CORDOVA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT

CVFD THE SIREN

V O L U M E 2 , I S S U E 1 J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 2

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Explorers

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Best Wishes, Oscar Delpino

Oscar Delpino resigned as Cordova Fire Marshal in August but remained on the job for another two months in order to help facilitate a smooth transition. He loved CVFD and always encouraged members to stand proud for the organization. Every decision he made was based upon what he thought was best for CVFD. Delpino had been a volunteer member of CVFD since 2000. He quickly completed Firefighter (FF) I training in 2001, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) I in 2002 and EMT II in 2003. He was a member of the 200 Club for seven years of his membership. The 200 Club is an award for CVFD members who complete more than 200 hours of training in a year. where everything was. Additionally, he received Letters of Commendation for his superior performance as a medic in 2004 and 2005. Delpino was also responsible for writing and maintaining many grants during his tenure which resulted in millions of dollars worth of equipment for the department. Delpinos ability to remain calm and supportive during the most stressful situations will be missed by all. His kindness and abuse of the English language brightened the department for more than a decade. We wish the Delpino Family the best in their new endeavor and thank Oscar most heartedly for the time and expertise he gave to our community.

Volunteer Hours

Golden Stetho- 2 scope Spotlight: Jerry 3 LeMaster

Spotlight: Keegan Irving

Chief Hicks and Deputy Chief Delpino during a 2010 house fire

Delpino completed countless certifications in Hazardous Materials, ICS (Incident Command System) and Fire Investigations and completed numerous FEMA classes (Federal Emergency Management Agency) as well. He was the communications specialist, computer specialist and was the man who knew

Did you know?

CTC and the Harbormaster maintain many fire (emergency) phones on all of the floats in the harbor. In the New Harbor (AC side) there are two phones per float: one about 1/3 of the way down and the second about 2/3 of the way down each float. On L Float (running parallel to shore) there is an emergency phone at the start of both J and H floats. All of these phones are in RED boxes with a placard reading "Emergency Phone". There are 4 fire extinguisher canisters spaced down each float. These are black "barrels" and are labeled "Fire Extinguisher". There are also three fire extinguishers down L float. On the Old Harbor side there is a fire phone at the base of the east ramp (ramp closest to Reluctant Fisherman). On A and D floats there is one fire phone on each finger about 1/2 way down. On B and C floats there are two phones, one 1/3 and the second 2/3 of the way down. At the top of the western ramp (closest to the Science Center) there is an emergency phone on the side of the metal building. This phone is in a red box. The phones in this harbor are in YELLOW boxes with placards reading "Emergency Phone". Again there are several fire extinguisher "black barrels" on each float in this harbor. -Jason Fischer

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Explorers
The Explorers have been busy this fall and winter. We have done multiple trainings including climbing/knots, beacons/avalanche safety, and most of us became CPR certified. Thank you Dana Smyke, Jim Fritsch, and Carolyn Roesbery for spending your time giving us amazing trainings. We enjoyed being involved with CVFD festivities and helped with the annual Halloween event; we loaded kids into fire trucks, handed out candy, and helped turn the fire hall into a spooky place. We began a community service project of going around town and shoveling/sanding elders walkways. This has been very fun! We would like to do this more often but its very difficult scheduling around everyones many activities. If you know an elder that could use sanding/shoveling please contact the fire hall at 4246117. We also rang the bell for the Salvation Army during Christmas, decorated a light pole (in front of the gas station) and helped CVFD with the annual tree lighting. Some of us were elves, some rode on the fire truck and many of us helped decorate Santas sleigh. Anyone aged 14-18 can join Fire Explorers. Our meetings are not on a regular schedule but if you want to know when the next meeting is call the Fire Station (424-6117) or contact us on facebook at our page Cordova Junior Firefighters. -Gabrielle Brown, President

Cody Howard, Sam Johnson, Casea Peterson, Lindsey Hammer, JD Stimson, Anne Carlson, Casey Smyke, Gabrielle Brown.

Volunteer Hours
1969 (wo)man hours have been donated by CVFD members during the second half of 2011.
CVFD members donate a tremendous amount of hours to the community each month. Meetings include monthly business meetings and weekly trainings, inventories and maintenance. Other Activities includes: participation in Salmon Jam, 4H Music Camp, Halloween and Christmas events, and the DOT disaster drill. This frequent and high quality training makes CVFD The Best in the Business. This graph shows the man (& woman) hours for the second half of 2011.

2011
Meetings Other Activities Fire Runs Ambulance Runs

July Aug Sept Oct

Nov Dec

155 155 178 202 109 154 82 145 183 20 47 83 61 48 9 64 31 7 21 29 142 14 30

Golden Stethoscope
Sept. 29, 2011 Medic Competition
The Golden Stethoscope competition is held annually at CVFD. The winners of this fun, medic event win a scholarship to the EMS Symposium in Anchorage. It was a great night. Bob Behrends was the BOUNCER and the calculator. Dick Groff was the BARTENDER. Medics were the COMPETITORS. Let's see ...it came down to who knew BONES the best. Close, close, close scores...SO close that they had to RECALCULATE the scores and a different team won at the last minute. Congratulations Winners: Jason Fischer and James Thorne!

CVFD

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Spotlight on Jerry LeMaster

Jerry LeMaster has been a member of CVFD since 1986. After serving in the Navy and Coast Guard, LeMaster brought many pertinent skills to the department. LeMaster became an EMT in 1987 and completed FFI training in 1987. LeMaster has attended EMS (Emergency Medical Services) Symposiums and Fire Academy Trainings, is a Fire Service Instructor II, Hazardous Materials Trainer and is the resident Haz Mat Expert. LeMaster has, arguably, received more training than any other CVFD member EVER due to his voracious appetite for new material. All you have to do is tell him the training is FREE and his bags are packed. Shortly after the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the U.S., LeMaster, who was a member of the CG Reserves, was recalled to active duty and served in a port security role in Valdez for many months. Petty Officer LeMaster retired from the CG just a few years ago. LeMaster has been a member of the 200 Club for 5 years. In addition to serving as the Driver/ Engineer on Engine 2, LeMaster serves as a Driver for the ambulance crew which means being on call for a week of 12 hours shifts, sometimes weeks in a row. He is Mr. Dependable. Whether chaperoning the teen Explorers, teaching basic to advanced skills, or responding in inclimate weather LeMaster is a backbone member of CVFD.

Spotlight on Keegan Irving

Keegan Irving joined CVFD in 2010 while still in high school. He traveled out of town, at his own expense and through his own initiative to get his ETT (Emergency Trauma Technician) training and volunteered with the ambulance and fire squads. He continues to volunteer with the department when he is home. Irving just started his second year at Colorado Mountain College and has received certifications as EMT, Firefighter, Swift Water Technician, and Technical Ropes Technician. At a recent CVFD meeting Irving received the following commendation from Chief Hicks. Firefighter IRVING is cited for superior performance of duty for his actions in the early morning hours of January 17, 2012 while responding to a report of man in the water near the transient float in the Cordova Boat Harbor. The weather was clear with an air temperature of 16 degrees. On arrival, Firefighter IRVING made his way to the end of the float where the person had fallen into the water. The footing was treacherous due to snow and ice cover. Shortly thereafter the victim was spotted floating face down approximately 100 yards from the float. Rescue equipment had not arrived on scene yet. Firefighter IRVING immediately began searching vessels in the area for a survival suit. Once located, Firefighter IRVING quickly donned the suit while other now arriving rescuers attached a safety line. With complete disregard for his own personal safety, Firefighter IRVING volunteered to enter the frigid, 30-degree water. After entering the water, he was able to recover the unconscious victim and was towed to safety by the other rescuers present. The victim was treated at the scene and transported to the Cordova Community Medical Center for further treatment. Firefighter IRVING demonstrated remarkable initiative, exceptional fortitude, and daring in spite of imminent personal danger in this rescue. His unselfish actions, courage, and unwavering devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Cordova Volunteer Fire Department.

CVFD
PO Box 1210 Cordova AK 99574-1210 Phone: 907.424.6117 E-mail: fire@cityofcordova.net Facebook: Cordova Alaska Firefighters

To protect life, property, and the environment of the community by providing professional, effective and efficient fire and life safety services meeting the needs and expectations of those we serve.

Cordova Volunteer Fire Department The Best in the Business

Join Us
When? Thursday evenings at 7:30pm at the firehall. Who? Anyone age 17or older who is interested in volunteering.

Why? Because its fun, we need you, and the training is invaluable. Contacts: Chief Mike Hicks 424-6117 Email: fire@cityofcordova.net Deputy Chief: Dan Jager

Treasurer: Penny Oswalt Secretary: Laura Kasch

EMS Captain Joanie Behrends

424-5773
alaska.behrends@gmail.com