2017 Department Goals

Firefighter Safety  

Our number one goal will always be firefighter safety.  As an organization we will develop strategies and implement training programs to enhance firefighter safety and survival.  Safety is both an individual and team responsibility.  Supervisors and employees shall take an active role in their personal safety and the safety of their crews.

Increase ISO Rating to Class 1 (GPM)

Effective January 1, 2017, our ISO rating was retained as a Class 2 with a final score of 87.88, up from 82.71 in 2012.  A score of 90 is required for a Class 1 rating.  Our ability to achieve a Class 1 rating was hampered by the Department of Public Works failure to conduct the annual inspection and flow testing of hydrants.  That short coming is now being addressed, on our end we will continue to train and improve in the areas that we have direct control over. 

Smoke Alarm / CO Monitor Program 

With the donation of smoke alarms and CO monitors from Baltimore Gas & Electric and the American Red Cross, the department has been going door to door in City neighborhoods checking to ensure residents have working smoke alarms.  It is our goal this year to continue this safety program until every home in the City is checked.

Simulator Training for all Officers 

This was a goal from last year that failed to get any traction; we will provide Fire Ground Strategy and Tactics Simulator training for all officers.

Sprinkler Program Historic District/City-wide 

The Annapolis Yacht Club fire revitalized the discussion of non-sprinklered structures in the downtown area.  The last study on this issue was conducted in 1998.  A committee headed by Deputy Chief Remaley and consisting of various members of City Government and the business community was established in October 2016.  It is our goal to re-examine this issue and to research what has been successful in other historic communities to encourage the installation of sprinkler systems and monitored fire alarm systems.  The committee will present a written report of recommendations to the Mayor and City Council. 

Resolve Active Shooter (Assailant) Policy with APD

The Fire Department has worked hard to attend training seminars, research and incorporate the latest national and inter-national active shooter procedures into an integrated, comprehensive policy to provide the appropriate level of care to victims of active shooter incidents while protecting our personnel and our response partners.  We have a clear vision; we believe the Rescue Task Force concept is the best strategy for the City of Annapolis.  The concept has proven to present the greatest opportunity to save the lives of victims suffering from severe blood loss.  We have spent over $40K in State grant funding to purchase Ballistic PPE to protect our personnel.  The last hurdle in this process is to rectify the three APD operational deficiencies that were identified in the active shooter exercise at St. John’s College.  Those deficiencies are; (1) Rescue Task Force Operations in lieu of Casualty Collection Points, (2) Establishing Unified Command and (3) Interagency Communication Capabilities.  Our goal is to have this resolved this year. 

 Canvas Fire Safety Inspection/ Hazard Floor Plan Issue

The Canvas program has been beneficial in streamlining and providing an electronic platform for our fire safety inspections and fire hazard surveys.   One major shortcoming is the inability to provide professional floor plans/drawings.  The hand drawn sketches currently being used are an embarrassment and we need to find a better method to address this issue.  Our goal is to design a better floor plan drawing system.

Conduct In-Service Fire Safety Inspection Training

The Fire Marshal’s Office has invested a great deal of time updating the Fire Safety Inspection Manual.  Our goal is to conduct Fire Safety Inspection refresher training using the new updated manual as a key component.

Conduct Five (5) Year Goal Planning Committee Meeting

In 2012, the command staff in conjunction with Local 1926 and various members of the Department of all ranks conducted a five (5) year goals planning meeting to develop short term and long term goals for the Department.  It has been five years and it is time to re-establish the committee and develop goals for the next five years.

Develop Mentoring Program for Company Officers

One of the greatest resources of the Annapolis Fire Department is the experience and skills of our members.  One of the 2016 goals was to provide Executive Development for the Firefighter First Class.  During the delivery of the Executive Development Course, the Firefighter First Class members indicated the need for a mentoring program that would offer new opportunities to learn from veteran members of the department.  The Firefighter First Class members also identified key veteran officers in our department who they felt could provide guidance in their quest for professional growth. Implementing a mentoring program will offer an opportunity for experienced leaders to engage on an interpersonal level with the future leaders of the Annapolis Fire Department.

Incident Command System (ICS) certification (300/400)

The Department will work toward having all Firefighters 1st Class and Lieutenants certified in ICS 300 and all Captains to ICS 400.

Vacant/Abandoned Structure Identification Policy

To improve firefighter safety, the Safety Committee will develop a “marking” system program to identify long term vacant or abandoned structures.  These are structures that have been vacant for years and pose a possible safety hazard to firefighters.

Interoperable Radio Communications Upgrade

The Mayor and Council have provided the bond funding to upgrade the public safety radio system in the City to ensure all radios are P-25 compliant.  Deputy Chief Remaley is charged with managing this project.