|
|
|
The Proud Home of Company 2 |
|
|
|
CALLS
FIRE PREVENTION AWARD The New Martinsville Volunteer Fire Department has again won the WV State Firemen’s Association “Gail Ash” Award for its Fire Prevention Programs. The presentation of the award was made at the Associations 80th Annual Awards Banquet, held in Charleston WV, August 21st -23rd 2008. The award marks the third consecutive year that the department has received the recognition of the state association. Deputy Fire Chief, Joe Smith orchestrates our Prevention Programs and has excelled in quality and volume of the programs that he and the members put on for our community. The dedication Deputy Chief, Smith has given to these programs, along with the commitment of the men and women, of the department has allowed them to be a true success, and receive the appropriate recognition for their hard work. Many of our members take time-off from their regular jobs, just so they can help with these programs, they also lose time at their jobs to answer emergency calls. There is no possible way anyone could ask more of these volunteers for our community, Joe and other members even schedule their own personal vacation time, to help make the departments Prevention Programs a success. In 2006, the department received the “Gail Ash” award for its Prevention Programs, and then in 2007, Captain Cris Jenkins, and Fire Fighters Tim Pugh and Mike Owens received the association’s award for heroism in the rescue of an un-conscious, un-responsive male victim from his 4th floor apartment that was on fire. Deputy Chief, Smith is one of the main reasons these programs of fire prevention are a true success in our community. You will be hard pressed to go to any volunteer or career department in the state or region and find individuals and a department that has a greater personnel and resource commitment to Fire Prevention. This hard work shows in the low number of residential structure fires, injuries and deaths that our community experiences.
WATER RESCUE OPERATIONS TRAINING HELD
Sunday, August 17th, 2008 all four of the departments boats were deployed for a training session on Water Operations. All of the boats needed to be run and some of the newer and older members of the department had an opportunity to use the new inflatable boats and trolling motors.
NEW TROLLING MOTORS INSTALLED
We have installed new Electric Trolling Motors on all four of the departments boats used during water emergencies, floods and other water operations.
The motors will eliminate any wake by fire department boats during floods and water rescue and recovery operations, allowing operations to be more precise and less dangerous to the fire fighters who otherwise might have to sit in excessive exhaust fumes.
They will also allow operations in more shallow water operations.
NEW ELECTRONIC BILLING CLASS BEING HELD
EMS and Fire Fighting personnel will be completing the new Electronic Billing class for, Patient Care Records this evening, Monday, September 8, 2008.
The departments billing company, Medical Claims Assistance (MCA), is the sole approved vendor for the State of West Virginia and its electronic Patient Care Records.
The Electronic submission will allow ambulances to return to service more quickly, since the care record will be completed and sent from the fire station, with all pertinent documents being scanned and submitted electronically. This new electronic submission will also allow for an immediate submission of: Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement Information, Data Collection and billing information.
NEW HOT WATER TANK INSTALLED
As a result of its 20+ years of service and its decreasing ability to heat the water. We replaced the 90-gallon hot water tank with a 30-gallon hot water tank.
We had a 90-gallon tank because of the hose washer we use to have but we now use a high pressure, cold water hose washer that works much better and faster and saves us on hot water consumption. The new hose washer also requires no detergent or degreasers.
DRIVER/PUMP OPERATOR CLASS COMPLETED
Fire Fighters Eric Smith, Ben Thomas and Fred Gaines have completed and tested for their Driver/Pump Operator Certification. Their final test was given by Stan Traylor of the Wheeling RESA VI Office at the Ohio Street Station on Thursday, September 4, 2008.
ROOF TO BE INSTALLED/BUILDING TO BE RAISED
As a result of the increasing number of calls and activities the department has encountered, it has been very difficult to schedule a time for volunteers to install the new roof on the Steelton Station.
We have decided to use both our county and state money to complete the installation of the roof. Glasscock Construction will begin and complete the installation this week (weather permitting). They have also agreed to remove the old Training Tower at no cost to the department.
NEW SAFETY VEST DISTRIBUTED
The department is now in compliance with the new federal standard that takes effect on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2008. The Standard relates to the type, reflectivity, and tear-away design of safety vest for rescuers/first responders involved with highway incidents.
The vests add yet another layer of protection for our precious volunteer’s.
OFFICERS PROMOTED Captain, Cris Jenkins was promoted to Assistant Fire Chief and Lieutenant, Steve Yoho was promoted to Captain; effective Thursday, September 4, 2008.
Both gentlemen carry a combined total experience of more than 25-years, have vast fields of experience in Fire Fighting and Rescue, are Haz-Mat Technician and Haz-Mat Operations Trained.
Assistant Chief Jenkins is Fire Officer 1 and 2 Certified, while Captain Yoho is certified to the Fire Officer 1 level and both are Certified Emergency Medical Technicians and Rescue Technicians.
The Department’s Chain of Command is as Follows:
Fire Chief: Larry Couch (CEO/Billing/Reports) Deputy Fire Chief: Joe Smith (City Budget/Fire Prevention) Assistant Fire Chief: Cris Jenkins (Training/Rescue) Captain: Jim Agar (Vehicles) Captain: Steve Yoho (EMS) Lieutenant: Bennie Hall (Water/Land Search & Rescue) Lieutenant: OPEN (Pre-Planning)
The Fire Officers examination was administered on Sunday, September 7, 2008. It consisted of a 100-question examination and will follow with and interview and overview of the prospective candidates by all of the current fire officers. 4-Fire Fighters have shown interest in the vacant position |
Send mail to
webmaster@fdnm.org with
questions or comments about this web site.
|