January Chief's Notes

 Memo from the Chief

Welcome to the first Newsletter and update of the New Year. Last year marked some remarkable milestones including our move to the Hamilton County Communications Center, but 2007 is expected to be even more fantastic with the transition to our new engine, ladder and medic transport all scheduled for delivery this year.

During 2006, we responded to1637 emergencies, 1290 for EMS and 347 for Fires. Our fire loss was $ 31,600 while the amount of property saved was $ 7,739,520. I should note that this amount saved was figured on the building and contents of the 33 working fires, and does not reflect the value of those locations where there were no actual fires such as automatic alarms or odors of smoke calls.

Of our approximately $ 490,000 operating budget, $ 214,575 was invoiced for medical reimbursement. That means our net cost to the taxpayers of Wyoming was less than $ 35 per citizen. Our average fire response consisted of 18 firefighters per structure fire, 17 for other fire calls and 15 for general responses such as assists at auto accidents, trees down or water removal. The staffing figures are especially meaningful in that the ISO has announced that the City of Wyoming’s Fire Classification will once again be lowered from a Class 4 to Class 3 in February. This is our second reduction in just 15 months and puts us in the 98th percentile of all fire departments in the United States. The number of members responding to these calls equates to better than a 22 member career department with a net additional savings of over $ 1.8 M per year. Everyone can be justly proud of these accomplishments.

In addition to ISO reclassification, February brings with it the pre-construction conferences for all our newly ordered Fire and EMS apparatus. It also marks the end of our 2005 Fire Act Grant that significantly upgraded our communications equipment. I want to thank all of you who have labored so hard in these endeavors. Your extra service is what will make 2007 an even greater year.

In early January, we lost a very dear friend, Ms. Mary Louise Schroth. Ms. Schroth was a strong supporter and benefactor of the Wyoming Fire – EMS and in June 2006 was named the Department’s first Honorary Member in its 114-year history. I am sure that she felt very proud that her family asked the Department to act as an Honor Guard for her visitation and it was very fitting that the first public use of our new Class A uniforms was at her funeral.

Nine members have recently received Commendations for their response to recent EMS runs. This includes the Christmas Day call to Abilene Trail for a non-breather, and a run in early January for an unconscious patient on Wyoming Avenue. These runs were very intense in the use of our ALS protocols and both produced viable patients at the hospital. They reflect highly on the professionalism of the Department.

Finally, congratulations to John Leavell for his retirement from the Wyoming Water Works after 33 years of service. “Fritzie” will continue as our Chief Engineer and will take a significant role in the driver training that will be required on the new apparatus before they are placed in service. Congratulations as well go to former Wyoming Fire Chief Andy Fladung for being named a Wyoming Citizen of the Year. The groundwork laid by our former chiefs has helped us immensely as we continue to improve our service to the citizens of Wyoming.

Until next time, stay safe!