In Search Of A Great ISO

A company based in New Jersey called the ISO (Insurance Services Office) creates ratings for fire departments and their surrounding communities. The ratings calculate how well-equipped fire departments are to put out fires in that community. The ISO provides this score, often called the "ISO Fire Score" or Public Protection Classification to homeowners insurance companies. The insurers then use it to help set homeowners insurance rates. The more well-equipped your fire department is to put out a fire, the less likely your house is to burn down. That makes your home less risky, and therefore less expensive, to insure. ISO classifies communities from 1 (the best) to 10 (the worst) based on how well they score on the ISO Fire Suppression Rating Schedule, which grades such features as water supply and distribution, fire department equipment and manpower and fire alarm and dispatching facilities. The scoring is based upon industry accepted benchmarks.

A perfect score in Texas is 104.26. It consists of 50 points for fire department capabilities, 40 points for water supply and distribution (local MUD's are you listening?), 10 points for receiving and handling fire alarms and up to 4.26 points for "Texas Exceptions" that give extra credit for compressed air foam systems, certified volunteers and attending or teaching at the annual firemen's training school at Texas A&M University.

The following table shows the number of points required for each PPC Class:

1 90 +
2 80 to 89.99
3 70 to 79.99
4 60 to 69.99
5 50 to 59.99
6 40 to 49.99
7 30 to 39.99
8 20 to 29.99
9 10 to 19.99
10 0 to 9.99

Westlake Fire Department is currently under an ISO review. It's current classification is a "3". Hope is that the result of the on going ISO audit review will be that they move up to a "2" or even a "1". As stated above, the lower the score, the lower your property insurance rates are. Hence, ESD 47 and Westlake are in search of a great ISO number. I will keep you posted on the outcome.

Until then, stay safe.

Brian Havran

A Firefighter’s Night Before Christmas

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the land,
not a creature was stirring not even command.

The gear was all hung in the stations with care,
so if help were needed they'd all soon be there.

The firefighters were nestled all snug in their beds,
while visions of new trucks danced in their heads.

The training was finished all action was stopped,
in hopes that at Christmas no tones would be dropped.

When over the speakers there rose such a clatter,
they all sprang to their feet to see what was the matter.

A fire was burning no time to be slow,
and though it was Christmas they all had to go.

With sirens a ‘blaring and energies high,
they speed in their trucks toward the glow in the sky.

On engine, on rescue, on ladder, on tower,
now lay from the hydrants and show it your power.

they'll fight the fire with divisions strong and tall,
now dash away, dash away, dash away all.

So up to the top the roof team flew,
with axes, pike poles, and chain saws, too.

The electricity was shut off and the gas line, too.
The dispatcher radio-ed command: You have a PAR due.

Fire attack teams were working interior and behind
when all of a sudden they reported a find.

He was dressed all in red from his head to his foot,
his clothes were all soiled with ashes and soot.

But his eyes had a twinkle, and it wasn't a trick,
who else could it be? It must be Saint Nick.

He said thanks for the rescue and for hearing my call,
we were close to not having a Christmas at all.

The gifts that I'll leave for each one of you,
are nothing compared to the giving that YOU do.

I wish I could stay 'till you end this command,
but I've much work to do all over the land.

So thanks one more time for the service you give,
and for keeping us safe wherever we live.

As he boarded his sleigh and drove out of sight,
they heard him exclaim:
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Author unknown

EMERGENCY! PART II

Last month, I harkened back to the '70's TV show EMERGENCY! I wrote about how firefighter/paramedics Gage and DeSota responded to medical and rescue calls in Los Angeles County and I focused on the medical side of their job. This month, staying with that same TV show, I am writing about the fire and rescue side.

In their Rescue Squad truck, along with medical equipment and supplies, the crew carried rescue equipment such as ropes and tools for all types of rescue responses. They also responded to fire calls along with the station's pumper truck. So two trucks housed at the same station going to the same location. Not the most efficient of operations, but keep in mind that this is the '70s. Over time, in the real world the small rescue truck grew to a full size apparatus, but still two trucks.

Now let's fast forward to today. There is a truck made today that is a combination fire truck and rescue truck. It is called in some circles a "Wet Rescue" truck. At ESD 47/Westlake, we have been buying this type of apparatus since 2013. We call it a "Squad" truck. (The more things change, the more they stay the same.) It is two trucks in one. This saves on space in the fire station. This saves on maintenance costs. This saves on staffing. Our Squad trucks are a regular fire truck (water tank, pump, and hoses) along with compartments to carry rescue tools and equipment, a power generator, breathing air cascade system, and a light bay for nighttime calls. It is the Swiss Army Knife of fire apparatus! Here is the best part: the cost of one of the trucks is only slightly more than a regular fire truck. So why haven't other agencies went this route instead of the traditional fire truck? Good question. Afraid of change maybe?

Westlake has two Squad trucks, Squad 41 (2013) and Squad 42 (2015). You can see their photos on the Westlake website: westlakevfd.com. Well the family is growing. I am happy to tell you that ESD 47 has just purchased another Squad truck and it is soon to be placed in service. That will give us three combination Fire/Rescue trucks. The news gets even better. ESD 47 paid cash for the new truck, saving years of interest payments to the tax payer. It's decisions such as this that allow us to consistently lower property tax rates while providing the highest level of service to the people and property of the District. I have attached a few photos of the new truck below. Shipment was delayed due to weather issues up north, but it should be at the Westlake station any day now.

Until then, stay safe.

Brian Havran

EMERGENCY!

I hope you are able to remember that NBC tv show from the '70's. It starred Randy Mantooth and Kevin Tighe as paramedics of Los Angeles County Fire Department station 51. In the show, they responded to medical and rescue calls in a squad truck. That truck was, candidly, a glorified utility truck that carried rescue equipment, ropes, and medical supplies and gear, but no water or ladders. When a patient needed transport to the hospital, he or she rode in a private ambulance. One paramedic rode in the back of the ambulance and the other drove the squad truck to the hospital to pick him up. Also, it is worth noting that the field paramedics were in radio contact with the hospital and administered medicine according to the doctor's orders as given over the radio.
LA County was a pioneer the area of field emergency medical care. While this was a start, it had many short comings. First, using a private ambulance firm leaves a lot up to chance. Is the closest one available? Did the driver bring his "A" game that day? There is always that possibility for billing mistakes (as I clear my throat) to the governmental agency. If weather caused the loss of radio communications, then the medical doctor was not able to oversee the field care. Putting a paramedic out of service just to go pick up his partner is not efficient either.
Well, that was the '70's and let's fast forward to today. ESD 47 and its service provider Westlake VFD have taken this tv show's premise and bumped it up several notches. The Westlake ambulances carry two EMT's each and the paramedic has a separate vehicle. This way, when the patient is stable enough for transport or maybe when no transport is needed, the paramedic can go back in service and is available for the next dispatch. Also, all of these persons are highly trained, accredited (allowing them to make field decisions), and held to the highest standards. It is likely that the private ambulance driver in Emergency! was not.
Also, in the tv show, male actors were seen in most of the roles. It wasn't until you got to the hospital that you ran into RN Dixie McCall. Today, there is no position or job in the fire service that is gender exclusive. By their own choice, females gravitate to EMS positions and it really gives some unexpected benefits. For example, a women's voice can be soothing and reassuring to a young child that needs attention or, occasionally, a female patient may be more comfortable being evaluated by a female EMT, but let me hasten to point out that ALL Westlake members have ethical practices that are off the charts.
Clearly, the organization structure of fire suppression and emergency medical providers of today, including our very own Westlake VFD, has come a long way and is a big improvement over 50 years ago. Next month, I will continue with part 2 of this blog and introduce you to our latest addition to the ESD 47/ Westlake family. You won't want to miss that!
Until then, stay safe.
Brian Havran

Our New Website

Our ESD 47 website is finally up and running. The main goal of the site is to keep you, the constituent, informed on what is happening in the world of your emergency services district in a readily accessible, easy to understand format. In case the term ESD 47 is new to you, let me explain briefly what we do. Harris County Emergency Service District 47 is responsible for providing fire suppression and emergency medical service within its boundary. To accomplish that mission, ESD 47 contracts with the Westlake Volunteer Fire Department which is located at 19636 Saums Rd. near Fry Rd. We feel that we have the most efficient, community centric, and well organized emergency service operation, not only in Harris County, but in all of Texas. Feedback from our residents overwhelmingly supports that claim.

On this website, we will post agendas of upcoming meetings and minutes of past ones. There is budget and property tax information for current and previous years, plus how they compare year over year. In case you have a question, comment, word of praise, concern, or even a suggestion, please feel free to contact us and you can do so in the contacts section. We've included election information and some helpful links as well. Finally, to keep a fresh appearance of the site, the President's Page will be updated regularly. It is hoped to be usually informational, sometimes humorous, never boring, but always a read that you will want to check in with.
Thanks for dropping by and stay safe.

Brian Havran, President
HC ESD 47