DON'T LOSE YOUR SALEM FIRE STATIONS
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The job of firefighting requires firefighters. Hoselines won’t deploy themselves, and there’s no firefighting robot we’re currently aware of that can function at or above a human firefighter’s level.
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Time affects life. By reducing the amount of time it takes to perform fireground tasks—specifically, deploying a hoseline—the better the outcome for the victim and the firefighters.
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Time directly correlates to the number of firefighters available. The more firefighters on the fireground, the less time it takes to complete a task
All of the above facts also directly apply to Medical Emergencies such as Heart Attacks, Strokes and Trauma (injuries from Car Accidents, etc.).
Facts and Figures
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Prior to these two stations closure, Salem had 11 completely staffed stations totaling 11 Fire Engines and 2 Ladder Trucks. These Station closures have reduced the City of Salem to 9 Fire Engines and 2 Ladder Trucks.
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Each time the city has a second alarm fire, this leaves the remaining 2 Engines to cover the entire City, putting residents in extreme danger.
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Structure fires more than double in size and severity every minute.
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Flashover – an explosion caused by the build-up of gases – occurs 5–8 minutes after a fire begins.
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The “Domino Effect” is real, and station closures leave our city with too few resources. When fire fighters respond to a fire in a neighborhood where a fire station has been closed, the neighborhood they are assigned to is left without adequate public safety resources.
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Your chance of surviving a cardiac arrest falls 7 to 10% for every minute between collapse and defibrillations.
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The American Heart Association recommends cardiac defibrillation within 5 minutes of cardiac arrest.
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Brain death can occur within 4-6 minutes of cardiac arrest.
Falling Short
NFPA recommends response times to be 5 minutes 35 seconds 90% of time. Salem City Council standard is 5 minutes 30 seconds 85% of time. Salem Fire meets that requirement only 74% of time while operating 11 stations.
The closure of stations 8 and 11 will have a dramatic negative impact on response times.
Reducing the response time projected to be met only 66% of the time.
Salem – A Growing City, Shrinking Public Safety
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In 1975 the City population was 76,300. The Fire Department operated out of 7 stations, staffed with 46 on duty fire fighters every day.
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In 2005 the City population was 147,250. The Fire Department operated out of 10 stations, staffed with 40 on duty fire fighters every day.
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In 2010 the City population was 163,955. The Fire Department operated out of 11 stations, staffed with 43 on duty fire fighters every day.
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May 7th, 2012 The Salem Fire Department now operates out of 9 fire stations and staffed with 35 on duty fire fighters every day.
In 1975, Salem Fire Department responded to 2,215 calls for service. In 2011, Salem Fire Department responded to 17,099 calls for service. Call volume has increased 772% while the number of fire fighters on the job has gone down.
Contact Your Mayor & City Council - No later than May 28, 2012
(503) 588-6159 Mayor: ampeterson@cityofsalem.net Councilors: citycouncil@cityofsalem.net
| National Fire Department Staffing Standards |
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National Fire Protection Association NFPA 1710
Standard for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments
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| “Delays Destroy” |
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“DELAYS DESTROY HOMES & LIVES!”
Facts and Figures
Prior to these two stations closure, Salem had 11 completely staffed stations totaling 11 Fire Engines and 2 Ladder Trucks. These Station closures have reduced the City of Salem to 9 Fire Engines and 2 Ladder Trucks.
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| Salem Fire Fighters Op-Ed Article |
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Cuts will jeopardize public safety in Salem
By Robin Chitwood
Salem city leaders claim they can’t afford to keep your fire stations open. The truth is that they can’t afford to close them because slashing public safety resources will end in tragedy.
In an economy like this, we must consider all measures to manage costs.
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| Station #11 FACTS |
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Station 11 was opened in March 2010 to serve one of Salem’s highest areas of growth.
West Salem residents passed the 2008 bond measure with 77% voter approval that included Station 11.
Station 11 was added to serve a growing call volume in West Salem.
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Page Last Updated: May 09, 2012 (22:12:12)
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L314 ResponseMOU 12-04-26.pdf
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