Department Overview

The fire department is responsible for the prevention and suppression of fire within the City of Merriam, responding to fire alarms, windstorms, floods, explosions, hazardous materials incidents, vehicle extrication, rescue of entrapped people, homeland security, unforeseen catastrophes, fire safety inspections, public safety education, enforcement of fire safety codes, and emergency management.

In 2006 no civilian or firefighters lives were lost in fires or suffered any major injuries. Over $25, 000,000 of property was protected from fire damage and over 1,200 citizens were provided emergency medical care and treatment.

Activity in 2006:

Work Performance & Efficiency -

• There were 1,624 calls for service in 2006.
  -2005 - 1,647
  -2004 - 1,614
  -2003 - 1,473
  -2002 - 1,538
  
• Estimated Property Damage $293,300
  
• Call Types
  - 962 - Emergency Medical Services
  - 360 - Fire Incidents
  - 302 - Hazardous Condition, Rescue, Injury Accidents, Public Assist
  
• Average response time 0:04:46 min.
  - 2005 0:04:40
  - 2004 0:04:37
  - 2003 0:04:19
  - 2002 0:04:16
  
• Maintained minimum staffing 24/7 365 days a year 62% of the time.
  - 2005 70%
  - 2004 74%
  - 2003 67%
  - 2002 76%

Training & Development -

• Employees and volunteers completed 4,640 training hours
  - Driver/Operator
  - Fire Inspection/Prevention/Education/Investigation
  - Health and Safety
  - Fire Suppression
  - National Incident Management System
  - Incident Management
  - Personnel Management
  - Fire Instructor

Fire Prevention & Public Education -

• Fire Department performed 814 Fire Safety Inspections in 2006 and discovered 1,001 Fire Code violations
• Public Education and Awareness - 14,040 Public Contacts

Emergency Management Services -

• Responded to 962 Emergency Medical calls
• Treated over 1,200 sick and injured people in cooperation with Johnson County Med-Act
• Provided life saving care and treatment to an estimated 383 patients in cooperation with Med-Act
• Continued to be active in EMS issues affecting EMS service
  - Johnson County EMS Protocol Committee
  - Johnson County EMS Council
  - Region V State of Kansas EMS group
• Coordinated upgrades to all AED units at the community center, pool, and fire department.
  - Upgrade allows for life saving heart defibrillation to be performed on adults and children as young as 1 year of age. Prior to this upgrade children could not be defibrillated.
• 586 Continuing Education Hours. Major Topics:
  - Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
  - Vehicle Extrication
  - Spanish for EMS Responders
  - Biohazard and Infection Control
  - Spinal Injuries
  - Patient Assessment
  - EMS Protocols
  - Behavioral Emergencies
• Updated American Heart Association CPR standards have resulted in (2) patients having a return of pulse and respiration's after Merriam Fire and Med Act arrival on scene
  

Incidents of Note in 2006-

2006 Personnel Items|Changes -

• 21 Regular Full-time positions and 1 Trainee
• 6 Volunteer Firefighters
• 1 Volunteer Firefighter Military Duty
• Expect 1 Full-Time Employee Military Deployment in 2007
• 3 Civilian Service Volunteers
  - Chaplain
  - Photographer
  - Medical Advisor
• Personnel Changes in 2006
  - 1 Retirement
  - 1 Officer Promotion
  - 3 Driver/Operator Promotions
  - 2 Volunteer Separations
  - 2 New Volunteer Trainees

Other Information & Data -

• All fire department employees, volunteers, applicable city employees and elected officials completed NIMS certification applicable for 2006
• Illegal Fireworks Enforcement
  - (New Initiative) Advance planning with Municipal Court, and Police Department
  - 35 Incidents
  - 23 Offenders
  - 0 Fires
  - 0 Injuries
  - 30 Gallons Illegal Fireworks seized during July 4th Holiday period
  - 165 Man hours patrolling City during July 4th Holiday period
• Received Residential Fire Safety Institute Life Safety Achievement Award for efforts to keep Merriam free of deaths from fire
• Shawnee Mission Medical Center Thermal Imaging camera donation
• Assistance to Firefighters Grant approved for station vehicle exhaust system

2007 Goals -

• Participate in Johnson County Fire Chiefs Association initiative to coordinate shared resources in response to technical rescue incidents
• Continue preparedness for Homeland Security incidents and all aspects of the National Incident Management System
• Maintain property save rates at 90% or greater
• Continue all operational programs, service levels and improve when possible.
• Continue developing personnel for leadership positions and increasing employee experience levels
  - Education
  - Training
  - Experience
  - Self-Development
  - Promotional Opportunities
  - Competitive compensation and benefits
• Achieve minimum staffing (6 Firefighters on duty) 80% of the time 24 hours a day 365 days a year
• Conduct City Emergency Operations exercise
  - National Incident Management System
  - CERT
• Provide Fire Instructor training to fire officer development class
• Firefighter Safety preventing fire ground injury and death by using National Fallen Firefighter Course
• Continue to work with Johnson County Fire Departments through County Fire Training Committee to improve training and safety
• Continue live fire training activities with other Multi-Agencies Fire at the Overland Park and Southern Platte Training Centers
• Continue officer development training through the University of Kansas Fire and Rescue Institute Training Manager program
• Continue all training programs and improve when possible
• Review 2006 International and Life Safety Codes for adoption
• More effective integration of annual Fire Department inspections with property maintenance codes
• Seek out fire Fire Prevention Grants
• Continue all fire prevention programs and improve when possible
• Continue cooperative training with Johnson County Med Act
• Continue to actively participate in EMS committee’s at the county and state level
• Keep updated on changing regulations as they pertain to EMS and Continuing Education
• Continue all EMS programs and services and improve when possible