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Danville Fire Department 2009Annual Report
2009 was another busy year for the Danville Fire Department. We responded to 352 calls for service. Medical Aid calls were once again the majority of calls that Danville Fire responded to. Trinity EMS has taken over Ambulance Transports from American Medical Response (AMR) in 2009. This change in service was created by AMR’s demand to negotiate a contract with the Town to pay a subsidy for their service. The most recent contract with AMR was with no cost to the Town, prior to that the Town paid AMR $30,000 per year. The Fire Chiefs from the six towns that AMR served, Atkinson, Hampstead, Danville, Plaistow, Newton and Sandown, felt we could find a vendor willing to provide service without a subsidy. We were fortunate to find Trinity EMS and secured a contract with a Zero annual charge. This was a significant savings to the taxpayers of all towns involved.
Danville Fire Department was fortunate to be awarded an Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) from the Federal Government to purchase a new 12-lead cardiac monitor. This machine provides multiple life-saving functions that assist our EMTs with critical medical emergencies. I would personally like to thank Lt. Janice Pouliot for all her hard work in securing this AFG for the department and the Town of Danville. We are and will continue to apply for grants to help support the department and the town.
In 2009 we had to replace a furnace that heats the apparatus bay. After much research we decided to replace the existing furnace with an efficient waste oil burner. This furnace allows us to cut down on the amount of heating oil purchased, to save the taxpayer’s money and it eliminates our used waste oil liability. In 2010 the Danville Fire Department will begin to accept clean used motor oil at the fire station on Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm. Hopefully this will assist our residents with their used motor oil disposal and it will also insure us a steady supply of free heat. I would like to thank Facilities Manager, Leon Buzzell, for his expertise and assistance in completing this project.
Once again, I am asking residents to properly number their homes. Four inch reflective numbers on the house and at the end of the driveway or mailbox will greatly assist responders when you have an emergency.
The issuing of Seasonal Burn Permits has been a success, this system allows resident to burn outdoors, when the State allows burning, without coming to the station for individual permits. To make this system even more user friendly we will be accepting telephone renewals for seasonal burn permits. Please call 382-5133 to renew; if personnel are not available, just leave a voicemail. If you do not have a current permit come on in weekdays 8am to 4pm or Wednesday nights from 7pm to 9pm.
The Danville Fire Department would encourage senior citizens and shut-ins to call us if they have any concerns about household safety. We would be glad to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the home, assist with house numbering or address any safety issues they may have. Just call the station and talk with one of us or leave a message.
I would like to congratulate the following members of the Danville Fire Department who have spent many hours achieving higher certification in Fire and EMS Training:
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Lt. Brian Delahunty FFIII
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Lt. Corey Ward FFIII
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FF Steven M Woitkun FFIII
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FF David Rice EMT-I
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FF Timothy Griswold EMT-I
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EMT Ashley Griswold EMT-I
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Inspector Tom McLinden Fire Inspector I
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Christianne Unger EMT
In conclusion, I would like to thank the residents of Danville for their continued support. I would like to ask for your support of the 2010 budget and the important Warrant Article. Help Us, Help You.
Respectfully submitted,
Chief Steve J. Woitkun