Friday September 8th, 2006

Fire Station Breaks Ground

By Bruce Kettelle

See picture at www.TotallyTrotwood.com

From the Council Agenda

    D.    Trotwood Fire & Rescue Dept. Annual Awards Ceremony - Year 2004

 ·        Medals of Valor

For conspicuous bravery and heroism involving other persons actually present, where hostile action or extreme danger is involved, while attempting to rescue or save the life of another.

   Firefighter/Paramedic Thomas Baltes, Richard Haacke, Derrick Pope, and Firefighter/Basic Adam Dietsch

·        Medals of Merit

For meritorious service and action which brought honor upon yourself and the department.

    Firefighter/Paramedic H. Doug Combs, Brad Harvey, P. Scott Meyers, Dorene Moore and EMT-Basic Brian Shively

·  For meritorious service exhibiting unusual thoroughness, Conscientiousness, determination, and initiative in the Performance of duty as bike team coordinator, 2004

     Firefighter/Intermediate Susan Halter

Friday June 3rd, 2005

From Totally Trotwood

   Council Pay Will Increase In January

       Trotwood City Council will still be one of the lesser paid city council's in the are even after an increase adopted at a special meeting held May 31, the deadline day fixed by the city charter. After the next election council members will see an increase from $3,600 to $4,800 and the mayor's pay will rise from $7,200 to $9,600. The charter requires the mayor to be paid at least twice as much as the council members.

       The lone dissenting vote came from Council Member Oscar Holliday fearing that this adds additional stress on the already tight city budget.

        Under the rules no one will receive the increase until after their next election. For the four ward council members that are up for re-election this November the increase will take effect in January impacting the 2006 budget by $4,800. The mayor and two at-large council members are not up for election until 2007 which will add another $4,800 in the 2008 budget.

Tuesday May 31st, 2005

     Local Team start swift water training. 5 members from the local start attending a swift water rescue class today provided by Huber Hieghts Fire dept. This will be a technician level class. Take a total of 5 days. 2 class room days and 3 days in actual water rescue practice.

Wednesday March 9th, 2005

      Engine 74 crews found themselves in the middle of a MVA Wednesday afternoon. Crews were dispatched to assist Medic 72 on a difficulty breathing call around 2:45 pm Wednesday. While responding to the call Engine 74 ended up in the middle of a collision at Wolf Creek and Olive Road.

     FF/EMT-P Collins ( crew leader at the time) immediately called for help requesting 2 Medic units and the Rescue truck. Witnesses report that the crews got off  the engine and started to care for the other victims of the crash. Witnesses also reported that Engine 74 was approaching the intersection with their lights and siren sounding, when a mini van proceeded thru the intersection striking the engine in the passenger side. Unfortunately this forced E-74 into the on coming lane of traffic where they collided head on with a Cadillac.

       Fortunately for everyone involved the injuries appeared  minor. The driver of the Cadillac had to be extricated from his vehicle, only because there was no way to unlock the doors due to a loss of power to the vehicle. The crew members from Engine 74 were transported to GSH as a precautionary measure, just to check out the aches and pains. Everyone returned to help work an apartment fire later that evening.

       The cause of the accident is still under investigation by the Trotwood Police Department, but the preliminary investigation shows the mini van could be at fault.

Tuesday December 14th, 2004

Local pulls support for Interim Chief

       In a not so surprising move, the local unanimously voted to with draw there backing for interim Fire Chief Greg Potter. The group as a whole feels that Chief Potter has been in the position for 6 months and has many opportunities to make positive changes in the department. However the only change was to "Shake up local members and reassigns most members to new platoon schedules to allow personnel to re-energize themselves".

        The local decided to wait until a new Fire Chief search begins and look at the candidates before an endorsement for Chief  is supported.

Friday November 12th, 2004

City Gets Two New Unions
        City of Trotwood employees voted this week to establish two additional labor unions bringing the total to six separate unions with in the city.  Office clerical workers and park maintenance employees are the
latest to adopt the union option to help them negotiate benefits and wages.
        "Uncertainty happens when there are stresses in the organization, "said city council member Rap Hankins.  "It doesn't make a difference if you
work at Delco or the City of Trotwood, when you are working in these economic times."
        Trotwood is experiencing union growth like many government organizations across the county.  In a March report the AFL-CIO reported over one-hundred-thousand new government employees in 2003 had joined their organization alone while overall their numbers had fallen, due mainly to the loss of manufacturing jobs.
        Trotwood's newest unions leave less than a dozen employees not covered by union contracts.  Trotwood's first union was formed by the police patrol officers in 1994.  Firefighters were second with their first contract in 2001.  The reasons for opting to unionize vary slightly from department to department.

Years Unions Organized In Trotwood
1994 Police Patrolmen
2001 Police Sergeants
2001 Firefighters/Paramedics
2004 Public Works Maintenance Workers
2004 Clerical Workers
2004 Parks Maintenance Workers
        For the firefighters "It was overwhelmingly because of the way we were being treated, not because of what we were getting paid," says firefighter Brad Harvey.  Harvey is the recent past president of Trotwood Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 4025.  "We have never challenged the base rate of pay."
        "Many firefighters did not understand their rights under the city's civil service rules," said Harvey.  "The union provided a better vehicle to inform employees of what their rights were and help with defending those
rights."

      Shirley Whitman agrees, "there is confusion over what the real policies are."  Whitman is an account clerk in the utility billing department and is part of the group that voted in the clerical workers union this Tuesday.
        One example is how to determine seniority and Whitman hopes the union can help negotiate a clearer policy.  But for the clerical workers there were also some other perceived benefit inequities.
        "Our (health) insurance is not the same as those employees already in a union," she noted, "they pay less for their premiums and they have better coverage."  Non-union employees also did not receive a cost of
living adjustment this year because of budget constraints.
        Finance Director Jon Stoops said the city has been making some adjustments in the city policies.  "We unfortunately have a collection of administrative policies and civil service procedures, the complexity of
that creates some conflict of interpretation," admits Stoops.  "We did, early this year, amend the seniority policy to add clarity."
        Harvey said that even with the union backing, the personnel rules and regulations still need updating.  "The city continues to be slow to make those improvements," he said.

        Whitman admits that some of this is caused by poor communication. "For a long time we weren't even getting the manager's reports," referring to weekly reports from the city manager that provided updates on what was going on in the city's various departments.
        "Traditionally employees will unionize when they feel they can negotiate a better deal, especially when they see the union members in the organization getting more," said Mike Sprague.  Sprague, a political
science instructor at Sinclair and Central State is also a past Trotwood council member and former Madison township trustee.  "This process certainly gives employees a voice in the process of providing services to the citizens."
        But Sprague sees some new challenges ahead for the city.  "With six unions it can make the negotiation process quite cumbersome."
        Resolving these and other issues is a tedious process and fraught with temporary inequities as each of the existing unions renegotiates their contracts.  As healthcare rates have risen for the city, changes in the
health plan were necessary to meet budget constraints.  Each union contract has different renewal dates and while new agreements are reached for some, others continue to under the previously negotiated rates until their contract comes up for renewal.
        "In the last three years we have done the best we can do to balance the budget with as little effect on the employees as possible without raising taxes," said Hankins.
        Government revenues across the country have been squeezed by the nation's poor economic conditions and Trotwood is no exception.  Staffing
cuts and other spending reductions have become the norm in recent years' budget planning.
        Now as Trotwood officials prepare the 2005 budget they are once again faced with revenue growth that is not keeping pace with personnel cost growth and inflation related increases in other expenses.  Insiders
are hopeful that with the input from the six city labor unions, equitable solutions can be reached to keep city services responsive and a working environment that will attract and retain quality employees.
 

© Copyright 2004 Totally Trotwood  Volume 150, TheEbyFarm@compuserve.com

Thursday September 30th, 2004

        The search for a new Fire Chief has been reduced to 6 candidates from a pool of 38 applicants. Those 6 candidates will get their interviews on Friday October 1st. During that time Captain Pope (Trotwood Police), Rhonda Finley ( City Admin) and Captain Gibson (Trotwood Fire) will be giving tours of the city and the division's buildings.  Starting at 11:30 am Capt. Pope & Ms. Finley will pickup Carlisle, Giles, & Kochheier from the Meadowbrook country club and tour the city. During this time Potter, Lutz, & Rakestraw will be interviewing. In the Afternoon at 3:30 pm, Rakestraw will get his tour of the city. With all candidates  being notified of their status by 5:00 pm that afternoon.

           On Saturday the finale 3 will be an exclusive interview with the city manager. There are reports that the top candidates  will be offered a job Saturday and be sworn in at Mondays council meeting. However this is not listed on Monday's Agenda.

Thursday August 12th, 2004

        Trotwood's Local 4024 President and Vice President Spend the morning with Vice President Dick Cheney. Local 4024's President Brad Harvey  and Vice President Steve Milliken  were among invited  to sit with the Vice President this morning as he spoke to a crowd of about 600 people.

         Harvey  & Milliken were part of a large group of firefighters, police officers, veterans and local republicans invited to sit on  Vice President Dick Cheney side of the podium as he addressed the supporters at the Dayton Convention Center.

Thursday, July 22nd, 2004

      Thanks to the FEMA grants Trotwood Fire & Rescue was able to purchase a new boat and motor for water rescue operations. As the lake waters warmed, Trotwood fire crews hit the lake early Thursday morning. After Captain Hoover gave an overview of how the boat and motor operates, crews donned their life jackets and took off across the lake at the Madison Lakes Park on Olive road Thursday morning.

       While waiting for their turn in the boat, other crews practiced throwing ring buoys and throw bags at Captain Gibson who was floating out in the water simulating a stranded victim. While waiting in the water Captain Wagner and FF/EMTP Milliken came up with the boat and pulled Captain Gibson into the boat to show how stable the boat was.

        Sunday July 25th, the crews were back at the lake once again, and they plan on being there again on Wednesday July 28th.

Monday, July 19th, 2004

Trotwood Fire & Rescue to Purchase New Fire Engine
By Brad Harvey

        On Monday, July 19, 2004, acting Fire Chief Greg Potter asked for and received permission from the Trotwood City Council to purchase a new  fire engine at a cost of $339,917.  The new engine will replace a 1981 fire engine that no longer suits the needs of the division.  The last piece of fire apparatus purchased by the division was in 1997 and cost nearly $500,000.
         The new engine will be built by Rosenbauer America with a chassis and cab from Spartan with a 750 gallon water tank, a fire pump capable of pumping 1,750 gallons per minute and roll-up compartment doors.  The engine designed with maintenance costs in mind, has a heavy-duty frame and chassis and an electrical system configuration that cuts nearly 160 pounds of wiring reducing the potential electrical problems that tend to plague fire apparatus.
        The new engine comes equipped with several features not found on any other Trotwood Fire & Rescue apparatus.  The fire pump control panel will be mounted on top of the apparatus.  This not only keeps the pump operator up high where they can see, it also keeps them out of traffic which enhances firefighter safety. 

        The new engine will also come with a Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) built-in. This system allows firefighters to add foam solution to the water, which makes for faster and more efficient fire attack by reducing the amount of water necessary for standard fire suppression and fighting industrial chemical fires and other hazardous materials.  This purchase will also mark the first time that an apparatus was specifically designed to fulfill both the roles of fire suppression and emergency medical service responses.  This purchase was made possible with the community's passage of the fire levies last fall.        

           The engine is expected to be delivered 260 days after signing the order sheet and is expected to provide a 15-20 year service life.
 

Tuesday June 29th, 2004

Trotwood fire crews are called to assist Jefferson Twp. at around 2:30 am early Tuesday morning, after a fire started in the Bach's Body Shop on West Third Street.

Firefighters from Dayton,  Moraine, Miami Twp., New Lebanon and Farmersville responded to the fire with Trotwood. Flames destroyed one of three buildings in the body shop complex. Fire operations were set to defensive through out the morning. The fire was brought under control by about 5:15 am.

Two Jefferson Twp. firefighters were sent to Miami Valley Hospital on Tuesday. One suffered a shoulder injury and the other "fell ill. No Trotwood crews were injured.

The State Fire Marshall's Office was called to assist in the investigation.

Friday May 14th, 2004

Chief Hutsonpillar Retiring In June
After 25 years Trotwood Fire Chief Paul Hutsonpillar announced this past Monday his intent to retire effective June 10.  He leaves behind a loyal department and lots of memories.  Hutsonpillar has helped transform the department from a volunteer outfit to the full time professional status Trotwood enjoys today. 

Hutsonpillar said, "for the last year I've been looking at options, there never is a real good time."  He is surrounded by shelves in his office shelves full of Trotwood memories and firefighter memorabilia.

He joined the department in 1974 as a volunteer.  "My 1st call was a house fire on 3rd Street," recalled Hutsonpillar. " There were no
hydrants and we were using the old style air packs."  "I was on the hose line backing up the nozzle man when the hose pinched and disabled my air
pack forcing us to retreat outside for air." 

The department has come a long way since then with more modern equipment and intensive training to try and avoid those types of problems.

Fire Captain Kirk Temple has been with the department almost as long as Hutsonpillar.  "I was shocked when he told us at a staff meeting Monday."  "He has always put this community and this division first, I will miss him," said Temple.  "I'm excited that he can now spend more time with his wife and grandchildren."

Nothing could be closer to the truth.  Hutsonpillar was eternally on call for the department whether walking neighborhoods to help pass a fire levy or rolling out of bed at 3 am to answer a fire call. "

He's always had a real passion for fire prevention," said Assistant Chief Greg Potter.

During his 14 years as Chief he was able to create the department's Fire Prevention Bureau.  As a member of the County Fire Chiefs he helped
develop the Urban Rescue Team.  Hutsonpillar also held leadership roles in the Miami Valley Emergency Management Association.  

And he doesn't forget the big ones.  "We had about every department in the area called in to help us fight the Trotwood Trailer fire," recalls Hutsonpillar.  Smoke from that 1981 fire in the heart of Olde Town was seen as far away as Troy and damaged the old City Hall adjacent to the business.

And then there was the Albright Apartment fire on Biddeson in 1984.  Hutsonpillar remembers the 7 lives lost there including a 22-month old baby.  That fire occurred in the early morning hours and the smoke detector had been disabled.  By the time the family woke the fire had blocked their exit.          

Experiences like those explain his passion for fire prevention. Hutsonpillar recently completed a new fire station master plan and the city has acquired land on Little Richmond to build a new firehouse.  Although he will not be coordinating that effort Hutsonpillar will still be here, "as a taxpayer I'll be tracking the progress on the construction."

As the June date nears Hutsonpillar said, "If I miss anything it will be the daily contact with the people in the community."  "Without City Council and staff support my job would have been terribly difficult."  He said the staff in his department has deservedly earned his gratitude.

City Councilmember Barbara Staggs acknowledged, "there is no good time to lose the knowledge Hutsonpillar brings to the department."  "We'll miss his dedication and experience but he'll still be in the community."        

Hutsonpillar plans to "piddle around the house for awhile."  "I don't want a full time job and I have some non-fire related part time opportunities I'm considering."

At 50 Hutsonpillar laments the toll his career has taken on his body.  "My knees aren't what they used to be, I hate asking my staff to do something I can't do myself."

This summer you will find Hutsonpillar camping at Brookville Lake
or on his pontoon boat.  "I'm thinking of taking up fishing again," he said,  "I quit years ago when I realized all I was doing was fattening up the fish for the next guy."

© Copyright 2004 Totally Trotwood  Volume 124, TheEbyFarm@compuserve.com

Friday April 9th, 2004

The old Madison Township fire station at 8 N Broadway will soon become the new specialty handicap van installation shop for Devers.  Under
an agreement approved by City Council, Devers will acquire the station that has been closed for several years.
        Asst. Fire Chief Greg Potter said the station is not being used because it cannot accommodate the size of the department's modern equipment.  Most recently the station housed a volunteer response crew
which had phased out due to a lack of volunteers.
        Devers is located directly across the street and has been looking for expansion space for some time.  Devers specializes in installing custom truck bodies and accessories.  One aspect of their business is to convert vans for handicap use with wheelchair lifts and installing hand controlled devices for handicapped drivers.  Jerry Haupt of Devers said, "we needed a
place that is wheelchair accessible for our customers to come in during installation and for training."
        The city had already declared the station surplus.  This week's action allowed the sale to Devers for $50,000, that is $16,900 less than a
recent appraisal of the property.  In an effort to keep Devers from having to look outside of Trotwood, the city won a $50,000 Block Grant to help Devers pay for the property.  Devers has 19 employees and will add 2 more with the expansion. Haupt said, "the only change you will see on the outside is a wheelchair
ramp and sign identifying it as 'Devers Mobility.'  Devers has already been using the site for 15 years for employee parking.  They expect to be moved in by September.

© Copyright 2004 Totally Trotwood  Volume 119, TheEbyFarm@compuserve.com

On March 6^th and 7^th, Trotwood Fire and Rescue completed step 2 of a 3 step process to train its personnel to the level of Ice Rescue Specialist.

 Thanks to the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA and the Assistance to Firefighters Grant, Trotwood Fire and Rescue received a grant totaling $45,000.00to equip and train its personnel in Urban Search and Rescue, Water Rescue, and Ice Rescue.

 In early February Firefighter/Paramedics Brad Harvey and Andy Mangeot attended a 3 day Ice Rescue Instructor course hosted by Miami Twp Fire Dept. and taught by Dive Rescue International. On March 6^th and 7^th  Firefighter/Paramedics Harvey and Mangeot conducted a training session for the Trotwood Fire and Rescue personnel, brining 36 if its members to the Ice Rescue Awareness level. This class gave the members the understanding of Ice Rescue techniques, ice formations, victims’ conditions, and operation of the specialized equipment. The finale step in the Ice Rescue Specialist program will be actual in water rescues, to be held later this year.

Friday February 9th, 2007

By Bruce Kettelle

See picture of Chief Lutz receiving award at www.TotallyTrotwood.com

Friday July 22nd, 2005

      Trotwood's Tech Rescue team take the weekend off from firefighting and EMS operations and head for Hocking Hills State Park. The team plans to take advantage of the climbing cliffs to conduct training. The remote location gives the team the privacy and relief from having to respond to calls to complete the training exercises. The team leader have a detailed scheduled to follow which will give Trotwood an additional 8 Rope rescue technicians.

Saturday June 4th, 2005

      Trotwood crews spent the day at Home Depot. Manning a booth giving tours of fire apparatus, and letting the kids use a fire hose to shoot out flames in the house simulator that was constructed thanks to Home Depot.

Thursday June 2nd, 2005

From the Employee Newsletter

             TROTWOOD'S SAFETY TEAM

       The City of Trotwood now has a city wide Safety Team. The members are Tammi Neetz, Sandy Riege, Bob Cairo, Kirk Temple, Michael Leigh, Tim Hungling, Connie Dunson, and Barb Brooks.

       The goals of the team are to reduce workplace accidents, injuries, and thereby reducing Workers' Comp premiums. To accomplish these goals the team will take the lead in developing and /or reviewing departmental and organizational safety policies; provide safety training and information to employees; review accident and injury reports and make recommendations to improve health and safety in the work environment.

LUNCH & LEARN

Brown Bag Lunch for Employees

June 17th, 2005, 11 am to 2 pm

       Don't bring a brown bag to this quarter's Lunch with the City Manager., in fact don't bring anything at all. Mike Luking and the Directors will be tending a grill to prepare hot dog, brats, hamburgers, and wings with all the trimmings!! The Lunch period window has be extended to allow for a maximum participation.

HEALTH INSURANCE RENEWAL

      even thoough our health insurance renewal date is not until October 1, its no to early to start looking at our options. An employee meeting will do just that starting this month. In the 1st meeting our insurance consultant will educate the committee on the renewal process, and products availible.

April 7th, 2005

      Thanks to the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG). The City of Trotwood has been able to purchase 3 12-lead monitors from Physio Controls.The new monitors are also capable of monitoring PS02, B/P Upon completion of the training, these new monitors will be placed on the 1st out medic units. The older 3-lead monitors currently in use will be placed on the first responder engine's giving them the capabilities of being ALS

April 27th, 2005

      Engine 74 repair cost will exceed $14K. the Indiana firm RPI wins bid to repair Engine 74 accident damage. E-74 is scheduled to leave on May 2nd to have the damage repaired.

Tuesday December 20th, 2004

"Discussion of the Union's backing Greg Potter as the new chief at current. At this time while candidate election process is not in place, we do not back any candidate for the position of Fire Chief."

Local member makes a motion as read above as the formal stance of Chief Potter. 2nd by another local member.

a vote of unanimous was concluded.

Friday November 12th, 2004

Assistant Chief Gene Lutz, Trotwood Fire & Rescue
        On November 4 2004, the Hundred Club held their annual dinner to honor Fire and Police officer's in the Miami Valley area that have gone above and beyond the call of duty.  This year I was fortunate to be part of the process to have an inside view.  There were six recommendations to review and it was very difficult choose a rank order.  I first would like to congratulate all the personnel that were recommended for this
prestigious honor by their departmental Chiefs.
        The Trotwood Police department had one of their own receiving this heroism award, Officer Roy McGill Jr., for his rescue of fellow Trotwood officer Laura Cooper from her burning cruiser. The Hundred Club is a group of area philanthropists that honor police and fire professionals each year.  He is pictured with Captains Dan Swafford and Quincy Pope after acceptance
of his award.  See picture at www.TotallyTrotwood.com
 

© Copyright 2004 Totally Trotwood  Volume 150, TheEbyFarm@compuserve.com

Tuesday September 28th, 2004

Monday October 4th's City Council Agenda calls for the creation of new positions in the City's administration.

Direct from the meeting agenda:

Motion of the Trotwood City Council to request the Law Director draft legislation to amend the Salary Ordinance to create a new job title, Administrative Assistant to the City Manager/Deputy Clerk of Council, and hold a public hearing.
 

Thursday September 16th, 2004

       Trotwood firefighters faced new tests this week as the department upgraded its face mask testing to meet new OSHA requirements released earlier this year.  Armed with a new $10,000 testing device each firefighter had their breathing apparatus tested for leaks around the mask and where the mask contacts the face.
        By Thursday 85 firefighters had been tested and only 10 of the mask fits met the new requirement on the first try.  "What have our firefighters been breathing all these years?" asked firefighter/paramedic Laurie Rammel who was conducting the new test.  Rammel's husband is a Huber Heights fire fighter and does their testing.  It was just a natural thing for me to pick
it up," said Rammel.
        She said some of the masks only required minor adjustments while others required different mask systems to pass the test.  She still has 10
more firefighters to test.
        Using the FitTester 3000 she gets computer readouts after each test.  The test must be repeated every year to conform to insurance rules and indemnify the city.
        "It really makes you think when you've been running around all these years with a mask that wasn't fitting right," said Rammel.  "We thought they fit right."
        The new equipment was partially paid for with a $6,000 grant.  The department is exploring the possibility if providing the tests for nearby smaller departments that cannot afford the new equipment.
 

© Copyright 2004 Totally Trotwood  Volume 141, TheEbyFarm@compuserve.com

Monday August 16th, 2004

       At Monday's council meeting Resolution 4-86 was submitted to council for approval. City Manager Frank Myers said this legislation would authorize the design and manage the construction of two new fire stations. Vice-Mayor Davis asked about the selection process. City Manager Frank Myers said there were four proposals received. The in-house committee reviewed the proposals and recommend Architectural Resources. Mr. Gary Snyder of Architectural Resources was present to answer any questions. City Manager Frank Myers said  this firm has a reputation for being on time and within budget.

          Mayor McLaurin asked for a Motion to approve Resolution 04-86. Councilman Vaughn moved to approve the resolution with Vice-Mayor Davis seconding the motion. The resolution was unanimously approved .

          Following City Councils approval, Mr. Snyder held a meeting with the station design committee. With several members present to design process has gotten underway.

          On September 23rd, and 24th, Mr. Snyder and associates will be hosting several City leaders on tours of various stations that Architectural Resources has designed.

Wednesday July 21st, 2004

Trotwood Fire & Rescue Conducts "Live-Fire" Training
By Brad Harvey

        On Thursday, July 29, 2004, Trotwood Fire & Rescue will conduct live-fire training at 5469 Little Richmond Rd.  This property will be the site of the new Fire Station, Training Center, and Fire Department Headquarters and must be cleared of the residence that is currently there. Rather than knock the building down and haul it away to the landfill, the department will be training in the home beginning on Monday, July 26 and culminating in burning the house on Thursday, July 29.  Residents should be aware that the final burning of the residence, scheduled for early evening on Thursday, may generate large amounts of smoke but should not cause alarm.  Fire Department personnel will be on scene to monitor and control the situation.
        With our aggressive fire prevention efforts we are experiencing fewer fires and with the fire stations being staffed, we are responding faster thereby having less property damage.  Chief Potter stated, "This structure will give my personnel invaluable experience under somewhat controlled circumstances that is not normally available."

 

Friday July 16th, 2004

      Trotwood police officer was injured after her car crashed into a pole on Salem Avenue around 4 a.m. Friday . Officer Laura Cooper was heading to assist a Sheriff's deputy when a car pulled in front of her. Cooper swerved to miss the car and struck a pole.  

       Cooper vehicle caught fire, she was able to call for help, and another officer was able to pull her from the vehicle before the fire reached the passenger compartment. Crews from Engine 73 extinguished the fire, while Medic 73 transported Cooper to Good Samaritan Hospital where Cooper was taken immediately to surgery. Her condition was listed as stable at last check.

Friday May 14th, 2004

    Trotwood City Manager Frank Myers is on the finalist list for thesame position in Pickerington Ohio.  Myers was among 75 applicants for this suburban Columbus community of 9,700 and is now one of two finalists for
the city manager slot.

    Myers joined Trotwood as city manager in 1998.  A binding clause in his contract expired this January allowing him to weigh his options
elsewhere. 

      Besides Pickerington, Myers is under consideration in Takoma Park, MD (pop. 17,299) and Southfield MI (pop. 78,296).

      Although Pickerington is smaller than Trotwood the annual budget is larger.  That community is experiencing rapid growth and critics are seeking to establish new limits to control building in the community.  The other cites also have different and unique challenges ahead.
        Mike Sprague said, "Three? I heard he was looking but I had no idea "  Sprague, Trotwood's Vice Mayor when Myers was brought to Trotwood said,
"it's certainly within the nature of the job that managers don't stay in communities as a rule for extremely long periods of time."
        Trotwood Mayor Donald McLaurin said, "Mr. Myers is ready to move up to the next level."  "Six or seven years is about what a city can count on
from one manager."

        Myers was out of town Thursday at a scheduled interview along with six other finalists in Southfield according to that city's web site.  He was absent from several council meetings recently presumably attending job interviews.

© Copyright 2004 Totally Trotwood  Volume 124, TheEbyFarm@compuserve.com
 

Tuesday March, 30th, 2004

     Trotwood crews arrive on scene to find a 34 year old man stuck on a second story roof with a dislocated hip. The crews were called to the scene yesterday after the man slip on a rope while working to replace the 12-12 pitch roof. First arriving medic crews climb to the upper story and remobilized the hip and leg while the engine crew set up to remove the man from the roof. After a few minutes it became apparent that normal extrication methods were not going to work. Captain Hoover called for assistance from the Tech Rescue truck along with additional man power and neighboring New Lebanon.  When the additional help arrived an anchoring & lowering system was setup in the back yard, along with a belay system from the front.  The man was secured to a stokes basket and lower to the ground.

        This was Trotwood's first use of the Technical Rescue Operations since it's conception some 5 years earlier. The operation was successful and the man was removed from the roof within 40 minutes from the initial call.

Monday February 9th, 2004

Local 4024 has Email Available for it's members

    Local 4024 is now able to offer e-mail accounts to our members. Your UserID will be in the format of yourname@iaff-1-4024.org and you may use it as a web-based e-mail and/or through your email client such as Outlook since it is a "full service" email account.

    If you would like to have an account, contact the webmaster with your name and the UserID you want to use.

Monday February 2nd, 2004

Trotwood City Council Eliminates 2 Police Sergeants Positions

        As part of the effort to balance this years budget, City Council agreed last fall to not fill 2 Police Sergeant positions in 2004.  Council took action last Monday to formally delete the positions against the protest of the sergeants union attorney.
        Currently there are three vacant sergeant positions.  One caused by the departure of an officer to another city and the others created when two sergeants were promoted to captain.  Under state law vacant positions must be filled thus the reason to formally abolish the positions.
        The police union's objection (accompanied by about 10 officers in the audience) to some of the timing issues under the requirement were addressed by city personnel attorney Buzz Portune.  The candidates list developed to fill the abolished positions "will remain active for three years," said Portune.
        The police department will fill the one sergeant's position from that list.  Because of the timing the other two positions will also be filled as required by the timing in the law.  When the staffing reduction
officially takes effect, those two officers will be demoted back to Patrol Officer and retain a three year's vested right of reappointment.

© Copyright 2004 Totally Trotwood  Volume 110, TheEbyFarm@compuserve.com

Wednesday March 24th, 2004

Captain Gibson accepted on behalf of "C" shift (AKA 1st Platoon) a Unit Commendation for their work on the Grand Ave. fire where two young boys lost their lives. The commendation goes on to say that ,

"C" Shift  displayed the utmost professionalism while attempting to rescue  two citizens in a dwelling fire. Their tenacity and courageous efforts during the rescue and operational stages, clearly demonstrated their commitment to saving lives at any cost within the community.

Also on hand was Carol Ballard, who after reading the story in the Dayton Daily News, felt compelled to author a poem and dedicate it to the firefighters who worked the fire that morning.

You can read her poem by clicking here