Newsletter - Fire Department Update:                                             April 2006

• As of the end of March our department has responded to 486 calls for service.  (Same time last year = 447 calls)   8.7% increase.

• Training for the month of April will include extrication practice, instruction on our new AED units, a tour of the Multi-Lakes facility and continuing education on emergency transporting.

• Our new transport unit was placed in service on 3/31/06.  (Medic #4) 

• Two full-time members of the department completed Fire Officer III training in March.

• Five paid-on-call personnel successfully completed the Highland Fire Academy on March 11^th.  Four of these individuals are now attending classes to receive their medical training.

• On 3/26/06 the department hired Robert Hollmeyer as a paid-on-call firefighter.  Robert comes to the department with prior firefighter training and is currently attending Medical First Responder training.

• Progress continues with area fire department in developing a training class for company officers – first line supervisors with R.A.F.T.  (Region Alliance for Firefighter Training)

• Federal Grant funds have been requested for the department to receive upgrades in personal protective equipment.  (Turnout gear and self contained breathing apparatus)

• The county recently advised the department that the equipment for CERT training (Community Emergency Response Training) has arrived.  Classes have been scheduled for Saturday June 3^rd and Saturday September 23^rd at Fire station #4 from 10am – 2:30pm.

Respectfully, Joseph R. Schornack, Fire Chief – Commerce Twp. 248-560-0126