GTFD CURRENT INFORMATION
As of December 31, 2005 the GERRISH TOWNSHIP FIRE/EMS DEPARTMENT had 22 full members, 2 in training, 1 leave of absence, 10 Explorers and 8 part time pool paramedics, for a total of 43 team personnel. Of those 43 members, 23 members are firefighters/EMS providers, 2 members and 8 pool paramedics are EMS only. We have 10 Explorers working towards becoming full members. During 2005, 5 members, 1 pool paramedic and 5 Explorers joined the Department. There was 1 member that retired after serving 30 years with the Department.
The membership continues to improve their level of training and skills. This training helped members in not only their personal life, but also as it helped our Department and the public for which we serve. The areas we most trained in 2005 were Incident Management/Command Systems, equipment operations, Michigan State Firefighter and EMS training and classes, Fire Officer III certifications, hazardous materials, driving, duties and responsibilities, public relations and management classes
Robert Thornton, Kathy Mobarek and Donna May are EMS Instructor Coordinators which has helped our Department meet it's on going EMS Continuing Education credits required to renew the members EMS licenses as required by law. They train the Department at no cost. We thank them for this.
Jim Fisher and Suzanne Thornton have been actively working the Fire Prevention and Safety Education program at the 5 area schools within Gerrish Township as well as the Good Shepherd Child Development Center. The program raises the awareness of fire danger and also addresses how fires start, what to do when it does and how to safely escape from a smoke filled structure. The treatment of minor injuries is also addressed. The Department has a Safety Education trailer that is used to simulate the smoke filled structure and is used by our Department as well as loaned out to other area Department's to promote Fire Safety to neighboring communities as well. The trailer and programs are possible thanks to more than $2000.00 of generous donations from area businesses, organizations and individuals to help promote the Fire Safety mission. You may have seen the trailer used at the Michigan Firemen's Memorial Festival during Fire Prevention week.
The Department is continuing to work on our ISO rating. We are gathering information and documenting maintenance records, personnel and inter-departmental training records, equipment records and calls. We hope to apply for the ISO testing certification in the near future.
The new fire sub-station, "West Side Station" was completed and an open house was held on November 12, 2005. There is a "Class A engine, a brush truck and a CAFS as well as our Safety Education Trailer inside the Station. There is a 30,000 gallon buried water system at that location as well. This sub-station will help achieve a lower ISO rating. FED Corporation Inc. contracted to complete this project for $378,000.00.
On July 11, 2005, our basic ambulance was upgraded to an advance ambulance when there is a second paramedic and an EMT available to staff it. This will help serve our residents in their time of need. We could also provide ALS service to the other agencies with this upgrade if requested and no other ALS units are available.
Lieutenant/Safety Officer Steve Ament retired after serving the Community for 30 years. Steve is a Fire Officer III and licensed MFR. Steve served as an Officer for over 15 years. He had set up our Department's Safety program to include the certification of our Firefighters to wear Self contained breathing apparatus or SCBA.
Jim Fisher has charge of the Explorer "Learning for Life" Program where youth of our Community can learn about the fire and EMS service. There were 4 Explorers that moved up to on-call member during 2005.There are currently 10 Explorers in the program. Several regular members of our Department assist Jim in working with and training the new prospective future members. They may be requested to a scene for one the job training when the scene is secured. They are never in harm's way.