GFD Annual Report 2021-2022

GFD REENSBORO FIRE DEPARTMENT

2021-22 Annual Report

1514 N. Church St. | Greensboro, NC 27405 | 336-373-2356

www.greensboro-nc.gov/fire

GREENSBORO FIRE

From the Chief Over the past year the Greensboro Fire Department has experienced accomplishments and challenges unlike any other time in our history. I hope this document gives you behind-the-scenes insight on the obstacles we have faced and the initiatives we have and will continue to undertake to serve the City of Greensboro. As we entered our first year of the 2021-2026 Strategic Plan, we reflect on our achievements, but also acknowledge our missed opportunities. We saw a record number of staff departures, faced a growing city with limited resources, and worked through the installation of a new administration. Through many trials, we found the adversity we faced created opportunities to improve and grow. All three branches of our department rose to the occasion. I can confidently say that we are a premier, professional, and progressive fire department. You will find the determination and willpower of every single team member in the following pages. This annual review contains analytics crafted with integrity and anticipates the years to come. In 2021-22 alone, our staff completed 16 life-saving rescues, 69 medical life-saving rescues, and 18 technical rescues. We received national accreditation as a fire department for the sixth consecutive time and also built two new fire stations, one dedicated to retired Fire Chief Ray K. Flowers. Together we use the past as a stepping stone to propel us into the future. Our success is not possible without the support of the City of Greensboro and its residents. With new encouragement, we will continue to provide support, resources, and open dialogue as we move forward in our growth as one. We are proud to serve one of the best cities in America. Jim Robinson Fire Chief City of Greensboro

Vision To be immediately recognized by Greensboro residents and the fire service industry as a premier, professional, progressive fire department that consistently delivers the highest quality services possible, one that maintains public trust and improves people’s quality of life by ensuring a fire safe environment and serves as an exemplary model service delivery agency.

Mission The department exists to educate and serve people. Our purpose is to protect life, property, and the environment within every community entrusted to our care.

In memory of retired Fire Chief Ray K. Flowers, 1939-2022.

Department Leadership

Deputy Chief Dwayne Church Emergency Services

Deputy Chief Alex Gossett Administration Services

Deputy Chief Brent Gerald Support Service

New Strategy The 2021-2022 fiscal year was the first year of the Greensboro Fire

YEAR IN REVIEW

Department’s 2021-2026 Strategic Plan. Developed through a community driven process, the plan has established our framework for the future. The plan adopted a new mission and vision and is a guide on how to best meet the community’s needs as the demand for emergency response, prevention, and education services increase in Greensboro.

New Equipment In January, the department replaced its aging defibrillators with 42 new Zoll Automated External Defibrillators. The new models give rescuers real-time, integrated audio and visual feedback to perform high-quality CPR. All staff has been trained on the new equipment, which is deployed across the department’s fleet. In May, Engine 8 was replaced by a 2022 Sutphen Pumper, a model designed specifically for the rigors of industrial and petrochemical firefighting. The former Engine 8, a 1999 model, will serve as a reserve engine for the city. As part of our recruitment program, the new Engine 8 is the first of many fleet vehicles to receive a QR code on the door, which links to job opportunities open to our residents.

387

Structure Fires

$8.7M 37,755 $365.1M

Fire Department Responses

Property & Contents Lost in Fires Property & Contents Saved (97.63%)

Hydrants Inspected 2,748 7,161 Pre Incident Plans Completed

New Stations In November, Fire Station 7 opened in a new building that also houses a Guilford County Emergency (EMS) Medical Services unit. It replaced the old fire station, built in 1960, and EMS base. The station is named for Greensboro’s first African-American Fire Chief Ray K. Flowers. In February, the department opened Fire Station 56, which replaced an outdated station. The building that temporarily housed staff during the construction now contains fire investigators’ offices.

3 42 38

Civilian Fire Fatalities Civilian Fire Injuries

CPR Saves 332 96

Line of Duty Firefighter Injuries

Incidents Where Narcan Was Deployed

136 216

Days of Work Missed Due to Injuries

Days of Light Duty Due to Injuries

Workforce Shortages As with other private- and public-sector employers, the department faced staffing shortages. While authorized to have a 587-person workforce, we lost 41 individuals due to resignation, retirement, or other reasons. Family leave and sick time due to COVID-19 also left fewer employees available for duty. To maintain minimum staff levels, the department enforced a policy in October 2021 that kept employees at work for mandatory overtime due to staff shortages. Thankfully there have been no long-term negative effects to our standards of coverage, but there were isolated incidents where trucks were staffed below the minimum level due to the shortages.

2021-22 Training Hours 1,865 High Rise 4,144 Officer 2,660 Drivers 6,916 Hazmat 6,545 Fire Control

Fire Operations

Successful Reaccreditation Process Throughout Fiscal Year 2021-22, the department gathered data, prepared documents, and finalized paperwork needed for reaccreditation through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. The process helps ensure best practices for high performing direct departments, including continuous improvement, data-supported decision-making, and alignment with community needs. Part of the reaccreditation included a May 2022 visit from a peer assessment team comprised of firefighters from across the United States. The team evaluated our department and left 20 recommendations for improvement over the next five years. It highly recommended Greensboro for reaccreditation, which was approved August 2022.

Development

& Suppression

6,925 Building

Construction

New Growth With recent expansion of the City limits, the department began contracting with the Mount Hope and Whitsett fire departments to help serve Greensboro’s far eastern areas. This year the Fire Department also planned for the deployment of Engine 50 at County Fire Station 50, which will serve newly annexed areas in East Greensboro.

7,663 Search & Rescue 11,558 Other Drills at Public Safety Training Facility

2021-22 City Expansion

1,468 62 1.9M

Acres Added to City Limits Properties Requiring Fire Inspections Square Feet of Buildings Needing Fire Inspections

13,229 EMT

29,746 New Recruits 85,160 All Other

Annexations FY 2021 - Present

TRAINING

Fire Academies The Greensboro Fire Department held two recruit academies in Fiscal Year 2021-22. Academies 75 and 76 graduated 43 new probationary firefighters. The new firefighters completed a rigorous 26 week academy, which included seven weeks of Emergency Medical Technician training. Upon completion of the academy the probationary firefighters were assigned to various fire stations around the city.

Annual Training The department offers a wide range of training opportunities to develop firefighters’ skills and abilities. Staff at all levels receive training throughout the year, both with their company while on duty and in special sessions. This year, the Special Operations Division taught a six-hour hazardous materials (hazmat) course that featured a simulated incident. Officer training focused on personnel policy changes and a tactical class on fighting basement fires, which present a unique hazard. More than 500 of our certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) learned to use the new Zoll Automated External Defibrillators.

STAFF HONORS Medals & Awards

Each year, the department delivers annual awards and honors employees who saved a life in the line of duty by performing CPR or pulling a resident out of burning building. In 2021-22, the Medal and Awards Committee presented 110 awards to staff who demonstrated a high degree of professionalism, removed someone from a hazardous situation or from danger, or assisted a person with no pulse who isn’t breathing. The Life-Savers In September 2021, units arrived at a two-story structure fire on Homeland Avenue. Firefighter Thesley Sampson and Captain Dave Coker heard yelling from the second story windows. Firefighter Eric Simmons deployed a ladder on one side of the building while Firefighters Mitchell McMillion and Justin Patterson raised one on the other side. Captain Chris Koran, Patterson, and McMillion climbed through the windows and faced heavy smoke and heat. McMillion found a burn victim inside and teamed with Patterson to quickly get the victim to the window where Coker carried him down a ladder to safety. The victim was admitted to the hospital with third-degree burns but regained consciousness and was breathing. Each of the six firefighters received a Life-Saving Award for their valor.

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Alex Gossett Deputy Fire Chief OFFICER OF THE YEAR Michael Page Battalion Chief ENGINEER OF THE YEAR Brandon Lucas Fire Engineer FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR Sterling Crosby Senior Firefighter AMERICAN LEGION POST 53 FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR Keri Wells Senior Firefighter

Deploying to Help Our Neighbors Due to its special skills and response teams, the Greensboro Fire Department often receives calls to assist other communities in crisis situations. Listed below are the Fiscal Year 2021-22 special deployments. • Davidson County with an overturned ethanol tanker • City of Burlington with a water reactive chemical • City of Winston-Salem at the Winston Weaver Fertilizer Plant, where 500-600 tons of ammonium nitrate caught fire During the Weaver fire, the Greensboro Fire Department’s Regional Response Team supported Winston-Salem’s department with air monitoring, setting up exclusion zones, and conference calls with subject matter experts. The Drone Team was on SPECIAL OPERATIONS The Hazardous Materials Team assisted: • Stokes County with an explosives fire

location for seven days providing live footage, which provided critical information. The Urban Search and Rescue Team deployed to help those affected by Hurricane Ida and Tropical Storm Fred, participated in a Dan River rescue, and supported the Federal COVID-19 Four Seasons Mall Community Vaccination Site. During Tropical Storm Fred, the Greensboro Water Rescue Team assisted Haywood County with rescues, victim communication, sheltering operations, and animal rescues. Greensboro performed critical rescue and life safety operations for seven days.

Trail Response Team Trail usage is up 40 percent and we have seen a significant increase in calls from the watershed trails. In response, we have focused on training in responding effectively and efficiently. Through preplans, training, and full-scale drills, we have improved our response times to reach the patient and evacuate them from the woods for medical transport. Our response to trail emergencies has been very successful due to the command and coordination between all responding agencies and units.

Fire Education Matters – Jamire Ricker Shows Us Why

Ricker’s swift and preventative actions saved lives and property. For his efforts, he received the Greensboro Fire Department’s Civilian of the Year Award, an annual honor presented to those who protect and serve others in our community. Ricker, a sixth-grader, used the lessons he learned to do the right thing. We’re proud of him – and all the children who take our fire safety education classes each year. Together we can save lives and make a difference.

You don’t have to be an adult to save lives! In February 2022, 12-year-old Jamire Ricker used his fire safety knowledge to save the lives of his family and neighbors. After a fire started in Ricker’s apartment, he quickly called 911 and tried to put it out with a nearby fire extinguisher. He also alerted his neighbors to leave the building until the Fire Department arrived.

2021-22 Community Education 1,000 Community Programs 30,470 Participants

IN THE COMMUNITY Smoke Alarm Saturday

As part of our mission, the Greensboro Fire Department is committed to checking and installing smoke alarms throughout the city. In Fiscal Year 2021-2022, we installed 493 new alarms and 336 batteries. We installed 202 new alarms on Smoke Alarm Saturday, an annual statewide campaign supported by the North Carolina Department of Insurance and the State Fire Marshal’s Office held. Firefighters also inspected and considered safe 197 alarms on that June Saturday. According to the National Fire Protection Association, almost 60 percent of fire deaths are caused by properties with no smoke alarms or alarms that fail to operate. The risk of dying in a residential structure fire is 55 percent lower in homes with working smoke alarms.

Supporting Community Members with Autism

Holden Pardue of Scout Troop 600B helped local fire departments secure new tools for supporting people with Autism Spectrum Disorder – and inspired Greensboro staff to build upon his great idea. For his Eagle Scout project, Pardue raised $2,000 to create 50 kits first responders can give people with Autism to help them stay calm in crises. The kits contain sensory toys and other tools that have helped Pardue, who has Autism. The project inspired Senior Firefighter Hannah Johnson to raise funds for new kits on fire department vehicles, plus six kits for Greensboro Police Department community resource officers. She also worked on a well-received interagency project that provided police officers with additional medical emergency training, including a segment on autism.

Need a firm alarm installed or checked? CALL 336-373-ALRM (2576).

Introducing Girls to Firefighting The department expanded Camp Spark in Fiscal Year 2021-2022. The annual event introduces high school girls to firefighting careers while promoting confidence, teamwork, perseverance, and leadership. The five-day camp is staffed by active and retired women firefighters. Campers learn a variety of skills through hands-on training, including vehicle extrication, forced entry into buildings, hose deployment, search and rescue, sprinkler and hydrant training, and rappelling. Camp Spark increased to 16 participants in its second year. Six participants returned from the previous camp to assume leadership and motivational roles as mentors.