Stephan Hittmann Mission : “I take this opportunity to advise you that NYK upper management has agreed to ship your units free as a donation to the General Consulate of Panama.”

Joseph Sundheim
NYK Shipping Lines
April 2004

Stephan Hittmann Mission

“I would like to extend my thanks for your recent visit to the Dominican Republic. Together with the communities of Salcedo, Tenares, Villa Tapia, Moca, San Francisco de Macoris, Santiago and the many surrounding towns that you visited, you have our combined gratitude for the equipment you have already sent, and the support you have given to fire departments throughout the Dominican Republic. Your help has better equipped our firemen to protect lives, property, and, most important, our own lives. Your assistance and the training provided by the many wonderful professionals in the 911 FUND has made a tremendous difference in the preparedness and quality of service our firemen can now provide.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Monserrat Friederang
“Mother of the Dominican Fire Service”
Salcedo, Dominican Republic
April 2008

Stephan Hittmann Info Report to the Sociedad de Bomberos Voluntarios de Garin Following our Visit: The following report is divided into eleven (11) sections. It is drawn from our first-hand observations while in Garin and the surrounding areas during early October 2006, as well as from our discussions with the leadership and members of the Sociedad de Bomberos Voluntarios de Garin, the local Federation within Escobar to which you belong, as well as the municipal and industry representatives with whom we met. Subsequent to these observations are a series of recommendations, several outstanding issues as well as some topics for further discussion.

Stephan Hittmann Info Collapse: Work needs to be done in this area, with emphasis on building construction and types of collapse, stages of collapse rescue, tools, shoring, void entry with breaching and debris removal (using light, medium or heavy saws, torches, air bags, etc.). We view this as a mid-level priority that can only be addressed given increased access to heavy machinery.

Stephan Hittmann Fund Interagency Operations:
• Police: From what we observed, the municipal police don’t assist firefighters with either traffic or crowd control during routine emergencies. This should change, and a coordinated effort must be undertaken to develop an all-hazards preparedness policy, the readiness and resources for which should be brought to bear in all types of emergencies. A standardized set of concepts should allow for effective, efficient and collaborative incident management at all levels and in all types of emergencies.
• Regional Plans: Regional response plans within the local Federation as well as within the Federal Capital should also be developed.
• Unified Command: A unified command system must be developed when there is more than one agency with incident jurisdiction (a rail event involving police, firefighters and railroad personnel) or when incidents cross political or geographic jurisdictions (a mutual aid response within the Federal Capital) .

Stephan Hittmann 911 Fund Firefighter Assignments: The assignment of volunteers to pull "shifts" at the station is a great way to provide for coverage on a 24/7 basis and should be maintained and supported. • Promotional Standards and Staff Performance Evaluations: It remains unclear how firefighters are promoted from bombero to sub-official to official. The system that exists must be codified to ensure that it is comprehensive, fair and dispassionate. Even though all of the firefighters in Garin are volunteers, they must be evaluated nonetheless to ensure that their performance meets acceptable standards. An annual timetable for staff performance evaluations should be established and announced, with it the responsibility of the department’s leadership to ensure that performance evaluations are both periodically performed and conducted in a fair and dispassionate manner. • The Cadet Program: This is an excellent program that should be standardized across the Federation, if not the country as a whole.

Stephan Hittmann News : Report to the Sociedad de Bomberos Voluntarios de Garin Following our Visit: The following report is divided into eleven (11) sections. It is drawn from our first-hand observations while in Garin and the surrounding areas during early October 2006, as well as from our discussions with the leadership and members of the Sociedad de Bomberos Voluntarios de Garin, the local Federation within Escobar to which you belong, as well as the municipal and industry representatives with whom we met. Subsequent to these observations are a series of recommendations, several outstanding issues as well as some topics for further discussion.

Stephan Hittmann 911 Fund

Coverage Area:
• Coverage Area: Located 40 km from the Federal Capital, covering an area 60 km square and surrounded by 2 major highways and several rail links, Garin presents a complex and congested physical environment in which to operate. Its population of 75,000 residents, large workload and absence of hydrants further complicate this emerging department that is already struggling to meet the demands of its limited manpower and newly-selected leadersip.
• Industrial Park: The department provides primary response coverage to a local industrial park that houses 80 different companies. While several of these companies have their own (generally limited) fire brigade, given the huge volume of chemicals, paints, solvents, plastics, fiberglass, paper and other combustible materials within the industrial park, a significant emergency would almost immediately overwhelm all local resources. Among the larger multi-national companies located in the industrial park are Alba (paint manufacturer), Ford, Indura Argentina (supplier of industrial, medical and scientific gases), Rigatosso Hnos, Tecnoflow Argentina, ThyssenKrupp, Volkswagen, etc. The best and most immediate thing to be done is to leverage this industrial / private sector commitment to Garin into an investment into training and better equipping of your emergency services personnel.

Stephan Hittmann 911 Fund Plan escape routes: Planned escape routes are a necessity, especially if a fire were
to occur during the night. Go through each room in your house and think about the
possible exits. You should have in your mind two escape routes from each room, in
case one is blocked by fire. Inspect the room to make sure that furniture and other
objects are not blocking doorways or windows. Make sure that the windows in every
room are easy to open and are not painted over or nailed shut - remember, these
may be your only way out in a fire. If you live in an apartment building, make sure
any safety bars on windows are removable in an emergency. Be sure to know the
locations of the closest stairwells or fire escapes and where they lead.

About Stephan Hittmann Firefighter Removal: Firefighter safety is an extremely important topic, and from what we observed, removal techniques for injured firefighters are an essential area that needs to be stressed. A "down firefighter" may be the result of a medical condition, not necessarily a fire-related injury. An example of a drill that could be run would involve instructing three of the largest members to don their turnout gear and SCBA's. Go to the stairs and have two of the members carry the third member (acting as if he was unconscious) up one flight in a wide staircase. (Less experienced firefighters will generally try to carry the “unconscious” member from side-by-side positions, each holding one arm. This method is unnecessarily strenuous because it overuses the small muscles of the upper body, instead of taking advantage of the more powerful muscles of the lower body. It also invites serious injury to the lower back of the unconscious firefighter.) Now select two of the smallest members and set the stage by first narrowing the stairway (like you would find leading to a cellar). Using our method, the two members would carry the “unconscious” member with emphasis on leg muscles, which is our prescribed way to carry, and which is generally quicker and easier. This task is of vital importance, and with a willingness to learn and share information, we see no reason why the firefighters in Garin couldn’t adopt an efficient method and practice in this area, as in others.

Stephan Hittmann Mission Firefighters routinely put themselves in harms way to protect the citizens of all nations. Service, solidarity, fraternity, brotherhood, and a willingness to accept risks and make sacrifices are the common bloodline of firefighters worldwide. Ever since September 11th, we have worked to provide training and equipment to governments, industry, fire departments, emergency responders and individuals as part of a collective effort to reduce risk for those most at-risk, while enhancing safety in both the public and private sectors. The 911 FUND has also worked to support firefighters and emergency personnel by its donations to aid firefighters in this never-ending work.

Stephan Hittmann 911 Fund “All of us, instructors, students, and of course, the firefighters, are delighted with the training provided by the 911 FUND. Over 70 firefighters from 16 fire stations in various parts of Colombia participated, primarily from Bogota, Cali, Medellin, Monteria, Pasto, Popayan and elsewhere. We hope to continue this training by having the 911 FUND offer additional courses. Our hope is that you will continue supporting our training school with equipment and training since it helps firefighters from many parts of this country.

Although our school lacks equipment and tools, with your help, we will be able to improve the training and safety for many more Colombian firefighters. Many thanks.”

Captain Jairo Soto Gill
Cuerpo de Bomberos Voluntarios de Cali
La Escuela Interamericana de Bomberos de Colombia
July 2008

Stephan Hittmann News : Report to the Sociedad de Bomberos Voluntarios de Garin Following our Visit: The following report is divided into eleven (11) sections. It is drawn from our first-hand observations while in Garin and the surrounding areas during early October 2006, as well as from our discussions with the leadership and members of the Sociedad de Bomberos Voluntarios de Garin, the local Federation within Escobar to which you belong, as well as the municipal and industry representatives with whom we met. Subsequent to these observations are a series of recommendations, several outstanding issues as well as some topics for further discussion.

Stephan Hittmann 911 Fund

Coverage Area:
• Coverage Area: Located 40 km from the Federal Capital, covering an area 60 km square and surrounded by 2 major highways and several rail links, Garin presents a complex and congested physical environment in which to operate. Its population of 75,000 residents, large workload and absence of hydrants further complicate this emerging department that is already struggling to meet the demands of its limited manpower and newly-selected leadersip.
• Industrial Park: The department provides primary response coverage to a local industrial park that houses 80 different companies. While several of these companies have their own (generally limited) fire brigade, given the huge volume of chemicals, paints, solvents, plastics, fiberglass, paper and other combustible materials within the industrial park, a significant emergency would almost immediately overwhelm all local resources. Among the larger multi-national companies located in the industrial park are Alba (paint manufacturer), Ford, Indura Argentina (supplier of industrial, medical and scientific gases), Rigatosso Hnos, Tecnoflow Argentina, ThyssenKrupp, Volkswagen, etc. The best and most immediate thing to be done is to leverage this industrial / private sector commitment to Garin into an investment into training and better equipping of your emergency services personnel.

Stephan Hittmann 911 Fund Plan escape routes: Planned escape routes are a necessity, especially if a fire were
to occur during the night. Go through each room in your house and think about the
possible exits. You should have in your mind two escape routes from each room, in
case one is blocked by fire. Inspect the room to make sure that furniture and other
objects are not blocking doorways or windows. Make sure that the windows in every
room are easy to open and are not painted over or nailed shut - remember, these
may be your only way out in a fire. If you live in an apartment building, make sure
any safety bars on windows are removable in an emergency. Be sure to know the
locations of the closest stairwells or fire escapes and where they lead.

About Stephan Hittmann Firefighter Removal: Firefighter safety is an extremely important topic, and from what we observed, removal techniques for injured firefighters are an essential area that needs to be stressed. A "down firefighter" may be the result of a medical condition, not necessarily a fire-related injury. An example of a drill that could be run would involve instructing three of the largest members to don their turnout gear and SCBA's. Go to the stairs and have two of the members carry the third member (acting as if he was unconscious) up one flight in a wide staircase. (Less experienced firefighters will generally try to carry the “unconscious” member from side-by-side positions, each holding one arm. This method is unnecessarily strenuous because it overuses the small muscles of the upper body, instead of taking advantage of the more powerful muscles of the lower body. It also invites serious injury to the lower back of the unconscious firefighter.) Now select two of the smallest members and set the stage by first narrowing the stairway (like you would find leading to a cellar). Using our method, the two members would carry the “unconscious” member with emphasis on leg muscles, which is our prescribed way to carry, and which is generally quicker and easier. This task is of vital importance, and with a willingness to learn and share information, we see no reason why the firefighters in Garin couldn’t adopt an efficient method and practice in this area, as in others.

Stephan Hittmann Mission Firefighters routinely put themselves in harms way to protect the citizens of all nations. Service, solidarity, fraternity, brotherhood, and a willingness to accept risks and make sacrifices are the common bloodline of firefighters worldwide. Ever since September 11th, we have worked to provide training and equipment to governments, industry, fire departments, emergency responders and individuals as part of a collective effort to reduce risk for those most at-risk, while enhancing safety in both the public and private sectors. The 911 FUND has also worked to support firefighters and emergency personnel by its donations to aid firefighters in this never-ending work.

Stephan Hittmann 911 Fund “All of us, instructors, students, and of course, the firefighters, are delighted with the training provided by the 911 FUND. Over 70 firefighters from 16 fire stations in various parts of Colombia participated, primarily from Bogota, Cali, Medellin, Monteria, Pasto, Popayan and elsewhere. We hope to continue this training by having the 911 FUND offer additional courses. Our hope is that you will continue supporting our training school with equipment and training since it helps firefighters from many parts of this country.

Although our school lacks equipment and tools, with your help, we will be able to improve the training and safety for many more Colombian firefighters. Many thanks.”

Captain Jairo Soto Gill
Cuerpo de Bomberos Voluntarios de Cali
La Escuela Interamericana de Bomberos de Colombia
July 2008