalities across the province have the same system.

Fire Chief Darrell Reid confirmed the county wants to keep the same integrated model but on a contract basis, and said details about how it will work are still limited.

Editorial Note, Sherwood Park New Friday June 6, 2008

Emergency strategy looks good

Friday June 06, 2008

There was definitely some worry from County Hall and from the fire halls when rumours started circulating that the newly-formed provincial health authority may take control of all of the ambulance service in the province.

Strathcona County is very proud of its emergency services model, which has dual-service firefighters and paramedics/EMTs operate both the fire trucks and the ambulances for the municipality.

This system is touted as able to deliver an extremely high standard of response as well as being very efficient. For obvious reasons, nobody wanted to see the system scrapped for a new provincial ambulance service.

So in the early stages of this new plan, it looks like those worries can be disregarded as the county has the option to become a contractor to province and retain the integrated service model.

Obviously, it is a very detailed and complex plan, so it will take the municipality some time to work out all the details.

But from as far as they can tell, county officials think this is the start of something good.

Bringing in standards for EMS workers is only going to improve care for patients.

Emergencies also know no municipal boundaries. It only makes sense to have ambulances break the boundary barrier and respond to calls they are closest to.

The emergency departments in the area have a long history of working together and having co-operative relationships, so hopefully the transition will be as “seamless” as the province hopes the new health authority will be.

May 29, 2008
Government moving ambulance services under Alberta's health system
New model reconciles governance and funding, integrate ground emergency services with health care providers
Edmonton... In a move designed to improve patient care, accountability, and efficiency, government will transfer responsibility for ground ambulance services from municipalities to the new provincial health authority. The transition will take full effect April 1, 2009.

“EMS practitioners are highly trained health care professionals providing front line care and saving lives,” said Health and Wellness Minister Ron Liepert. “They rightfully belong in the health care system as first responders to medical emergencies.”

The decision is based on extensive study done recently by an MLA committee, departmental review, discovery projects, and review of those projects by an independent third party analyst.

As well, over the past ten years a series of reports, consultations and discussions have taken place around the province on this topic. They have all generally reached the same conclusion - Emergency Medical Service (EMS) is health care, and therefore the governance and funding belong in the health system.

“This is an excellent example of what I’ve spoken of before - some of these things have been studied to death, and it’s time to take decisive action,” Liepert said. “Ambulance service is health care and as such should be part of the health system. This just makes sense. We will increase funding and provide leadership to ensure the transition is as seamless as possible.”

In preparation for the formal transfer of operational roles and responsibilities, Alberta Health and Wellness has prepared transition materials as a principal guide for the new provincial health authority to move to a fully integrated ground EMS.

Alberta is striving for a comprehensive, seamless, fully integrated health system. Repeatedly, previous research concluded and recommended that EMS should be structured and managed as an integral component of the health care system and that the services should be coordinated to be better able to address the geographic and demographic differences that exist throughout the rural and urban areas of the province.

The new provincial health authority will have the flexibility to either provide services directly, or they may establish agreements with third party providers, but the ultimate responsibility lies within the health care system. Users of ambulance services will continue to pay a portion of the cost. When the transfer of services is complete, the province will cover 90 per cent of total costs, as opposed to 67 per cent covered today.

Once ambulance governance has been transferred to the health system, for consistency purposes EMS practitioners will become an essential service.

This move represents the latest action by government on a series of fundamental reforms outlined in a health action plan released last month. Earlier this month government announced a new governance model for the health system with the creation of the Alberta Health Services Board.

Our member have been working many many hours of over time to deal with a large call volume and a wild land fire.  Below is the article from our friends at the Sherwood Park News.  But first a note from the editor of the paper. It is nice to hear that the community realizes the challenges an under manned fire department has to provide for the community. Thanks!

A busy year for firefighters

Sherwood Park News

Tuesday May 20, 2008

As the News found out first hand this week, it’s not easy being a firefighter. Storming through smoke-filled burning buildings, lugging around significant amounts of equipment, with the stress of knowing you may need to save people or valuables that mean the world to them.

It must be a load of stress that not many other professions would be able to compare to.

This year, it’s certainly not easy being a Strathcona County firefighter. Last week, Fire Chief Darrell Reid spoke to Strathcona County council and he noted how the department had already fought some of the biggest fires in recent memory. This was long before the massive fire near Bruderheim, which was sparked on Thursday. This will go down as one of the biggest and most destructive fires in the past decade in this municipality.

There was also the Prairie Mushrooms fire in March, which caused millions of dollars worth of damage and took several days to extingiush entirely.

Add to the list a number of large house fires and an increasing number of vehicle fires, it’s been a busy year for Strathcona Emergency Services and it’s still only May.

These firefighters need to be recognized for the work they do, not only at saving lives, but also saving people’s property. They were able to save five houses on Thursday alone that may have otherwise been eaten up by the flames.

Home destroyed in huge blaze
Fire in northern Strathcona County levels 250 hectares, a vacant house and several outbuildings

Jo

Jordie Dwyer / Sun Media

Dave S. Clark
News Staff
Tuesday May 20, 2008

Strathcona County firefighters had their hands full late last week as they battled one of the largest blazes they have fought in the last decade.

The massive brush fire started in northern Strathcona County, likely near Range Road 212 and north of Township Road 562, and engulfed nearly three square miles -- 250 hectares -- taking one house and several other structures with it.

As of an early press deadline on Friday afternoon, the fire was still not under control, but was largely contained, according to Deputy Fire Chief Ken Jones.

Jones said one area of concern was a section of large spruce trees that firefighters had very little access to. However, at that time there were no active flames and no homes were in danger. Crews were continuing to battle areas that were at risk of flaring up and spreading, due to the high winds.

A total of six homes were at risk of being destroyed but only one was not able to be saved. The house that was destroyed was vacant and unoccupied. The residents of the other five homes were safely evacuated with pets and livestock. Fortunately, all of those homes were saved and avoided any damage. Several garages and tool sheds and other outbuildings were not able to be saved. Jones said those residents were able to return to their homes, relieved that they will have a place to sleep.

Chuck Melin, who lives near the corner of Township 562 and Range Road 211, managed to save his horses and firefighters saved his house as the fire raged all around it.

“The fire had reached my place when I got home and the barn was gone. A vehicle I had near the barn is scorched, but the firefighters were able to save our home,” he said.

The fire burned right up to Highway 830, but didn’t cross it, so it came only one mile from the town of Bruderheim.

Strathcona firefighters first received the call at 4:30 p.m. Thursday and immediately sent out resources.

“We responded with all available resources that weren’t on other tasks,” said Jones from the scene of the fire.

They also dispatched help from Fort Saskatchewan, Bruderheim and Lamont County. In total, about 40 firefighters manned the scene.

Crews battled the fire throughout the night and expected to be on scene dealing with spot fires over the next few days.

Crews had been rotated on and off duty several times to keep them well rested, Jones said.

“They’ve worked extremely hard. I think the residents can’t help but being proud of the efforts that have gone in to containing this fire from going further than it did,” he said. “It’s very exhausting work.”

Because of the dry conditions, Strathcona County issued a fire advisory on Friday. That means no open fires or fireworks are allowed until further notice. To check te status of the advisory, call 464-8464 (24-hour recording.)

The blaze came just hours after firefighters battled a separate fire in Lakeland Village trailer park in Sherwood Park.

The mobile home involved in the blaze was destroyed, leaving a family of five without a home.

The cause of that fire is unknown but is not suspicious.

dclark@sherwoodparknews.com
 

May 12 was a big day for Strathcona County Fire Fighters Union.  After close to a year of careful preparation our members hosted a Fire OPS 101 program.  All but one of our County Elected Officials accepted the invitation.  We also had three of our four County Commisoners participate in the program.  The participants rotated through 4 scenarios.  The first was a medical scenario show casing our advanced life support EMS abilities.  Three members demonstrated our treatment abilities for a patient with pulmonary edema due to congestive heart failure.  As our members started IV's, gave medications, set up CPAP and intubated the patient, one of our members described the situation to our participants.  The narration gave insight into time sensitive EMS, the number of hands required to best provide for patients and the advanced skills our members have.  We are not a typical ALS ambulance provider, we are well ahead of the many ALS systems, this is better for our community, something we are proud of. 

The second scenario was vehicle extrication, how we deal with a motor vehicle collision. Our members demonstrated the basics but also gave insight into how the weather, road conditions, number of patients and how the type of vehicle create greater challenges.  Participants enjoyed the hands on use of hydraulic tools and the reality of actually removing a patient from the vehicle on a spine board.

The third and fourth scenarios involved participants wearing full bunker gear and SCBA.  First was the smoke house pitch black smoke and heat.  Our participants found out very quickly how it feels to be in a simulated fire situation.  This scenario created the widest eyes, a bit of sweat and the wow factor.  The last scenario was hose operations.  How to operate a hose and the need to have proper manpower and technique to simply operate a hand line.

The transportation time to and from the training facility gave us time to present on NFPA 1710, occupational health concerns of fire fighters, the IAFF, infectious disease, fire fighter fatalities and the pride of our members in their chosen profession.  We enjoyed many laughs, interesting conversations and an altogether fun day.  All participants were presented with the Fire OPS 101 helmet that they wore for the day.

Strathcona County Fire Fighters Union Executive Board is excited about the recent appointment of Darrell Reid as Fire Chief.  He is the right person for the job, we look forward to working with him.

New fire chief appointed in county

Amy Dyck
News Staff
Friday April 18, 2008

Strathcona County’s new fire chief and manager of emergency services is none other than its now-former deputy fire chief of operations, Darrell Reid.

The new appointment became effective April 10 after a nationwide search to find the right candidate for the position.

“Darrell’s experience and qualifications clearly stood out,” said Mayor Cathy Olesen. “Council looks forward to working with him in his new capacity, and has every confidence he will further the reputation our department has earned for excellence in emergency services.”

“It’s a very exciting opportunity to continue to work with a great team and serve a great community,” said Reid.

Reid has the experience of working with Strathcona County Emergency Services for the past 15 years, and therefore, is quite familiar with the department, as well as the local community.
“He’s been involved with our community intimately for many years,” said Olesen, noting that he will offer needed stability and continuity to the department since two department head changes have taken place in the last two years.

“I feel privileged to serve this outstanding municipality as fire chief,” Reid said. “The vision of our department is to be the innovative leader in the provision of fire, rescue and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). It is an honour to lead our talented, dedicated team in the pursuit of this goal.”

Reid indicated that this is an opportunity to demonstrate regional leadership and continue to build on regional relationships.

Some of the examples he listed are the integrated service delivery model with fire, rescue and EMS; the high-end advanced life support emergency medical services; the incident-command system, which allows mutual aid partners (municipalities and industry) to speak the same language during an emergency response or event; and the strong technical rescue and water rescue teams that help the region.

“It’s just really important to me that as a fire chief, I work towards ensuring that our staff have the resources they need to keep the community safe and to work safely,” Reid said.

As fire chief, Reid will oversee a team of almost 200 that includes both union and non-union staff in full- and part-time positions integrated to meet the needs of fire, rescue and emergency medical response for over 88,000 urban and rural residents.

“I have every confidence that he will lead us well into the future, and that he will be a very strong representative for our excellent staff,” Olesen said.

amyd@sherwoodparknews.com

Thankful after fire

Dietmar and Tracy Sedens
Sherwood Park
Friday April 18, 2008

We would like to take this opportunity to thank many wonderful people in Sherwood Park for their support and prayers during what has been a challenging time for our family.
Three months ago, our home in Winfield Heights on Range Road 232 burned down. Our teenage daughter was at home asleep at the time the fire began and she was awoken by the smoke detector.
We are grateful for the many friends and neighbours who have reached out to us in support and caring during this time. We would especially like to thank the dedicated fire fighters from both of the Strathcona County fire halls who responded to our fire and were at our home for over eight hours on that winter day.

We are blessed to have irreplaceable family photos because a firefighter saw them on a table in the basement and took the time to carry them out of our burning home. This was clearly above and beyond the call of duty, yet we were told, “It’s just part of our job.”

We hope that none of the readers will ever lose their home in a fire, however it should be a comfort to Sherwood Park residents to know that the firefighters in Strathcona County are highly skilled and extremely dedicated.

*Letter to the editor Sherwood Park News April 18, 2008

Local Sherwood Park group has broken the record for the longest hockey game today.  Local 2461 members are proud to have

contributed out of their own pockets $1900.00 toward the cause.  The volunteers played through -40oC weather and 10 days

 to raise over $300 000.00.  http://www.worldslongestgame.com/

has allowed for the hiring of more member into our suppression branch.  The union is confident that our current management

team is moving in the right direction, attempting to create a more safe environment for our members.  More fire fighters available to

respond to emergencies makes it more safe for our members, and the community we proudly serve.

Sherwood Park New article:

Six more to fight fire fire, save lives
Emergency services to recruit six firefighter-paramedics

Dave S. Clark
News Staff
Friday December 07, 2007

Strathcona Emergency Services will be receiving six new firefighter-paramedics to start in July, if council approves the recommended 2008 budget.
Deputy Chief Iain Bushell said the department originally asked the county for 12 additional firefighters, however, only six were recommended because of a budget that already required a double-digit tax increase.  The department continues to see on overall increase in the demand for service and expects that demand to rise in the coming year. It is projecting to have an 8.4 per cent increase in ambulance calls, which would bring the total up to just over 4,000 per year. Fire calls are expected to go up 8.5 per cent to 850 per year. Rescue calls are expected to rise 6.1 per cent to 430 calls per year and hazardous materials calls are expected to go up 5.6 per cent to 135 per year.The department will also be hiring part-time firefighters for the rural stations, however, there is no set number on how many will be hired.
Emergency Services is also looking for council to spend $630,000 on new breathing apparatus that also have devices in them, that can track the location of firefighters.
“It will greatly enhance firefighter safety and accountability at emergency scenes,” Bushell said. “The tracking system allows a rescue team to rapidly locate a disabled or trapped firefighter.”
The system also allows for two-way communication without the use of a radio. It can be used to get firefighters to evacuate an unsafe area or to send out a distress signal without radios.
The department also asked for new monitors and defibrillators, which Bushell said are used on almost every medical call. The new units would allow the department to meet the latest standards in cardiac care. They come at a price tag of $50,000. The current units are almost 10 years old and there have been significant advancements since then, Bushell said. One of those advancements is a built-in wireless and faxing capability so that the ambulance can communicate directly with hospitals.
Emergency Services is also looking for $138,000 for a replacement program to replace aging or damaged rescue tools, stretchers, hoses and other equipment. As for vehicles, the department is set to receive a new ambulance at a cost of $290,000 and a minivan at a cost of $31,500.

dclark@sherwoodparknews.com

The 19th Biannual IAFF Redmond Symposium in Chicago was attended by 3 members of the Executive Board.  This professional fire fighter symposiums focus

is on occupational health and safety.  This symposium was an amazing compilation of many fire service professionals sharing their personal experiences to better

the professional lives of all IAFF members.

Union President Macdonald and Brother Capcara attend the annual Colorado Springs IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial.

Brother Capcara pointing out a fallen

2461 member, Bob Martell

Recruit Convocation Ceremony

Thank you to SCES management for returning to the tradition of formalizing the completion of recruit training.

Piper Brother Patterson leads the new members into the reception.  Rescue 1 and Squad 5 outside the reception.

Our recruits are about to start their last week of training, graduation and platoon assignments will be on Friday the 17^th. Here are a few pictures taken while training on ventilation, slope rescue and tower runs.

Above: Class of 2007 along with Senior Fire Fighters and Officers.  The training for the recruits allowed for fire ground command and    accountability training for our Officers.

We are proud to show off our newest apparatus being prepared to be put in service at station 5.  Squad 5 will replace engine 5.1 and Rescue 5.1. The CAF equipped pump is also fully loaded with rescue capabilities.

Successful Muscular Dystrophy Fundraising Car Wash!

Excited to put into service our latest apparatus replacement.  Rescue 1 has been replaced as of today.

Here is a picture of the new Rescue 1, 2005 Spartan with Rosenbauer body.

40 KW generator, Holmatro tools, 400 hp Cummins ISL400 diesel engine, Allison auto transmission

Fire Chief Osbaldeston proudly announced managements recently approved 5 year strategic plan.  Focal point of the plan is the hiring of 51 suppression staff between 2008- 2012.  The plan would increase manning in the current stations and add a fourth station.  Minimum manning once the new station is fully staffed (2011) would be 28 full time Fire Fighters in the county. Local 2461 is excited to have a well planned  direction for the departments members  to look forward to.  This announcement has been long awaited by our membership.

February 22, 2007

Sherwood Park News Prints Accounts of local 24 61 members attending Winnipeg Memorial

February 14, 2007

Strathcona Brothers attend Winnipeg memorial.  16 local 2461 members and Deputy Chief Reid make the trip to Winnipeg. 

Thank you to Connolly - McKinley for the the use of their bus.     IAFF article on the service 

PART 1   http://www.cisnfm.com/station/waking_crew.cfm?REM=63725

PART 2   http://www.cisnfm.com/station/waking_crew.cfm?REM=63914

December 15, 2006

Strathcona County Councilor asks for increase in Fire Fighters.

November 27, 2006

Fire Fighter Berger organizes donation of Fire gear to Nicaraguan Fire Fighters. Approx. 1000 lbs of gear prepared to be sent.

November 1, 2006

Muscular Dystrophy Fundraiser - Firefighters and RCMP to run for good cause

October 4, 2006

Local 2461 Annual General Meeting Minutes posted in members section

Union Executive Officers : President Craig Macdonald ,Vice President Robert Knull, Secretary Andrew Spence, Treasurer Bob Klassen

Strathcona County provides 5% wage adjustment to all County employees!  Creating a more competitive corporation

Welcome to our newest brothers!  Five new members have finished their orientation and have joined their platoons.

April 2006

Many changes across the department. Chief Laird Burton  has retired from Strathcona County.  Deputy Chief Dwight Osbaldeston has moved into the position of Chief.  Brother Iain Bushell has accepted the position of Deputy Chief of Logistics and Human Resources.  Last but not least, the position of Division Chief of Training and OH&S has been filled after being vacant for too long.  Captain Bruce Matheson has accepted the position.  In June we look forward to 5 new Fire Fighters joining our local after a successful hiring process.

Our union local looks forward to many positive changes in the near future with these capable individuals filling these positions.

Condo Fire a great save by local 246

August 22, 2005

New members finished orientation and have joined their platoons.

August 8, 2005

March 29, 2005  

http://www.iaff.org/across/news/Archive2005/032905yell.html

December 2, 2004

Check out the great results from the Vermilion Combat Challenge