JFD set a record breaking 1212 calls to service after setting record last year with 1196. House 39 was called to service for 65 fire, 842 EMS, and 320 for other types of calls. Below are the unit response totals: Engine 3930** - 476 Rescue Engine 3970**- 267, Engine 3932** - 41, Tower 3960 – 37, Attack 3921 – 71, Tanker 3951 – 3, Tanker 3950**- 7, Ambulance 3980 - 437, Ambulance 3981 - 66, Ambulance 3982* - 371, Ambulance 3983* - 48.  Top Ten (10) Responders for 2009: (1 ) Chief 39 (Red & Blue) – 449, (2) Lt. Cox (Gold) – 354, (3) Lt. McAndrew (Red) -375, (4) F/F Ennen (Gold) – 294, (5.) F/F Lunn (Black) -263, (6) Lt. kraemer (Black)-224, (7) F/F Wyner (Black)-210, (8) F/F Poggensee (Red)  – 203, (9) D/C Nemmers (Black) - 200, (10) Lt. Sellner (Red) - 183. 2009 squad responds are, Blue - 720, Red - 183, Gold - 167, Black - 142.  Blue squad is 0600-1800 everyday and the other squads start at 1800-0600 every thrid night.     * Represents Contract Ambulance with Fraser. These are non-tiered responses.3982 being 1st out, 3983, 2nd out. Rescue 3970 along with Tanker 3950 went in service in Aug. We also put a NEW 3980 in service in July **- Represents Engine Company 39. Once again this year Engine Company 39 is the busiest Engine Company in Polk County Fire District #1!
 

Johnston Fire Department was alerted of a mutual aid rural fire assignment to Grimes. E3930, Tender 3950 were requested on the first alarm and were enroute in minutes, before units arrived on scene C3700 per dispatch information quickly struck a 2nd alarm and tanker task force. RE3970 enroute on the second alarm. Weather conditions made travel conditions trecherous. Initial arrival report of E3730 described heavy fire and smoke showing from garage area. Rapidly deteriorating weather conditions made operations painstakingly difficult. Two drafting operations were set up. Tankers from Grimes, Johnston, Waukee, Granger, Dallas Center, Polk City, and Saylor responded. Urbandale R418 responded as RIT.

Rescue crews were called to the parking lot of the senior highschool for a 2 car motor vehicle accident. Rescue Engine 3970, C3900 and A3982 responded. Crews arrived on scene to find all persons out of their vehicles. Rescue Engine crew contained all fluid spills and assisted with debris cleanup.  

A busy afternoon sends Rescue Engine 3970 to Mutual Aid with the Neighboring City of Grimes for a subject trapped in a rolled grain truck. Rescue Engine 3970 quickly arrived on scene and was directed by command to stabilize the truck so rescue crews could begin flapping the roof to remove the victim. Crews used one of the many stabilizing options available on Rescue Engine 3970, and safetly secured the vehicle for quick removal of the victim. Extrication was complete in under 10 min.

In the early morning hours, JFD was requested for Mutual Aid to Camp Dodge Military Base for a dump truck that had rolled. Rescue Engine 3970, C3900, A3982, and Camp Dodge First Responder units responded. Reports indicated that the driver had self extricated. Rescue Engine crew assisted medics in stabilizing the patient and cleaning up a small fuel spill. Quickly the patient was loaded, and scene was cleared.

JFD called for a multiple vehicle accident. No injuries were reported. Rescue crews assisted with a quick cleanup.

An early morning rush hour traffic accident traps two. R3970, C3900, C4901 and A3982 responded to the interstate for a multiple vehicle crash, with unknown injuries. Arriving quickly on scene, a size up was given to dispatch notifying them of the entrapped victims. R3970 deployed its preconnected hydraulic tools to the vehicle. Lighting the scene was established by R3970. The vehicle was stabalized and the victims were quickly extricated. Crews helped with disconnecting the battery source of the vehicle, removed debris and fluids from the roadway.   

JFD responds to an early morning rush hour 3 car MVC with unknown injuries. R3970 and A3980 responded. R3970's crew contained all fluid spill, removed debris from the roadway and assisted Medic crews with patient care.

JFD held an Advanced Extrication Class on Friday, Oct. 9 & Saturday, Oct. 10.  Two instructors from Rescue Dynamics (Blake & Scott) provided hours of insight and assistance through several unique scenarios.  With the cooperation & assistnce of Hanifen's Towing and their staff 45 people recieved insight. 35 fire personnel & 10 Hanifen staff.

Among the agencies in attendance were: Johnston, Grimes, Saylor, Waukee, Des Moines, Ankeny, Altoona, Windsor, and Runnels.  Special Thanks goes to Grimes Fire Department for providing a change of quarters during the event. Julie, Colin, Bob & the rest of Hanifen's staff provided a great facility and technical assistance with their equipment. Using the "Brute" 85 ton rotating crane made easy work for a few scenarios.

Stay tuned for many additional pictures & explinations.

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The importance of fire safety was expressed this month of October. Kids of all ages from many schools/ day cares here in the City of Johnston participated in Fire Safety week. Kids were taught the importance of knowing how to exit a building or residence during a fire situation, the proper methods of having a fire exit plan with family and in school. 911 was explained and the importance of knowing how to use it correctly. Also students were taught how to properly perform stop, drop and roll. The JFD saw over 1,000 kids this year, and would like to thank the teachers, staff, and children for participating and knowing the importance of fire safety.  

To begin Fire Prevention Week the JFD membership opened our doors to the public. All Fire and EMS apparatus were on full display for public viewing. Adults and Children were given fire prevention information and tips to keep their house holds safe from fire. We would like to thank the many families who participated and visited the Johnston Fire Department. We will be hosting many more open houses in the near future and look forward to seeing more visitors each time! 

This SCBA trainer trailer contained simulated confined spaces, inlcuding hallways, stair wells, trap hatches, studded walls, and various doors. The trailer was filled with theatrical smoke, completely diminishing all visibility inside the trailer. Crews encountered a simulated roof collapse with wires blocking their path, and possibly entangling the firefighter. Crews trained on various scenarios including, search and rescue operations, and SCBA competency.  Over 30 personnel obtained training during two sessions.

JFD crews including Rescue Engine 3970 and A3982 responded to a minor morning rush hour motor vehicle crash. Crews quickly contained vehicle fluid spills, and removed debris from the roadway.    

Johnston Fire was dispatched to a reported garbage truck on fire in a business parking lot. E3970 and C3900 arrived to find nothing showing, with what seemed to look like the fire had been extinguished. Crew of E3970 was directed by command to do some overhaul to verify the fire had been extinguished. Boxes falling out of a large garbage container and landing on the exhaust pipes caused the fire. Overhaul was complete and area was cleaned up.  

Johnston Fire was dispatched to the 7800blk of 100th for smoke in the area. JFD E3970 and T3950 responded in seconds. All Johnston units arriving on scene to find a large pile of construction materials burning in a residence's back yard. E3970 continued into the scene to stretch an 1 3/4 handline to extinguish the fire. T3950 positioned behind E3970 to supply it with water. The fire was quickly extinguished and all Johnston units cleared and back in service.