Fire and EMS

Lowering the U.S. Flag in Observance of Fallen Firefighters / Fire Prevention Week Oct 5th - 11th

kpaul.mallasch — Fri, 3 Oct 2008 17:25:18 -0700

Did you know that the law requires the U.S. flag be lowered in tribute on only a few days each year? Quite appropriately, one of these days is the observance of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

On October 16, 2001, President George W. Bush approved legislation requiring the U.S. flag to be lowered to half-staff on all Federal buildings to memorialize fallen firefighters. Public Law 107-51 requires this action to occur annually in conjunction with observance of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

Let your local media know that U.S. flags across the country will be lowered on Sunday, October 5, 2008. This includes the U.S. Capitol and the White House, as well as buildings in your local community.

Remember to lower the U.S. flags at your home, fire department, and business. Encourage your local community to follow the Federal Government's example. When you lower your flag this year, you will recognize the brave men and women who died protecting their communities from natural and man made emergencies and disasters and those who carry on the proud tradition.

You may also want to ask your state and local officials to include lowering the flag in a proclamation recognizing the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

This event starts off Fire Prevention Week where Local Fire Depts all over the country visit schools and pass out information on fire safety. Please help by taking some time during one evening this week and go over a fire escape plan with your families.

You can find information at the National Fire Protection Assn. website at http://www.nfpa.org/ . You can also contact your local fire dept for information. Public fire departments responded to 1,557,500 fires in the U.S. in 2007.

Using the tips and tools from the NFPA will help reduce your chance of being one of the 2008 statistics.

Fire at Hoosier Woods Apartments

kpaul.mallasch — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 15:38:35 -0700

ANDERSON, IN - ANDERSON, IN - A fire started burning at Hoosier Woods Apartments around 5 p.m. Sunday, August 31, 2008. See the Scanner News Thread for up to the minute info coming over the scanner. The Herald Bulletin also has a story with more information.

City of Anderson, Firefighter Union Sign Three Year Agreement

kpaul.mallasch — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 09:38:19 -0700

ANDERSON, IN - The City of Anderson and International Association of Firefighters Local 1262 have reached a contract agreement that will govern regulations and policies for the next three years. The agreement covers 120 Anderson firefighters, and was chiefly negotiated by Steve Priser, Director of Personnel and Insurance for the City of Anderson, and Matt Cole, President of IAFF Local 1262.

Highlights of the new contract include:

-longevity pay parity with Anderson Police Department
-wellness discounts for active and retired personnel for smoking cessation, weight loss, and enrollment in wellness programs
-three percent annual salary increase for 2009, 2010, and 2011

In regard to the bargaining process, Mayor Kris Ockomon commented, “The negotiation took place over the course of only three meetings. Both sides came to the bargaining table with a can-do attitude that helped to get the job done very well and in record time.”

Chief David Clendenen added, “Considering the plight cities around the State are facing, with some announcing layoffs of essential emergency responders, this contract proves the Mayor’s statement that he supports public safety 100%”

Source: City of Anderson Press Release

Fire Training Facility Receives $100,000

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 4 Feb 2008 19:30:52 -0800

ANDERSON, IN - Last week, Indiana Department of Homeland Security has awarded a $100,000 grant to the Anderson Fire Department to help fund a four story training structure and other areas of advanced training.

"We are seeking the most effective, efficient, and economical approach to fire ttraining," said J. Eric Dietz, Executive Director of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security. "Projects like Anderson's are a common sense approach for firefighters to have access to training capabilities to fulfill their training mission. We are proud of the local cooperation and leadership in developing the training center.

The funds will support dedicated classroom space for the training grounds. The facility will include a lecture hall for up to 100 and three smaller classrooms for up to 30 students. All will have audiovisual capabilities.

Source: City of Anderson Press Release

Anderson House Fire Extinguished, Two Dogs Rescued

kpaul.mallasch — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 14:14:29 -0800

By K. Paul Mallasch

ANDERSON, IN - Anderson Fire Department (E-6, E-7, 20, L1, and Rescue) responded to a house fire in the area of 19th and Jefferson Street this morning. Unit 20 arrived at 9:16 a.m. and handed over the fire ground to fire investigators at 10:36 a.m.

No people were home, but with the help of Thermal Imaging Cameras, emergency personnel were able to locate two dogs in the room where the fire started. Both animals were taken by a neighbor to Northwood Emergency Clinic.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Note: Some material for this story was gathered from the January 2008 Scanner News thread.

Smith Administration Grants Approach $25 Million

kpaul.mallasch — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 18:15:10 -0800

ANDERSON, IN - Anderson Mayor Kevin S. Smith has received notice of three end-of-year awards totaling nearly $3.3 million. Approval of those awards will bring the city’s four-year grant totals to nearly $25 million.

On Tuesday, Congress passed a federal spending bill that included $2.479 million for Anderson - $400,000 for an intermodal transportation facility and $2.079 million for reconstruction and realignment of the White River levee in downtown Anderson.

Chad Pigg, interim director of Community Development and Long Range Planning, received notice that the Indiana Finance Authority had awarded Anderson $449,674 in Brownfield grants. The funds include $49,674 for assessment of the former EMGE plant at 2000 West 8th Street and $400,000 to complete remediation of the former F.C. Cline Lumber site on Main Street adjacent to the Truman Bridge.

Peter Heuer, general manager of the City of Anderson Transit System, was notified that two new grants have been awarded, totaling $236,130. $58,070 of those funds are dedicated for the creation of a seventh bus route from the downtown to the Flagship, including Nestle, Affiliated Computer Services, Central Indiana Orthopedics and other businesses at I-69 Exit 22. The remaining $178,060 will fund two final new Nifty-Lift vehicles.

Federal Earmarks - $10,829,000 total - Since 2004, the city’s Washington, D.C. lobbyists, the Ferguson Group, have helped to bring in $10.829 million in federal funds, including $4 million for reconstruction of Enterprise Drive in the Flagship Business Park, $1 million for a preliminary engineering and environmental impact studies of a railroad over/underpass at 38th Street and King Boulevard, and $2 million for an Anderson University campus streets project. In addition, $250,000 funded the city’s fiber optic initiative and another $250,000 went to the Flagship Enterprise Center.

Brownfield Assessment and Remediation - $2,079,674 total - Since 2004, major Brownfield eyesores have been razed thanks to federal and state grants, including the former Prime Battery site at 3rd and Jackson, and the former F.C. Cline Lumber structure. The $1,079,674 has paid for environmental assessments and cleanup in other areas of the city. A revolving loan fund also contributes $1 million.

City of Anderson Transit - $3,367,130 total - In 2007, some $2,967,130 in matching grants have paid for complete replacement of the city of Anderson transit fleet, including buses, Nifty Lift vehicles and supervisor vehicles. Included in that amount is an increase in the city’s federal operating grants, from $450,000 in 2004, to $1,095,000 in 2007. Progress has been made toward funding of a new intermodal facility that would replace the downtown CATS terminal.

White River Trails - $1 million total – The state funds are paying for new trails that will extend west from the Truman Bridge along the White River.

Weed and Seed - $1 million total – Many city departments, as well as community groups, worked to complete a successful 5-year grant that will implement the proven crime prevention and urban renewal strategy in Anderson.

Anderson Fire Department - $100,000 total – A grant from Indiana Homeland Security will generate the funds for construction of a classroom in connection with the Anderson Fire Department’s new training center on King Boulevard.

Federal Highway Funds – Over $6 million in federal appropriations through the Indiana Department of Transportation has been received toward street projects since 2004, such as the King Boulevard upgrade.

Source: City of Anderson Press Release

Anderson Mayor Elect Kris Ockomon Announces Appointments

kpaul.mallasch — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 14:35:15 -0800

ANDERSON, IN - The lobby at Anderson City Hall was so crowded you would have thought there was an anti-property tax meeting going on. People from all walks of life showed up for a press conference held by Anderson Mayor Elect Kris Ockomon to announce his appointments to the Anderson Safety Board, Anderson Police Department and Anderson Fire Department.

Ockomon formed a bi-partisan panel to give him a list of suggestions for these important positions in the city. Using that list, he made the following decisions.

Anderson Fire Department Appointments:

Fire Chief David Clendenen, who is 1st in Command over operations and personnel. Clendenen is a third-generation Anderson firefighter with over 22 years of experience. During his career he has been an EMP, Captain, and Assistant Battalion Chief.
Deputy Fire Chief Jerry Burmeister, who is 2nd in command and oversees fiscal affairs. Burmeister has served the city of Anderson at the Anderson Fire Department for over 25 years and has coordinated the Muscular Dystrophy Association fundraising for over 15 years.
Dave Cravens, who is 3rd in command over EMS and medical supplies. Cravens, a certified fire investigator and Department of Homeland Security EMT, is responsible for Search and Rescue. He is also owner of General Nutrition Center (GNC) at the Anderson Mall.
Steve Buck, who is 4th in command over training and certifications. Buck is a certified fire investigation instructor and has been a part of the Anderson Fire Department since 1996.

Anderson Safety Board:

H.L. Baker, former Dean of Students at Anderson University.
John Bostic, General Motors Retiree, community activist and member of the Madison County Council
Dick Wiley was chosen as Safety Board Chairman. Wiley is an Anderson Fire Department Retiree and local businessman.

Anderson Police Department:

Anderson Police Chief Darron Sparks oversees police operations and personnel. Sparks was at one time Assistant Chief of the non-Uniform Division and a training coordinator. Sparks currently is a detective of juvenile investigations. He is trained in special weapons and tactics and is President of National Dogs Against Drugs / Dogs Against Crime Organization, which assists law enforcement canine training.
Assistant Chief of the non-Uniform Division Keith Copeland oversees training, administrative staff, juvenile and narcotics. Copeland has served the City of Anderson for over 31 years in various capacities. He's been named Policeman of the Year, has received a distinguished service award and was recognized by the FBI for helping solve a string of bank robberies.
Assistant Chief of the Uniform Division Mike Lee oversees patrol officers and traffic. Lee has been in the laboratory section of the Anderson Police Department for the last 10 years. He has coordinated hundreds of major crime scenes and is responsible for training and work product review of the crime scene technicians.
Major Tony Waters oversees fiscal matters. During his 18 year career with the Anderson Police Department, Waters has been a uniform officer and police detective.

Most of the information was supplied by Mayor Elect Kris Ockomon's office.