Town of Deering
Department of Fire and Rescue
2007 Annual Report
The Deering Fire and Rescue responded to 208 calls in 2007, an increase in call volume of 6% from 2006.
Of our calls, 122 were requests for Medical Aid, 25 Mutual Aid responses, 15 Motor Vehicle Accidents, 9 Electrical Emergencies, 7 Fire Alarm Activations, 5 Hazardous Materials events, 5 Service Calls, 4 Structure Fires, 3 Chimney Fires, 3 Illegal/Unattended Burns, 1 Carbon Monoxide Alarm Activation,
1 OHRV Accident, 1 Smoke Investigation, 1 Paramedic Intercept, and 6 miscellaneous responses.
We began 2007 training on the operation of the new Engine One. After a classroom program with a representative from the manufacturer and several “hands on” sessions by our members, Engine One was placed in service on January 21st. The truck has certainly lived up to our expectations and should continue to serve the town for many years to come.
As our number of responses increased we experienced a very active year, but nothing taxed our resources as greatly as the three days of flooding in April. It had been twenty years since we last had to evacuate residents from West Deering and for several hours that section of town was cut off from everyone else. The Rescue Boat was used to transport residents from their homes to dry land where they were relocated to shelters in Deering and Hillsboro.
Even the McAlister Station on Second New Hampshire Turnpike had to be evacuated for a brief period. We were able to relocate Engine One to Robin Hill Farm so that the West end of Town continued to have fire protection while Tanker One stood by at the Murdough Station. During the height of the flooding we were able to return Engine One and Tanker One to the McAlister Station but since the entry points to the town were still closed we manned the station and apparatus throughout the period until the water subsided.
We would like to once again thank everyone who gave us food and refreshments so we could remain on duty during the flood. This event was truly a team effort throughout the community.
We responded to four building fires in town which was the most we have had in recent memory. We were also busy traveling to the surrounding communities on mutual aid responses as it seemed that building fires were on the rise in 2007.
While training on the new Engine kept us occupied in January, the Department did find time to train on other subjects throughout the year to keep our knowledge up to date and our skills sharp. In the classroom we covered the computer skills necessary for reporting the ambulance run information for State EMS (called TEMSIS), bi-annual refreshers for several of our Emergency Medical Technicians, and a classroom session on Flashover was followed by a trip to the New Hampshire Fire Academy drill yard for the practical day. We also conducted our annual CPR and Blood Borne Pathogen training.
Once again we sent members to the annual Two State Weekend at the National Fire Academy in March. One member completed the Fire and Emergency Services Instructor’s class during the year to give us four certified Instructors on the Department.
After the flood we conducted a lengthy debriefing in an effort to improve our response in preparation for a future event. We participated in our annual Forestry, ropes & knots, ladders, and PPE/SCBA training. Our Capital Area 2nd Alarm Drill for the year involved a mock boating accident on Deering Lake that brought two Rescue Boats in addition to ours to rescue several “victims” from the water. We finished out the year with a Wilderness Search and Rescue and training on our multi-gas meter that we purchased to replace the used unit we had bought from Henniker six years ago.
Our most involved training event was the acquisition of a building that we could use for live fire training. Following the recommendations of NFPA 1403 we were able to use the structure for three days doing Search and Rescue, Ladder, Ventilation, and Hose Advancement training prior to burning in the structure. We were able to achieve nine separate room fires in the building before we allowed the structure to go to the ground as a controlled burn. We were assisted by the Antrim and Weare Fire Departments providing Fire and Ambulance coverage for the town while we were committed to the burn.
In June we participated with the Police Department on our Third Annual Safety Day. We also spent a Saturday morning at The Deering Center for their Family Day which was the bulk of our Fire Prevention Training for the year. Scheduling worked against us in October which kept us from providing an Open House during Fire Prevention Week but plans are already in place for October 2008.
During mid year our routine maintenance and inspection responsibilities moved from an outside source to our Highway Department. With the addition of the mechanic we saw almost immediate cost savings when Tanker One experienced a breakdown in September. With the Highway Department performing the work the apparatus was back in service in less than a week at a much reduced cost than having it sent out for repair.
Although we again applied for consideration, (for a Thermal Imaging Camera) we were turned down for funds from the Fire Act Grant. However, as long as the grant exists we will continue to pursue this avenue of funding to obtain equipment for our Department.
I would like to include our annual reminder to make sure that you have smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors in your home and that they are working properly. Make and practice an exit plan with your family. At the first sign of fire evacuate immediately and report the fire to 911 from a safe location. Designate a meeting place outside of your home so you will be sure that everyone has left the building. If you have any questions contact a member of the Fire and Rescue and we will be happy to assist you. Our goal is to keep you Fire Safe throughout the year.
On behalf of the members of your Department, I thank you for your continued faith and your most generous support.
Respectfully Submitted,
Andy Anderson
Chief of Department
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