_GbJanuary 31,2014
Honorable Philip K. Stoddard, Mayor
City of South Miami
6130 Sunset Drive
South Miami, FL 33143
Honorable Mayor Stoddard:
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department
Office oi the Fire Chiei
9300 N.W. 41 st Street
Doral, Florida 33178-2414
T 786-331-5000 F 786-331-5101
miamidade.gov
Enclosed is the annual report summarizing the services Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) provided
to the City of South Miami in 2013. MDFR's overall complement of front-line response apparatus
and personnel provides a depth of service unparalleled in the Southeast United States for the
benefit and protection of your community.
The City of South Miami's residents can rest assured that their fire-rescue services are delivered
by an Internationally Accredited Agency by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International
(CFAI). This honor makes MDFR one of only 187 agencies to achieve this status. MDFR is the
largest accredited fire-rescue department in the Southeast United States and the second largest in
the Nation.
As your Fire Chief, I would like to make a presentation to the City on the Department's
accomplishments, as well the challenges that lie ahead. Please contact Maria L. Reyes from my
office at 786-331-5253 to schedule the annual presentation with the City Council, or if you require
additional information. I am also committed to strengthening the bond between MDFR and the
residents of South Miami by providing ready access to community information, resources and
involvement opportunities. I have directed my Public Affairs Bureau to coordinate the dissemination
of monthly safety messages to your website or newsletter.
Enclosed is my contact information. I am always available to address any questions or concerns
that you or your residents may have regarding our services.
Respectfully,
~fl23
Dave Downey
Fire Chief
Enclosures
c: Steven Alexander, City Manager
Genaro "Chip" Iglesias, Deputy Mayor, Miami-Dade County
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department
Services to
The City of South Miami
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) originated as a single-
unit fire patrol in 1935. It has grown into the largest fire
rescue department in the Southeast and one of the top
ten largest in the nation. With a response territory of
1,905 square miles and a resident population of more
than 1.9 million, MDFR responds to more than 238,000
calls for assistance annually making it one of the busiest
departments in the nation. More than 2,350 employees
staff 139 front-line units throughout 66 fire rescue
stations and several administrative facilities serving
residents, businesses, and visitors 24 hours a day, 7
days a week, 365 days a year. In addition to providing
transport services through 53 front-line rescue units,
MDFR provides emergency air transport service within
Miami-Dade County to State-approved Trauma Centers
via two full-time rescue helicopters.
MDFR is considered one of the most elite fire rescue
departments in the country and is recognized around the
world for its exemplary service. Firefighters are skilled in
fire suppression technology, and advanced life support
(ALS) rescue units are capable of providing pre-hospital
care to heart-attack patients and stroke victims.
MDFR has more specialized response units than any
other fire-rescue department in the southeastern United
States. The department provides air-rescue transport
and airport rescue firefighting, ocean rescue, technical
rescue (vehicle extrication and confined-space rescue),
hazardous materials mitigation, and urban search and
rescue. The department also maintains the Florida
Antivenin Bank and provides inspections and code
enforcement services. MDFR also protects two
beaches: Haulover and Crandon, with a combination of
full-time and part-time professional lifeguards. Since
joining MDFR in 2003, the Ocean Rescue Bureau has
professionalized its staff, the way business is conducted
and built new lifeguard stations at both beaches.
MDFR distinguishes itself from other fire-rescue
departments in a number of areas. MDFR offers a
higher level of service providing more ALS suppression
units than most departments and a greater level and
grade of response staff. Over 90% of MDFR's units are
staffed and equipped to provide ALS services. MDFR
staffs four firefighters on suppression units and three
firefighter paramedics on rescue units.
MDFR is accredited by the Commission on Fire
Accreditation International (CFAI), which is part of the
Center for Public Safety Excellence, Inc. The department
is one of only 187 agencies to achieve this status by
CFAI and is now the largest accredited fire-rescue
department in the Southeast and the second largest in
the Nation.
The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is also
part of MDFR. OEM is accredited by the Emergency
Management Accreditation Program (EMAP). OEM
manages the County's Emergency Operation Center
(EOC), which coordinates emergency response and
recovery plans, decisions, and operations in order to
maximize the use of resources within Miami-Dade
County. In its effort to promote a disaster ready
community, OEM coordinates its activities with the
County's municipalities, non-profit social service and
medical care agencies, businesses, residents, and
visitors.
In Calendar Year 2013, MDFR re-built/opened two
stations. On March 4th , Model Cities Fire-Rescue Station
2 opened at its new location at 6460 NW 2yth Avenue.
This station houses the busiest ladder truck in the
County, two Advance Ufe Support (ALS) rescue units
and a battalion chief. The 12,038 square-foot triple bay
"green" station also includes a training tower and
classroom.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department
Services to
The City of South Miami
Doral North Fire-Rescue Station 69 was inaugurated on
October 31 st . This new 12,038 square-foot station
located at 11151 N.W. 74 Street, has three bays and can
accommodate up to 12 firefighters per shift and a
separate dormitory for a battalion chief. The station
houses a Hazardous Materials Unit, a Technical Rescue
Unit, ALS Rescue, and a Battalion Chief.
On January 30th, MDFR opened the new state-of-the-art
Regional Fire Rescue Communications Center at the
MDFR Headquarters in Dora!. The new 5,300 square-
foot facility comes equipped with the latest technology,
which allows fire-rescue dispatchers to view and send
the closest available fire-rescue apparatus to an
emergency.
MDFR was first in the nation to establish a Stroke Center
Coalition and Care Network for state-of-the-art stroke
care. In 2012, MDFR joined forces with local area
hospitals and other municipal fire rescue departments to
deploy one of the largest networks for the treatment and
transport of stroke victims in the country. According to
the Center for Disease Control someone suffers a stroke
every 40 seconds of the day. This translates into more
than 795,000 strokes annually in the United States
alone, with someone dying every 4 minutes; costing
more than 73 billion dollars each year for the treatment
of stroke victims.
MDFR's Advanced Life Support (ALS) Competition
Team won the 2013 Florida's Cup for acquiring the
highest cumulative scores at all of this year's ALS
competitions. In May, MDFR received the Excellence in
Fire Service-Based Emergency Medical Service (EMS)
Award from the Congressional Fire Services Institute
(CFSI) and the MedicAlert Foundation for the
development of a unique "Infection Control Program."
The Excellence in Fire-Service-Based EMS Award
recognizes best practices in EMS by fire departments in
the United States.
Through the efforts of MDFR, Miami Dade residents also
have the highest survival rates after a blocked coronary
artery in the nation. Over six years ago, MDFR
established the Miami-Dade STEMI (ST-Elevation
Myocardial Infarction) Network. STEMI, typically
referred to as a blocked coronary artery, is the leading
cause of death in the United States and the leading
cause of death for women in the United States.
Hospitals within the STEMI network are required to
restore blood flow to patient's blocked artery within 90
minutes from arrival of paramedics to the patient. This
timely intervention significantly reduces patient's
chances for permanent damage or death and increases
their likelihood for a normal quality of life. The STEMI
network has reduced the time it takes to restore blood
flow to a patient from approximately 2 hours and 15
minutes to 60 minutes.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department
Services to
The City of South Miami
On September 25th, MDFR and the Miami-Dade Parks,
Recreation and Open Spaces Department, celebrated
the opening of the state-of-the-art Haulover Lifeguard
Station at 10800 Collins Avenue in Miami Beach.
Marked by a landmark tower, reminiscent of the historic
lighthouse that once stood at the south end of the park,
the two-story, 10,500 square-foot facility accommodates
the needs of MDFR's Ocean Rescue with office space,
training room, a beach observation station, and a 5-bay
garage for storing lifeguard vehicles and equipment.
Everyday MDFR operations field personnel have
hundreds of opportunities to exceed customer
expectations while fulfilling our service demands.
MDFR's commitment to providing the highest quality
service to our community continuously fosters an
atmosphere of service excellence and constant
improvement. Employees routinely "go the extra mile"
for our customers. MDFR's Elder-Links program was the
result of a community need identified by our Operations
field personnel in 1995 to assist the elderly population.
The program received numerous accolades and became
a model for other emergency medical services
departments. Because of this program, scores of elderly
receive far more than traditional emergency medical
service. Operations field personnel responding to an
incident not only address a patient's immediate medical
treatment but also assess living conditions and needs.
These are MDFR's strengths, derived from personal
dedication to providing the very best fire-rescue service,
as confirmed by the expressed approval of those we
serve. We are individually committed and collectively
exemplify our mission: Always Ready, Proud to Serve.
MDFR continually challenges our employees to deliver
excellence every day and to strive for ways to better
assist you, our residents and customers.
To this end, MDFR has been measuring the quality and
effectiveness of our EMS service for the past five years,
The survey instrument (Attachment I), which is sent to
20% of MDFR EMS patients monthly, allows
respondents to rate the quality of their experience
between one (1) and five (5), with one being strongly
dissatisfied and five being strongly satisfied with the
service. Unlike other survey instruments used by Miami-
Dade County, this survey continuously monitors the
opinions of the service we deliver the prior month rather
than taking a "snapshot" of the service at a particular
time. The survey also provides the respondent a section
for additional comments. Overall, 12% of patients sent
surveys (or 3,795 respondents) have returned completed
surveys during calendar year 2013, rating MDFR's
services as follows for each question:
1) MDFR responded to your needs in a timely manner: 4.86
2) MDFR explained your treatment options to you: 4.79
3) MDFR treated you in a professional manner: 4.91
4) MDFR met your expectations when you requested
assistance: 4.88
The overall score from all respondents is 4.86. During
calendar year 2013, 29 residents from the City of South
Miami have rated MDFR with an overall score of 4.96,
expressing their satisfaction with the service provided by
MDFR.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department
Services to
The City of South Miami
The City of South Miami, located in the central part of
Miami-Dade County, spans an area of 2.30 square miles
and is bordered by the City of Coral Gables to the east,
the Village of Pinecrest to the south, Southwest 69
Avenue to the west, and Southwest 40 Street to the
north (Attachment II). The City incorporated in 1927
and has been part of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue
Service District since 1977 when its Fire Department
merged with MDFR. Based on 2011 U.S. Census data,
the City has a residential population of 12,028, with over
4,000 households.
During calendar years 2012 and 2013, MDFR
dispatched S,807 units to 3,862 emergency calls
received from the City of South Miami. Table I depicts
incidents MDFR responded to within the City during this
time period.
Table I
MDFR Responses to the City of South Miami
The City of South Miami is primarily served by MDFR's
South Miami Station 14 which provided 90% of the
responses into the City during 2013 as depicted in Table
II. Within the City of South Miami, MDFR has one (1)
station; one (1) Battalion Chief; one (1) rescue unit; and
one (1) suppression unit which is an ALS Engine.
Table"
MDFR Stations/Units responding into the City of South Miami
As depicted on Attachment II, an additional five (S)
stations are within two and a half (2.S) miles of the City
which house four (4) rescues; four (4) suppression units,
two of which are ALS Engines, one 60-foot ALS Aerial,
and one 7S-foot ALS Ladder; and two (2) specialty units,
one of which is an Air Truck and one Support Command
Vehicle. (Table III). These units exceed the NFPA
recommended for responding to both high and medium
occupancies.
Table '"
MDFR Stations Within Two and a Half Miles of the City of South
Miami
Miles to "
"
Name ' cityof Apparatus Staffing s6utli
Miinli
.. """
,
",'" '
Station 14· South Miami 0.00 AlS Engine ·1 2 FFJPARA
5860 SW 70 Street 2 FFJEMT
Rescue ·1 3 FFJPARA
Station 49 • Pinecrest 1.32 Rescue· 1 3 FFJPARA
10850 SW 57 Avenue
Station 3· Tropical Park 1.66 AlS Engine ·1 2 FFJPARA
3911 SW 82 Avenue 2FFJEMT
Rescue· 1 3FFJPARA
Station 23 • Suniland 2.02 75' ALS ladder ·1 2 FFJPARA
7825 SW 104 Street 2 FFJEMT
Rescue ·1 3 FFJPARA
Station 40 • West Miami 2.25 Rescue ·1 3 FFJPARA
975 SW 62 Avenue ALS Engine ·1 2 FFJPARA
2 FF/EMT
Station 13· East Kendall 2.33 Support Command Vehicle -1 1lT
6000 SW 87 Avenue 60' AlS Aerial-1 2 FF/PARA
2 FF/EMT
Air Truck-1 2 FF/EMT
Notes: FF/PARA = FIrefighter ParamedIc, FF/EMT = FIrefighter
Emergency Medical Technician
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department
Services to
The City of South Miami
MDFR's closest rescue unit is housed within the City of
South Miami at MDFR South Miami Station 14. MDFR's
next closest medical response unit is located 1.32 miles
south of the City at MDFR Pinecrest Station 49, which
houses one (1) Rescue.
As a result, within two and a half (2.5) miles of the City of
South Miami, MDFR has 13 front-line response units, ten
(10) of which are ALS units including five (5) rescues,
five (5) suppression units and one (1) Battalion Chief.
Daily there are 39 firefighters on duty, 26 which are
certified paramedics assigned to these units.
Structure Fires
Based on structure and unit information provided by the
Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser, the City of
South Miami has 2,960 single-family and duplex units,
2,098 multi-family and condo units, and 361 commercial,
industrial, and other structures. The majority of the
commercial, industrial, and other units would require a
high-hazard response to a structure fire incident in the
City. As a result, on an initial dispatch to a structure fire,
24 firefighters and two (2) command chiefs would be
required.
Based on MDFR's current dispatch protocol, MDFR
would dispatch three (3) suppression units, one (1) aerial
(platform, ladder or aerial), one (1) rescue, and one (1)
Battalion Chief, exceeding NFPA's recommended
dispatch to a structure fire at a medium-hazard
occupancy. If MDFR determines that it is a working fire,
MDFR also would dispatch another Battalion Chief, a
Safety Officer, an Air Truck, a Command Van and a Fire
Investigator to the incident. To a structure fire at a high-
hazard occupancy, MDFR's initial dispatch would also
surpass NFPA's recommended response. MDFR would
dispatch four (4) suppression units, two (2) aerials
(platform, ladder or aerial), two (2) rescues, and two (2)
Battalion Chiefs. MDFR would dispatch additional
support as noted to a working fire.
During 2013, MDFR dispatched more than 142
firefighters and 46 units to structure fire incidents in the
City of South Miami. For example, on September 26,
2012 MDFR dispatched 10 units, equating to 28
firefighters, three (3) Engines, one (1) Ladder, three (3)
Rescues, one (1) EMS Captain, and two (2) Battalion
Chiefs, to extinguish a fire located on 6701 SW 62
Avenue.
Similarly on May 25, 2013 MDFR dispatched nine (9)
units, equating to 26 firefighters, two (2) Engines, one (1)
Aerial, one (1) Ladder, one (1) Investigator, two (2)
Rescues, one (1) Air Truck, and one (1) Battalion Chief
to a fire located on 5861 SW 63 Court.
Medical Emergencies
NFPA Standard 1710 sets guidelines for service
response to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and fire
calls. ALS units should, 90 percent of the time, arrive at
an incident within eight (8) minutes of the time an EMS
call is received.
MDFR has 53 frontline rescue units, each staffed by
three (3) State of Florida certified paramedics. MDFR
offers patient transportation options. Patients with life-
threatening emergencies will be transported to the
closest appropriate medical facility within Miami-Dade or
Broward County. MDFR will transport patients without
life-threatening emergencies to the medical facility of
their choice. MDFR also has EMS Captains who act as
patient advocates in ensuring the timely transfer of
patients to Miami-Dade and Broward County medical
facilities.
Dear Valued Customer:
ATTACHMENT I
Page 1 of4
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department
Office of the Fire Chief
9300 N.W. 41st Street
Doral, Florida 33178-2414
T 786-331-5000 F 786-331-5101
mlamidade.gov
Recently, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (MDFR) had the opportunity to serve you in your time of need.
MDFR's mission is to protect people, property, and the environment by providing responsive
professional and humanitarian fire-rescue services essential to public health, safety, and well-
being. Our firefighter paramedics are dedicated to providing the best possible care to Miami-Dade
County's residents and visitors. In order to assure that we continue to achieve our mission and
improve our service to you, we value your opinion regarding your experience with MDFR. Please
take a few minutes to complete the brief survey and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.
Please visit us at www.miamidade.govlmdfrL to learn more about the specialized and diverse
services offered by MDFR as well as answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding fire-
rescue services.
As Fire Chief of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, I thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.
Your responses will ensure we continue to provide you the highest available level of care. As your
fire-rescue department we are Always Ready and Proud to Serve You.
Sincerely,
~:0-a-
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department
La traducci6n en espanol se encuentra en el reverso de esta carta.
Tanpri gade sou do let sa-a pou jwenn vesyon Kreyol la.
125~'iI"("J 211.1
Estimado cliente:
ATTACHMENT I
Page 2 of 4
EI Departamento de Bomberos y Rescate de Miami-Dade (MDFR, por sus siglas en ingles) tuvo la
oportunidad de prestarle sus servicios cuando usted los necesit6. Elobjetivo del MDFR es proteger
a los res/dentes, a las propiedades y al medio ambiente mediante la prestaci6n de servicios de
bomberos y rescate profesionales y humanitarios con respuesta a las necesidades de los res/dentes
del condado que son esenciales para la salud, la seguridad y bienestar publicos. Nuestros bomberos
y paramedicos se dedican a pres tar el mejor servicio posible a los residentes y visitantes del Condado
Miami-Dade. Para continuar realizando nuestros objetivos y mejorar aun mas nuestros servicios,
valoramos su opini6n sobre la experiencia que usted tuvo con el MDFR. Por favor sfrvase dediearle
unos minutos a lIenar la siguiente encuesta y por favor haganosla /legar en el sobre adjunto de
franqueo pagado.
Sfrvase acudir a www.m;amidade.govlmdfrlpara que se entere de mas detalles acerca de los diversos
servicios especializados que presta el MDFR asf como de las respuestas dadas a las preguntas que
se hacen con mas frecuencia sobre los servicios de bomberos y rescate.
Como Jere del Cuerpo de Bomberos y Rescate de Miami-Dade, Ie agradezeo eJ haberse tomado el
tiempo necesario para lIenar esta encuesta. Sus respuestas garantizaran que eontinuemos prestando
el nivel de atenci6n mas alto posible. Como su departamento de bomberos y rescate, nosotros
siempre estamos /istos y orgullosos de prestarle nuestros servicios.
Atentamente,
Dave Downey, Jefe del Cuerpo Bomberos y Rescate de Miami-Dade
Tre ehe kliyan:
Resamman, Depatman Ponpye ak Sekou Miami-Dade (MDFR) te jwenn opot/nite pou sevi w Ie w
te nan bezwen. Misyon MDFR se pou pwoteje pep la, pwopriyete yo, ak anviwonnman an nan bay
sevis sekou pwofesyonel rapid e imanite ki esansyel a sante pib/ik, sekirite ak byennet. Teknisyen
Medika/ljans Ponpye nou yo konsakre yo a bay pi bon kalite swen posib a rezidan ak vizite Konte
Miami-Dade yo. Pou asire ke nou kontinye akonp/i misyon nou ak ame/yore sevis nou ba w yo,
opinyon w de eksperyans w ak MDFR enpotan pou nou. Tanpri pran kelke minit pou ranpli yon ti
sondaj epi retounen nan anvlop deja tenbre ki akonpaye liya.
Tanpri ale sou www.miamidade.govlmdfrL pou aprann plis sou dives sevis ak sevis espesya/ize
MDFR ofri yo ak pou jwenn repons a kestyon ki poze pi souvan yo konsenan sevis ponpye ak sekou.
An/an Chef Ponpye Depatman Ponpye ak Sekou Miami-Dade, mwen remesye w pou tan w pou
ranpli sondaj sa-a. Repons w yo va as/re ke nou kontinye ba w pi bon kalite swen pos/b. Antan
depatman ponpye ak sekou, nou Toujou Pre ep/ Fye pou Nou Sevi w.
Ak tout respe,
Dave Downey, Chef Ponpye Depatman Ponpye ak Sekou Miami-Dade
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue
ATTACHMENT I
Page 3 of4
Survey n u Apercu
Directions: Please take a moment to answer this survey. Your responses will help MDFR improve services
we provide to Miami-Dade County residents. Your identity will remain anonymous unless you provide your
contact information at the bottom of this survey. The postage is paid; simply drop it in the mail. Thank You.
InstrucdOrlt!s: Sfrvase dedical' IInos rnillulos para cOlllesl"r ('5{<1 encueslil. Sus resplieslas ayucl<lr,ln ill
Departamenlo de Bmnhel'Os )' Rescale UvlDFR, SlI sigla en ingl('s) a mejorar los sel'vicios que proporciolliln
a los residellles del COlld,l(lo de Miami·Dade. Su idenlidad perl1lanecercl dllonimil, a no ser que usted
proveil sus dalos personales pilril ser contaclado. EI porle de corrC'os esl .. } pagado; solo liene que poner 1<1
enclIesla ell €'I buzon. Cr'lcids.
Direksyon: Tanpri pran yon ti rnoman pOll reponn a sondaj sa a. Repons w yo va ede MDFR amelyore
sevis yap bay rezidan I<onte Miami-Dade yo. Idantlte w ap ret sekre anmwenske w bay enfornasyon pOll
kontakte w anba paj sondaj la. Si w ta vie repons w yo rete sekre selman dekole etiket ki gen adres w a
anba paj la. Mesi.
1 = Strongly Disagree
2= Disagree
3= Neutral
4= Agree
5= Strongly Agree
J '''' En lolal dpsilcucnlo
I.:c: r n descl cllerdo
3:~ Nelll,..ll
II::: I.n .'lolerdo
!>:: Mil)' dc' aClferdo
1 = Vreman Padako
2= Padako
3= Neutre
4= Dako
5= Totalrnan Dako
MDFR responded to your needs in it timely manner.
,"IDFR aiendi6 SliS Ilecesidac/t's (1 licmpo.
MDFR treated you in a professional manner.
MDFR 10 Irill{) de forma pro(C'sional.
MDFR te reponn a bezwen w byen vit.
1 2 3 4 5
MDFR explained your treatment to YOll.
MlJFR Ie explic6 SlI Iralarnicmlo.
MDFR te esplike w tretman wyo.
1 234 5
OPTIONAU Of'ClON / PRfFfRf
Name/Ill Hl1lm>/nom
City" iwl,l(Vvil
emaillr.lI ... [) ('j,'[lnlllill'/imel
Ils_sr·"f, 1,09
MDFR te trete w avek respe.
1 2 345
MDFR met your expectations when YOll
reqllested assistance.
MDrR 1IC'1l6 sIrs ('XIH'Clilliv(lS ('11 d rnollwnlo
fllI(' lIslc~d solicil{) flsisl(~nciil.
MDFR pat desi w de sa w le atalll) deli Ie
w te mande asistans.
1 2 3 4 5
State/('~.I.tdr '/ela Zip/t r'lIligtl pml.tl/kod postal
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue
Survey ncuesta Apercu
ATTACHMENT I
Page 4 of 4
Please take a moment to provide additional comments within the space provided. If you wish to be
contacted, please provide your contact information on the front of this survey.
Sfrvase dcdkar lin llloll1cnlo de Sl/ licmpo pard proporciolldr informacion acliciol1al en cI espacio designado
abajo. Si listed dcse<l que se Ie conlaclc, "rovea SliS dalos persollillC's en 1,1 caril de esla encuesla.
Tanpri pran yon ti moman pou fe plis komante nan espas pi ba la a. Si w vIe yo kontakte w, tanpri ekri
non w, adres telefon ak imel w anba premye pa sondaj la.
MDFR Station Distances To
South Miami In Miles _. ___ ~:~o_~===F=:E_os~~~Oi~===
49 I 1.32
3 !I 1.66
23 2.02
40 I 2.25
13 I 2.33
Legend -~
MDFR Existing Station
MDFR Planned Station
C===:::I-Municipality
January 29, 2013
LC " GIS Solution Services GrouplETSD