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On
March 20th and 21st we had officer
training in which we went over goals which will help the
department reduce the county’s fire insurance cost.
The department plans to continue a fast paced training
schedule, test hydrants for water supply, seek additional
manpower, and other means, which will reduce taxpayer’s
insurance cost if we can lower the ISO rating next year..
After
getting the numbers together it appears that we have a very
active department when we respond to emergencies.
In 2000 we had a total of 10,016 runs, which included
6,036 squad runs, 2,518 rescue assist calls, and 1,462 fire
calls. In 2001
there was an increase to over 10,225 calls for the year.
Word is that for the first 3 months of this year we have
had over 200 more squad runs than this time last year.
This appears to be the most tremendous increase of runs
compared to any other period of time in our department’s
history. In the
very near future, new Station 8 at Cate Road will come on line
along with the Public Safety Complex.
We
have experienced recent serious accidents on the interstate, St.
Simons, and other areas. Some
of these accidents are due to thunderstorms moving through our
area. Others appear
to be the carelessness of drivers and their driving habits. If you are a safe driver remember to drive defensively and
make sure that the other driver’s errors does not cost you.
One
firefighter, Tobby Blount escaped injury, “Good Friday”
March 29, while cleaning around the training facility near the
Glynco Jetport. According
to acting Lt. James Stewart, “we had seen about two snakes
while cleaning up.” “FF
Blount was working near an old pump-house when a vine caught
hold of his leg.” “FF Blount glanced at his leg and the vine looked to him
like a snake and he went to jumping.”
“The jumping made a briar pierce his skin around his
ankle and for an instant, FF Blount thought a snake had bit
him.” First
Responder, FF Ken Thrift was near by. When he saw Tobby “moving and jumping” he knew a snake
got him so he took off to get away from the dangerous reptile. It was only when the firefighters saw FF Stewart rolling on
the ground with laughter that they realized a vine which looked
like a snake had caught FF Blount’s ankle.
We
welcome back Paramedic Mike Carrol who left the department for a
short period of time and is now back on the squad on Demere Road
at Station 2.
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