SAFER Meeting Minutes
October 18, 2019
SAFER Board Attendees: President Quinn, Szczepanek, Seely, Past President Gurrola, Social Media Liaison Rabe, Vender Liaison Joe Sposato
Ventura Fire / Police Headquarters
0940 Meeting called to order – President Quinn opened the October 2019 SAFER meeting and introduced Ventura Fire Department Deputy Chief Brock who welcomed SAFER and began the meeting by leading the pledge of allegiance. Thanks to the Ventura Fire Department for hosting the October 2019 meeting of SAFER. Thanks to the Ventura Fire Department for providing the morning hospitality.
Committee Reports:
NFPA – Dick Weise – No NFPA report
CalOSHA – Kirk Owen – Veridian Fire Equipment - 2020 Version of 1851 is now available on NFPA website. Changes will affect FD’s and ISP’s.
Apparatus – LAFD is on the list to try out the new “Electric” Fire Pumpers from Rosenbauer Manufacturing.
Safety and Training- LAFD offered to give input on other agencies Safety and Wellness Standards and policy “sharing”. Attendees discussed current safety training opportunities to aid agencies on “uptaking” various new national standards.
Technology – See Website, Facebook, twitter, linkedin
Treasurer – Balances were reported but not published herein. Reminder to members / attendees: annual membership renewals can be made online at SAFER.org. Thanks to Tracy and Tony for work on the website.
Communications – Tracy / Tony:
Vendor Liaison – Joe Sposato – AllStar Fire Equipment -RENO Show in two weeks, asks attendees for input re: Location of future “Firehouse World” conference after last years “Los Angeles” conference was poorly attended. The 2020 “Firehouse World” conference will be held in Las Vegas. New SCBA “buddy breather” connection is shipping on new SCBA, adaptors are available for RIT Packs etc.
Behavioral Health report: See Pres. Quinn’s Round Table entry below.
Round Table:
Scott Quinn – LAFD – Risk Management and Litigation Officer: ”Early symptom intervention program” - Goal: To reduce WC costs which represents a significant portion of program budget. Has sites established where “minor/common” but significant injuries (including wellness issues) can be addressed outside of the formal “Hospital environment. Examples given were sprains, strains and chronic pain issues.
Lou Manzano – VFD- Welcomed the diverse attendance. Getting new jackets.
Joe Sposato - AllStar – Has new “particulate Resistant” PPE – (has demo product avail), SCOTT X# Pro has removable harness assemblies. They now have Globe Boot product available.
Mark Nielson - Capt VFD – Presenter of today’s program.
Tracy – Line Gear – Has PPE ensembles and safety gear for fire agencies. Structural and Wildland PPE including gloves, boots and station uniforms.
Brandon VFD –
Louie Garcia – Velocity Fire Equipment Sales – Related several of the Equipment and PPE products available for immediate delivery from Velocity.
Tony Hill VCD – Equipment officer
Tom Aioki – Five Alarm Fire – Distributes breathing air compressors for SCBA air bottle refilling.
Jake Sherman - Hero Wipes – Has samples available for demo, wipes for ems use as well as 1st level fire product decon.
Mark Shroder- Medical Liaison Unit – LAFD - Related recent issues / occurrence’s with the LAFD. Related they are pushing their “DECON” Policy in the agency.
Tony -SB City- Hiring process underway, obtaining a Type 6 rig – developing decon polices.
Ventura Harbor Patrol, State Lifeguards attending the meeting.
Chief Gurrola – Fillmore City Fire – Related several Grants success’s they have been awarded.
James Allen – VCFD – Moving to Workrite Pants as part of a “single layer” strategy.
Steve Colley – Cobra Litters – NTR
LACoFD – Implementing their Field Decon Policies.
Rob – SDFD Lt. Lifeguard Program – Related their program particulars, current resource profile and integration into the fire / rescue mission.
Chuck Nelly – Responder Express – Related body armor product lines, ensembles and field accessories.
Jm Lamplin – 1-800- Board-up
State Parks Lifeguards – Several attendees
VCoFD
Hector Garcia – Advanced PPE ISP out of Camarllo. Has cleaning products and offers off-site PPE ensemble care.
Scott Parguay – Universal Washing Systems – Discussed their data
Eric Higgins – Bestway Laundry Solutions -UniMac distributor / service company, Represents UniMac Extractors, installation and servicing.
Jim Evans – Solutions Safety – Discussed recent changes in 1851, will be developing an “update” for FD’s and ISP’s to meet the 2020 edition of 1851 (300 Pages ) Thanks to VFD.
Kirk Owen – Veridian Fire Protective equipment - Related the products they represent, offers assistance to questions / for care and maintenance of FD PPE’s.
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Program: “VFD Ocean Rescue Team”
Battalion Chief Doug Miser & Captain Mark Nielsen
Ventura City Fire / Police Headquarters
1425 Dowell Drive, Ventura. CA 93003
Efforts to develop the Ocean Rescue Program began in 2003. Chief Miser related the far reaching benefits to the public and the first responder communities (Fire / Law / Park Rangers etc). He discussed the evolution of other “specialized operations” type capabilities: USAR, HazMat, EMS, Trench Rescue and Confined Space rescue and the parallels with the Ocean Rescue environment. He related the large volume of interactions in coastal waters from pleasure / tourism as well as commercial users and discussed some of the stake-holders unique emergency response needs.
**PowerPoint Outline Attached Below:
Why does the Fire Department
have an interest in ocean safety?
· Full Time Lifeguards are Seasonal
· City of Ventura - A Beachside Community
· Approximately 6 miles of Coastline
· Coastline consists of mostly South to North West Facing beaches - resulting in potentially large surf all seasons
· Ventura harbor is popular throughout the year
· Host to many recreational and commercial activities
· VPD Partners in marine rescue in Ventura
City of Ventura - A Beachside Community
Ventura Harbor Consisting of:
· 1,400 vessels
· 200 commercial vessels
· Island Packers alone transports over 100,000 people annually to the Channel Islands
· Over 2,000,000 recorded vehicle visits in 2018
· Largest live-aboard population in State
· City of Ventura - A Beachside Community
Ventura Port District Activity 2018:
· 227 Vessel Tows
· 88 Rescues
· 2.2 Vessel Value
· 410 Emergency Medical Calls
· 2600 Vessel Warnings
Contracts with State Lifeguards Annual Statistics (2018)
· 313 Aquatic Rescues
· 323,000 Beach Attendance
· 21 Major Medical Calls
· 370 First Aid
· 3 Boat Rescues
· 77 Vessel Assists
Ventura State Lifeguard Services
· 8:00am - 8:00pm
· Summer Months - Variable Staffing Hours
· Winter Months - 1 to 2 Full time lifeguards
· Winter -Weekends and Holidays variably staffed
· Dispatch of services not through FCC
· Response times may vary
· No lifeguards posted on some City Beaches
VENTURA Fire Department Ocean Rescue Program
· Launched 2003
· USLA Cert. 2008
· 15 Member Team
· Active Member of Regional Response
VENTURA Fire Department Ocean Rescue Program : Standard of Performance:
State Fire Marshall or United States Lifeguarding Agency Standard
ü United States Lifeguarding Agency Aquatic Rescue Response Team Program
· Same Standard of Ocean Lifeguard
· Developed for Non Lifeguard Agencies
· Established minimum capabilities
· Helps partner agency ‘buy-in’
· Standardizes rescue protocol, signals
· Allows mixing of agencies
VENTURA Fire Department Ocean Rescue Program : Two Roles:
ü Primary Responder
ü Assist Partner Agencies
DEVELOPMENT OF OCEAN RESCUE PROGRAM
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
· Developed to augment the current ocean safety and rescue resources
· Fire Department Ocean Rescue program to work with and assist Harbor Patrol and Lifeguards
· Ocean Rescues to be performed after all other reasonable means of rescue have been exhausted
· Ocean Rescue Swimmers will be dispatched after a risk vs. benefit assessment has been made
· Each swimmer will affect a rescue only if they feel comfortable with the existing surf and ocean conditions
DEVELOPMENT OF OCEAN RESCUE PROGRAM
· Rip Current Identification
· Single victim rescue
· Multiple victim rescue
· Vessels in the surf
· Pier rescues
· Jetty- Rock Rescues
· Helicopter Operations
· Harbor Patrol Boat Rescue Procedures
· Unconscious victim
· Submerged Victim
OCEAN RESCUE PROGRAM KEY COMPONENTS
· All partner agencies; Ventura County Fire Department and Oxnard Fire Department have moved to the USLA Standard
· Initial training of Open Water Rescue: 40 Hours
· Quarterly Drills - 16 Hours Annually
· Annual Swim Test 500 meter course in less than 10 minutes
Dispatch for Ocean Rescue -Two Tiers:
1. Ocean Rescue Low
· 1 Engine Company-VFD
· 1 Battalion Chief-VFD
· 2 Minimum Ocean Rescue Swimmers
· 1 Harbor Patrol boat
· State Lifeguards
· 1 ALS ambulance
· Coast Guard- notification only
2. Ocean Rescue High
· 1 Engine Company-VFD
· 2 Battalion Chief-VFD
· 6 Minimum Ocean Rescue Swimmers
· 1 Harbor Patrol boat
· State Lifeguards
· 1 ALS ambulance
· 1 Air Squad
· Coast Guard- notification only
Ocean Rescue Additional Resources to Consider:
· Ventura County Sheriff Helicopter
· Ventura Police Department
· State Parks Ranger
· Additional Engines with rescue swimmers
· Oxnard City Fire Dive Surf Rescue
· Ventura County Fire USAR
Ventura City Fire Department Ocean Rescue Team
ü 15 Person Team
SAFER email : SAFER.Members@gmail.com, twitter, facebook etc.
Meeting adjourned: 1140
Next Meeting will be hosted by Anaheim Fire /Rescue Department – November 15, 2019 -9:30 am - 12:00 pm - North Net Training Center, 2400 E Orangewood Avenue Anaheim, CA 92806
Topic:
"Smoke Doesn't Always Mean Fire & Water Isn't Always the Best Choice for Extinguishment, Hazmat Operations"
Presented by: Battalion Chief Brent Faulkner
Please come join us for the monthly S.A.F.E.R. meeting
Vendor display and networking. Network starts at 9:00 am
Contact: Battalion Chief Brent Faulkner
bfaulkner@anaheim.net
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