May 10, 2010 Bulletin #329

Guests

·          Dan Ramsey, New MCSA Executive Director, guest of Keith Porter

·          Melissa Regennitter, Muscatine Journal Reporter

Happy News

·          Keith Porter was happy to have a new executive director at MCSA who comes from Des Moines.  Dan Ramsey started with MCSA one week ago and is a guest at Rotary today as well as a potential Rotary member.  Welcome Dan!

Announcements

·          Second Membership Reading for Sue Dravis, Director of Bickford Cottage.  Please see a member of the Rotary Board of Directors if you have any concerns about this potential member.

·          Mary talked about Rotary Centers for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution.  RotaryPeace Fellows are leaders promoting national and international cooperation, peace, and the successful resolution of conflict throughout their lives, in their careers, and through service activities. Fellows can earn either a master's degree in international relations, public administration, sustainable development, peace studies, conflict resolution, or a related field, or a professional development certificate in peace and conflict resolution.  To learn more about this program, please see Mary or visit the Rotary International link . 

Program

Muscatine Fire Dept 2.0 by Mike Hartman.

Mike Hartman, Assistant Fire Chief, has been with the Muscatine Fire Department for 15 years and is also a new Rotarian.  Mike explained that he named the program FD 2.0 because he wanted to talk about the many changes the fire department has been through in the past several years.  Mike explained that our fire department has changed from being a fire department that focuses on fires and also does medical to a fire department that focuses on medical and also does fires.  Some history and a timeline .

·          The all volunteer Muscatine Fire Brigade was organized in 1875.  In 1913 a couple of paid firefighters were hired and in 1915 Muscatine had all paid fire fighters.

·          Through 1966 firefighters worked 24 hour shifts with one day off per week.  In 1966 this changed to the current system where firefighters work 1 out of every 3 days.

·          In 1961 Amherst 3-0515 started - this was the ambulance number and was available in Muscatine city limits only.  A used ambulance was donated from Central State Bank and one week later a new one was purchased by the fire department.  An ambulance call in 1961 cost around $15 today it costs around $600.  The ambulance was staffed as it could be through most of the 60s and then was dissolved in 1968.

·          In 1992 Steve Dalbey became Fire Chief and basic level EMS came back on scene.  At this time there were about 1200 runs per year and they used paramedics as available. 

·          In 2009 Chief Dalbey retired and Jerry Ewers became Fire Chief.  By this time there were 35 uniformed firefighters per shift with three shifts.  The ambulance runs had tripled.

·          Today there are always full time paramedics on all rigs 24 hours a day/7 days a week.  All of the uniformed firefighters are EMTs and several are trained in critical care.  911 calls come through the fire department and they handle car crashes; ambulance transfers; fires; hazardous material; confined space; high angle rescue; water and ice rescue; SWAT technical support.  The fire and ambulance department handles Muscatine City but also responds to Louisa, Washington, and Henry to provide hazardous material coverage.  

·          A big reason for the shift in training and focus is because of the nationwide school shooting and mall shootings.  The sooner paramedics can get in the better chance lives will be saved.

·          In 1992 58% of calls were related to medical; In 2009 90% of calls were related to medical.  Although the focus may change, ideals such as employees being the greatest assets and the traditions such as brotherhood (gender neutral) will never change.

·         Mike also reminded everyone to check their smoke alarm batteries and replace smoke alarms that are older than 10 years because sensors can go bad.