2024 Annual Report

TABLE OF CONTENTS

MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF

It is with great pleasure that I present to you the Rome-Floyd Fire Department 2024 Annual Report. As we look back on another year, it is with great pride and gratitude that I share with you the highlights and accomplishments of our department for the last year. This annual report serves not only as a reflection of our collective efforts but also as a testament to the values that guide us: Honor, Integrity, Duty, and Safety. These values support our mission and commitment to the City of Rome and Floyd County citizens we have the privilege to serve

Throughout this report we have highlighted areas that have improved community safety overall. This report reflects on the many accomplishments, incidents, and programs the Rome-Floyd Fire Department and its team have initiated, responded to, or have been actively involved with in 2024. To the men and women of the Rome-Floyd Fire Department, I extend my sincere gratitude for your continued commitment throughout the year. Your professionalism, sense of responsibility, and dependability have not only upheld the standards of our department but have also reassured our community that they can depend on us. Because of you, this department is what it is today!

As we move forward into 2025, we will continue to be progressive and strive to make the Rome-Floyd Fire Department the standard in the State of Georgia. Thanks to the City of Rome Commissioners, Floyd County Commissioners, City Manager, County Manager, and other City and County Departments, we partner and collaborate on the many challenging issues confronting our community. It is a privilege and honor to serve this community!

Troy Brock

Troy Brock, Fire Chief

ROME-FLOYD FIRE DEPARTMENT

environment, and property of the citizens of Rome and Floyd County by providing prompt, skillful, cost-effective fire protection and life safety services.

VISION

The Rome-Floyd Fire Department strives to honor the legacy of the fire service, reduce risks in the community we proudly serve, and strengthen our organization for future generations.

CORE VALUES

HONOR

We remember traditions while embracing today’s best practices.

INTEGRITY

We value the public’s trust and are committed to honest and ethical behavior.

DUTY

We take extreme pride in our profession and strive for excellence.

SAFETY

We ensure the safety of our team as well as those we serve.

COMMAND STAFF

Bonney Division Chief Operations

Stone Division Chief Community Risk Reduction

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE CHART

Authorized

SERVICE AREA

ISO RATING AND RESPONSE

Insurance Service Organization (ISO) evaluation is to develop a Public Protection Classification (PPC) for a property insurance rating. The Fire Departments public fire prevention and suppression capabilities for the community are evaluated

The ISO determines community ratings using the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS), which considers four main categories in its scoring model:

· Fire Department (50%)

· Water Supply (40%)

· Emergency Communications Systems (10%)

· Community Risk Reduction (5 5%)

The Maximum PPC score a community can receive from ISO is 105.5. After calculating the score, the ISO assigns a Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating to the community, ranging from 1 to 10. A PPC of 1 signifies a superior rating for the community, while a PPC of 10 indicates that the fire districts are unprotected.

We take pride in providing fire and life safety services for citizens and visitors of the City of Rome and Floyd County. We will continue to maintain and strive for improvement through the following services:

· Fire Suppression

· Emergency Medical Care

· Hazardous Materials

· Technical Rescue

· Community Risk Reduction

STATION 1

617 West 1st Street, Rome,

Minimum Staffing: 9

Apparatus: 1 Engine, 1 Ladder Truck, Tanker Truck, Battalion Chief Truck, Reserve Squad Truck, Rescue Boat, Rehab Support Truck

Fire Station 1 was built in 1973. The building was renovated in 2022.

STATION 2

1601 Cave Spring Road, Rome, GA 30161

Minimum Staffing: 4

Apparatus: 1 Engine, Heavy Rescue Truck

Fire Station 2 was built in 1988. A renovation of Fire Station 2 is tentatively scheduled for 2025.

STATION 3

411 East 12th Street, Rome, GA 30161

Minimum Staffing: 6

Apparatus: 1 Quint Truck, 1 Squad Truck, Battalion Chief Truck

Fire Station 3 was built in 1983. The building was renovated in 2018.

STATION 4

3 Wilshire Road, Rome, GA 30161

Minimum Staffing: 4

Apparatus: 1 Engine, Marine 4 Rescue Boat

Fire Station 4 was built in 2000. The building was renovated in 2023.

STATION 5

750 John Davenport Drive, Rome, GA 30165

Minimum Staffing: 6

Apparatus: 1 Engine, 1 Squad Truck

Fire Station 5 was built in 1996. The building was renovated in 2013.

STATION 6

621 Burnett Ferry Road, Rome, GA 30165

Minimum Staffing: 4

Apparatus: 1 Engine, 1 Tanker Truck

Fire Station 6 was built in 2006 The building was renovated in 2020

STATION 7

85 Woods Road, Rome, GA 30165

Minimum Staffing: 4

Apparatus: 1 Engine, Haz-Mat trailers with tow vehicle

Fire Station 7 was built in 1998. The building was renovated in 2019.

STATION 8

90 Little Texas Valley Road, Rome, GA 30165

Minimum Staffing: 4

Apparatus: 1 Engine

Fire Station 8 was built in 2002. The building was renovated in 2021.

STATION 9

152 Burlington Drive, Shannon, GA 30172

Fire Station 9 was built in 1979.

STATION 10

1522 Wax Road, Silver Creek, GA 30173

Fire Station 10 was built in 1980

Minimum Staffing: 4

Apparatus: 1 Engine

Minimum Staffing: 4

Apparatus: 1 Engine

OPERATIONS DIVISION

INCIDENTS & CALLS

Count of Total Incidents

6,913 Fire Calls

513

Total City Incidents: 3,421

Total County Incidents: 3,485

Total Out of County Incidents: 7

6,913

3,010

3,390 STATION CALLS

COMMUNITY RISK REDUCTION

WHAT IS CRR?

Community Risk Reduction (CRR) is a process that involves identifying and prioritizing local risks, and then investing resources to reduce their impact and occurrence. CRR programs are evidence-based and emphasize partnerships and proactive measures. Among these strategies is the implementation of the “5 E’s” Emergency Response, Education, Engineering, Economic Incentives, and Enforcement.

DRIVING CRR FORWARD

The Rome-Floyd Fire Department is committed to implementing a Community Risk Reduction (CRR) initiative to help make our community safer. Locating, identifying, and prioritizing local risks followed by the integrated and strategic investment of resources (emergency response and prevention) can help reduce their occurrence and impact. Our department will follow the guidance of the National Fire Protection Association 1300, Standard on Community Risk Assessment and Community Risk Reduction Plan Development coupled with the 5 E’s of community risk reduction to develop a Community Risk Reduction Plan We are very enthusiastic in identifying all ways to reduce all hazards in our community. As we develop this plan, we will incorporate both internal and external stakeholders to ensure we properly identify and make a plan to create a safer community to live, work, and play.

FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE

The Fire Marshal’s Office conducted Fire and Life Safety Inspections in accordance with the Georgia State Minimum Standards as adopted by the Rules and Regulations 120-3-3. The Rules and Regulations are adopted by both the City of Rome and Floyd County. The Fire Marshal’s Office consists of the Fire Marshal and four inspectors. Each inspector is assigned a territory in which the inspections are conducted on commercial properties. Fire inspections are performed to increase the prevention of fire, maintain lower insurance rates, and keep our community safe.

During 2024, The Fire Marshal’s Office completed the following inspections:

3,490 Annual/Periodic Inspections

3,729 Total Inspections

41 Fire Alarm Inspections/Acceptance Tests

12 Sprinkler System Acceptance Tests

154 Other Inspections

The Fire Marshal’s Office was granted a new ordinance adopted by the City of Rome and Floyd County. This will implement a new enforcement action for non-compliance towards Fire and Life Safety.

FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE

The Fire Marshal’s Office investigates structure fires, vehicles fires, grass/woodland fires, burn injuries and fatalities. Investigations are in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 921 and 1033. Fires are investigated for origin and cause which assist insurance companies, and fire educators to help increase awareness in fire prevention During 2024, the Fire Marshal and three fire investigators investigated the following fires:

Structure Fires:

Vehicle Fires:

Burn Victims:

Fatality:

Other:

The fire investigation determinations were:

28 fires were undetermined due to being unable to rule out multiple sources of ignition

27 fires were ruled accidental

7 incendiary

1 natural event due to a lightning strike

5 open investigations

COMMUNITY EVENTS

PROMOTIONS IN 2024

CORPORAL

Andrew Blanton, Cecelia Brayman, Colton Cash, Josh Clark, Kemp Edge, Bryce Eickleberry, Landon Freeman, Bayleigh Heineman, Shun Kidd, Brody Pace, William Pitts, Brad Rogers, Michael Wiese, Jake Wheat

CAPTAIN

RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congratulations to Captain Roger DeBerry and Captain Joey Walker on their retirements during 2024. With a combined total of 49 years of service, we value and appreciate their hard work and dedication to the department.

29 years of service

20 years of service

NEW EQUIPMENT

Squad 3 and Squad 5 were acquired in 2024, built on the 2024 5500 Dodge Ram chassis. The combined cost for both vehicles was $492,960.00 categorized as a SPLOST expense.

April 2024, Enforcer features a ered new equipment contribute toward this t

NEW EQUIPMENT

Engine 4 underwent a comprehensive refurbishment. This upgrade encompassed enhancements to the pump, electrical systems, lighting, interior spaces, paint, and compartments, alongside necessary repairs. Additionally, new equipment and hoses were provided for the truck. The total expenditure for this project amounted to $407,021.00 charged to the capital budget.

The Rome-Floyd Fire Department takes extreme pride in extinguishing all unwanted fires in a prompt, skillful, and timely manner. In 2024 we made a commitment to increase this aspect of our mission by purchasing two fire blankets for vehicle fires. These vehicle fire blankets are used for extinguishing EV and gas vehicle fires. The vehicle fire blankets have been strategically placed on Tanker 1 and Tanker 6 in each of our battalions to ensure efficient readiness and response.

NEW EQUIPMENT

Specialized Contained Breathing Apparatuses (SCBAs) are essential devices that provide breathable air to users in unsafe environments. They are equipped with 45-minute air bottles with Bluetooth compatibilities. This means that when the SCBA is activated, the Bluetooth feature in the facepiece connects with Harris radios. As a result, radio communications are significantly clearer and more comprehensible. The total purchase of $1,122,238.01 was made using SPLOST funds.

We received new Harris radios for all stations and vehicles. The total cost was $513,544 33 Paid for with SPLOST funds

The safety of all first responders is paramount to providing life safety services to the citizens we serve. Advancing technology in electric vehicles is encountered daily on emergency responses. To increase safety and prevent unwanted vehicle movement of electric vehicles our department purchased EV safety plugs. Once plugged into the vehicle's charging port, the plug simulates a charging process, switches gear to "Park" or "Neutral" and may apply the electric parking brake This allows emergency personnel to take control of its power functions, safely turning off all necessary electronics. The EV safety plugs reduce risks and injuries to the vehicle occupants and our firefighters.

NEW EQUIPMENT

In 2024 through grant funding, we were able to purchase 10 new ZOLL AED 3 BLS automated external defibrillators The ZOLL AED 3 BLS defibrillator helps rescuers deliver high-quality CPR to adult and pediatric victims of sudden cardiac arrest. As one of the industry’s fastest AEDs, it delivers shocks quickly after chest compressions stop, increasing a victim’s likelihood of survival. The Rome-Floyd Fire Department is very thankful for the support of the International Paper Foundation and the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation that allowed us to put the most modern and advanced life-saving equipment on all our frontline fire trucks.

A side-by-side UTV was a project for 2023 and is highlighted in the last annual report. The SXS is a 2023 Honda Pioneer 1000-5. In 2024, we equipped the UTV with a winch, roof storage, an on-scene light kit, and dual batteries. We have also outfitted it with a water tank and nozzle for combating wildland fires, as well as stokes baskets, backboards, and medical equipment for rescue operations. The total cost for the SXS and trailer was $26,350.00. This was categorized as a capital expense.

HIGHLIGHTS OF 2024

Station 11 received a facelift. We replaced the roof with a 40 year rubber roof, replaced gutters, and painted the exterior.

BEFORE AFTER

The new shop boasts 11,000 square feet of working space, a significant upgrade from our current 2,500 square feet. It was purchased for $1.75 million, which encompasses both the shop and 20 acres of land. Featuring a four-bay garage with 100-foot long bays, it can accommodate up to eight fire trucks simultaneously. This new shop allows room for future growth. This expenditure was covered by SPLOST funds.

OLD SHOP NEW SHOP

Other completed projects feature a new roof for Station 5, a bathroom renovation at Station 1, and enhancements to the bay area at Station 1.

CHAPLAINS

Two new chaplains have joined the team. Sergeant Eric Croft and Sergeant Jeff Hunter are now working alongside Corporal Don Bullard to provide support and guidance to both the firefighters and the community. These chaplains are dedicated to offering emotional and spiritual care during difficult times, making the well-being of the department a top priority.

PEER SUPPORT TEAM

The Rome-Floyd Fire Department understands that our members and their families play a vital role in the success of our organization. In 2024, we officially formed the Rome-Floyd Fire Department Peer Support Team to aid firefighters’ mental health and wellness. This team is made up of a group of diverse members from all disciplines of our department. The team members are devoted to providing confidential assistance to other members of our department who are experiencing personal, emotional, or work-related problems while acting as a bridge to professional outside services. Our Peer Support team provides supportive, passionate, and resilient services to all members of the Rome-Floyd Fire Department