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West Alexander Volunteer Fire Company 100 Main St West Alexander, PA 15376 Non-Emergency: 724-484-7919 Emergency: 911 Contact Us Driving Directions Map |
WAVFC Annual Report Print this page
Dear Readers,
Welcome to the West Alexander Volunteer Fire Company annual report. This publication is being distributed to detail our activities and status to the municipal governments as well as the general public.
In 2008 the West Alexander Volunteer Fire Company responded to 230 incidents, a 13% increase over the last year, with no deaths attributed to fire. There was a net increase of four members in 2008. Our members did increase their activity level by an average of 12%.
As we look ahead to 2009 our overriding staffing goal is to maintain activity levels of current members as well as increase our membership.
We would like to thank Donegal Township, West Finley Township, West Alexander Borough, donors, sponsors and the general public for your continued financial support. Without this support this valuable service could not be provided.
R. Eric Graham
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Organization……………………………………….. 3
Personnel……...…………………………………... 4
Statistics……..…………………………………….. 5-8
Fire prevention & life safety education................. 9
Community services & outreach...…………......... 9
Operations & emergency management………... 10
Training…...……..…………………………………. 11
Resource management…………………..………. 12
The West Alexander Volunteer Fire Company was formed on March 26, 1931 and is a total volunteer organization which provides essential services to the community at a fraction of the cost of a career department. The national average of cost per capita for fire protection is $82.00, our organization provides these services for $12.00 per capita, a savings realized by the community due to a total volunteer organization of 85%.
The West Alexander Volunteer Fire Company utilizes a paramilitary rank structure to provide leadership, command and control at an emergency scene, planning, training and day to day responsibilities. The Line Officers as well as Company Officers are elected to two year terms by the members of the organization.
The rank structure for Line Officers is as follows: Chief, Assistant Chief, Captain, First Lieutenant and Second Lieutenant. These members are responsible for command and control of an emergency response or call for service, as well as training, planning, and equipment maintenance.
The rank structure for Company officers is as follows: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. These members are responsible for the building and grounds, day to day business operations, company meetings, fundraising and fiscal responsibility.
BUDGET
· Insurance costs - $8,256.00
· Fuel - $1,497.89
· Utilities - $4,797.46
· Building maintenance - $237.60
· Vehicle maintenance - $471.76
· Equipment maintenance - $1,837.40
· Vehicle payments - $5,405.52
· Fundraising costs - $3,756.42
· Miscellaneous - $842.03
· Total - $27,102.08
HIGHLIGHTS
· 2008 Operating budget - $34,000.00
· Cost per capita - $12.00. The cost per capita was well below the national average of $84.46.
· Structure fires – 11. Eight of these fires were as automatic mutual aid. The three structure fires in our primary response area caused $38,150.00 damage.
· An Operations and Safety grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program was obtained for the replacement of twelve self-contained breathing apparatus, spare bottles and the purchase of a thermal imaging camera. The federal share was $63,750.00.
· A grant for $9,800.00 was obtained through the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency was obtained and used for debt reduction on our 2001 tanker.
· Civilian injuries – 0
· Civilian deaths - 0
· Loss time injuries - 0
The goal of the West Alexander volunteer Fire Company’s Fire Prevention and Life Safety Education programs are to provide the community protection against loss of life and property by fire through the following:
· Fire safety and prevention programs for children were provided to several community groups
· Home safety inspections are provided to residents upon request.
· Fire safety and prevention literature is provided to residents upon request.
· Site plan review for fire department access and life safety issues provided.
· Investigation of complaints of potential life safety and fire safety issues.
· Representation on the South West Pennsylvania Youth Involved Fire Task Force.
OPERATIONS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
The West Alexander Volunteer Fire Company provides Quick Response Service (QRS) for Washington Ambulance & Chair Service. This service provides rapid medical care to injured and ill persons who need pre-hospital support. We currently have four certified Paramedics, four certified Emergency Medical Technicians and three First Responders on our roster.
The West Alexander Volunteer Fire Company has been trained to the National ICS (Incident Command System) standard, enabling it to operate under any unified command system involving multiple agency response.
In accordance with State Law the West Alexander Borough has an Emergency Operations Plan to be utilized in any disaster. Many of the resources for this plan are members of the department, and the Emergency Operations Center is designated as the West Alexander Fire Hall.
The West Alexander Volunteer Fire Company exceeds the NFPA 1720 response time standards for rural fire companies by arriving on scene within fourteen minutes more than 97.5% of the time. We arrive on scene with the appropriate personnel within seven minutes 79.6 % of the time.
TRAINING
Training for firefighters is consistent for all firefighters in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, whether career or volunteer. The West Alexander Volunteer Fire Company provides training to all members, meeting the numerous requirements placed upon the fire service today by the many regulatory agencies (NFPA, ISO, OSHA, Regional EMS).
· Continuing education for certified Emergency Medical Responders is provided on a regular basis.
· The West Alexander Volunteer Fire Company sponsored a First Responder class. Three members completed the class and were certified.
· Firefighter training meeting or exceeding NFPA standards is provided on a monthly basis.
· One member has been accepted as instructor through the Community College of Allegheny County Emergency Services Department and is available to provide training to our members.
· A basic and advanced probationary firefighter curriculum was developed and implemented. Eight members have completed the Basic Probationary class and will begin the advanced class.
· Out service training is continually encouraged and posted for all members.
The West Alexander Volunteer Fire Company currently operates with four apparatus. While the newest vehicle is only eight years old, the next newest is 14 years old. The department has two members who hold the rank of Engineer and are tasked with managing equipment maintenance.
Engine 39 is a 1990 Mack MC model chassis, 4 guys Inc. custom pumper-tanker. It has a six man cab, carries 1500 gallons of water with a 1500 gallon per minute pump. This apparatus is the primary piece of equipment used for all fire related responses.
Tanker 39 is a 2001 International model 4900 chassis, 4 guys custom pumper-tanker. It has a two man cab, carries 1800 gallons of water and has a 1000 gallon per minute pump. This apparatus is used primarily as a mobile water source.
Squad 39 is a 1994 Chevrolet model 3500 crew cab, custom utility bed multi-purpose vehicle. It has a five man cab, carries medical, rescue, water rescue, hazardous materials and rope rescue equipment as well as a variety of hand tools. This vehicle is utilized for QRS responses, rescue responses, communication and hazardous materials responses as well as general requests for service.
Brush 39 is a 1990 Dodge 1ton Ram truck. It has a two man cab, carries a skid unit with 250 gallons of water and a 150 gallon per minute pump, forestry line, hand lines and forest / brush fire hand tools. This vehicle is used to extinguish brush fires.
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Sat. Aug 7th 2010 Structure fire On August 7, 2010 we responded to 105 Old National Rd for a structure fire. First arriving per... Read more » |
Sat. Jul 24th 2010 Mutual aid structure fire OnJuly 24, 2010 we responded to assist the Valley Grove VFD with a structure fire. The si... Read more » |
Sat. Jul 3rd 2010 Mutual aid structure fire On July 3, 2010 we responded to assist the West Finley VFD with a large barn fire. The barn wa... Read more » |
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