Category: Chief’s Message

Wind & Fire

As our winter seems to be ending we look forward to summer, however with the amount of water we have received the summer fire season may be aggressive (https://mohavedailynews.com/news/145924/state-braces-for-wildfire-season/). We live and work in the “wildland interface”.  This is defined as an area where fire wildland fuels affect homes and buildings.  For Sherwood and Mountain Rose Estates our goal is to reduce ignitability of our structures.  This is done by raking pine needles, trimming trees growing close to homes and removing dead plants and debris.  This type of clearance is very important when considering the impact of embers.  Researchers are reporting an increase of urban conflagrations caused by ignitions from embers landing around homes.  They have also noted the increase of home-to-home ignitions.  A lot of this is caused by the wind. 

Wind is a direct driver of fire behavior.  The faster the wind, the faster the fire moves.  Some research is now suggesting that 90% of ignitions of structures are affected by wildland fires.  (Note UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute’s effect of wind on fires in structures at https://fsri.org/search?keyword=wind+driven+fires).

Property owners who understand that good property maintenance (fire resistive maintenance) likely will have a better outcome if their property is impacted by fire. 

The Fire District is working to obtain financial aid and workers for residents that want help with trimming trees.

Fire Chief John Moede

CHIEF’S REPORT DECEMBER 20, 2022

Activity:         

• Incidents since last Board Meeting:
  • 11/19/22 – Medical/XX S. Friar Tuck
  • 11/23/22- Tree Down/7399 Knighthood
  • 11/24/22- Tree Down/7777 Long Bow
  • 12/07/22- Medical/XX Jolly Rogue
  • 12/11/22- Structure Fire/3736 Scenic Loop
  • 12/14/22- Structure Fire/389 N. Laramy Lane (Tender)

• Region Covid report
  • Covid at LOW level.  Protective measures still apply.
    •  Influenza cases have dropped (Covid Measures)

Equipment:    

• Apparatus Update
  • Engine 1 (In Service) Needs ground lights and siren. Carbide chain for chain saw
  • FR 10 (In Service)
  • Tender 4 (In Service) Horn not working, uknown battery date, needs water tube replacement and worklights
  • Tender 5 (In Service) Batteries changed
  • Brush 6 (In Service) Plow has been working
  • Tender 8 (In Service) Water site tubes need replaced
  • Brush 11 (In Service) Front shocks leaking oil, alternator questionable
  • Ford Excursion (In Service). 
  • Trailer 10 – (OUT OF SERVICE) Returned to station, pending pump resolution
  • Preventative Maintenance plan developed and plan for pump testing identified

• Station
  • Emergency power follow up.  Waiting for generator
  • Air Compressor has been replaced
  • Repair to rear heater B1 completed
  • Superior Propane tanks delivered and functioning well
  • Suburban Propane tanks have been removed
  • Repair to west fire hydrant complete (not tested yet), bollards to recieve reflective tape
  • Base station radio power back up battery pending
  • Radios – Looking at next generation of radios
  • Driveway repair completed (Fuller Dirt Works) follow up grading will be done
  • Diesel fuel station options continue to be examined

Training:         Bi-monthly trainings continue.  December 3, 5 members, 2.5 hours.  Station update, monthly tests-chainsaws and pumps, vehicle road course (3 vehicles), radio checks and hand signals. Next training January 14, 9 am

District Notes:

• Fire danger is LOW with wind, snow and rain in the region
• FCC reconciliation on Dec 7 reported to be complete and our radio frequency is legal
• Radio repeater may be moved to adjacent building follow meeting for cost comparison
• Continuity book development continues
• New vehicle search continues
• I will be out of district December 27 to January 7, coverage obtained
• Participation in Fire Chief interviews with City of Williams for Fire Chief

Respectfully Submitted:

John D. Moede, Fire Chief

CHIEF’S REPORT AUGUST 16, 2022

Activity:         

• Incidents since last Board Meeting:
  • 07/19/2022- Medical Call, 73xx Long Bow
  • 07/22/2022- Tree Fire, 25xx Spring Valley
  • 07/28/2022- Tree Fire, Minstrel X Road 102
  • 08/01/2022- Fall, 138xx Ravenwood Road
  • 08/04/2022- Structure Fire, 16xx E. Vernon
  • 08/10/2022- Traffic Accident, 52xx Hwy 64
• Region Covid report
  • Covid admissions are 2.6% of the population.  Case numbers are low in the Williams area.  RSV cases are still up and Monkey Pox is being watched. Protective measures still apply. 
    • Supply of protective equipment remains strong

Equipment:    

• Apparatus Update
  • Engine 1 (In Service) Needs siren. New brush pack and extension pack on board.
  • FR 10 (In Service)
  • Tender 4 (In Service) Looking to add worklights
  • Tender 5 (In Service)
  • Brush 6 (In Service) Pump service -ongoing
  • Tender 8 (In Service)
  • Brush 11 (In Service).
  • Ford Excursion (In Service).  Water leak from roof
  • Trailer 10 – (OUT OF SERVICE) Currently at Outlaws for axle, lights, brakes, hose, lift and pump work
  • All vehicles Department of Forestry and Fire Management (DFFM) numbers
  • Future planning for all vehicles Preventative Maintenance and pump testing for E-1 and T-4

• Station
  • Emergency power process continues, station visit and follow up planned
  • Quote for free standing fuel station (500 gal) attached
  • Quote for Superior Propane change of service attached
  • Quote for Bollards for propane tanks and repair to westside fire hydrant attached
  • Base station radio power upgrade plan
  • Repeater – In place and functioning, looking to add 4 handheld radios. 5 new chargers have arrived, waiting for batteries
  • SBA contractor was paid
  • Working on dispatch process (radio tone, vehicle DFFM numbers and reminder signage)
  • Station clean up project continues, West side raked

Training:         Bi-monthly trainings continue.  July 7, 4 members 2 hours, July 26, 2 members 3.5 hours, July 29, 2 members, 2 hours, Aug 6, 2 members 1 hour. Next training  Aug 17, (6 pm).  Two members attending State Fire School (Sept 7-11)

District Notes:

• Fire danger is LOW with isolated heavy rain in the region
• Emergency Response Funding (State) paperwork in process (due first of month).  Seeking funding for MSA Altair Portable Gas Detector
• Repeater – Work on FCC discrepancies continues
• Continuity book development continues
• VFIS Renewal Questionnaire completed.  Possible impact of building value (emergency power and bollards) and value of water trailer
• Status of Repeater 20 K check

Respectfully Submitted:

John D. Moede, Fire Chief

CHIEF’S REPORT JUNE 21, 2022

Activity:         

• Incidents since last Board Meeting:
  • 05/27/2022- Brush Fire, Cancel
  • 05/30/2022- Illegal Burning, Good Lane
  • 06/05/2022- Sick Person, Hwy 64
• Region Covid report
  • Variant(s) appear to be affecting younger patients.  Covid hospitilzations are at 2.2% (45 deaths this year, down from last year). High degree of protection measures still apply. 
    • Supply of protective equipment remains strong

Equipment:    

• Apparatus Update
  • Engine 1 (In Service)  Needs siren. New nozzles and adjusted brush packs on board. Headlights changed out
  • FR 10 (In Service)
  • Tender 4 (In Service) Looking to add worklights
  • Tender 5 (In Service),  Welding repair completed and successful, supply gate added to rear of vehicle
  • Brush 6 (In Service) Pump service -ongoing
  • Tender 8 (In Service) Packing leak repaired, damaged quick connect repaired. Rear inside tires leaking (both 2517)
  • Brush 11 (In Service). Dead battery this week, batteries replaced
  • Ford Excursion (In Service)
  • Trailer 10 – (OUT OF SERVICE) Moved to repair shop for quote for axle, lights, brakes, hose, lift and pump (quote attached)

• Station
  • Emergency power will be priority
  • Drafting plan for free standing fuel station
  • Superior Propane contacted for quote on changing service (attached)
  • Bollards for propane tanks in future
  • Two new trial brush bags enroute
  • New water system functioning well
  • Hydrant repair pending, previous hole filled in
  • Extinguisher project complete.  EXIT signs repair complete, tested cylinders replaced, all vehicles have 5 lbs dry chem
  • Repeater – In place and functioning,  6 portable radios have temp freq on deck 1. Working to integrate older radios into system.  Working with Guardian to produce vehicle identifications
  • Tire project completed
  • Reel and pump on side yard
  • Station clean up project has small area pending
  • CCSO requesting training location (CERT and Dogs)

Training:         Bi-monthly trainings continue.  April 20 – 2 members, 3.5 hours driving training.  April 20 – 4 members, 2 hours pumping orientation.  April 30- 6 members, 4 hours field operations (B6 and E1) and dry chem extinguisher usage. Next training June 22 (6 pm)

District Notes:

• Fire danger is VERY HIGH with heavy fire activity in the region. Partial forest closures are in effect. Intermittent Red Flag warnings
• Phone call from Good Lane resident after citation incident
• Ready, Set, Go door hangers (English and Spanish) obtained from Emergency Management
• Anne Dudley status
• Repeater – working on FCC discrepancies
• FY Report in draft
• Continuity book development continues

Respectfully Submitted:

John D. Moede, Fire Chief

CHIEF’S REPORT MAY 17th, 2022

Activity:         

• Assisted local agencies with 4 fires.
  • April 19th, 3 acre wildland fire in Parks
  • April 30th, 1.5 acre wildand fire along I40
  • May 7th, possible structure fire, canceled enroute
  • May 13th, 1 acres wildland fire in Parks
• One medical call
• May 6th McDowell responded to an illegal burn out of the district, on Good Lane
• One training
  • April 30th, 6 members – lessons learned on previous fire, pumping and filling operations

Equipment:    

• Apparatus Update
  • Tender 5 out of service due to leak.  A possible repair is being investigated
  • Tender 8 in Service
  • Tender 4 in service
  • Brush 11 in service- new rear tires
  • Brush 6, polow removed and in service
  • E1 in service, new nozzles, new rear tires
  • F10 in service
  • Water trailer axle-pending
• 2 new sets of turnouts have been recieved, washed, and put in service

• Station
  • The station summer clean up is underway
  • Wildland hand tools have been cleaned and prepped for the season.

Respectfully Submitted:
Matthew McDowell
Assistant Fire Chief

CHIEF’S REPORT AUGUST 17, 2021

Activity:         

• Incidents since last Board Meeting:
  • 7/21/2021-  Tree Fire on Beacon Hill, False
  • 7/24/ 2021 –Reported Structure Fire, xx N. Hwy 64, False
  • 7/29/2021 – Tree Fire, Hwy 64 X MM 198, False  
  • 8/12/2021 – Lightning Strike, Knighthood Lane, Investigated

• Region Covid report
  • Delta Variant
  • Supply of protective equipment still strong

Equipment:    

• Apparatus Update
  • Engine 1 (In Service) New Steers next  
  • Tender 4 (In Service) Fill tube leak still pending   
  • Tender 5 (In Service)
  • Brush 6 (In Service) Newer bumper purchased
  • Tender 8 (In Service) Slow air fill issue.  Following up with dump shoot
  • Brush 11 (In Service) Frequency work is still pending
  • Ford Excursion (In Service) Radio work pending
  • Trailer 10 – Still at Wicked for pipe work

• Station
  • Apron Project – Completed.  Milling process completed follow up for drainage improvement
  • Third emergency egress process ongoing
  • Office Painting Project, ongoing
  • Repeater Update – Phase 1 complete with reimburesment. Phase 2 has begun.  Possible completion date September 1
  • Emergency power process research continues
  • Facility Requests process ongoing
  • NAU Civil Enviornmental Engineering contact

Training:         Bi-monthly trainings continue. August 7 training included 7 members (2 hours) and consisted of a simulated fire on Sherwood Forest Road. Next training Aug 18 (6 pm). Next month training Sept 18 (9 am) and Sept 22 (6 PM).

District Notes:

• Fire danger is Moderate.  No Fire Restrictions.
• Board Resolution for annexation of State land is delayed. Needs signature from State Land Commission
•  Resolution for County Attorney is delayed.
• Area collaboration with HCFR, WMS, Ponderosa, CCSO, and Forest Service continues
• SFEFD assited with WFD funeral of Firefighter Jeff Pettit

Respectfully Submitted:
John D. Moede
Fire Chief

Activity:         

• Incidents since last Board Meeting:
  • 5/14/2021 – Injury, E. Jolly Rogue
  • 6/08/2021 – Train Fire, Pronghorn Ranch Road
  • 6/08/2021-  Fatal Car Crash, Hwy 64, MM 191
  • 6/09/2021- Illegal Burning, Robin Hood
• Region Covid report
  • County and Williams area
• Supply of protective equipment still strong

Equipment:    

• Apparatus Update
  • Enigne 1 (In Service) protection lines upgraded and SCBA’s added. New Steers
  • Engine 2 (Out of Service) pending transfer to State Fire
  • Tender 4 (In Service) PM and foam system completed, hoses added, new nozzle for red line, investigating plumbing for foam in red line. Fill tube leak still pending. New Steers. Filled
  • Tender 5 (In Service) PM completed and valve failure repaired. Filled
  • Brush 6 (In Service) Transmision leak, window regulator, rear lights, and brake fulid flush. Fire pump work on carb pending.  New tires
  • Tender 8 (In Service) Air lines, heater and brake work completed. Leak at fill valve pending. Filled
  • Brush 11 (In Service) Radio installed, frequency work is still pending
  • Ford Excursion (In Service) Working radio installed and operational. Brakes and tire rotation complete
  • Trailer 10 – Still at Wicked for pipe work

• Station
  • NEPA Permit process lifted. Follow up has been requested
  • Niles completed Service Call for base station radio, parts pending
  • Apron Project – Downpayment Check given/Foundation  paperwork complete.  Add ons (slabs at man doors still under review)
  • Third emergency egress process continuing
  • DFFM process.  Three letters sent to owners.  One stated will not allow thining, second stated she would like trees tagged for visualization, no answer from third.  No follow up on Shanded Fuel Break
  • Office Painting Project, painting quote obtained
  • VFG Grant process complete check sent to PHX office
  • Repeater Update – delay due to two other frequencies
  • Third quote for emergency power pending

Training:         Bi-monthly trainings continue. June 12 training included 5 members and consisted of testing increased Tender 4 capabilities (3.5 hours).  June 16  medical training. Next month training July 3 (9 am) and July 21 (6 PM). EMT school was canceled

District Notes:

• Fire danger is Extreme.  Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. Patrols, meet and greets and banner
• State Land Commission approves annexation of State land.  Next phase involves a boundry change for the District.
• Wood Subdivision follow up (Requested pause in consolidation)
• Williams Fourth of July overview
• Repair to Road 102 accomplished
• Potential new members, application from Shilo Thompson
• Area collaboration with HCFR, WMS, Ponderosa, CCSO, and Forest Service continues
• NAU Smoke Survey, potential information

Respectfully Submitted:
John D. Moede