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Lots of changes at Ripley-Huron Fire Department in 2011
By Liz Dadson

Huron-Kinloss council

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The Ripley-Huron Fire Department saw many changes and opportunities, as outlined in the fire chief's report, presented at the Huron-Kinloss council general committee meeting Monday (Jan. 9).

Fire chief Doug Martyn said the retirement of three senior officers meant a major change in the officer positions. The new positions include deputy-chief, captains, and training officers.

The department is also in the process of hiring two new members.

Nine new sets of bunker gear were purchased in 2011, and new air bags and a liner for the porta-tank were ordered and are promised to arrive by year-end.

Martyn said that due to the increased demand for records and compliance, the current computer system is in dire need of an upgrade. "We are also looking for equipment to assist us in geographic locating for our emergency calls," he said. "At this time, discussions with Hanover Dispatch are at a stand-still and I feel they cannot provide 'full dispatch' to us due to radio limitations."

The fire department responded to 46 calls from Nov. 1, 2010, to Oct. 31, 2011, reported administrator/captain Scott Martyn.

Of those, 13 were medical calls, 10 were rescue, seven were public hazard, five were fires with loss, four were fires without loss, three were non-fire calls, and four were listed under "other."

"From year-to-year, the call types have fluctuated which shows a great need in all the areas in which the fire department assists the community," he reported. "Within the past five years, calls have ranged from a low of 32 calls to a high of 53 calls."

He said each year there has been more emphasis placed on tracking and providing documentation. The process of data review, collection, reports and year-end, would be streamlined by a program/software which incorporates all aspects of fire department operation, he said. That type of program would provide current and up-to-date reports on various functions of the department at any given time.

"The main focus for the upcoming year will be training and continual improvement, such as reviewing the potential for a Junior Firefighter program," reported Scott Martyn.

Steve Fry, training officer/captain, said the year had some challenges in the training department with the hiring of four new firefighters.

"The most important issue was getting the four new members' training up to a standard in which they would feel safe responding to calls," he reported. "We will continue working toward this in 2012, along with the understanding that we will also be looking to bring on two more new members this next year."

In the training department, Sean Johnson stepped down to allow Dan Johnson an opportunity in this position, reported Fry. Dan Johnson has been working hard to get the department's standard operating guidelines up-to-date. He is also starting a training guideline for practice nights. These tell the crew that is putting on the training what the key points are and what should be covered in the training exercise.

Fry said last year saw many changes with CPR and defibrillator training, and ensuring firefighters are qualified for their DZ licence.

 
The past couple of years have been tough on Canadian volunteer firefighters, with many members being hurt or killed, said Fry. "We are trying to step up our training to prevent such things from happening in our department. As a result, Ripley has added a self-rescue course to its training program this year which helps firefighters deal with different dangers and situations that they may come across."

He said this course will involve experience in tight or confined areas, entanglements, and knowing how to follow a fire hose out of a building. Added to this, is the importance of staging a Rapid Intervention Team (RIT) so if a firefighter runs into trouble, a team is ready to go in for a rescue, reported Fry.

Among the objectives for the fire department for 2012 are:

  • Upgrade computers with a fire department software program to track responses, training, supplies and time-keeping
  • Ongoing training in various areas of the department operation, including high-angle rescue, operations and First Aid training.
  • All standard operating guidelines have been reviewed and six new have been introduced - this is a work in progress.
  • Fire prevention planning and pre-fire planning in the community. Inspections occur on request and pre-fire plans are performed as required at Bluewater Agromart. The Bluewater District School Board provides an updated plan each year, and chief Doug Martyn attends to the Ripley Y Daycare each year.
  • Replacement and updating of equipment.
  • Participate in discussions with Hanover Dispatch to provide "full dispatch".
  • Look at specifications and standards for tankers. The tanker was scheduled for replacement in 2010 but due to budget restraints, the purchase has been delayed.
  • Replacement of members as the need arises. Two new positions are to be filled in the new year.
  • Future needs will be for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) bottles, in-station compressor and computer software, ID badges, and uniforms.
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