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Fire department reports response-times, MIH work and approves two captain promotions
Summary
The Bloomington Fire Department reported February run volumes and response-time metrics, described prevention and mobile integrated health efforts that aim to reduce hospital readmissions, and the Board approved two promotions to fire captain effective March 17, 2025.
The Board of Public Safety on March 18 heard a Bloomington Fire Department report that described February operational figures, prevention and training activity, and the department's Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) work to reduce hospital readmissions. The board also approved two promotions to fire captain effective March 17.
A fire department representative said February calls included an increase in falls-related runs and that the department has handled 1,075 calls year to date. "February runs, we had 500 falls, 4% more than we had a year ago and 34% higher than what we had in 2020," the fire department representative said. The presenter said 86% of runs are inside the city and 14% on campus. The first engine met the department's under-4-minute arrival goal 56% of the time; battalion chiefs review late arrivals to determine causes such as traffic or construction.
Prevention and inspection work continues: the department said it is 12% of the way to the year's inspection goal for commercial entities (target 2,250 inspections), noting Bloomington has roughly 3,800 commercial locations. Training was highlighted: recruits completed live-burn drills at the burn tower on South Walnut and the recruit academy has conducted multiple live-fire evolutions. The department reported monthly training totals and a year-to-date figure toward an annual goal of 42,000 training hours.
The MIH program was discussed as part of the department's community-health work. Staff described partnerships with hospitals to track readmissions and to provide follow-up care, including vital-sign checks and connections to doctors and home health services. The fire department representative said the program has helped reduce repeat hospital returns by bridging discharge gaps, and that the program coordinated with agencies including Meals on Wheels, Ivy Tech and township trustees to provide services and donated carbon-monoxide detectors to households. "When we talk about the agencies that were utilized... the team started a Bloomington safe at home initiative," the fire department representative said.
Personnel notes included recruit counts, anticipated lateral transfers, and four personnel on light duty with two expected to return soon. The department announced two promotions: Victor Vollrath (from fire chauffeur to fire captain) and Matt Andrews (from fire chauffeur to fire captain), both effective March 17, 2025.
The board moved to promote Victor Vollrath; after a second, a voice vote was taken. The board chair called for all in favor and the motion passed by voice vote with no opposition recorded. The board then moved to promote Matt Andrews; after a second, the motion passed by voice vote with no opposition recorded.
Ending: Department staff said they will continue prevention, training and MIH efforts and return as needed with additional personnel or program updates.
