In describing “The Hull Fire Department Way” during a report to the Select Board this week, Fire Chief Chris Russo described the department’s goal and overriding mission as “serving the people of our community by providing all hazard and life safety services at the highest level possible.”
The HFD is comprised of the chief, Deputy Fire Chief William Frazier III, an administrative assistant, five captains, and 23 firefighter paramedics and firefighter EMTs.
“We are fully staffed for the first time since 2015,” Russo said, even as public service agencies across the state and country are struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels.
That said, the HFD has the potential of losing a minimum of five employees through attrition/retirements during the next 12 to 36 months, including members of the command staff and the front line, according to Russo.
Employee development will be essential in order to maintain the level of service that HFD currently provides, according to the report, which also states that fire chief is responsible for assuring promotions and new hires, and the process for change in the command staff is clearly defined and in place to maintain department continuity.
“Continuity is extremely important, and the future is very bright for this department,” Russo said.
HFD has oversight over all calls for service, emergency management, grants and relief funds, communications, training, dealing with COVID19 impacts, and fire hydrants, fire prevention, inspections, and code enforcement.
Among the 2,488 calls for service HFD received in 2021, 1,622 were related to the need for emergency medical services.
During the last three years, 58% of EMS treatment and transport calls required Basic Life Support services, and 42%, Advanced Life Support services.
BLS generally refers to the type of care that first responders, healthcare providers, and public safety professionals provide to someone experiencing cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, or an obstructed airway. ALS is a set of life-saving protocols and skills that extend beyond BLS.
On the subject of fire hydrants, the 345 in Hull are visually inspected twice a year by fire department personnel. Over the past year, 50 hydrants have been either repaired or replaced, 10 new hydrants were added to Beach Avenue, and the same number of new hydrants on Atlantic Avenue. In cooperation with the Weir River Water System, an annual flushing program is carried out.
“Even after all of this hard work and effort, we still have over 30 hydrants in service that are more than 60 years old,” Frazier told the Select Board.
The Department of Emergency Management provides a centralized organization to oversee large and small-scale emergency events, and involves cooperation among not only town departments, but also state and federal agencies.
In addition, Hull’s DEM operates a warming station at the Memorial Middle School when needed.
Communications and information shared through social media platforms, along with issuing Code Red alert calls, have been instrumental in the operation of HFD’s emergency management team.
The Fire Department is required to submit all documentation pertaining to monies received through grants, reimbursements, and relief funds, the result of what Russo called “the tireless effort” of HFD staff, including the chief and Administrative Assistant Jane Walsh, which has resulted in more than $1 million in revenue for the town.
These include Plymouth County CARES Act and other reimbursements for COVID-related expenses and Federal Emergency Management Agency storm reimbursements.
In addition, the Fire Department is applying for a 2022 Staffing For Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant, which if successful could provide about $1.2 million in funding for four new positions.
“No match [from the town] is required,” Russo said.
SAFER was created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter interest organizations to help them increase or maintain the number of trained “front line” firefighters available in their communities.
Effective communication between HFD units and state and federal agencies is key to the department’s successful operation and the effective delivery of critical services, Russo explained.
Along those lines, HFD oversaw the redevelopment and enhancement of radio communication infrastructure throughout Hull.
“By moving one radio site to a hardened facility [designed and constructed to survive well beyond a typical office building under potentially catastrophic events] and installing a backup generator at another location, [HFD] has prepared [itself] for extreme weather emergencies and many other [circumstances that are possible but cannot be predicted with certainty],” according to the report.
The HFD training process also was explained to the board. All aspects of HFD’s daily operations require constant training in order to maintain and improve staff skills, knowledge, and techniques.
Over the past year, in-house training sessions related to equipment training, target hazard familiarization, and EMS quality assurance and improvement. Members of HFD have also completed essential live burn training at the Boston Fire Academy. This training teaches firefighters how to safely and effectively fight fires in a controlled setting under supervision.
Other specialized training has involved water search and rescue equipment and safe maritime vessel operations.
The report also outlined the three “Es” of fire prevention – engineering, education, and enforcement – headed by Fire Prevention Captain Roy Ahlquist.
Duties include inspections, issuing permits, safety hazard investigations, and educating Hull’s schoolchildren about fire prevention.
This division of HFD completed the issuance of 687 permits and inspections in 2021.
Permits are issued for fire alarm and fire suppression systems and heating appliances, as well as blasting, cargo truck inspection, and gasoline stations, among others.
HFD maintains professional partnerships with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, FEMA, the Coast Guard, the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, CHAMP (regional maritime-based organization), and the towns of Hingham, Cohasset, and Norwell as part of the regional dispatch center located in Hingham.
Not to be overlooked are the immediate and long-term COVID impacts on the HFD, as outlined by Russo.
“Everyone has their own story,” he said. “We’re certainly grateful that the pandemic seems to be coming to an end.”
COVID impacts include an increase in call volume and overall needs of Hull residents; stress on employees related to staffing levels and risk of infection, as well as concerns about the possibility of bringing COVID home to their families; increased strain on equipment and the personal protective equipment (PPE) supply chain, and the increased cost of goods and services. Grants are being sought to help offset unforeseen expenses.
Russo reported that more than two-thirds of HFD personnel contracted COVID over the past two years “while serving the community.”
“Our internal PCR testing program has been a benefit, allowing us to keep our members and their families who have COVID isolated – thereby minimizing staffing impacts as much as possible,” according to the report.
Following his presentation, Russo expressed appreciation for the high level of support from the residents of Hull and said HFD’s commitment to providing the community with the highest level of service will continue and improve.
In his role as fire chief, he said, it’s important to note that HFD’s success relies on a strong working relationship with Town Manager Philip Lemnios, the Select Board, and all other town agencies, committees, and boards that serve the community.
“We work hand-in-hand on a lot of things,” Russo said.
Lemnios said the town is “fortunate to have people who step up in public safety roles to protect the community.”
The Select Board has been hearing presentations on the operations of various town departments during the past few weeks. Department heads describe their day-to-day activities and preview the upcoming year. Watch next week’s Times for details on presentations by the Harbormaster and Police Department.
