Ocean Reef Fire Department station

Introduction

Its 16:00 hours and the tone goes’ off at Ocean Reef Fire Department station 26. A large 100 ft vessel is on fire in the main channel with multiple victims on board. After the call crew members asses what could have been done better for the safety of the crew and care of the victims aboard the vessel. The need for a fire boat is quickly realized among the personnel at station 26. Due to the majority of the budget being spent on the need for more personnel to just handle regular day to day operations. The leftover money is not enough to purchase the desperately needed fire boat. With proper funding the Fire/EMS captain would purchase a fire boat capable of handling emergencies in the many channels, harbors, marinas, and surrounding waterways safely and effectively.

Body 1

As a fireman in an area surrounded by many waterways and boats. The needs to handle emergencies associated with marine environments becomes apparent. The problem comes when the available equipment, like a fire boat, is not available to keep first responders and victims of an incident safe. Ocean Reef Fire Department has 1 station, 3 rescues, 1 engine and a ladder truck. My departments territory has multiple complex canals, creeks, coves, and harbors. The 11 docks are home to vessels measuring up to 175ft. Ocean Reef is home to 1,700 marina slips and a large marina (“Ocean Reef FAQ”). A grant is the only option since funding was used to hire more personnel. With all things considered, something needs to be done about the ability to respond safely and effectively to marine emergencies.

Body 2

The solution to make marine emergencies safe for first responders and victims is a fire boat with a grant to purchase it. We can all agree that sending a fire truck to a structure fire at ocean reef is the safe and most effective option to handle that fire. Therefore, in a boat or marine fire at ocean reef the safest and logical apparatus to send is a fire boat. The capabilities of a fire boat don’t end at boat or marine fires. Medical emergencies at the many popular snorkeling destinations just miles away from ocean reef would be safely and effectively mitigated with a fire boat. The cabin of a firestorm 48 fire boat contains a patient berth that is able to handle medical emergencies. In addition, two parley 1750 gallon per minute pumps can produce 4000 gallons per minute of water to handle fires (“Firestorm 48”). The need for a fire boat is obvious and so is the need for the funds to get it. With a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grant we would be able to receive the proper funds. Marine emergencies for first responders and victims would be safer upon acquisition of this grant.

Conclusion

Proper equipment can save lives. The ability to handle boat and marina fires would be safer with the proper equipment. Medical emergencies just miles away from land would also be possible with the proper equipment. After acquiring a fire boat, first responders would be able to carry out boat and marina fires safely. With the addition of a fire boat medical emergencies miles from land would become more effective and response times to these emergencies would improve drastically. With a fire boat, first responders will be able to respond to emergencies in the many waterways that surround the department safely and effectively. When the tone goes off for a large vessel on fire with multiple victims onboard the fire boat at station 26 will be ready to respond.