SBCFire Annual Report FY13-14 | Page 20

County Fire Augments Sheriff’s Boat with Paramedics In a cooperative effort to maximize services and provide Advance Life Support (ALS) medical care in a timely manner on the river, two County Firefighter Paramedics were placed on one of the many Sheriff’s boats that patrol the Colorado River during the holiday weekends. The Colorado River traditionally sees an influx of river traffic from 25,000 to 50,000 people per holiday weekend. The normal response time for ALS intervention on the river is about 45 minutes. With this augmented staffing, response times were reduced to less than 10 minutes. Firefighter Recruitment A Success In March, County Fire announced the job opening for full-time professional Firefighters, a position that has not been offered since 2009. An extensive campaign took place, reaching out to a diverse work force, offering open houses and information meetings. As one of the most progressive, fastest growing fire departments in Southern California, County Fire received over 2,200 applications. The application process is rigorous, with applicants required to pass a written exam, oral interview, physical agility exam, a psychological exam as well as a medical and background check. Candidates must also pass a Biddle physical agility test. Successful candidates will start the Firefighter Academy in September and be ready for public service in November 2014. Red Flag Program Enacted San Bernardino County Fire, in an effort to provide premier fire services to the local community, has implemented a Red Flag Community Notification Program to warn citizens within the county when conditions for extreme fire danger arise. When enacted, a Red Flag will be flown below the American flag at each fire station as a visual reminder that extreme fire weather conditions have been predicted and/or are present. Residents of San Bernardino County know all too well the dangers of winds and wildfires; this program is designed to inform those citizens so that this hazard can be further prevented. Residential Assessment Program In June, County Fire announced the return of its Residential Assessment Program (RAP). County Fire commenced its second year of this program which provides no-cost evaluations of defensible space on residential property. RAP promotes hazard reduction around homes that exist in our mountain, wildland, and watershed communities. This program is mutually beneficial in that it assists the homeowners while increasing the effectiveness of fire suppression efforts as well as firefighter safety. County Fire has been out in the community going door-to-door handing out information and, should any resident desire, offering to walk the property with the homeowners. During these visits, firefighters provide specific advice on how best to create defensible space for your home. These visits are free of charge and without penalty. Emergency Dispatch Center Achieves Accreditation CONFIRE (Consolidated Fire Agencies of San Bernardino County) was recognized as an Accredited Center of Excellence by the International Academies of Emergency Dispat