Hanover’s 2020 fire report highlights over 10,000 hours of training and response time.
Chief Jeff Dentinger recently presented his annual report to Hanover Council. (Feb 18)
His report describes 2020 as “A year of unprecedented challenges,” remarking that while the pandemic created some difficulties, it also offered new opportunities for improved personal protective equipment, methods for service, and “Constantly challenged staff to think ‘outside of the box.'”
Dentinger says, “COVID-19 stretched our service, but our firefighters handled it with dedication, determination and caring. The commitment of our firefighters never wavered, and never faltered. It is due to its dedicated, skilled and knowledgeable firefighters that this department was able to continue to provide a high level of service, 24 hours a day.”
Dentinger’s stats say firefighters completed over 10,850 hours of training and response time.
They responded to 171 emergency calls, and spent 1,594 personnel hours on scene with 9,263 personnel hours dedicated to training and meetings.
Dentinger says the average response time was 8.2 minutes within the municipality for 911 calls to the department.
He also highlights the completion of a 3rd party audit of Swift Water Rescue Operations and Training procedures, as well as a three-year training plan consistent with National Fire Protection Association.
The department also increased the number of members on the Critical Incident Stress Management Team and implemented new high angle rescue protocols to maintain a focus on industry standards.
Dentinger says donations to the fire department totaled over $15,000 from various business and personal
sources.