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KATHLEEN BANSE

THE Community responderbULVERDE SPRING BRANCH FIRE & EMS

CHANGE FOR THE GOOD….IS GOOD!There’s been a change, but one you may not notice.Emergency Services Districts (ESDs) in Western Com-al County; ESD 1, ESD 4 and ESD 5 have voted tostrengthen the daily operations of FIRE and EMS,including support functions under a single manage-ment structure. Bulverde Spring Branch Emergency Services(BSBES) has been created to manage the consolidatedoperations under the direction of Mechelle Salmon.Salmon’s leadership team has provided emergencyservices for a 36-year-old organization that was votedthe Bulverde Spring Branch Business of the Year in2013. The three ESDs will continue to provide fundingfor operations, buildings and equipment.

FAQ from the Community:Q: Will the change improve response times for FIREand EMS?A: As a priority for BSBES,there will be improvedresource allocation and faster response times byboth FIRE and EMS. Additionally with the consoli-dation, we now have an additional Quick ResponseVehicle that will immediately handle predefinedemergency situations.

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The Community Responder hastaken on a fresh look as well.Nothing dramatic, but simplechanges, such as the logo,which has been updated byBSBES to reflect the newstructure and name. We all havethe same goal, and that is toprovide our community with thebest and most professionalservices, including ourcommunications. We appreciate the opportunityto take you behind the scenesso you can learn more aboutYour Fire & EMS!

JULY 2014 VOLUME II, ISSUE 3

ESDs: Champions of Fire & EMS, pages 3-5 Priest & Paramedic? How Can That Be? page 6J Crew: Exploring Potential Career Paths, page 7

More Than Paramedics, page 8A Chill in July, page 9

Summer Days and Starry Nights, pages 10-12

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Change is Good (continued from front cover)

Q: There is so much expected growth in our area, is this the righttime for consolidation?A: This is the best time. A seamless transition is already underwaywith a reinforcement of sound management and policies that willserve the community well as more businesses and families flock to

our area.

Q: What about all the firefighters in the consolidation – what happens to them?A: All of the Bulverde and Spring Branch firefighters, as well as the Fire Chief andAdministrator, who applied under the consolidation, were offered positions and allaccepted.

Q: Does the community have fewer firefighters or medics now?A: There are now more firefighters and medics under BSBES than before theconsolidation. We will still respond to all 911 calls with the highest trainedprofessionals utilizing state-of-the-art technology.

Q: What about benefits for the firefighters after the change?A: Firefighter tenure and benefits transitioned with them to BSBES. They were fullyvested in their previous retirement packages, and will now have greater medical,dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability plus a generous lifetime benefit.Additionally personnel will gain a contributory 401K plan and tuition assistanceoffered annually.

Q: Will there be fewer fire and EMSstations with the consolidation?A: No, the number of stations will remainthe same, although a mobile station willbe relocated to an area with a higher callvolume. As a result, there will be fasterresponse. BSBES will use taxpayerdollars most efficiently, and avoidduplication of resources, equipment andfacilities.

RESPONDER SPONSOR

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ESDs - Champions of FIRE & EMSThere are three (3) Emergency Service Districts (ESD) that Bulverde SpringBranch readers are served by; ESD 1, and either ESD 4 or ESD 5. MostBulverde residents are provided fire services under ESD 5, while SpringBranch residents are provided fire services under ESD 4. Most everyone inthe Front Porch readership is provided EMS services through the support ofESD 1.

ESDs are political subdivisions of the State of Texas like a school district or acounty. They may support or provide local emergency services, includingemergency medical services and rural fire prevention and control services.ESDs impose a sales and use tax and/or property tax to support or providethese services. In addition to other powers, an ESD may also own real orpersonal property, enter into contracts, employ agents, and accept donations.ESDs are the only practical way to adequately support emergency services inmany Texas municipalities as well as suburban and rural areas of the state.

Each of these ESDs, numbers 1, 4, and 5 have five (5) Commissioners, all ofwhom are volunteers, appointed by our elected officials of the Comal CountyCommissioners’ Court to serve two-year terms of service. ESD Commission-ers are required to receive orientation and training in areas such as the TexasPublic Information Act and the Texas Open Meeting Act. Commissionersattend monthly meetings, selected conferences, and some serve on commit-tees that meet periodically.

In Western Comal County, Bulverde Spring Branch Emergency Services(BSBES) has been created to manage theconsolidated operations under the direc-tion of Mechelle Salmon. The three ESDswill continue to provide funding for opera-tions, buildings and equipment.

The picture on the following page has a listof all of the ESD Commissioners who skill-fully serve us in the different ESDs in theBulverde Spring Branch area.

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RESPONDER SPONSOR

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ESD Commissioners

Districts 1, 4 and 5

Thank you for your dedication to our community!

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Would you like to make it easier for Fire and EMS to

find you in an emergency? See the last page of this

newsletter for how you can help them help you!

Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, USGS, Intermap, increment P Corp., NRCAN,Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri (Thailand), TomTom,MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community

ESD 1 & 5

Emergency ServicesDistricts 1, 4, & 5

ESDs

/0 1 2 4

Miles

ESD 1 & 4

Map of Emergency Services

Districts 1, 4 and 5

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FASCINATING PEOPLE SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AT BSB FIRE & EMSBulverde Spring Branch Fire & EMS and its

educational and medical research wing called theCentre for Emergency Health Sciences have fasci-nating people who work in the Central Station andtwo substations.  All matter of education, artistic andmusical talents, backgrounds and interests flowthrough the halls on any given day.

If you have the misfortune to need an ambu-lance on some days, a medic who has a dual callingmay appear at your door.  Father Lorenzo Hatch isboth a Catholic priest and an accomplished Para-medic.

Father Hatch says he was called to serve as aParamedic, just as he was called to serve as apriest.  Why else would he drive five hours to servea 24-hour shift at Bulverde Spring Branch Fire &EMS? Also, he says, “I love this organization and thepeople. It’s like going to visit family, so we alwaysfind opportunities to connect with the people we love”.  Father Hatch also says hisshifts provide a wonderful opportunity to keep his skills and certifications as aParamedic, especially with all the training opportunities at BSB Fire & EMS.

Father Hatch was born and raised in Dumas.  When he was attending GraduateSchool in San Antonio, studying theology, he would study at the Starbucks in themedical center, and saw all the ambulances coming and going.  He talked to anothercompany’s ambulance driver who said, “don’t go to our company’s school, go toschool at the Bulverde Spring Branch Centre for Emergency Health Sciences – it’sthe best.”  Father Hatch reports, “I called and spoke to Candice Thompson who iswith the Centre and immediately felt the warmth, and felt right at home.”

Father’s dual role helping others is agreat benefit.  He has acted to treatparishioners in the course of his ministryand has offered care and comfort to hisambulance patients at BSB Fire & EMS. Hisgoal in life is to have a mobile clinic that canbe taken to the underprivileged parts of hisDiocese. Father sees his roles, as aparamedic and priest, as a connection.  It istwo-prong – impart the sacrament and takecare of any medical issues that wouldnegatively  impact a parishioner orcommunity member. “In this way, I am doingmy part in identifying, serving, andchampioning the needs of humanity…thevery vision that BSB Fire & EMS embodies.”

RESPONDER SPONSOR

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Public Service Career Path for Teens

Right here in Bulverde SpringBranch, teenagers ages 14-

18 explore potential careers inpublic service. By explore, wemean they ride onboard ambu-lances, or fire apparatus to 911calls and help local police intheir duties. The organization iscalled J-Crew, and they meetevery Tuesday evening at 6:30p.m. at the Fire and EMS Centralstation at 353 Rodeo Drive inSpring Branch. Uniforms andequipment were receivedthrough sponsorships fromcompanies like Service Kingand DJL Ventures, the develop-er of Singing Hills.

J-Crew is also known asExplorer Post 1700, and assuch, J-Crew members learn leadership, develop physical and mental fitness, andacquire the tools to transition with a running start in careers or higher education.Not only do members learn valuable skills, they also serve their communities inmeaningful and lifesaving ways in a safe environment. Law enforcement is a newcareer path introduced recently. J-Crew will learn about investigating an accident,white collar crime, use of technology in investigations, crime scene investigation,and more.

EMS Captain Andy Fox is the overall J-Crew/Explorer Troop commander. FireChief for both Bulverde and Spring Branch departments, Dustin Beaudoin leadsthe fire training. Chief Gary Haecker and the City of Bulverde Police Departmentguide and participate in the law enforcement component of the J-Crew program.

J-Crew is an eye-opening, learning experience that provides members with afirst-hand look at the daily and often heroic life of an EMT, a firefighter and a policeofficer. We invite you to attend the next Tuesday night meeting, or for moreinformation, e-mail Danny Ross at danny.ross@bsb911.com.

Photo Above: Collin Montgomery, the first J-Crew member to become afull-time paid staff.

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Community Health Initiative ProgramBulverde Spring Branch Fire & EMS, as well

as its Centre for Emergency Health Services, has aCommunity Health Initiative program which sendsfirefighter/medics and medics into the communityto follow-up after hospital stays and whenresidents are having health issues. Often theservice involved is a lift-assist when someone fallsand cannot get up. Sometimes other services areinitiated because emergency personnel see a pathwhich would increase a community member’squality of life.

Recently two of our Community Paramedicsvisited the home of a gentleman who hadrepeatedly fallen and was recently hospitalizedwith serious injuries to his head and face. Thegentlemen’s wife had indicated that she had ashort list of things that needed to be done so herhusband could live more safely in the home. TheCommunity Paramedics installed a medicationcabinet to store his medications, removed doorsfrom the bedroom and the bathroom to allowwheelchair access, and removed a broken mirrorfrom a sliding closet door so it would not shatterand cause injury. They also did some repairs to the wheelchair ramp and installed aparking bumper at the end of the parking apron so the wheelchair would stop safely.

They also changed smoke detector batteries andinstalled three new detectors. As another service,the medics noticed the wheelchair was too widefor the sliding door by the ramp, so theycontacted the agency who provides nursingservices and arranged for a narrower and lighterwheelchair.

All of these improvements and alterationsmade it easier and safer for the couple to continueto live in their home. The work was also rewardingfor the Community Paramedics involved, and areflection of the community involvement ofBulverde Spring Branch Fire & EMS.

Photos: Paramedics hard at work to makeimprovements for folks in our community!

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The Big ChillEmergency Medical Services across the country are constantly looking for the

clinical edge that will prevent untimely death and eliminate suffering. With this inmind, progressive services like Bulverde Spring Branch Fire & EMS look towardscientific evidence to support clinical direction and change.

In conjunction with the desire to provide the very best care, your pre-hospitalprofessionals receive guidance from Dr. Craig Manifold, Medical Director and nation-ally recognized expert in the field of Emergency Medicine.

Over the past several years, a mountain of evidence has surfaced supportingthe benefit of cooling patients who have been resuscitated from a cardiac arrest.Obviously, surviving a cardiac arrest is a monumental achievement requiring theentire “Chain of Survival” (recognition, early treatment, appropriate care and trans-port, and recovery). In our community the “Chain” works because of an unrelentingstakeholder support system and an engaged leadership team, directed by our Boardof Directors.

To that end, we have added an additional level of science, ability, and equip-ment that has proven to decrease neurologic injury following a cardiac arrest. Themedical term for this is “Therapeutic Hypothermia,” which is simply to say that wecool the body, preventing additional injury and giving our “systems” time to recover.

Trauma Tec (see image below) provides aggressive, continuous cooling to thehead and blood while the paramedics administer cold fluids intravenously. Thiscombination of treatments and transport to our local cardiac care centers meansimproved survival, and more importantly, the very real possibility of returning to anormal life without neurologic deficit.

While predicting the future remains a dream, the reality in Western ComalCounty is often the gift of additional life and the pursuit of happiness. When asked,Dr. Manifold simply adds “making this all possible is a developed team, supportedby community, which is founded in science.”

What’s next for your Emergency Services? Only science can tell!

Trauma Tec device pictured on left.BSB Fire & EMS Medical Director Craig Manifold on right.

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Summer HeatOne thing we all have in common is our Texas heat! Beating the heat can be a

challenge whether it is during work, play or rest. The fact is, when it’s hot, it is HOT!Heat is one of the leading weather–related killers in the United States. Add in our SouthCentral Texas humidity and our apparent temperatures, also known as heat index, wecan soar well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Here are a few ways for you to stay safe:Tune In: Sometimes you can’t beat the heat, but you surely can take precautions to staysafe. We all expect our summers to be hot, but the National Weather Service forecastoffice may issue additional warnings to heed. When NOAA issues an “excessive heatwarning/advisory,” they expect probable conditions that pose serious threats to lifewithin the next 36 hours. It is ideal on these days, as with any day if possible during thedog-days of the summer, to minimize outdoor activity during peak temperatures.Hydrate: The body’s cooling mechanism is sweating, and in order to sweat, you musthave a properly hydrated body. If you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. There isno single formula to indicate how much water to drink, as everyone’s body is different.The slogan, “drink 8 in 8” (meaning drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day) isdefinitely a good place to start for your minimum water intake. The best way to know ifyou are drinking enough is monitoring your output: your bowel movements should benormal and your urine should be light-yellow to nearly clear. Infrequent urination,coupled with dark colored urine may be a sign that you are dehydrated and are embark-ing on a serious health risk.First Aid: The signs and symptoms of heat-related illness are variable depending on theseverity and should always be considered serious. Though heat-related illnesses areoften presented in three distinct categories, it is IMPORTANT to understand that they arenot necessarily progressive, nor are they absolute – a person’s condition can move intoheat stroke with little to no previous signs or symptoms.

1. Heat Cramps – Symptoms: sweating, painful muscle cramps or spasm usually inthe legs and abdomen.

o First Aid – move to a cooler environment (indoors or at least shade), gentlemassage and stretching to the affected muscle and sips of water. Discontin-ue activity and seek medical attention if no resolution of the cramps.

2. Heat Exhaustion–Symptoms: heavy sweating, weakness, cool, pale, clammy skin,dizziness, nausea/vomiting, fainting, normal temperature is possible. ** Not allsymptoms have to be present**

o First Aid – move to a cooler environment, remove/loosen excessive clothing,apply cool compresses, offer sips of water* (*unless nauseated or vomiting).Seek immediate medical attention if unresolved or person becomes disorient-ed or doesn’t improve.

3. Heat Stroke – Symptoms: altered mental status or unconsciousness, possiblethrobbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, shallow breathing, high bodytemperature (106°F or higher), rapid pulse, skin may be hot and dry.

o First Aid – Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Call 911! Until EMSarrives you can move the a cooler environment, reduce body temperaturewith cool compresses, and do NOT give fluids.

When in doubt, call us out!!

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911 – Where is Your Emergency?Our community based Fire and EMS need YOUR help. In an emergency, the two

most important questions asked are 1) where is your emergency, and 2) what is youremergency? These two pieces of information are vital to getting the RIGHT emergen-cy services to the RIGHT location in a REASONABLE amount of time. In 90% of ourpriority one calls, such as heart attack, stroke, house fire, etc, our goal is to be by yourside within ten minutes of the call for help. However, once the address is obtainedfrom the dispatcher, actually locating the address at times can present a challenge.

Your chances of surviving a cardiac arrest are reduced by 7% to 10% eachminute you have to wait for EMS to arrive (Source: The American Heart Association).According to the National Safety Council, over 100,000 people die each year becausehelp did not arrive on time. Homeowners, or their alarm companies, often call firedepartments at the first whiff of smoke or the smell of something burning, so,in mostcases, the fire has not flamed outside the structure making it visible where firefighterscan immediately find your address.

Locating an address in Bulverde-Spring Branch can often be challenging andsometimes impossible, even in the daytime, and it is especially stressful at night. Ouremergency responders recognize when a life or a home is at risk and that secondsoften make all the difference. Imagine the stress that is felt as they drive up and downa pitch black street trying to find the right number on a rock, or on an unlit mailbox,or a metal pig, or numbers on a house which are 80 feet off the road. GPS equipmenthelps the rescue personnel arrive within close proximity, but they rely upon addressnumbers to verify that they are at the right house.

There is a solution. The fire department makes double-sided REFLECTIVEsigns, which show up like a beacon in the night, saving valuable time. There is a $25fee for the sign, which includes delivery, and installation on a small metal pole at yourhome. By partnering with theemergency responders, youplay a vital role in getting theright emergency services toyour side when you need usthe most. Please call Jo Zue-rcher at 830-228-4220 or visither at the Central Fire/EMSStation located at 353 RodeoDrive to order your sign today.

During daylight hours, both address number makers are easilyspotted, but notice the difference in a nighttime situation. Theimportance of having an address marker visible during dayand night is very clear!

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