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A Year in Review
By Fred Langeland
Our primary goal, in preparation of this report, is to reflect on our activities over the last year and evaluate the
effectiveness of the Fire Department in controlling fires,
providing emergency medical services, and providing fire prevention education, all in a professional manner.
The Fire Department operated with less than a full
compliment of personnel throughout 2007. At the end of year, 25 of a possible 31 positions were filled. The Department is always looking for ndividuals interested in becoming fire fighters. It takes many hours of training over a 2 year period to become qualified as a fire fighter. Many people who have an interest in joining the Department change their minds when they learn about the
training requirements.
The Fire Department was very busy in 2007, responding to 739 calls. That is an increase of 66 runs over 2006. The majority of our calls are medical related. The number of building fires were down in 2007, compared to 2006, but the dollar loss in 2007 ($357,000.00 for 9 fires) was greater than 2006 ($41,350.00 for 11 fires). The increase in loss was due to the type of buildings that burned and the contents of those buildings.
Training is a critical component of maintaining a professional and effective fire department, and is a priority. Allendale firefighters received a total of 2,114 hours of quality in-service training during 2007. Courses covered a wide range of areas, from the basic firefighting
academy to highly technical subjects in Hazmat. Officers completed fire officer classes. The firefighters received frequent operational training to maintain their skills and expertise at a high level of competency. We continually need to train for success in the care and service that we provide. We currently have three firefighters in firefighter I&II (state certified training), which added to our training hours. In 2007, we had one firefighter complete their firefighter training and become a full member of the department. We spent 64 hours providing Public Fire Education to our Community and school children. We provide classes in the school
classroom setting along with classes at the fire station and places of business. The firefighters support the annual "National Night Out" and "Allendale Goes Back to School" along with other events throughout the year. We hope the Allendale community appreciates all the effort that we put forth to educate the students and residents of Allendale each year.
We had put together a committee a few years ago to look at building a new fire station. The station we are currently operating out of is too small and does not provide the areas necessary for training and does not meet OSHA requirements. We have 2 female firefighters and only a co-ed restroom. It would be ideal to have an additional fire station built in the area of Lake Michigan Drive & 56th Avenue. This would put us in the center of our call volume area and allow us to incorporate the additional facilities we need. The citizens committee was re-established in 2007, with some new members and is currently reviewing this issue.
The Department needs to update some of it’s equipment, which is very costly. In the past, we have tried twice to get a grant through FEMA to purchase a pumper/tanker. We have not been successful. The citizens committee, once, again, reviewed the need for a pumper/tanker and also considered the fact that our large tanker needed a new chassis. They felt these items were very important and made a recommendation to the Township Board that they be purchased. The Township Board asked the Downtown Development Authority to consider funding those items. Our Department is very grateful that the DDA agreed to these purchases. As a result, the cost of these items, which would be several hundred thousand dollars, will not require a tax increase. With the addition of the new truck we believe we will be able to
maintain our current ISO rating, which is used to set home and business insurance rates.
The Fire Department continues to diligently seek alternative funding sources to provide our citizens with the effective and professional firefighting that they have come to expect. This year we have again applied for a grant thru the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) 2007. The application is to purchase 20 self-contained breathing apparatus units that meet National Fire Protection Association 2007 standards, along with 20 spare SCBA bottles and two
one-hour Rescue Air Units to enhance rapid intervention capabilities. The department will also purchase an Amide Terex 5000 trailer with a mounted light tower and 20 kW generator.
We are exceptionally proud of the firefighter’s professional attitude and ability to make
Allendale a safe place to live, work and raise a family their number one priority. As your Fire Chief, I can tell you this is not always the case in many cities throughout the United States and we are exceptionally fortunate in Allendale to have a professional fire department that fosters excellent relationships with our citizens, the media, law enforcement agencies and other fire departments.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the men and women of the department for their unselfish dedication and loyal service without which the department could not serve the
residents of Allendale, and provide them with the fine fire protection and medical services they now receive.
We thank the Township Board for making possible the operation, which we proudly describe as the most efficient fire protection/medical services available per tax dollar invested.
At the printing of this article the Allendale Fire Department has been notified by the
Department of Homeland Security that we will receive a grant award of $140,819 to
purchase the SCBA and Generator light tower.
Please feel free to call our office at 895-4544 or email us at afdfire@altelco.net.
Fire Department "Safety Survey"
Fred Langeland, Fire Chief, is available to assist residents and businesses with fire evacuation plans and safety inspections, and can be contacted by calling 895-4544. The most important part of this survey would be to identify areas that may be in violation of Fire and Safety codes, and the action you can take to correct them. The Fire Department will advise you on things you may be able to do to help the fire department in an event that they are called to your business for a fire or medical emergency. This would be a non-binding survey except if major safety violation (s) are found. If major violations are found, it would require corrective action on your part. The Fire Department will also do "Follow-Up" surveys, upon your request, to review the corrective actions you have taken.
This picture was taken during a 4th of July parade in Allendale!
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