HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024_Bozeman_Fire_Department_Annual_Report2024 ANNUAL REPORT
BOZEMAN FIRE DEPARTMENT2
MESSAGE FROM
FIRE CHIEF JOSH WALDOThe Bozeman Fire Department (BFD) had a successful 2024 and is excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie in front of us for 2025. The opening of Fire Station 2 on the campus of Montana State University, the completion of the Fire and Emergency Services Self-Assessment Manual and subsequent peer team site visit, and the securing of a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) are just a couple of examples of accomplishments for the BFD in 2024. These accomplishments highlight another successful year for BFD that will set up the department for continued success in 2025. The department will look to bring on its largest recruit class in department history, add a quick response unit to our response capabilities, and complete our pursuit of third-party international accreditation. The continued pursuit of excellence by the men and women of the BFD is a testament to their commitment to ensuring that we are delivering the best possible services to the citizens of Bozeman. It is an honor to serve the citizens and visitors of the City of Bozeman. On behalf of the men and women of the Bozeman Fire Department, I am happy to present you with our 2024 Annual Report. Yours in service,
Joshua L. WaldoJoshua L. Waldo, CFO, EFOFire Chief
WELCOME
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
3TABLE OF CONTENTS
WELCOME ................................................................................................................................................2 Message from Fire Chief Waldo ...................................................................................................................2
WHO WE ARE ..........................................................................................................................................4
Organizational Chart ........................................................................................................................................4 Mission & Vision ................................................................................................................................................5
EMERGENCY RESPONSE OVERVIEW................................................................................................6 Incident Numbers ..............................................................................................................................................6 Response Breakdown ......................................................................................................................................6 Responses Per Apparatus ..............................................................................................................................7 Overlapping Incidents .....................................................................................................................................7 Heat Map Showing Call Distribution .........................................................................................................7 Calls for Service by Day of the Week .........................................................................................................8 Calls of Service by Hour of the Day ............................................................................................................8 Response Times .................................................................................................................................................9
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS ......................................................................................................10 Opened Fire Station 2 on Montana State University Campus .....................................................10 Citizen’s Fire Academy .................................................................................................................................10 Confined Space Technician Class .............................................................................................................11 Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant ..................................................11 Strategic Plan ....................................................................................................................................................12 Completed Fire and Emergency Services Self-Assessment As Part of the Center for Public Safety Excellence Accreditation Process ..........................................................12 Moved Public Fireworks Display Back to Fairgrounds ...................................................................13
TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ...........................................................................14 Total Training Hours .....................................................................................................................................14
FIRE PREVENTION / COMMUNITY RISK REDUCTION ............................................................15
FIRE DEPARTMENT 2025-2029 STRATEGIC PLAN & OBJECTIVES .....................................16
PERSONNEL CHANGES ......................................................................................................................18
FACILITIES ............................................................................................................................................19
BOZEMAN FIRE DEPARTMENT4
The Bozeman Fire Department is comprised of 67 members, 66 sworn and 1 civilian, who provide the following services to the community:
WHO WE ARE
•Fire Suppression•Emergency Medical Services•Hazardous Materials Response•Technical Rescue Response(confined space, trench, rope, ice, andcollapse)•Wildland Fire Response
•Fire Systems Plans Review•Car Seat Check and Installation•Fire Inspection•Fire Investigation•Public Education•Emergency Planning and Preparedness
WHO WE ARE
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART
Fire Chief
Operations DivisionDeputy Chief(Operations Chief)
A Shift
Ballatian Chief
Station 1CaptainEngineer (1)Firefighters (4)
Station 2CaptainEngineer (1)Firefighters (4)
Station 3CaptainEngineer (1)Firefighters (4)
Station 1CaptainEngineer (1)Firefighters (4)
Station 2CaptainEngineer (1)Firefighters (4)
Station 3CaptainEngineer (1)Firefighters (4)
Station 1CaptainEngineer (1)Firefighters (4)
Station 2CaptainEngineer (1)Firefighters (4)
Station 3CaptainEngineer (1)Firefighters (4)
B Shift
Ballatian Chief
C Shift
Ballatian Chief
Battalion Chief
Support Services
Fire Plans
Examiner
Fire Inspector
Fire Inspector
Fire Inspector
TrainingCaptain
Inspections DivisionDeputy Chief(Fire Marshall)
Administrative
Assistant
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
5
MISSION
Problem Solving
Through Professional
and Compassionate
Service since 1884
VISION
The Bozeman Fire
Department is
committed to improving
the safety and well-being
of our community while
striving to be a leader in
the fire service.
STAFFING NUMBERS
Sworn Personnel
Chief (1)
Deputy Chiefs (2)
Battalion Chiefs (4)
Captains (10)
Engineers (9)
Firefighters (36)
Fire Inspectors (3)
Civilian Personnel
Administrative Assistant (1)
BOZEMAN FIRE DEPARTMENT
TOTAL RUNS: 5041 4923 5037
6
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
2022 2023 2024
Total Apparatus Runs
Total Calls
Overlapping Calls
5037
4347
2141
4923
4189
1566
5041
4211
1731
RESPONSE BREAKDOWN
INCIDENT NUMBERS
When a call is received by the Gallatin County 911 Center that requires the response of the Bozeman Fire Department, a call is created in the system. While each call can generate a different number of apparatus / units to run the call, the numbers above reflect the total number of events that BFD responded to over the last three years. The Fire Department utilizes the Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) protocols, which utilize national standards and best practice to screen calls and send ambulances only to low acuity calls, leaving fire trucks available for more high acuity calls.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE OVERVIEW
Fire 4%2%2%
Vehicle 6% 8% 6%Accidents
Good 6% 13% 13%Intent Calls
EMS 47%46%50%
Service 7% 8% 8%Calls
Hazardous 18% 9% 6%Condition
False 11% 14% 14%Calls
2024
2023
2022
2024 2023 2022
0
500
1000
1500
2000
Engine 1 Engine 3 Truck 2 Medic 2 Medic 3 Battalion 1
1532 1623
990
162 107
363
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
Does not include all apparatus, only the primary in service units.
Heat map showing call distribution for 2024
7
OVERLAPPING INCIDENTS
2024 — 1,741 (41%) 2023 — 1,566 (39%)
2022 — 1,965 (42%) Overlapping incidents occur when the department has more than one incident response going on at the same time. This is an important data point to track as some incidents require more than one fire department unit to respond. Having two or more calls overlapping at the same time can result in a situation where not enough units are available for response, or units experience extended response times as they are responding across town to cover additional calls.
RESPONSES PER APPARATUSWhen a request for fire department response is made, an incident is created in the computer aided dispatch (CAD) system. Depending on the type of incident, the number of fire department apparatus / units that respond will vary. Incidents are different from runs, as each incident can create a number of different run totals. For most EMS type events, a single apparatus would run the incident, whereas a fire alarm at a nursing home would trigger three fire apparatus to run on the incident. It is important to track the total number of runs that a department makes as it is a more accurate reflection of the workload on the emergency response system. The fire department has made multiple adjustments in our deployment plans to ensure response to incidents is in line with industry standards and best practices. Below are the total number of runs each primary unit made in 2024.
BOZEMAN FIRE DEPARTMENT8
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
561 592
650
582 586 646 586
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
00:00 - 00:5901:00 - 01:5902:00 - 02:5903:00 - 03:5904:00 - 04:5905:00 - 05:5906:00 - 06:5907:00 - 07:5908:00 - 08:5909:00 - 09:5910:00 - 10:5911:00 - 11:5912:00 - 12:5913:00 - 13:5914:00 - 14:5915:00 - 15:5916:00 - 16:5917:00 - 17:5918:00 - 18:5919:00 - 19:5920:00 - 20:5921:00 - 21:5922:00 - 22:5923:00 - 23:59123125 112
77 72 74 78
122
188
215 199
233 216
234 221 234
269
243
192
250
224
204
157 141
CALLS FOR SERVICE BY DAY OF THE WEEK
CALLS FOR SERVICE BY HOUR OF THE DAY
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
2022 measured via average
2023 & 2024 measured at the 90th percentile
9
0
3
6
9
12
15
2022 2023 2024
8:23
10:31
12:16
6:01
2:22 2:52 3:23
7:39
8:53
Call Processing Time
Turnout & Response Time
Call Processing Standard = 1 minute
Turnout & Response Time Standard = 5 minutes
0
3
6
9
12
15
2022 2023 2024
8:23
10:31
12:16
6:01
2:22 2:52 3:23
7:39
8:53
Call Processing Time
Turnout & Response Time
Call Processing Standard = 1 minute
Turnout & Response Time Standard = 5 minutes
RESPONSE TIMESAn emergency response can be broken down into numerous segments or intervals of an event. To measure emergency response times, the fire department uses two standards from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for benchmarking and evaluating emergency response times. • NFPA 1221, 2019 Edition: Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Emergency
Services Communications Systems•NFPA 1710, 2020 Edition: Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations,
Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire
DepartmentsThese two standards allow the fire department to measure the time from a call being answered by the 911 center until a fire department unit arrives on scene to provide service. To measure ourperformance, the department evaluates the following time intervals of an emergency call.
Alarm Processing Time: The time interval from when the alarm is acknowledged at the communication center until response information begins to be transmitted via voice or electronic means to emergency response facilities and emergency response units.
Turnout Time: The time interval that begins when the emergency response facilities and emergency response units notification process begins by either an audible alarm or visualannunciation, or both, and ends at the beginning point of travel time.
Travel Time: The time interval that begins when a unit is enroute to the emergency incident and ends when the unit arrives at the scene.
BOZEMAN FIRE DEPARTMENT10
Opened Fire Station 2 on Montana State University Campus
Citizen’s Fire Academy
The department cut the ribbon on the new Fire Station 2 in September of 2024 after nearly five years of planning, designing, and construction. The new station replaced the old Fire Station 2 located on S. 19th that had been in service since 1974. The station becomes the first fire station to be located on a Montana State University campus and is a continuation of a 40 year long partnership between the Bozeman Fire Department and Montana State to keep the campus and community safe
The department hosted two citizen’s fire academies in 2024, the first time the department has ever held a citizen’s academy. The two academies saw 15 citizens complete the program and graduate with an increased knowledge and awareness of the services that the BFD provides.
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
11
Confined Space Technician Class
Staffing for Adequate Fire & Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant
In March, BFD hosted a Confined Space Technician Class here in Bozeman, where 20 members of the department were able to complete the necessary training to obtain the Confined Space Technician level certification. As the City of Bozeman and surrounding areas have several confined spaces (manholes, tunnels, grain silos, etc.), having a trained and equipped confined space team is important for the overall safety of the community.
It turned out the fourth time was the charm for the BFD in regards to applying for a FEMA SAFER Grant in 2024. The department began applying for SAFER grants in 2021 to attempt to add needed firefighter positions for the department to address the ongoing growth in the city. The department was notified in September that the grant application to add 12 firefighters to the department had been approved. The grant covers 100 percent of the personnel cost associated with these 12 positions for 3 calendar years, at which point the city will have to pick up the funding for the positions. The grant will allow the department to add a quick response unit to response capabilities in 2025 and give the city three years to plan for the necessary funding to sustain the positions.
BOZEMAN FIRE DEPARTMENT12
Strategic Plan As the department continues to push for growth and improvement, it sees the need to maintain an up-to-date strategic plan. The first department strategic plan was drafted in 2019 with version two being drafted in 2022. The department spent 2024 developing version three of a strategic plan, including input from community stakeholders, partners, and department members. The new plan is a five-year plan that will guide the department from 2025 through 2029.
Completed Fire and Emergency Services Self-assessment as Part of the Center for Public Safety Excellence Accreditation ProcessBozeman Fire continued its pursuit of International Accreditation via the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI), part of the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE). BFD had previously completed the development of a Community Risk Assessment / Standards of Cover (CRA/SOC) as part of the accreditation process, and completing the Fire and Emergency Services Self-Assessment Manual (FESSAM) was the next step in the process. The completion of the FESSAM was followed by a site visit by a peer team to validate and verify the work completed by BFD. The peer team recommended the department for accreditation, moving the department to the last step in the process, a hearing in front of the CFAI in April of 2025 for final determination.
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
13
Moved Public Fireworks Display Back to FairgroundsAfter a successful return of public fireworks show in 2023, BFD worked with partners from the Gallatin County Fairgrounds to move the fireworks back to that location, allowing for more space for citizens to watch the show. The fireworks show is made possible by numerous public / private partnerships and is something that BFD is proud to organize and run.
BOZEMAN FIRE DEPARTMENT14
2022 2023 20240
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
400
286
392
337
337
TOTAL TRAINING HOURSThe Bozeman Fire Department strives to ensure that its members are trained to meet or exceed consensus national standards and best practices. In 2024, the department logged 14,810 hours of training total, or 337 hours per member. The 14,810 hours exceed the required minimums set by the Insurance Service Office and the National Fire Protection Association by 4,250 hours.
TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The department continues to pursue professional certifications and credentials for our members and currently has 10 members who hold professional designations via the Center for Public Safety Excellence. The department’s goal is to ensure that each member receives 240 hours of training per calendar year to meet the requirements of the Insurance Service Office (ISO) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Training Hours Per Firefighter National Standard (240 Hours)
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
15
The Bozeman Fire Department has a full-service fire prevention and community risk reduction division that provides services such as plans review, inspections, fire investigation, public fire education, car seat installation, and many other public programs. The fire department prevention and risk reduction programs are under the supervision of the Deputy Chief – Fire Marshal, who is assisted by three full-time fire inspectors and support from firefighters assigned to emergency response. The department conducts plans review of all new commercial buildings constructed in the city and completes onsite inspections of these buildings to ensure code compliance during construction.
NUMBER OF PLANS
REVIEWED
2022: 1,362
2023: 1,990
2024: 2,426
NUMBER OF
INSPECTIONS
COMPLETED
2022: 4,575
2023: 5,663
2024: 4,412
FIRE PREVENTION /COMMUNITY RISKREDUCTION
BOZEMAN FIRE DEPARTMENT16
GOAL 1: The Bozeman Fire Department will ensure quality and consistent
training of its members, improving life safety and property conservation•Objective 1.1 Develop a comprehensive training program that ensures technicalproficiency of the Bozeman Fire Department.•Objective 1.2 Implement a comprehensive training program that ensures the technicalproficiency of the Bozeman Fire Department.•Objective 1.3 Strengthen relationships with internal and external partners to fosterjoint training opportunities.•Objective 1.4 Establish a physical resource inventory management program that meetsthe training division’s needs.•Objective 1.5 Create a comprehensive succession management strategy focused ontraining and leadership development.
GOAL 2: The Bozeman Fire
Department will administer
a multi-faceted approach to
reduce risk and improve life
safety in the community•Objective 2.1 Implementan updated inspection andcode enforcement programthat continues to grow withcommunity and departmentneeds.•Objective 2.2 Providecommunity outreach programsthat improve community healthand safety.•Objective 2.3 Improve thecommunity’s resilience todisasters and emergenciesby planning, outreach, andresponse.
FIRE DEPARTMENT 2025-2029 STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS & OBJECTIVES
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
17
GOAL 3: The Bozeman Fire Department will develop a comprehensive
workforce strategy that enhances recruitment and retention, prepares staff for
future roles through succession planning, and promotes health and wellness•Objective 3.1 Develop a retention plan to minimize premature workforce turnover.•Objective 3.2 Develop and implement a recruitment strategy that captures qualitycandidates that meet the department’s needs.•Objective 3.3 Prioritize member health and wellbeing through education, screening,and tracking.
GOAL 4: The Bozeman Fire Department will enhance operational
effectiveness with a focus on staffing, EMS delivery, apparatus, and equipment
management•Objective 4.1 Analyze operations compared to industry standards to evaluate overalleffectiveness.•Objective 4.2 Review and measure facilities, apparatus, and equipment to ensureresources are meeting the needs of the department and community.•Objective 4.3 Evaluate and update the Bozeman Fire human resources components toadapt to a growing community.•Objective 4.4 Create an evaluative approach to measuring system effectiveness andservice delivery.
BOZEMAN FIRE DEPARTMENT18
RETIREESBattalion Chief Travis Barton
PROMOTIONSBattalion Chief Jared Ridgeway Battalion Chief Joe CapriCaptain Brian CarrollCaptain Dillon SmithEngineer Colter Dimas
NEW HIRESFirefighter / Paramedic Paul Arnold Firefighter / EMT Cole Gengo
PESONNEL
CHANGES
2024 ANNUAL REPORT
19FACILITIES
STATION 2
575 W. Kagy Blvd.
STATION 3
1705 Vaquero Pkway.
STATION 1
300 E. Oak St.
300 E. Oak St.Bozeman, MT 59715(406) 582-2350