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The Two Rivers Fire Department staffs a complement of 14 Paid on Call (POC) fire fighters. POC personnel have full time civilian jobs in our community. They are issued protective fire fighting turnout gear and keep this in their personal vehicles ready to make a response. POCs are dispatched by pager and respond directly to the fire or emergency scene from their home or place of employment. POCs train with full time personnel once each month. These training sessions are scheduled on two separate days; one in the evening and one in the afternoon to accommodate the various hours our POC personnel work.
POCs are required to be certified as Entry Level Fighters, according to State of Wisconsin criteria. This training is given to new recruits upon employment.
The Paid on Call program originated in 1985. These part-time fire fighters are a valuable resource of the Two Rivers Fire Department. Their response is critical in assuring safety and number of personnel required on the fire scene.
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The Two Rivers TRIAD in cooperation with the Two Rivers Police Department implemented the Victim Assistance Program on July 1, 1999. The development of this program came as a result of a drowning incident in Two Rivers and in that case and in many other sudden death cases preceding it, a void was recognized; a void between the needs of the family and the needs of law enforcement. This program assists family members of the victims of instances such as sudden deaths, drowning, and suicides. Victim Assistance Volunteers work with surviving family members to provide emotional support, help in the exchange of information, or assist in contacting family members.
The Two Rivers Police Department is required to respond to incidents such as sudden deaths, drowning, and suicides as a part of the normal operations of police service. In each of these cases, police officer(s) are assigned to investigate. In many cases however, the survivor is elderly, faces many obstacles, or may have questions regarding procedures. Survivors may not understand the investigative process or what needs to be done and may find themselves alone or without other family. The police officers find themselves split between the requirements of their investigation and the needs and questions of the survivors. This is where the Victim Assistance Program is a valuable resource. When the officer determines there is a need for assistance, a victim assistance volunteer is notified and responds to help the family.
Victim Assistance Volunteers are on-call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Volunteers carry a cellular phone that is used to notify the member that the police department and surviving family members are requesting their assistance. Upon notification, the volunteer contacts police dispatch and is provided with information and directions to the scene. Once the volunteer arrives, he/she works with the victim(s) to give that emotional support that is so important during these critical times. Volunteers assist in exchanging information between the police or other agencies and family. In many cases volunteers also assist in contacting other family members. Victim Assistance Volunteers who are on-call are provided with a resources kit that assists them in carrying out their duties
Victim Assistance Program members have received training on how to handle the various cases in which they may be called upon to assist. Volunteers receive at least eight hours of initial training with periodic refresher training. Some of the guidelines the volunteers must follow are that they: be compassionate; be good listeners; must never offer advice; are not prejudice; and, most importantly, that they keep matters in confidence. What is seen or heard by a victim assistant during the course of their assistance efforts is held in strict confidence.
If you would like more information on the Victim Assistance Program or are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact the Two Rivers Police Department at (920) 793-1191, TRPOLICE@two-rivers.org, or TRIAD@two-rivers.org.
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During the different phases of construction various inspections are required.
Ispections may be scheduled by contacting the Inspections Department.
Examples of required inspections:
1. Footings prior to placing concrete for new structures
2. Foundation inspection prior to backfill
3. Rough-in framing prior to insulating or covering walls
4. Electrical inspection prior to covering electrical work
5. Plumbing inspection prior to covering work
6. Insulation and vapor barrier prior to wall finish
7. Final inspection
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The City of Two Rivers Municipal Code requires property owners to obtain permits prior to making repairs, alterations or improvements to their property. Listed below are the types of permits issued by the Inspections Department:
1. Building Permit: New commerical, industrial and residential construction; additions, alterations, repairs, moving or demolition to residential or nonresidential structures.
2. Electrical Permit: New installations, service changes, additions, alterations of any electrical wiring and equipment associated with a structure or project.
3. HVAC Permit: New installation or replacement of heating and cooling equipment; additions or alterations to distribution systems.
4. Plumbing Permit: Plumbing permits for new installations, additions, alterations of any plumbing or equipment associated with a structure or project.
Permits are not required for minor repairs or alterations costing less than $500 which do not change the occupancy, area, structural strength, fire protection, exits, lighting or ventilation of a structure.
Examples of improvements that typcially do not require a permit:
1. Interior or exterior painting
2. Installation of draperies or blinds
3. Installation of carpet or resilient floor covering
4. Uncovered patios at grade
5. Changing fixtures and outlets, such as lights and switches
Please contact the Inspections Department at 920-793-5566 if you have questions prior to starting your project.
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Plan review is conducted by a Certified Plan Examiner after application for a building permit is submitted.
Plans for commercial, industrial, institutional or multi-family structures may require State approval prior to being submitted to the City for permits.
In addition, Site, Architectural and Landscaping Plans should be submitted for Plan Commission approval for projects listed above. Please contact the Zoning Administrator for details.
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Overview
Juvenile firesetting is a serious problem, regardless of the child’s motivation for the fire start. Firesetting can begin at a very early age and may continue into adulthood. Recognizing youth firesetting early, and taking appropriate corrective measures can greatly reduce the risk of future firesetting incidences. Prevention, education and intervention are keys to reducing the problem and a youth firesetter program can provide an avenue for all three.
Youth firesetter intervention programs identify, evaluate and attempt to treat youth firesetters and their families, with the hope of preventing any recurrence of firesetting.
For the majority of youths, firesetting is a behavioral problem that can be corrected with a combination of education and/or psychological counseling.
Introduction
It is the policy of the Two Rivers Fire Department to provide such a service to the parents or legal guardians of young firesetters who reside in the City of Two Rivers in the interest of decreasing the incidents of firesetting. Requests for services may come in a number of ways. The child’s parent(s) or legal guardian, the school or the police may contact the fire department seeking assistance in dealing with a firesetting youth. Some youths will come to our attention through Social Services or the Juvenile Justice system, while other youths are directly referred because of a fire department response to a fire set by a youth.
Interviews are conducted to determine whether the firesetting behavior was accidental, curiosity or symptomatic of deeper problems. Educational intervention will be utilized for the accidental and curiosity firesetter. When firesetting behavior is determined to be indicative of more serious problems, referral to specialized health care professional agencies will be recommended.
The Two Rivers Fire Department Youth Firesetter Program is a multi-level approach to the education and/or treatment of identified juveniles involved in firesetting behaviors. The program is adaptable for pre-school ages through teens. Participation is voluntary except for those referred by the juvenile authorities. The program consists of five parts, each phase has a unique role in the process, yet all are interconnected.
The five parts are:
Identification
Identification is what brings the child to our attention. A juvenile firesetter may come to the attention of the fire service in a number of ways. The child’s parent or caregiver, the school or the police may contact the fire service seeking assistance with a firesetting youth involved in an incident. Some juveniles will come to the attention of the fire service directly through a fire department’s response to a fire set by a youth, or if a child has been linked to a fire through an investigation, they may be referred to the program by the juvenile court.
Education
Regardless of the reason for a child setting a fire, education is perhaps the most important aspect of the program and is almost always appropriate. Because children are growing and changing daily, they respond well to educational intervention strategies. The goal is to provide fire safety education to the family so that they develop fire competent behaviors and avoid participation in unsupervised fire starts. Parents must be as much a part of the process as the child, since we can not expect the child to use fire in an appropriate manner when his/her primary role models (parents) may be demonstrating the incorrect methods several times a day. The parent may need as much, or more education than the child.
Preventative fire safety education, delivered to the children through the school system, has the greatest potential for educating firesetters. Many firesetters know how to stop, drop, and roll, crawl low under smoke, feel the door, test their smoke detector, make an escape plan, and many other survival skills. But survival skills emphasize what to do after a fire has occurred. Firesetter intervention emphasizes how to avoid the inappropriate use of fire to prevent an incident from ever occurring.
Assessment
Once the juvenile firesetter has been identified to the fire service, contact with the parent or legal guardian is necessary to inform them about the department’s program and offer assistance in dealing with their child’s firesetting behavior. This is often accomplished during a brief telephone conversation with the parent(s). At this time the parent is interviewed to gain background information on the child and family history.
A description of the firesetter program is provided, clearly outlining the scope of the program. It is stated that the program is designed to address the child’s firesetting behavior through education ,and if necessary, referral to an appropriate health care professional. Special emphasis shall be noted that the program offers fire safety education only and that any counseling or therapy is conducted by professionals outside the program.
An appointment is set up in which the child and the entire family is invited to attend. The educational approach utilizes the entire family as a support group for the firesetter and requires their involvement in its success.
The meeting starts with a screening and evaluation process conducted with the child and family. Interview schedules designed to provide the program with systematic methods of evaluation are used. A series of questions are asked of the firesetting youth and their families in personal interviews. The application of these interviews yield information regarding the severity of the firesetting problem and provides preliminary data on the psychosocial environment of the youth and their family. These interview schedules yield a quantifiable method for classifying the severity of the firesetting problem and for recommending specific types of intervention.
Youth participating in fire play and firesetting behavior motivated by accident, curiosity or experimentation can be identified and educated to reduce the likelihood of their future involvement in unsupervised fire starts. Early intervention through education is the major focus of our program. Lesson plans developed with the use of videos, booklets, props, and activity sheets are utilized to educate the child and their family.
Referral
When a family’s problems extend beyond the expertise of the fire service, a referral to a professional outside the firesetter program is necessary. Recurrent firesetters frequently experience significant psychological and social conflict and turmoil related to their firesetting activities. Core intervention services involve mental health agencies and professionals, parenting classes, the probation and juvenile justice system, or other appropriate services.
Follow-up
Success can be measured in many ways and no program can be successful without evaluation. Follow-up is an essential part of any juvenile firesetter program. Recidivism, or repeat behavior, can largely determine the success of the intervention. However, we must not believe that because the family has not called or that we have not responded to a fire in their home, that the intervention has been successful. This can only be accomplished by contacting the family. A follow-up questionnaire provides a means of evaluating the effectiveness of the intervention from the family’s perspective. It answers questions of what worked well and what did not. Information gathered during the follow-up process is vital for directing future intervention.
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As part of their high school education, students from Two Rivers High School and Roncalli High School leave school during their regular class sessions to participate in fire department activities. They shadow the fire fighter/paramedics and are involved in the same activities that are normally conducted during any given day. They respond on ambulance and fire apparatus and accompany fire department personnel as an observer. They participate in many non-emergent activities and are limited to their involvement in emergencies.
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The School Resource Officer Program has been an important part of the Police Department's Administrative Services Division since 1983. In 1988 the SRO position took on additional responsibilities with the start of the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program in the City of Two Rivers. The SRO provides D.A.R.E. instruction to all 5th grade students in the Two Rivers Public Schools and Two Rivers Catholic Central. Beginning with the 2003-2004 school year the SRO's began providing D.A.R.E. instruction to Middle School age students.
The SRO is a patrol officer assigned to special duties which include; being a law enforcement resource to the young citizens of our community while in a school setting. This is accomplished through classroom presentations and one on one consultation with the students. He/She is also a resource to all Two Rivers Public and Parochial School students and Staff.
The primary focus of the SRO Program is to divert juveniles from the formal justice system when possible and if in the best interest of the child. The basic function is to educate our young citizens in an effort to prevent crime and portray a positive role model. Other duties include investigating reports of criminal activities of students, and follow-up investigations on reports of students who may be victims of crime.
The SRO's work closely with the respective school principals and counselors to resolve problems within the officer's jurisdiction and scope of duty.
The SRO Offices are located at L B. Clarke Middle School and Two Rivers High School. The current SRO's are Officer Monty Greene and Officer Melissa Arps. Officer Greene can be reached by calling L B. Clarke Middle School (920)-794-1614, Ext. 4107 or by calling the Two Rivers Police Department. Officer Arps can be reached by calling Two Rivers High School (920) 793-7187 or by calling the Two Rivers Police Department.
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Technical College students enrolled in fire fighting and paramedic classes are able to participate in activities related to their studies. The intern program is similar to the shadow program with the exception being their involvement in emergency responses. Interns are able to perform the same medical procedures and fire fighting practices that the city fire fighter/paramedics do. The technical college programs require students to have actual "hands on experience" as a fire fighter or paramedic. They put in a prescribed number of hours at the fire department as part of their school cirriculum.
Our intern program has had a very positive effect on many students who have participated here. Plus it helps them prepare for their chosen profession.
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Law Enforcement Exploring is a worksite-based program for young men and women who have completed the eighth grade and are 14 years of age, or are 15 years of age but have not yet reached their 21st birthday.
For more information contact TRPD Explorer Post Advisor, Officer Melissa Arps at 920-793-1191 (ask to leave voice message for her).
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