North Shore Fire/Rescue Weekly Update

Thank You!

The Department is happy to report that the Center for Public Safety Excellence's Peer Review Team has completed it's site visit as part of the Department's re-accreditation process. The team is recommending to the Commission on Fire Accreditation International that the Department be re-accredited for five additional years. The Department will appear before the Commission on January 21, 2021 for final review.

Thank you to all of you for your support and work. The accreditation process looks at every aspect of the Department, so this process is a reflection on everyone and everything that is part of our organization.

The Peer Review Team will provide a list of recommendations that the Department should consider implementing over the next five years as part of it's final report. Once those recommendations are finalized, those will be released and disseminated.

I once again would like to recognize Assistant Chief Andrew Harris, the Department's Accreditation Manager, and Administrative Coordinator Kerry Wenzel for their work and dedication to this process.

Robert

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Weekly Update

Department Staff was focused on the re-accreditation efforts this week and completing open enrollment processes for employee benefits for 2021.
The Department is actively communicating with the State of Wisconsin about enrolling as an entity wishing to deliver COVID-19 Vaccine for our staff as part of Phase1A of the State's Vaccination Plan.
Video for a virtual tour of Shorewood Station 83 will be filmed on Monday November 23. The Department hopes to have a video tour available for public viewing by the end of December.

Staying Mentally Healthy During Challenging Times

A Message from the Department's Peer Support Team

This year has been extremely stressful and exhausting with the COVID-19 Pandemic. The other day I heard the term, "Pandemic Fatigue." It resonated with me and I think that many people can relate. We're more than ready for things to get back to some sense of normalcy. As we approach the end of the year, we tend to reflect on how difficult it has been at times. On top of our normal job stressors, personal stressors, we've had to deal with stressors that come with this virus. It can and has consumed our every day lives, affecting many of the decisions we make. This can be difficult to cope with on a daily basis. The holidays are upon us and can also contribute to the three major stressors: Friends, Family and Finances. We cannot be ignorant when it comes to Mental Health, it's absolutely common to be struggling with knowing how to react in this difficult time. According to the United States Fire Admin., there have been 76 Line of Duty Deaths this year. Another 45 plus from complications from the Coronavirus and this doesn't include those that have succumb to suicide. Nationally and locally we have seen first responders take their lives this year. ONE IS TOO MANY! We want you to know that we have the ability to help. Please, if you are struggling, reach out to our Peer Support Team. It's totally confidential and if not directly, reach out through a confidant and we can refer you to our Employee Assistance Program. Below is information from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Resources