-Lexington Fire News Briefs-
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Parsons Lane Near-Miss Report Released
The internal investigation report into the fire in October 2007 that seriously injured Lt. Rich Carlin was released Friday. The report, which was compiled by a group of 6 LFD officers and firefighters, is critical of the actions of many of the firefighters and officers that were on scene of the fire. The report concludes that "...that despite multiple failures and problems associated with this fire, the single most deciding factor in the injuries to the officer were his own actions," a charge that Lt. Carlin denies in an article printed today in the Lexington Herald-Leader. Other contributing factors cited in the report include, among others, ongoing radio and mobile data terminal problems, staffing levels below national consensus standards, dispatching issues brought about by the removal of the fire dispatch center from the direct control of the fire department, and various tactical errors. In his reply to the report, LFD Chief Bob Hendricks again notes that the LFD is seriously understaffed, saying that the Department is nearly 40 positions short of the approved staffing levels. The Chief attempted to begin a recruit class to fill these positions early in 2008 but the class was indefinitely postponed by the Mayor's Office due to a projected budget shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year.
Crews Operate at the October 2007 Fire on Parsons Lane
LFD Provides Fire/EMS Coverage for 2008 Rolex Three-Day Event Horse Competition
The LFD provided fire and EMS coverage at the 2008 Rolex Three-Day, Four-Star Event horse competition. To provide protection for the large crowds and as part of a continued effort by the LFD administration to tactically prepare for the 2010 World Equestrian Games, overtime crews staffed two EC units, two engine companies, two brush trucks, a hazmat unit and two command units each day of the event. Crews did respond to several calls for service including a brush fire and aiding several riders who were injured in seperate incidents during the cross-country horse jumping events. One rider was critically injured when her horse midjudged a jump and fell on top of her.
Engine 34 (old Engine 6, now a reserve unit) standing-by at the Rolex
April- 2nd Half Wrapup
The second half of April included four fires (average) and two extrications (below average). Here is the wrapup:
4/21- 742 Whitney Avenue- possible arson fire in a single family dwelling- first-due companies reported heavy smoke and flames showing
4/22- 821 DeRoode Street- house fire- one occupant treated on scene for smoke inhalation- several cats killed
4/23- 3450 Todds Road- attic fire at the Andover Country Club main building- first-due companies report smoke showing
4/29- 2074 Fairmont Court- apartment fire at the Richmond Lakes Apartments
The Crew of Ladder 1 operates at the DeRoode Street Fire
E-2 and EC-8 reponded to this injury accident at Hume Road and Bryan Station Road
E6, EC7, EC9, 202, and 242 reponded to this wreck on Alumni Drive on 4/13
First Half of April Wrapup
The first half of April has brought the first nice spring-like weather to Lexington and with that nice weather has come an increase in calls. April has been pretty busy so far with eight structure fires logged through the 15th. Here is the wrapup:
4/1- 1101 Beaumont Center Lane- apartment building fire at Beaumont Farms Apartments- fire began in the attic of an electrical nature
4/2- 2300 Rocky Point Circle- attic fire in a single family home
4/4- 266 Lexington Avenue- room and contents bedroom fire
4/5- 367 North MLK Blvd- 1st floor apartment fire that began in the walls
4/9- 565 Patterson Street- fire in a single family home
4/12- 3509 Brookview Drive- fire in a single family home
4/15- 965 Warrington Circle- fire in a large single family home; FF's forced to go defensive for a time
Fire at 544 Ohio Street on 3/30/08
Small Apartment Fire on Romany Road on 4/9/08
Ladder 2 and campus area crews operate at UK's Smith Hall for a large scale fire drill
Assistant Chief Swope is Named KY State Fire Marshal
Assistant Chief Bill Swope has left the LFD after being named as the new Commonwealth of Kentucky Fire Marshal. Chief Swope served the citizens of Lexington for 23 years, most recently in the position of Chief of Administration. Major David Ades was named to replace Swope, who's last day was the 11th.
Bike Medic Program Set to Begin
The LFD has organized a new "Bike Medic" program which will place specially trained paramedics on bicycles to better patrol for medical emergencies at major events in Lexington. Lead by Battalion Chief of EMS Gribbin, the new program has already sent two paramedics to West Virginia to recieve the training required to be a certified bicycle paramedic. FF/Paramedic Tony Johnson and FF/Paramedic Shane Poynter spent a week learning how to properly control the specialized mountain bikes that they will use during bike patrols. Two of these bicycles, built by Trek, have been ordered by the LFD and are due in within the next two weeks, while another 8 will be ordered as soon as grant funds are released. The bikes will carry over 70 pounds of gear including an AED and a full compliment of ALS drugs.
- 2nd Half Wrapup
The month of March did not end up being as busy as March 2007, but it still ended up as the busiest month in so far in 2008. In March there were 9 working fires, 9 extrications and a trench rescue incident. Here is the 2nd half wrapup:
3/18- 1937 Millbank Road- kitchen fire in a single family home.
3/24- 2083 Bridgeport Drive- man injured and lying in a construction trench, due to unsafe conditions crews had to shore up the trench before packaging and hauling the patient out.
3/30- 446 East 7th Street- single story home with heavy smoke and flames visible on arrival
3/30- 544 Ohio Street- call for smoke in the area changes to a structure fire when first arriving companies find heavy smoke coming from a home; padlocked doors and heavy debris in the home made matters worse
3/31- 718 Combs Street- smoke and flames showing on arrival at at two story single family home
March Extrications: Forbes @ Manchester, Alumni @ Perimeter, New Circle @ Family Circle, I-75 at the Northern Split, Tates Creek @ Gainesway, 3601 Spurr Road, Newtown @ I-75, Nicholasville @ New Circle, North Broadway @ Kingston.
Crews operate at the Millbank Drive house fire
Crews work to free an injured person from a trench on Bridgeport Drive
Crews load the patient from the trench rescue into a waiting EC unit
The aftermath of a car fire in the Commonwealth Stadium parking lot
New EC Unit Funding Restored- Pension Safe
The funding for the purchase of the two new EC units was restored last week after it had been initially halted by the City due to a projected budget shortfall. Excellance Inc will now move forward with the production of the two new trucks which are due toward the end of the year. Other cuts to the LFD which were suggested in the management study have not been implemented but the Mayor is scheduled to deliver his proposed budget on April 8th. A last minute effort by Mayor Jim Newberry to add an amendment to a Kentucky State House bill was rejected by lawmakers after nearly 150 LFD firefighters filled the lobby at the Capital Building. The proposed amendment would have given control of the Lexington Police and Fire Pension Fund to the City beginning with any new hires.
March- 1st Half Wrapup
The month of March was the busiest of the year last year for working fires and this year is following the same trend. There have been five fires this month so far including two more multiple alarm fires (bringing the total number of multiple alarm fires to five for the year). Here is the wrapup:
3/1- 1346 Village Drive- Multiple alarm fire in an apartment building
3/2- 821 Cramer Avenue- Fire in a story-and-a-half single family home
3/7- 219 Patchen Drive- Multiple alarm fire in an apartment building
3/14- 277 Albany Road- Fire in a single-family-home with one patient transported to a local hospital
3/16- 137 Rose Street- fire on the 12th floor of a senior citizens high-rise, several transported for minor injuries, fire confined to a single apartment.
This tractor trailer fire occurred on Man O War at Richmond Road on 3/10/08
Crews operate at the multiple alarm fire on Patchen drive on 3/7/08
Projected Tight City Budget Slowing Spending
The beginning of the budget process has raised questions about how much money will be available for the upcoming fiscal year and has put several LFD purchases on hold. The order for two new EC units from Excellance Inc and the start of a new recruit class have both been frozen by the City. in addition, questions are still being raised about the management study and what impact it will have on the LFD. The prospect of reducing EC unit staffing from 3 to 2 has drawn criticism from many parts of the community. No decisions or changes suggested by the study have yet been implemented. Contract negotiations for firefighters, lieutenants and captains is ongoing but details are withheld until the end of the process.
Second Half of February is Generally Slow
The second half of the month of February was slow overall with a slightly below average number of runs with one working fire and three extrications. The fire occurred on 2/21 near the Scott County line on Newtown Pike. E19 was first on scene and reported heavy smoke and flames from the 2nd floor of a two story residence in Scott County. Crews from both Lexington and Scott County fought the blaze and during the search a victim was found who later died. Three extrictions occurred: on 2/18 at Trade Center and New Circle; on 2/19 at I-75 on the 99 milemarker (where E18 used their new Holmatro Combi-Tool for the first time); and on 2/22 at Todds Road and North Cleveland. Two powerful wind storms moved through the Lexington area during February causing damage to several structures but thankfully resulted in no injuries.
Ladder 6 operates on Rio Dosa Drive after high winds damaged this home
E18 and L6 extricated one from this wreck on I-75 Northbound near the 97 milemarker
City Management Study Is Tough on the LFD
On February 26th, the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government released the results of a comprehensive managment study, and the news was not great for the Division of Fire and Emergency Services. The study, completed by Managment Partners out of Cincinnati was commissioned by Mayor Jim Newberry and cost taxpayers $384,000 (as reported by the Lexington Herald-Leader). The nearly 500 page document outlines recommendation for every department in the City government. Negative recommendations for the LFD induded the elimination of three assistant chief positions (planning, training, and community services), 27 firefighter positions (by reducing EC unit staffing from 3 to 2), and eliminating the Fire Department's building maintenance division and transferring building upkeep responsibilities to the City's main building maintenance division. Which if any of the recommendations will be followed is now up to the Urban County Council. The full document is available online by following this link.
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