Bruce Philpott’s 03-25-08 Response to the Glendale Fire Department

I would first like to thank the GFD for canceling its policy that allowed FF to jog in remote parks or out of their districts altogether. This has been one of my primary concerns because my audit showed significant delays as a result of this policy. I am pleased that they listened to this and the public is better protected as a result.

But it did not address the other forms of avoidable delays that are practiced daily when engine and truck companies leave their geographic fire districts to engage in activities that are preventable. There are clearly alternative methods to keep them in their fire districts.

Regarding the 2 in, 2 out and staffing with 3 or 4 persons on engine and truck companies. You were told a story where a captain and two ff’s advanced a line into a structure on fire. This is a clear and direct violation of OSHA safety rules that require 4 ff’s for an entry team, not 3. What was not told to you was that the 4^th FF on that engine company was the engineer and for FF safety he must remain at the controls of the pump to guarantee a steady stream of water for the entry team. He cannot leave his post or the safety of the FF would be compromised. So in order to mount an interior attack on a structure fire with the first arriving engine company you have to have at least 5 FF. And, by the time it takes to connect a hose to the hydrant, bring an attack line from the engine to the entry point, the second engine company has arrived.

Fire union president, Capt. Stavros told you earlier today, and referring to a picture of a house on fire, that they could not make entry unless they had 4 FF. What he didn’t tell you was that the fire had advanced enough where the truck company had to ventilate to allow the heat, gases and smoke to clear so they could make entry. By the time the first arriving truck company is on scene, there are at least two and probably three engine companies. Therefore, regardless if staffed with three or four, by the time the truck company ventilates the roof, there are sufficient FF on the fire ground to mount an entry.

During the afternoon session, there was an issue regarding how long it takes for the second engine company to arrive at a structure fire. My data shows that it takes about one minute, not the 8 to 10 minutes Stavros said or the 6 to 7 minutes given by Chief Biggs. The fire dept. has this data and they can share it with you at any time. Why not ask the fire dept. to present that information. It is a critical piece regarding staffing.

You were also told that the GFD does not condone a reserve fire department for a city like Glendale. I agree. But, you were not told that I only advocate for the 4^th FF to be a reserve or auxiliary, not the entire company. That would save around $9 million per year.

My audit clearly shows that the GFD staffs daily with 3 FF on engine companies, and during the highest periods of call demand. So, they actually staff with 3 all the time. The activity logs I have inspected reveal this occurs daily.

Also, you were shown Slide # 54 that shows a Class I fire department – Santa Ana – that operates with reserves or auxiliaries. You were also shown Slide # 53 that shows Burbank, Garden Grove, Riverside and Santa Ana operating with a portion of their engine companies with 3 FF.

The public gets shortchanged when there is not an opportunity to respond with the same kind of time and the same kind of questions from the city council to the alternative models. The public, however, is beginning to realize the value of the new models over the existing system and the opportunity to have equal time to present, discuss and debate and allow the public to interact with questions of their own may be approaching. Thank you.