THE COMMUNITY RESPONDER

OCTOBER 2013 VOLUME 1 ISSUE 4

FROM THE CHIEF

Serving Proudly,Professionally and

Promptly.

Reaching out, shaking handsand talking to the citizens ofthe Bulverde-Spring Brancharea is something I truly en-joy doing. National NightOut gives me and the firefighters just that opportunityto meet and visit with thecitizens we serve. This mostrecent NNO, the crew and Ivisited the neighborhoods ofMountain Springs Ranch,Mystic Shores, River Crossingand Windmill Ranch.

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SPRING BRANCH FIRE RESCUE COMAL COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES DISTRICT #4

Thank You Responder Sponsors!Click the logos to learn more.

KATHLEEN BANSE

Board of Directors Update, pg. 6Out and About with SBFR, Beyond Fire-fighting, pages 4-5 and 7-9Remembrance of 9-11, page 10Reflections on Firefighters, page 11

Postal Carriers Learn about Fire Extinguishers

The Spring Branch Post Office recently re-placed their fire extinguishers and asked ESD4/Spring Branch Fire Rescue if they would comeout to educate the employees and demonstratethe proper use of the new extinguishers.

Firefighter Tarik Rhadbane and firefighterBrent Bridges began by describing the differenttypes of fires and the different types of fire extin-guishers. They shared the importance of having afire extinguisher that is rated for the types of firesthat may occur in your home or business.A - Ordinary Combustibles (wood and paper)B - Flammable Liquids (gas and oil)C - Electronics (computers and hard wire)D- MetalsK - Grease

Each fire extinguisher has a rating on the side thatcorresponds with the type of fire it is made for (A,B, C, D, or K). (continued on page 5)

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Since all these communities are gated, or have gatedsections, one topic of discussion was entrance throughthe coded gates into the neighborhoods during an emer-gency. The Comal County Sheriff’s Office’s Dispatchoperator maintains the list of gate codes. While en routeto the emergency, the operator will inform the respondersof the code. Please note, the code itself is never broad-cast over the air, but is encrypted in an alpha-numericcode known to the responders only. Remember to up-date your codes with the Sheriff’s Office in case of anychanges to them. Also, lack of a code will not prevent usfrom arriving at the scene of the emergency as our prior-ity is to protect our citizens and their property.

National Night Out is just one example of otherduties firefighters have beyond our emergency responseresponsibilities. Our station is available to inform andeducate our citizens on all sorts of disaster preparedness

topics. One highly requested presentation is information and training on the use of fireextinguishers, and we recently spoke to the Spring Branch Postal Carriers on thistopic. Pictures are on page 5.

If you would like a visit from our department, simply contact our Administrator,Jo Zuercher, to arrange a program. We are always delighted to spend time with ourfriends and neighbors.

Serving you proudly,Chief Dustin Beaudoin

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Favorite photosof our future firefighters (?) from

NNO

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Extinguishers (continued from cover)Some extinguishers are made for one specific type of fire, while others are

made to work on several causes of fire. Look on the side of the extinguisher to makesure you purchase one that will work well in the area you want to protect. Forexample, by using an extinguisher rated for electronics, you will cause less damageto your computer/software.

Your extinguisher will need a visual, monthly inspection (done by you) and anannual inspection by a certified extinguisher inspector. If you have just a fewextinguishers, you can take them directly to the inspector. For your business, youcan schedule an appointment for the inspector to come out and do the inspection onsite. There were some great questions about extinguishers and inspections. Onegreat question, “If you don’t use your fire extinguisher during the year, do you stillneed to have it inspected?” The answer is YES! The key point here is that you wantit in tip-top shape and good working order in case there is a chance you have to useit.

After covering the types of fires and fire extinguishers, it was time to get somehands on training. Chief Beaudoin and Captain Stone brought an extinguishertraining trailer so the carriers could have a chance to really get a feel for working afire extinguisher. As Chief Beaudoin and Captain Stone worked to get the trainingtrailer ready, Firefighters Rhadbane and Bridges explained how to operate theextinguisher, including an acronym to help you remember the process, PASS.P – Pin – Pull out the pinA – Aim – Aim the hose at the fireS – Squeeze – Squeeze the handle (be aware, the handle might be stiff)S – Spray – Spray at the base of the fire Lastly, it is important to work as a team when a fire breaks out.

●Don’t Panic!●Evaluate the fire size and type●Grab the fire extinguisher and announce to others

that there is a fire. Have someone call 911. Even ifyou think you can put the fire out, it is better to havethe firefighters on their way in case you cannotcontain the fire.

●Use the extinguisher (remember PASS)Five eager employees, including Post Master Cesar

Soza, stepped up to give it a try. “I am not a Texas native”he said,“ but I got here as fast as I could and I was ableto learn the “Texas” way to do this.” As the first PostOffice employee stepped up to practice with the extin-guisher someone exclaimed, “Hey Y’all, there’s a fire.Someone call 911!”

Firefighter Tarik Rhadbaneanswers questions.

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Fire Extinguisher Training with the Post Office

Above: Firefighter Brent Bridges and firefighterTarik Rhadbane discuss the different types offire extinguishers that are available.

Left: Captain Gary Stone stands by while a postoffice employee uses a fire extinguisher.

RESPONDER SPONSOR

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Your ESD Board of Directors conduct monthly meetings to manage and reviewthe operations and financial aspects of your emergency services. Past actionsdeemed in the best interest of operations and the fiduciary responsibility to tax payershave yielded the following actions:

● Formation of the Bulverde-Spring Branch Emergency Services Council tocoordinate among several Emergency Services Districts to better serve ourpopulation.● Educational fund established on behalf of Oliver “Ollie” and Mildred Bartelsin recognition of their on-going charitableness for ESD #4/SBFR. The MildredBartels Firefighter First Responder Education, Training and Scholarship Fundwas approved and a plague dedicated on July 24, 2013.● Continued work with ESD #5 in developing the temporary station near GVTCin an effort to best serve the community from a regional perspective.

Meetings of the Board are always open to the public. Consider attending to learnmore about the decisions and operations of the Board.

Comal County ESD #4 Board of Directors 2013Larry Hull, President

Bob Walker, Vice PresidentPaul Graf, Secretary

Curtis Bremer, TreasurerSteve Stanphil, Assistant Treasurer

UPCOMING BOARD MEETINGS:

Nov. 13th @ 6:00 pmDec. 11th @ 4:30 pm

VISIT www.sbfirerescue.com for agendas and other details.

A HUGE thank you to GVTC and theGVTC Foundation for their generous giftsof $500 and $1,000, respectively. Yoursupport of our first responders is greatlyappreciated!

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Pre-Incident Plans

When most people think of firefighters, they imagine them working on thescene of an emergency and often from a more offensive position, but it is the morecommon defensive work they do that people don’t know. Not unlike the physicaltraining they perform, in order to be fully prepared for the next event, preparationssuch as “pre-plans” are vital to firefighters’ readiness.

Throughout the course of the year firefighters from ESD 4/Spring Branch FireRescue make every effort to systematically visit each commercial building withinthe district. The process begins by making an appointment, convenient to theschedule of a point of contact at the establishment.

A pre-plan is not the same as a formal inspection, which is typically performedby the Fire Marshall. Instead, the primary purpose of a pre-plan is to give thefirefighters an opportunity to update contact information that may have changedwithin the year and to document essential information that could be extremelyvaluable should an emergency take place within or around the structure. In order todocument all this data, the firefighters make a quick sketch of the property and allof the structures on the property. It won’t be until they return to the station that theyplot their rough sketches, more accurately, on graph paper. Typically, they makenote of important characteristics of the structure, such as the location of the firealarm panel and all the possible exits in the building. They document where theelectrical shut-offs are as well as where power lines are located on the property andthe points at which they connect to the structures. Pre-plans are a great opportuni-ty to make note of addition sources of water including hydrants, pools and holdingtanks.

It’s also important to be aware that some buildings have a potential heavy fireload which may be due to a higher than normalamount of combustible material onsite, such aschemicals or gas. Once back at the station, all of thisdata is secured in a binder within each of the firedepartment’s vehicles.

Finally, in addition to the documentation, time isallowed for sharing information and to answer ques-tions the occupants may have, as well as to offer freesmoke detectors if any additional ones are needed.Being familiar with a commercial property prior to anemergency can save lives.

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As one might imagine, it takes a tremendous amount of prepara-tion by firefighters, during the times they are not responding to emer-gencies, to prepare themselves to be ready at a moment’s notice toattack a fire or respond to a medical call. Handling a hose that haswater pressure of 150 pounds per square inch is no easy task andfirefighter’s equipment can weigh as much as 75 pounds. To be reli-able, firefighters must have both the mindset and the physical strengthand endurance to carry out their job in a manner that is safe forthemselves, their coworkers and the people whom they assist.

Due to the demanding elements of their job, Shift Commanders,most commonly Captains, include regular training periods in theirshift’s daily schedule. As a rule, at ESD 4/Spring Branch Fire Rescue,the minimum amount of time a shift spends in physical conditioning isat least one hour a day. Shift Commanders also schedule additionaldrills in their training program. These drills, such as Rapid InterventionTeam Drills and Consumption Drills, simulate difficulties firefightersmay encounter while they are responding to a structure fire.

Rapid Intervention Team Drills involve an obstacle course whichhas a layout that guides firefighters to reach and recover a fallenfirefighter who has been disabled. Consumption Drills demonstratehow much activity a firefighter can perform in the course of using a fulltank of air. These drills not only measure strength and endurance, theyalso build teamwork among the firefighters.

Staying current with training

Serving Proudly,Professionally and

Promptly.

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Staying current with training

Firefighter Chandler Celli de-scends the stairs with a packagedhose on his shoulder. FirefighterHector Adan spots him for safetysake.

Firefighter Hector Adan pulls alength of hose toward himselfas part of a Consumption Drill.

Firefighter Chandler Celli braces himself againstanother firefighter in a recent training course.

Captain Royce Penshornprepares to ascend thestairs with a packagedhose on his shoulder.

Firefighter Robert Padilla carries (2) 50pound bottles of liquid as part of a Con-sumption Drill.

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H-E-B AND HELPING HEROESEstablished in 2005, H-E-B’s Helping Heroes is a company-wide volunteer

service project to honor local firefighters and recognize the risks they take every-day. H-E-B strives to generate awareness of the vital role firefighters play in ourcommunities as well as honor September 11th, which is a National Day of Serviceand Remembrance that pays tribute to the men and women who risked and lost theirlives at the World Trade Center. Each year, Partners (employees) from more than 300 H-E-B stores, administra-tive offices and manufacturing support centers visit their local fire stations andmedical first responders in support of their heroic efforts and dedication to commu-nities across Texas.

REMEMBRANCE ON 9-11

Personnel honor a momentof silence on 9-11

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YOUR Fire Department – FirefightersGary Skipp, Volunteer Coordinator

When asked to write this short article on your department’s firefighters, theimmediate thought that sprang to mind was a quote from a speech given by a Captainof one of Cunards’ famous passenger ships, the RMS Queen Mary I think it was.“Seamen are essentially simple men; they have to be able to go to sea.” I believe thisto be equally true for firefighters, seeing that as in the past firefighters were recruitedfrom the seafaring fraternity.

By “simple” I mean that with the greatest respect and admiration. The firefight-ers’ creed is simple, “To save lives and protect property,” and this they do with simpledetermination. Who else is usually going toward the danger while others are retreatingto safety? Also these days, firefighters are not only men, but more women are enteringthe fire service which is why the old term fireman has given way to firefighter.

In Texas there are two (2) organizations that oversee the training qualificationsfor firefighters. For Volunteer Firefighters, it is the State Firemen’s and Fire Marshalls’Association of Texas (SFFMA), and for career firefighters, it is the Texas Commissionon Fire Protection (TCFP). The basic certification requirement, Firefighter 1, is essen-tially the same for SFFMA and TCFP excepting that the training objectives for SFFMAare spread over a longer period and a number of modules. This reflects that VolunteerFirefighters usually have a paying job outside of the Fire Service. However, uponcompletion of the required training and objectives, SFFMA Volunteer Firefighters canchallenge the TCFP test to become professional career firefighters.

As for those who want to make firefighting their career, they usually attendschools, for example San Antonio College (SAC) and pass with their TCFP BasicFirefighter certification to become Commissioned Firefighters. It is worthwhile point-ing out that to become a Commissioned Firefighter , your fire department’s firefightersalso have to hold Emergency Medical Technician(EMT) Basic certification and be registered withthe State. This is why our firefighters also appearon scene with our ambulance service, BulverdeSpring Branch Emergency Medical Service(BSBEMS), to assist. Spring Branch Fire Rescue(SBFR) Firefighters, career and volunteer, notonly are trained as firefighters, but also can at thistime brag that we have EMT’s Paramedics (3),Intermediate (3) and Basic (18) on our “rosters.”

So, you can see that not only do your SBFRfirefighters fight fires, maintain fire hydrants, res-cue folks and look for ways to prevent fires, theyalso are qualified First Responders for medicaland injuries. Quite something for “simple” folk,isn’t it?

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Partner With UsDay or night, you can depend on ESD #4/ Spring Branch Fire Rescue to respond to your emergency.If you are looking for a way to help us and show your support, here are several ways you can partnerwith us:1. Share your time and life experience.  Call (830) 885-7095 or send your inquiry tovolunteeresd4@sbfirerescue.com to sign up to lend a hand as a volunteer.2.  Mail an annual donation in the form of a check or money order, for any amount, to ESD #4, P.O. Box601, Spring Branch, Texas 78070, or personally stop by the station at 353 Rodeo Drive, Spring Branchto drop off your donation.  You may also make your donation by credit card on our secure website:www.sbfirerescue.com.  All donations are tax deductible and go directly to assist the firefighters.Donations are not used to cover everyday operating costs.3. Stay informed by joining the Emergency Services District 4 Citizen Contact Database (C.C.D.).Simply e-mail your name and e-mail address to our administrator at admin@sbfirerescue.com. A formis also available on our website’s home page.

It’s that easy, but it means a whole lot more to us!  Thank you!

Copyright 2013 All Rights Reserved

Have You Heard of a Knox-Box?A KNOX-BOX® Rapid Entry System provides non-destruc-

tive emergency access to commercial and residential properties.It allows access to business buildings quickly, minimizes forcedentry damage, and protects fire fighters from injury. Currently,more than nine thousand fire departments and the communitiesthey protect enjoy the benefits of this proven system. The KNOX-BOX® boxes are constructed of ¼” solid steel with a ½” steel door and reinforcedlocking mechanism. They are UL listed against physical attack and for drill, pick andpull resistance. The master key to open the  KNOX-BOX® is held ONLY by firedepartments. This high security key is strictly controlled and is manufactured only bythe Medeco factory under direction from an authorized fire official’s signature.

REFLECTIVE ADDRESS SIGNS

In an emergency, a few seconds can make a life-saving difference toa police officer, firefighter or rescue squad worker. Could we find yourhouse quickly? Reflective address signs prominently displayed andvisible to passing vehicles make good sense. These signs are availablefrom Spring Branch Fire Rescue for $25.00. We will even install them!

Visit our site to download the form, www.sbfirerescue.com.