9032-R1_ML&P_BuxtonAnnualReport_2023-2024_Web

BUXTON FIRE-RESCUE 2021-2022 ANNUAL REPORT BUXTON FIRE-RESCUE 2023-2024 ANNUAL REPORT

BUXTON FIRE-RESCUE 2021-2022 ANNUAL REPORT 2022, was the appointment of Firefighter/Paramedic Denise Nessmann (a 28-year veteran) to the position of career captain and the appointment of Firefighter/Paramedic Jeff Roblee to paid-on-call captain. During the Special Town Meeting on February 2, 2022, the taxpayers approved the purchase of the following items with use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds: • 2 – Lucas Chest Compressors These items remain necessary due to a shortage of staffing on emergency scenes. The Lucas Chest Compressor(s) provide the highest quality CPR compressions available in the field. The stretcher(s) and power load system(s) reduce back injury potential while lifting patients at medical emergencies. The fit test machine allows BFR to fit test employees to a much higher quality fit factor reducing the risk of airborne illness transmission, such as COVID-19, while utilizing required respirators (N95’s). BFR appreciates our continued community support. Unfortunately, in 2022 we lost two long time members (Ret.) Chief Durward Lang and (Ret) Lieutenant Robert These items remain necessary due to a shortage of staffing on emergency scenes. The Lucas Chest Compressor(s) provide the highest quality CPR compressions available in the field. The stretcher(s) and power load system(s) reduce back injury potential while lifting patients at medical emergencies. The fit test machine allows BFR to fit test employees to a much higher quality fit factor reducing the risk of airborne illness transmission, such as COVID-19, while utilizing required respirators (N95’s). BFR appreciates our continued community support. Unfortunately, in 2022 we lost two long time members (Ret.) Chief Durward Lang and (Ret) Lieutenant Robert (Bob) Gorham. Both men served the department for decades; Durward retired in 2013 and Bob in 2021. Both men left a lasting impact on the department and their legacy lives on. Speaking of legacy, during the 2022 Regular Town Meeting I had the opportunity to present Deputy Chief Gene Harmon with Life Member Recognition. I was thrilled to present D/C Harmon with a rocking chair and firefighter flag in recognition for his more than 60-years of service to Buxton Fire-Rescue. Deputy Chief Harmon has served in many capacities through the years, from Firefighter to Chief of the Bar Mills Fire Department. Gene is part of the fabric of this organization, and I was humbled to present this to him. In closing, FY 2021-2022 was a year worth remembering. As we all bounced back out of the COVID year(s) we grew as an organization and had to re-learn how to best support our community with what many would call a new normal. We look forward to continual growth as an organization to best support the department’s mission and the citizens and visitors of our community. • Adding career staff; initially through the SAFER Grant, • Moving the ambulance(s) to Groveville to better serve the entire town • Increasing fire and EMS training • Reducing the fleet while making the apparatus multi-role • Reducing the ISO Rating • Collaborating with other town departments on outside events • Closing Chicopee Station • Adding around the clock supervision for paid staff • Adding the career Assistant Chief position • Adding the Community Risk Reduction Coordinator position This coming year, 2025, is the department’s 30-Year Anniversary. The changes over the last 12 years pale in comparison to the challenges the four departments faced prior to the merger as a municipal fire-rescue department in 1995. Many members before us provided a path to present and now we are responsible for maintaining it, while continuing to move and grow into the future to best support our growing community. I have included the 10-Year NFIRS Major Incident Types Chart, showing an overall incident increase over the period of roughly 40%. BUXTON FIRE-RESCUE 2023-2024 ANNUAL REPORT • Closing Chicopee Station • Adding around the clock supervision for paid staff • Adding the career Assistant Chief position • Adding the Community Risk Reduction Coordinator position This coming year, 2025, is the department’s 30-Year Anniversary. The changes over the last 12 years pale in comparison to the challenges the four departments faced prior to the merger as a municipal fire-rescue department in 1995. Many members before us provided a path to present and now we are responsible for maintaining it, while continuing to move and grow into the future to best support our growing community. I have included the 10-Year NFIRS Major Incident Types Chart, showing an overall incident increase over the period of roughly 40%. 36 1 757 43 82 43 38 9 3 39 2 1,019 103 86 90 56 6 11 0 200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 2014-2024 NFIRS Major Incident Types • 2 – Power Load Stretchers • 2 – Power Pro Stretchers • 1 – Fit Test Machine (Bob) Gorham. Both men served the department for decades; Durward retired in 2013 and Bob in 2021. Both men left a lasting impact on the department and their legacy lives on. Speaking of legacy, during the 2022 Regular Town Meeting I had the opportunity to present Deputy Chief Gene Harmon with Life Member Recognition. I was thrilled to present D/C Harmon with a rocking chair and firefighter flag in recognition for his more than 60-years of service to Buxton Fire-Rescue. Deputy Chief Harmon has served in many capacities through the years, from Firefighter to Chief of the Bar Mills Fire Department. Gene is part of the fabric of this organization, and I was humbled to present this to him. In closing, FY 2021-2022 was a year worth remembering. As we all bounced back out of the COVID year(s) we grew as an organization and had to re-learn how to best support our community with what many would call a new normal. We look forward to continual growth as an organization to best support the department’s mission and the citizens and visitors of our community. Respectfully, Chief Nathan R. Schools, EFO We look forward to continual growth as an organization to best support the department’s mission and the citizens and visitors of our community. Thank you and the community for the continued support BFR receives each year. Respectfully, 200 - Overpressure rupture,… 300 - Rescue & Medical… 400 - Hazardous Conditions (No… 500 - Service Call 600 - Good Intent Call 700 - False Alarm & False Call 800 - Severe Weather & Natural… 900 - Special Type Incident 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 We look forward to continual growth as an organization to best support the department’s mission and the citizens and visitors of our community. Thank you and the community for the continued support BFR receives each year. 2022, was the appointment of Firefighter/Paramedic Denise Nessmann (a 28-year veteran) to the position of career captain and the appointment of Firefighter/Paramedic Jeff Roblee to paid-on-call captain. During the Special Town Meeting on February 2, 2022, the taxpayers approved the purchase of the following items with use of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds: • 2 – Lucas Chest Compressors • 2 – Power Load Stretchers • 2 – Power Pro Stretchers • 1 – Fit Test Machine 100 - Fires

Respectfully,

Chief Nathan R. Schools, EFO Chief Nathan R. Schools, EFO

W ORKING T O PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY AND FIRST RESPONDERS | 2

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