Fall 2011

With winter fast approaching, please remember to change your smoke detector batteries and also check your CO Detectors. Early warning will allow you and your family the best chance to escape if a fire breaks out in your home. Carbon Monoxide Detectors will alert you if CO is detected. Due to Carbon Monoxide being an odorless and colorless gas, I strongly recommend that you have one installed if you have a gas furnace or fireplace. If you have any questions about detectors, please feel free to contact the On-Duty crew at 928-535-4644. I would also like to encourage everyone to have your chimney inspected and cleaned as necessary. The preventative measures mentioned above can go a long way in making sure that everyone has a safe and healthy winter.

Thanks to all who replied to the Customer Satisfaction Survey. Approximately 1,000 surveys were distributed by mail and also delivered to local businesses and to neighbors in the adjacent Trailer Parks. The response was outstanding as we received 409 surveys back. Our purpose for the survey was to find out if we are on track as a Department and to assist with the update of our 5 Year Strategic Plan. The information provided by your responses will be crucial in the development of next year’s budget and to also assist us with long range planning. A special thanks to Becky Johnson and Jan Walls for their assistance with the mailings.

I would like to extend a huge thanks to John and Wendy Walstrom. They donated labor and material to replace the concrete apron that is in front of the fire station. The concrete had become a trip and fall hazard. Their generous donation has created an area in front of the station that is safer for everyone including all of those who join us for meetings and community functions and gatherings. Thanks John and Wendy! You are awesome!

Recruiting of Paid on Call Personnel (POC) –Recruitment for new department members is on going. If you have a desire to serve the community, please contact me or stop by the office. There are a variety of opportunities and positions. Some may require specific training and certifications, while others just may require your time and willingness to help.

Fire Station—Planning continues for the addition of much needed space to house personnel and equipment. Financial strategies focusing on what is affordable given the economic forecast is very challenging. I am confident the building and management team will find a solution that will be affordable and viable to meet the districts needs.

Winter Emergency Planning: To assist with the safety of our residents, the Fire Department would like to know who is staying for the winter. Such a list will assist the Department in developing action plans in the event of emergency situations. We would appreciate your cooperation by contacting the office and identifying yourselves as winter residents.

Records retention–I am pleased to announce that our Records retention program has made its first request to the state advising them of our intent to destroy old, outdated items. Diane Mitchell, our Records Retention Manager and her team members [Jan Walls, Becky Johnson] have done a remarkable job of reviewing old patient records and other administrative items that date back to the early 80’s. Their hard work and dedication has filled two 50 gallon dumpsters. The goal is to implement a process that follows state guidelines for retention and destruction of records. Thanks Diane, Jan and Becky! Your efforts are truly appreciated.

Grants–we have applied for several grants that will enhance our delivery of service and provide for additional safety for our personnel. Clerk John Nelson, who has extensive background in writing grants has authored 3 grants covering the following: replacement of a fire truck that is 24 years old, breathing apparatus to keep us current, structural protective clothing and a thermal imaging camera. More information to follow as we wait and see if we are awarded any of the grants. If you have any questions on the particulars of each grant, please contact Clerk John Nelson or Chief Rodriquez at 928-535-4644.

Board Meetings –A reminder that Fire Board meetings have changed to the second Saturday for the months of November, December, January and February. The time of 10AM remains the same. The Board is required to meet monthly. Such a change provides the Board with some flexibility to use the third Saturday in the event of a major storm that may make travel in and to Forest Lakes difficult on the scheduled day.

Focus group meetings—Chairman John Hennessey and I have begun meeting with various groups in the community to answer questions about the Fire Department. If you are interested in meeting with the Chairman and Chief to discuss topics like district taxes, fire department operations, future goals and direction of the organization, contact Chief Rodriquez at 928-535-4644 to schedule a meeting at your home, place of business or fire station. We have held 4 meetings to date and they have been very informative to those in attendance.

Open house for June of 2012—Planning is underway for an educational and fun event to be held at the fire station. Have you ever wondered what happens when you call 911? How a Dispatcher processes a call from 911 or what it takes to be a firefighter, EMT or Paramedic? Do you have an interest in becoming a Fire Board member? These are just a few of the areas we will be covering that will assist us all to become familiar with fire department operations. Your Fire District Board is committed to protecting, educating and keeping you informed. This open house will definitely be one you don’t want to miss! The date and time will be announced soon. Hope to see you there.

In closing, a big thanks to Karen Foncannon for her leadership and partnership as past president of FLOA. Her dedication to the community along with the teamwork and support she displayed to the fire department is appreciated! I look forward to working with new president Judy Nelson and wish all of you a safe, healthy and enjoyable winter and holiday season.

Regards,
Chief R.