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The Department
conducted 26 In Service training sessions this year. Topics covered
were; Extrication,
Hose Lines Selection, Ladders, SCBA, Rapid Entry, Down Firefighter
Removal, Hazmat, Pumps and Hydraulics.
This year Douglas
hosted the Mass Fire Academy Firefighter I & II classes. This class is
held each year to enlist new recruits into a training session which last
26 weeks. Recruits meet three times a week for 3-4 hours to train in
various firefighting subjects. At the end of the classes they take a
State Final Exam and a Practical Exam as well. Once students pass these
exams they become certified Firefighters. This year Douglas graduated
two students Paxton Lapage and John Fitzpatrick. Paxton received the
"Marty McNamara Award" for the most outstanding and achieving student. I
congratulate them both.
New
Equipment purchased this year includes a new 2007 Ambulance that
replaces our 1995 unit. This ambulance was delivered in May and was put
into service in June. The fire department also received a grant this
year from the Department of Homeland Security. This grant in the amount
of 62,000 will be used to upgrade our communications equipment. Other
equipment that was purchased by the Firefighters Association includes a
new gear storage system and a new smoke generating machine for the
training department.
I am
very grateful to the Douglas Firefighters Association for their time and
dedication they show every year. This organization, which consists of
firefighters past and present, continues to raise money for equipment.
Equipment that the Town of Douglas cannot afford, these individuals
sponsor fund raising events so that they can assist the department in
these purchases. Please support this organization.
The Douglas Fire Department EMS personnel are committed to providing our
community with timely, superior, cost effective, medical care and
transportation. We strive to preserve life and promote health and
safety. Continuing education is a perpetual process within the EMS
system.
The Douglas Fire Department responded to 658 calls in 2007. This is an
increase of 50 calls from 2006. Below is some of the break down of the
658 calls:
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Twenty-seven (27) times mutual aid transported a patient because
both our ambulances were busy or unavailable.
-
Thirty-three (33) times our ambulance responded to other towns for
mutual aid
-
Three hundred and seven (307) calls were between the hours of Monday
through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
-
One hundred sixty-eight (168) were weekend calls
-
One hundred and eighty three (183) calls were before 8 a.m. and
after 5 p.m.
-
Eighteen (18) times the ambulance was called for a lift assist
-
Forty-six (46) calls were for falls
-
Seventy (70) were for respiratory distress
-
Seventy -six (76) for chest pains
-
Seventy (70) motor vehicle accidents
-
Thirty-seven for abdominal pain
-
Fourteen (14) for allergic reactions
-
Fifty-six (56) for general weakness/illness (fever, nausea/vomiting)
-
Fifty-one (51) for psychiatric emergencies
-
One hundred and seventeen (117) other miscellaneous calls
The EMS Department looks forward to improving the quality of our care
and services. We strive to meet the changing needs of the community for
pre-hospital care.
I would like to thank the residents of Douglas for their continued
support. The Douglas Fire Department and its members are committed to
protecting and serving the community and its residents with the best
service our resources will allow. We are struggling to meet this demand
and will in the near future need the residents support to fund
additional manpower so that we can cover every hour of every day with
the necessary protection our residents need and deserve. The department
will operate to the best of its ability to limit the loss of life and
property while maintaining the utmost safety of our members.
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