2019 Department Goals

Firefighter Safety

Our number one goal will always be firefighter safety. We will develop strategies and implement training programs to enhance firefighter health, 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.

Commission of Fire Accreditation International Certification (GPM)

With the achievement of our ISO Class 1 ranking, some personnel have expressed a desire to obtain Accreditation from the Commission of Fire Accreditation International Certification. This Budget Year, Battalion Chief Ortlieb and Firefighter First Class Jon Krisman attended a training program sponsored by the Howard County Fire Department to gain a better understanding of the accreditation process. This is a multi-year goal and year we will continue our pursuit of this goal.

Summer Day Camp for Children of Public or Low Income Housing

Many children in the City have limited opportunities for summer “vacations”. The Department will provide a one-day summer camp for children to educate them on fire and health safety, promote a positive image of the fire service and hopefully spark an interest in pursuing future fire service career opportunities.

Cancer Awareness and Prevention Project

There is no question that cancer is on the rise in the fire service. Using Firehouse Magazine’s (December 2017) Cancer Awareness and Prevention Project as a model, the Department will embark on a yearlong program to educate our personnel on cancer awareness and prevention.

Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders

More First Responders died by suicide last year than were killed in the line of duty. The Department’s CISM Team and Dr. Maggio will present a suicide awareness and prevention workshop for all personnel.

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 looking floor plans/drawings. The hand drawn sketches currently in use are an embarrassment and we need to find a better method to address this issue. This is an on-going goal for the past two years last year that received a lot of research but we were unable to find an affordable system. We will continue to work toward our goal to obtain a more user-friendly floor plan drawing system.

Upgrade Thermal Imaging Cameras (TIC) and Conduct TIC training (GPM)

This is a goal that was started in 2018. Almost half of our Thermal Imaging Cameras (TIC) are over ten (10) years old and are in need of upgrade or replacement. In 2018, we replaced the TIC on E-351 and rebuilt the TIC on Truck 36. We will continue our replacement program as funding permits ($8,000 each).

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

This multi-year goal has been hampered by overtime constraints. However, we are making progress; only one Captain requires ICS 400 and seven (7) Lieutenants need ICS 300. The Department will continue to work toward having all Officers and Firefighters First Class certified.

Wireless Fire Alarm Systems

Many structures in the downtown Historic District do not have monitored fire alarm systems. One obstacle is the installation of hardwired monitored fire alarm systems in older structures can be challenging and expensive. The City Code does not currently permit the use of wireless fire alarm technology. Early warning of fires can reduce property damage and improve firefighter safety. The optimum scenario is to have all commercial buildings in the Historic District protected by sprinkler systems. However, this is an expensive and very political issue. In the meantime, the Department will work to have the City Code amended to allow wireless fire alarm systems in certain applications and require the installation of monitored fire alarm systems in all commercial structures in the City.

EMS Paramedic Workgroup

The Department will establish a workgroup to develop a paramedic rotation schedule and recommend improvements to our EMS delivery system.

Fire Extinguisher Training

With funds from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program (AFG), the Department purchased an advanced fire extinguisher/RACE training prop. Our goal this year is to provide fire extinguisher, Pull Station and Interactive 911-phone training to all City employees and if time permits, all downtown business employees.

Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attacks (CCTA) Planning and Training

CCTAs are an evolving and dynamic terrorist threat, shifting from symbolic, highly planned attacks to attacks that could occur anywhere, at any time, with the potential for mass casualties and infrastructure damage. The Operations Section will review the FEMA publication “Planning Considerations: Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attacks with the goal of:

Identifying training needs including a Chemical Weapons (CBRNE) Training refresher.
Reviewing existing Department resources and needs.
Working with the Training Division and OEM to develop possible citywide training.

Community Outreach EMS programs (GPM)

This is an on-going goal that is gaining momentum with our opioid outreach, CPR, stop-the-bleed and other programs. Most of our community outreach currently focuses on fire prevention. We need expand the scope of our outreach to focus on EMS based programs in both English and Spanish.

Develop Performance Standard Evolutions (PSE) Based on EMS Skills

All of the Departmental Performance Standard Evaluations (PSE) are Fire/Rescue based. The vast majority of our response are EMS based; the EMS Division will develop PSE’s based on our most complex EMS responses.

Revisit Emergency Action Planning for Houses of Worship and Businesses

In 2015, the Office of Emergency Management joined the City and County Fire and Police Departments in an educational outreach program to prepare houses of worship for various threats and identify vulnerabilities. The rise of Active Assailant incidents occurring in Houses of Worship merits a revisit of this goal.

Establish a Program for Disaster Recovery and Disaster Cost Recovery

The Office of Emergency Management started developing a Disaster Recovery Plan in 2017. OEM will continue to develop this plan, while improving the City’s best practices for Disaster Cost Recovery. OEM will develop a Disaster Recovery Program in 2019, which would help establish framework and best practices to ensure efficient recovery operations following an emergency, disaster or crisis.

Develop a Training and Exercise Plan

The Office of Emergency Management intends to develop a plan that provides a multi-year roadmap for Trainings and Exercises. The Multi-Year Training and Exercise Plan acts as the City’s roadmap for prioritizing, accomplishing, and enhancing public safety strategy. This plan will cover the Annual Citywide Exercise, tabletop exercises, drills, trainings and other educational opportunities.

Formalize Office of Emergency Management Operating Procedures

The Office of Emergency Management has been proactive in developing programs that provide benefits to the City, residents, and businesses. OEM will formalize these programs in 2019 by creating and finalizing operating procedures for the following:

Emergency Operations Center 101 – Revise the EOC Handbooks that would provide department representatives with a comprehensive overview of procedures needed to know during EOC activations.
Warming Center – The Office of Emergency Management is the administrator of the City of Annapolis Warming Center, with management support from Recreation and Parks and non-profit We Care and Friends. OEM will formalize policies and procedures for this program.

OEM Finalize and Revise Plans

The Office of Emergency Management will update their emergency response plans. These plans ensure the efficient response for public safety, and the return of essential functions to citizens.

The Continuity of Government (COG) – The Continuity of Government plan will need updating following the City of Annapolis 2017 Election. The Continuity of Government Plan establishes defined procedures that allow the government to continue its essential operations during emergencies, disasters and crises.
Continuity of Operations (COOP) – The Office of Emergency Management assisted City of Annapolis Departments with Continuity of Operations Plans in years past. Continuity of Operations plans ensure City Departments are able to conduct and provide essential functions during emergencies, disasters and crises. It is time to revisit these documents and make appropriate changes that reflect current policies, procedures, and technologies. OEM conducted meetings with every Department on Continuity of Operations in 2018. OEM intends to finalize these plans this year.
Unmanned Aerial Systems – The Office of Emergency Management has begun an Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Program, which follows appropriate regulations and best practices. OEM is in the process of formalizing these procedures and plans to finalize this document in 2019.