Union fire district year end summary for 2021

Total responses = (1,632) down from previous year (1,702) a decrease of 70.

Fires to include: = 54 Buildings / Vehicles / Brush / Flue

Emergency Medical Incidents to include: = 806 Assist EMS

Motor Vehicle Accidents: 189 With Injury / Without Injury / Entrapped

Hazardous Conditions to include: = 34 Fuel Spills / Gas Leaks / Power lines / Electrical Hazards /

Service Calls to include: = 30 Assist Police / Animal Rescues / Mutual Aid Standby

Miscellaneous Calls to include: = 436 Check the Area / Controlled Burns / Unable to locate

Automatic Alarms to include: = 77 Smoke Detectors / Sprinkler Systems

Other to include: = 6 Citizen Complaint / Unintentional Dispatches

Fire Prevention and Training Activities For 2020

Commercial Occupancy Activities = 1,008

• Inspections = 931

• Investigations = 6

• Consultations = 47

• Reviews = 24

Fireworks Display Permits = 2

Fireworks Sales Permits = 3

Hood System Permits = 2

Fire Alarm System Permit = 2

New Sprinkler System Permits = 4

New Occupancy Permits = 30

New Commercial Building Permits = 21

Documented Fire Training hours = 12,193.25 hours

Fire District Highlights For 2020

• The year began with a new budget being approved based on additional funds provided by proposition fire.

• A new Pierce pumper was received from Macqueen. It was received and assigned to station #3. The older   Pierce quantum pumper 8234 was sold to Gerald, Rosebud Fire Protection District.

• The first step to future financial evaluations took place with an audit being performed in February.

• COVID began capturing the attention of America including Union in February. The Fire District went to emergency response only and Administrative officials worked from home. Public inspections were put on hold.

• Station #3 purchased workout equipment and set up same in engine room.

• AC Tobben scheduled, and we hosted a Command Class & a Safety Officer class.

• Longtime Senior Active member Joe Pautler passed away. UFPD assisted with funeral.

• 8200 Chevy Tahoe was sold to an Indiana Fire Department as UFPD purchased a new Dodge Durango. The Durango was put in service for 8200.

• Firefighters hosted a Driver/Operations class

• Thwing was promoted to Lieutenant as Heller, Hamilton, & Straatmann were promoted to Captains

• A demonstration took place at the County Courthouse in June. Union Fire provided an in station standby without incident.

• Two new hires took place in July.

• Inspector Fink retired on 08-04-2020. A gathering was held at House #1. Captain Miller stepped up to replace Inspector Fink.

• Firehouse reported an increase in fees with a change to the program. The fee was quite substantial. UFPD changed reporting systems to Emergency Reporting.

• Horn Architects was hired to draw up plans for house #1 kitchen remodel. Sieve Construction was chosen from the kitchen bid process and would begin the remodel in January 2021.

• The District entered a contract with SSM to perform yearly physicals for staff members. Physicals took place in November.

• The Halloween event at station #2 and the XMAS party were cancelled due to COVID.

• The new Prairie Dell Elementary School opened for the 2020-2021 school year. Firefighters walked through the building prior to occupancy. An addition was put on the middle school.

• Volpi Industries began their expansion along with other various industrial buildings in the Progress Parkway area.

• After a review of pumper specifications, a new pumper purchase contract was entered into with Precision Fire. New pumper to be delivered in 2022.

• FCC Communications continued slow improvement. More work and improvement are needed.

Tasks for 2021:

• The task of improving radio communications for Fire & EMS continues. The Commission has told PCAPS the County will no longer financially support the PCAPS. The PCAPS are tentatively going to meet and address the issue.

• The Station #1 kitchen is to be remodeled to allow crews privacy during meeting room public events.

• The Fire District continues the task of aiding neighboring agencies handling the COVID crisis in the community.

• Public business fire inspections will begin once again using COVID precautions and respecting businesses not wanting us to enter.

• The arrival of the new pumper will not be till 2022. As a result, a few projects will be brought to the forefront. Projects include House #1 Generator replacement, House #1 garage doors and various man doors. Replacement of 8218.

End….