The Bolivar Fire Department's duties, goals, and mission can be summarized into two words: 

Be Nice. 

This statement has three specific points, in the following order:
1) Be nice to ourselves by making sure all operations are conducted safely.
2) Be nice to others by helping people in need.
3) Be nice to stuff by preserving and protecting property.

The Bolivar Fire Department responds to help whenever called.  Some things the Fire Department might be found doing includes:  Putting out house fires, putting out business fires, putting out outside fires, helping at car accidents, mitigating a hazardous materials spill, traffic control, teaching children fire and home safety, hosting other area fire departments for training classes, going to other area fire departments for training classes,

Some specific items the department has done to follow the three be nice points are:

Be nice to ourselves:
    We are developing an integrated Personnel Accountability and Incident Management (PA/IM) System.  This is an ongoing and difficult task.   Imagine counting a truck-load of colored marbles spilled on a highway as semi's are driving by at 65mph.  This is similar to keeping track of volunteers while responding, on scene, and departing an incident.  This is exactly what this system will do soon.  We started with a one tag system, then a six tag system, now we have three tags.  Each member has three colored tags with their service number engraved on them.  The Yellow tag goes the the Incident Commander (IC) to have a simple roll-call of personnel on scene.  The Red tag goes the the IC and grouped into teams for specific tasks such as ventilation, water supply, and fire attack.  The Blue tag goes to that individuals direct supervisor.  The only person on scene with their own tags is the IC.  The IC has everyone's Yellow, Red, and several Blue tags.  The IC manages teams by communicating with that teams supervisor (or the Blue tag).  Each supervisor has their team-member's Blue tags and must keep track of those in their team.   If an emergency happens, the IC can call each of their supervisors (Blue tags) and if each of those supervisors has account of their team (Blue tags), everyone on scene is accounted for.  If an individual or team is lost, the supervisor and/or IC knows who, how many, and probable location of that team or individual.  This system is not perfect ... yet.  We will get it suited for us soon.  If you have an suggestions or questions please email the group or the PA/IM committee. 
    We are trying to design a new patch for the fire department.   If you have any suggestions, please email the group.  The current contender for the new design is shown on the top left of these pages.  On the left below is our old patch, and on the right are some examples of other area departments.

Be nice to others:
    We are taking on more emergency response roles such as motor vehicle accidents.
    We are trying to start a technical rescue team for confined space, high angle, and trench rescues.
    We are looking into manning the station during the day in the near future to do more public service such as teaching and inspections. 

Be nice to stuff:
    Our new engine has foam capability which helps us use less water when fighting a fire in an area that is inaccessible.
    We are looking into manning the station during the day in the near future to do more preventative maintenance to our equipment. 

Incident Statistics:
   Based on incident reports dated back to 1973, here is some data obtained:
        The most calls occurred in the month of May.
        The most calls occurred on the 5th day of any month.
        The most calls occurred on Wednesday or Friday.
        The most calls occurred between 10am and 11am.
        The most calls occurred when there was no moon.
        The average response time was 5 minutes.
        The average time on scene was 1 hour and 39 minutes.
        The most calls occurred in the South-West quarter of town.
        The most calls occurred in a residential occupancy.
        The most calls were phoned into the police department.
        The most calls were fires, as opposed to haz-mat, ems, training, etc.
        An average of one (1) fire truck responded with ten (10) firefighters.
        The most calls were caused by failure of equipment.

12/09/01