FY2012 Arlington Fire Department Annual Report FY 2012 | Page 20

Newsletter Title

Page 20

AFD Launches a Campaign Against West Nile Virus
Summer of 2012 brought more than
heat and drought. An outbreak of the
West Nile Virus in North Texas
presented a challenge to our Medical
Operations section. The West Nile
Virus is carried and spread by mosquitoes. By working
closely with other City departments, we coordinated the
response and successfully launched a campaign to help
inform citizens about the virus and how best to help
control the mosquito population. In addition, AFD’s
Office of Emergency Management team posted daily
updates about the number of WNV cases present in
the city and surrounding areas. AFD crews
distributed flyers providing information about what
citizens should do to defend themselves against the
virus. AFD’s aggressive management of the WNV
issues helped minimize its impact on the community.

AFD’s Prevention/EOD
Canine Team Continues
to Build an Exceptional
Reputation
In FY2012, AFD’s Explosive
Ordnance Detection Canine Team
continued as one of the best in the
United States. The team consists
of seven specially-trained handlers
and their EOD dogs. Two of our
handlers and their EOD Canines
were requested to help sweep the
venue for this year’s Republican
National Convention in Florida.
Brickman, AFD’s first canine, will be
retiring in early FY2013. His
replacement will be here in April.
Our canine teams have made
Arlington a much safer place to live,
work and play.

DUTY

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HONOR

Working Together to Make Arlington Better.

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COMPASSION
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EXCELLENCE