POLAND FIRE RESCUE
MONTHLY ACTIVITY REPORT
JUNE 2008      

For the month of June the Department responded to:

Fire Units   
2    Structure Fire   
3    Motor Vehicle Accidents   
1    Vehicle Fire  
7    Alarm Activation   
3    Un-permitted Burns   
1    Odor Investigation   
2    Smoke Investigation   
1    Woods Fire   
6    Rescue Assists
3    Mutual Aid Given: New Gloucester - 2, Raymond-1
29    Total Calls for Fire June 08   
141    Total Calls to Date in 08  

Rescue Units
42    EMS Calls
27    Patient Transport
7    No Patient Transport
42    Total Calls for EMS June 08
252    Total Calls to Date in 08

A total of 298.5 hours were spent in training including, but not limited to:

•    Electronic Run Sheet for new protocols;
•    Glucometer training for basics;
•    BLS assisting ALS;
•    Members continuing Firefighter I & II training in Paris;
•    Three (3) members completed AVOC/EVOC training;
•    One member received EMT-B licensing.

Some of the activities in and around the station included, but not limited to:

•    We hired a new full-time Firefighter/EMT-B;
•    Dry hydrants back-flushed and repainted; 
•    Completed bid opening for ambulance;
•    Waxing of all apparatus completed;
•    Hose testing started.

Respectfully submitted,

Mark Bosse, Chief
Poland Fire Rescue

Pictured in the photo above is (Left) FF/EMT-P,Captain Diane Delano, Principle PCS, Ayesha Farag-Davis, and FF/EMT-B, Acting Chief Mark Bosse. (Front Row) Maddy Childs, 1st place winner and Lincoln Anderson, 2nd place winner of this years EMS week poster contest. This year for EMS week Poland Fire Rescue worked to better prepare our youth for emergency situations as well as when and how to activate the 911 system. Poland Fire Rescue furnished two ambulances and staff to Poland Community School for a walk through the ambulances and a question/answer session. This increases their knowledge about EMS as well as makes them more familiar and comfortable with their local EMS personnel. All students from K-2nd grade were presented with a Color & Activity Calendar for them to take home. This book provided a fun way for the children to learn about safety. Each month’s safety tips encourage the children to practice safety every day. Contest Winners Grades 3 and 4 entered a picture contest. The winners were two 4th graders; Maddy Childs-1st Place won an EMS Microfleece Blanket Roll and Lincoln Anderson 2nd Place won an EMS Deluxe Lunch Bag. This picture was intended to show how your EMS service provides assistance, learning, as well as medical care to your community. Completed posters were judged by Acting Chief Mark Bosse, Captain Diane Delano, Lieutenant Michael Walsh, Jill Libby, and Nichole Cargnino. Prizes were awarded on May 21, 2008 by Acting Chief Mark Bosse and Captain Diane E. Delano at Poland Community School following the announcement of the winners. Our hopes at Poland Fire Rescue are to work with the Bruce M.Whittier Middle School and Poland Regional High School next year with an age appropriate program. (Above) Display of Poland Fire Rescue ambulances for grades K-2 EMS week at Poland Community School.

For the month of May the Department responded to: Fire Units 1 Structure Fire 7 Motor Vehicle Accidents 1 Wires Down 1 Alarm Activation 5 Un-permitted Burns 2 Brush Fire 4 Rescue Assists 3 Mutual Aid Given: Oxford-1, Raymond-1, Casco-1 24 Total Calls for Fire in May 2008 112 Total Calls to Date in 2008 Rescue Units 33 Patient Transport 12 No Patient Transport 49 Total Calls for EMS in May 2008 210 Total Calls to Date in 2008 A total of 402 hours were spent in training including, but not limited to: -Five members working towards completion of Firefighter I & II training in Paris; -MMA (joint training) in Confined Space with Mechanic Falls, Minot, and Oxford; -In-house training consisting of Hose Loads and Deployment; -Electronic Run Sheet for new protocols; -One member completed Paramedic Training. Some of the activities in and around the station included, but not limited to: - Replaced rear tires on Engine 2 and Engine 3. - Interview committee conducted interviews for a Full-time Firefighter/EMT position; - Hosted the Androscoggin County Fire Chief’s Association; - Awarded students at the Poland Community School for a contest for EMS week; - Supported Heritage Days at Poland Spring Resort; - Young Brothers inspected the concrete structure of the building for defects; - Ambulance specs are completed and going out for bid; - We welcomed three new Per-diem members. Respectfully submitted, Mark Bosse, Acting Chief Poland Fire Rescue

On March 12, 2008 17 Poland Fire Rescue employees participated in the “Take Charge!” cardiovascular risk screening program. The screening consisted of obtaining a medical history, measuring body weight, calculating body mass index (BMI), taking blood pressure, and measuring cholesterol and glucose levels. The “Take Charge!” screening helps employees understand their personal risk of having coronary artery disease and/or stroke, as well as learn what they can do to help reduce their risks. This information will serve as a benchmark for PFR members to use in measuring their progress as they tale steps to improve their overall health through programs including nutrition, exercise, and smoking cessation. Poland Fire Rescue is committed to improving the health and wellness of its members in an effort to better serve the community.

Our Heroes In March 2008 Poland Fire Rescue submitted two letters to the United Valley American Red Cross to assist in their search for local and notable heroes. They were seeking nominations for their 4th Real Heroes awards which recognizes individuals or groups who have demonstrated an act of heroism and have shown courage, kindness and unselfish character in their service to others. The Red Cross had several categories for awards which included Public Safety, Community Service, Military, Education, International Service, Environmental Service, Youth Community Service, Animal Rescue, Workplace Safety, Medical Provider, and Life Saving. Two nominations were made and both were accepted; one by the American Red Cross of Southern Maine, Cyndi Robbins, owner of the Poland Spring Resort received the Community Service Award. This award was presented to Cyndi at the Heroes breakfast at the Wyndham Portland Airport Hotel on April 17, 2008. Cyndi is a very professional woman who chooses to support our service by assisting us with fundraising throughout the year. It takes special people like Cyndi to make our small department function in these growing times of increased fuel costs, food costs, training costs and sometimes limited personnel to do the job. She is our HERO! The second award a Military Service Award was presented at the Real Heroes Breakfast at the University of Southern Maine L/A Campus by the United Valley American Red Cross. This award was presented to wife and daughter, Marshell and Kaitlyn Oldknow for United States Navy Command Master Chief Michael Oldknow. Along with his service to his country he has provided a service to our community of Poland by becoming a firefighter for Poland Fire Rescue. He worked for Poland Fire Rescue for just over a year while still working full time at Brunswick Naval Air Station. He also has taken the time for school to cross train as an EMT-Basic. He was called back to active status in September 2008 for a one year term in Diego Garcia which is located in the Indian Ocean. We are looking forward to his safe return to his family and us because… he is our HERO!

Poland Firefighter Mike Oldknow is currently serving his country in Diego Garcia (Indian Ocean). Mike is a Master Chief in the United States Navy who was formerly stationed at Brunswick NAS. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mike and his family. We look forward to having you back home with us soon. (Barry Lake Photo)