The Community Fire Company No. 1 of Riegelsville, PA is proud to announce the purchase and upgrade of power hydraulic rescue equipment: The Company has recently accepted delivery of the following TNT Rescue Products: · * One (1) 6.5 HP Honda gasoline twin power unit. · * One (1) 3.0 HP Honda gasoline bantam power unit. · * One (1) two-stage hand pump for single operation. · * One (1) 32" super light spreader. · * One (1) BFC 320 7-3/4" high pressure C cutter with 320,000 pounds of cutting force. · * One (1) SL3027 7" super lightweight C cutter with 208,000 pounds of cutting force. · * One (1) CC20 primary cutter secondary spreader combo tool. · * One (1) CC30 primary spreader/secondary cutter combo tool. · * One (1) confined space cutter with remote control valve storage case. · * Two (2) 50" telescoping rams. · * Two (2) 25" telescoping rams. The reason for the switch from historic use of Hurst equipment to the TNT rescue equipment is primarily service, warranty and cost. Be aware that TNT Rescue Products is the only manufacturer of a tool that has 320,000 pounds of cutting force and, with the increase in technology and the high strength steel that is present in the 2008 model cars, I believe that Rescue Company 42 is one of the few companies that has this cutting force capability. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Winter Fire Safety Tips for You and Your Family |
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| KITCHEN COOKING SAFETY TIPS: Cooking was involved in an estimated 146,400 home structure fires in the United States in 2005, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) report. According to this report, cooking fires accounted for 40% of the home structure fires in 2005, and these cooking fires resulted in 480 deaths, 4,690 injuries, and $867 million in direct property damage. According to the NFPA report entitled "Home Fires Involve Cooking Equipment," cooking equipment left unattended was a factor in the ignition of 38% of home structure fires between 2002 and 2005. Unattended cooking was the leading contributing factor in home cooking fires, followed by combustibles too close to a heat source, and equipment being unintentionally turned on or not turned off. "Cooking results in more home fires and fire injuries in the United States each year, than anything else, and nearly all these fires can be prevented with a little extra care. Simply paying attention when you are cooking will keep your dinner and everything else from getting burned," according to Lorraine Carli, NFPA's Vice President of Communications. Home cooking fires peak between 5:00 P.M. and 7:00 P.M. Extra cooking as on major U.S. holidays often means extra home cooking fires. Typically, more cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year. According to the NFPA, following are some safety tips that fire chiefs can use in their public education: · Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. · If you are simmering, baking, roasting or boiling food, check it regularly. Remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking. · To prevent cooking fires, you must be alert. You will not be if you are sleepy, have been drinking alcohol, or have been taking medicines that make you drowsy. · Keep anything that can catch fire, i.e. pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper, plastic bags, boxes, food packaging, towels or curtain away from your stovetop. · Keep the stovetop burners and oven clean. · Keep pets off cooking surfaces and nearby countertops to prevent them from knocking things onto the burners. · Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire if it comes in contact with a gas flame or electric burner. Fire safety starts with you. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WARNING RE: PECO EQUIPMENT Please note that, after an incident in Tredyffrin Township in which a telephone pole was struck by a vehicle, a PECO employee notified us that a silver, cigar shaped, tube that was lying on the side of the road, with “MITC FUME” printed on the side of the tube, SHOULD NOT BE HANDLED BY ANYONE RESPONDING TO SCENE. Apparently, PECO places these time-released tubes inside their poles to fend off insects. The issue is that the POISON that is contained in the tubes is extremely harmful to humans if they are handled. He advised that he wasn’t sure what symptoms may arise, but that the result of handling the tube, if ruptured like this one was, can be DEATH. In the future, if you come across these tubes after a pole breaks, let county radio know so they can inform PECO when they make the call because PECO has a special team that comes out to dispose of the tubes. Stay safe! Message passed along from: Lieutenant Mark J. Roberts EMT-B 190843, Fire, Rescue, Hazmat Mobile: 267.446.6491 |
EMERGENCY PERSONNEL ALERT: BRS Ballistic Parachutes for general aviation and or recreational sport planes. Everyone should read this... The Fire Inspector by Todd R. Myers, PLS Recently I have had the opportunity to become certified as a Fire Inspector 1 under the guidelines of the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress, National Fire Protection Association, and the National Board of Fire Service Professional Qualifications (Pro Board). Along with my day job as Executive Vice President of Cowan Associates, I have had the great opportunity to be a firefighter for the last 32 years. During that time, I have had many wonderful experiences, difficult situations to overcome, and some of the best training any firefighter can receive. This training comes through our local Bucks County Community College and the Bucks County Public Service Training Center located in Doylestown, PA. The reason for my interest in becoming a Certified Fire Inspector is two-fold – one for the opportunity to apply this skill at Cowan Associates through our Construction Testing and Inspection Department as well as using it as an educational tool in my fire response area, which is the Borough of Riegelsville, Durham Township, and the northern portion of Nockamixon Township, all located in Bucks County. The common view of the Fire Inspector is one of an enforcing or policing authority, however, the public safety mission of the inspector places great emphasis on fire prevention in the first place. The inspector helps to educate the occupants in ways to control hazards and proper methods of evacuation, and overall fire safety practices. It is much more effective, in the long run, to educate the public than simply keep enforcing regulations on them. Fire suppression activities are not the only way to combat fires: a well-planned and executed fire prevention inspection program is a less expensive and more effective way to accomplish the goals of the fire service. The goal is, of course, to minimize the risk of life and property loss from fire. By observing, making recommendations, subsequently controlling or eliminating hazardous conditions, the inspector can make major strides towards accomplishing this goal before a fire occurs. Historically, courts have ruled that fire departments and individuals empowered to perform fire inspections may be held legally accountable for the performance. The certification and training for Fire Inspector I addresses the issues of liability as well as authority and responsibilities of the inspector. The inspector also learns policing power, right of entry, organizational structure and cooperation among other agencies such as local zoning and building code officials. The Fire Inspector must properly prepare for the inspection, make the inspection himself, document any deficiencies or code violations, follow-up inspections and potentially take a case to court. The Fire Inspector must also know how fires start and spread in order to recognize fire hazards and their potential consequences. Fire hazard recognition is safety considerations that affect many occupancies. These considerations include good housekeeping, and regulating smoking, open burning and the use of flammable decorations. Electrical safety is also critical in the Fire Inspector's world, so a basic understanding of electrical theory, electrical hazards, and the dangers of static electricity are important to understand. One of the most difficult jobs of a Fire Inspector is understanding the construction and occupancy classifications. It is very important to understand the classifications in order to determine that a building meets the appropriate building and fire safety codes so he/she understands the various construction and occupancy classifications that are used by all of the model code organizations. Additionally, one of the most crucial elements in building construction and occupancy classification is the ability of the occupants to quickly and efficiently evacuate the structure in the event of a fire or other hazardous condition. Along with evacuation, the means of egress for a structure, the Fire Inspector must have a proper understanding to assure site access for emergency personnel and emergency planning procedures for building occupants to follow. The Fire Inspector must have an understanding of extinguishing equipment and fire protection systems which are effective ways to increase occupant safety and control fires during their early stages. These are, but are not limited to, the following: water-based fire protection systems which include fire sprinkler systems and standpipe systems, fire pumps and water supply systems. During my Fire Inspector I certification I became well- versed in the procedures for inspecting and testing each of these systems. In addition to these water-based fire protection systems, the Fire Inspector also has an understanding of a wide variety of other types of fire protection systems and equipment and testing of portable fire extinguishers, special agent fixed extinguishing systems, and fire detection and alarm systems. Community business owners and fire departments must understand that the role of Fire Inspector is a necessity not only in plan review, but overall fire protection and prevention. This is just a snapshot of a Fire Inspector's public safety mandate. It is very important that the community, as well as the general public, understand that the Fire Inspector and the need for fire inspections is not to penalize a company or business owner, but to educate the business community and general public on ways to prevent a hazardous condition or fire to minimize the risk of life and property loss. Permission to reprint from the editor of the Angle and Line Newsletter, Cowan Associates Inc. 2008. |
News From the Fire Chief Wow – I can't believe it's May 12, 2009. I should have written this update on January 5, 2009. It is incredible how fast time flies. With that in mind, I felt it important to bring everyone up to speed on what has been accomplished in the North House over the past four months. By the grace of God and the power of Pastor Jeff, we had a safe and successful 2008 campaign, and I would like to personally thank all of the firemen who continue to excel at certifications with regard to vehicle rescue technicians, Fire-fighter I, and Fire-fighter 2. Hats off also to my two brand new emergency medical technicians, Jeff Wargo and Keith Turdo. With a heavy heart, it is time to retire Tac 42. Tac 42 has been the North House brush truck for the past 42 years, and has provided us with outstanding service. Tac 42 will soon be replaced by Field 42, which is an F-350, extended cab, Ford pick-up truck, with the following additions: a 250 gallon poly water tank, a 10 gallon foam cell, 1 electric reel with 200 foot hose capacity, a foam inductor, 1" foam nozzle, 1" dual flow nozzle, an additional tray for 200 feet of 1-1/2" hose with a Mattydale swivel, an additional 1" national discharge with cap, an additional 1-1/2" national standard thread discharge with cap and work light. Field 42 will also be outfitted with an extended front bumper to accommodate a 9,000 pound winch, black grille and headlight guards; four-strobe pack, strobes and park and taillights; a SOUNDOFF ETL 5000, 48" red LED light bar; a federal 100 watt speaker; bed-liner by Ultimate Linings of the Lehigh Valley; and a power call for the siren. I wish to thank Jim Bortz of McKeesport Ford for his patience with the purchase of the Ford F-350 chassis; Craig Long, Micro Fire Apparatus, whose firm will be putting Field 42 together; and Gary Focht and Darren McGee of McGee Uniform and Supply who helped us secure the skid unit. As we move forward through 2009, your fire company is seeking a $7,500.00 matching grant from DCNR Forestry Division which, when received, will go toward the purchase of the skid unit. The Fire Company has placed a grant request through the Department of Homeland Security Assistance of Firefighter Grants for the purchase of diesel extraction systems to be placed on-board the fire apparatus. The amount of this grant request is $39,500.00. You can see as we progress through the remaining portion of the year that your officers and fire-fighters from the North House are busy continuing their training, updating equipment, and providing the best engine company in Bucks County. Many thanks also to our citizens for a successful 2008 General Fund Drive. We are presently assembling the 2009 General Fund Drive, and again appreciate very much the generosity of the citizens within our Fire Local. That is pretty much a snapshot of the first four months of activity in the North House. With that, I will end by saying, Be Safe Out There – Fire Safety Starts with You! |