Blood Drive In Memory of Father And Son Firefighters

2013 Alfaro Blood Drive by Montgomery County (MD) Fire and Rescue

MCFRS Significant Incidents For September 2013

Please click on the Google Map and then the various icons to see what significant incidents MCFRS was responding too in September.

View MCFRS Significant Incidents in a larger map

What's Invisible, Has No Smell, But Can Kill You? Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide is the most common cause of death by poison in the United States, killing more than 500 people every year. It is one of the most dangerous poisons because often people don't know it is present until it is too late. The best way to protect yourself and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning is to buy a carbon monoxide (sometimes referred to as CO) detector for your home. A properly working carbon monoxide detector can provide an early warning before deadly gases build up to dangerous levels. If you live in a home that is two stories or more, you might want to install two.

For more information, see the "Is it Flu or Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?" page.

If you notice these symptoms and suspect that carbon monoxide is the cause, leave the area immediately and get outside to fresh air. Call 9-1-1 and seek medical help.

Be reminded: Installing a carbon monoxide detector does not eliminate the need to have a smoke alarm in your home. Carbon monoxide detectors do not detect smoke and smoke alarms do not sense carbon monoxide.

CO poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in America.
(Source: Centers for Disease Control)

Facts

• CO is a produced anytime a fuel is burned. Potential sources include gas or oil furnaces, water heaters, space heaters, clothes dryers, barbecue grills, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, gas ovens, generators and car exhaust fumes.
• Every year more than 10,000 people die or seek medical attention due to CO poisoning from home-related products. (Source:  Consumer Product Safety Commission)
• More than two-thirds of Americans use gas, wood, kerosene or another fuel as their home's major heat source.
• 65% of CO poisoning deaths from consumer products are due to heating systems.
• Only 27% of homes in America have carbon monoxide alarms, according to recent industry research.
• An idling vehicle in an attached garage, even with the garage door opened, can produce concentrated amounts of CO that can enter your home through the garage door or nearby windows.
• CO poisoning deaths from portable generators have doubled for the past two years, and many of these deaths occurred in the winter months and during power outages.
• A poorly maintained gas stove can give off twice the amount of CO than one in good working order.

Prevention

• Install at least one battery-powered CO alarm or AC-powered unit with battery backup on each level of your home and near sleeping areas.
• Have a licensed professional inspect heating systems and other fuel-burning appliances annually.
• Install fuel-burning appliances properly and operate according to the manufacturer's instructions.
• Keep chimneys clear of animal nests, leaves and residue to ensure proper venting. Have all fireplaces cleaned and inspected annually.
• Do not block or seal shut the exhaust flues or ducts used by water heaters, ranges and clothes dryers.
• Do not leave your car running in an attached garage or carport.
• Do not use ovens or stoves to heat your home.
• Do not use charcoal or gas grills inside or operate outdoors near a window where CO fumes could seep in through a window.
• Check all carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Do they use the most accurate sensing technology? Do they need new batteries?

Replace CO alarms every five to seven years in order to benefit from the latest technology upgrades.

Montgomery County Firefighters Go Pink

A nice story by County Cable on our Firefighters Breast Cancer Awareness Initiative.

Recent Promotions

Fire Chief Steve Lohr is pleased to announce the following promotions.  Congratulations and be safe in your new assignments!

The following person has been promoted to the rank of Captain:

Tony R. Hugueley

The following person has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant: 

Jeffrey R. Kane

The following personnel have been promoted to the rank of Master Firefighter:

Jeffrey A. Barclay

Watch What You Heat! Cooking Related Fires Leading Cause of Home Fires!

By: Battalion Chief Mark Davis

Cooking-related fires continue to be one of the leading causes of fire in the home. According to United States Fire Administration data from 2008 to 2010:

On average, an estimated 164,500 cooking related fires in residential buildings occur each year in the United States;

Residential building cooking fires occurred mainly in the evening hours from 4 to 9 p.m., peaking from 5 to 8 p.m, accounting for 26 percent of the fires;

Oil, fat and grease (51 percent) were the leading types of material ignited in cooking fires occurring in residential buildings.

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries;

1 in 8 households will have a cooking fire each year;

The leading cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking.

And sadly, Montgomery County's first fire death of 2013 occurred in the 1st Battalion and was the result of clothing that caught fire during cooking.

It is clear that cooking is dangerous. The numbers do not lie! Don't be distracted while you cook - it can save your life!

Mark Your Calendars - Upcoming Fire Department Open Houses

October is Fire Prevention Month and fire stations around Montgomery County will be hosting many educational, family-oriented activities and Open House events throughout the month. This year’s theme focuses on the importance of preventing kitchen fires. The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking and while there can be “too many cooks in the kitchen” having no cooks in the kitchen can be potentially far more dangerous.

All Open House events are free and will feature many exciting activities including tours of the station, fire safety activities, educational information/handouts, demonstrations of emergency equipment and much more. Please visit the fire station’s website or call for a complete listing of activities planned.

October 12

Burtonsville Volunteer Fire Department, Station 15         12 – 4 p.m.
13900 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD

240-773-8957

October 13

Chevy Chase Fire Department, Station 7                         10 – 4 p.m.

8001 Connecticut Avenue, Chevy Chase, MD 

301-652-0707

Kensington Volunteer Fire Department, Station 5               12 – 4 p.m.

10620 Connecticut Avenue, Kensington, MD
(240) 773-4705
                    
Hillandale Volunteer Fire Department, Station 24               12 – 3 p.m.

13216 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD

240-773-4724

                                              
October 20

Glen Echo Volunteer Fire Department, Station 11               10 – 2 p.m.

5920 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda, MD 

301-229-3200

Firefighters Think Pink - Fire Department on a Mission to Generate Awareness and Save Lives

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Montgomery County Fire and Rescue has joined the national campaign for the third year in an effort to raise awareness about the cause and money for cancer research and programs.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women and it is estimated that there are over 225,000 new cases each year and that 39,000 women will die from this disease. Approximately 2,050 men will be diagnosed with breast cancer and 20% will not survive. Breast cancer is not gender specific and firefighters in Montgomery County will be trading their traditional on-duty shirts for pink ones in support of breast cancer awareness throughout the month of October.

“Cancer affects millions of people worldwide and this program provides an opportunity to have an impact and make a difference in the community,” said Fire Chief Steven Lohr. “This cause is particularly important and one that, too often, strikes close to home.”

The International Association of Firefighter’s (IAFF) involvement in breast cancer awareness dates back to 2010 and was the result of "Resolution 21" at the 2010 IAFF Convention in San Diego, California.  This resolution, entitled "Care Enough to Wear Pink," launched a nationwide response by fire departments across the Country to support breast cancer awareness initiatives.

This year’s campaign by Montgomery County Fire and Rescue has raised $12,000 in proceeds to be donated to The Susan G. Komen Foundation and The Red Devils charity, a Maryland-based breast cancer organization whose mission is to fund services that improve the quality of life for Maryland breast cancer patients and their families. Please visit the web pages of both charitable organizations by visiting ww5.komen.org and www.the-red-devils.org for more information about the organizations.

It's Fire Prevention Week! Prevent Kitchen Fires!

It is that time of year again.  NO not pumpkin spiced latte time at your local favorite coffee shop!  Now through this Saturday, October 12 is FIRE PREVENTION WEEK!

This years theme is - Prevent Kitchen Fires!  In Montgomery County, as well as nationally, most fire occur in kitchens than in any other part of the home.

To learn more, please go here:  Prevent Kitchen Fires

Bells Across America

In support of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the 2013 Memorial Weekend – MCFRS will join in the Bells Across America program to honor those firefighters who have died in the line of duty.

http://www.bellsacrossamerica.com/

Each station and worksite will observe a moment of silence at 0900 hours on Saturday the 5^th and Sunday the 6^th.

Unit Citations

Unit Citations, a set on Flickr.

By Battalion Chief Mark Davis

Several units from the lower end of the 1st Battalion participated in a Unit Citation Ceremony at Silver Spring Fire Station 1 on Wednesday, October 2nd. On April 2, 2013, units responded to 415 Silver Spring Avenue for fire in the apartment building. They arrived to find heavy fire conditions on the top floor and made multiple rescues. Sadly - one resident perished in the blaze - but many others were saved. The work of these units is exemplary of what it takes to be a firefighter when the "pressure is on."

Sandy Spring Annual Fire Safety Open House

Photo Courtesy of SSVFD web site

The annual Fire Safety Open House at Sandy Spring Fire Station #40, 16911 Georgia Ave., is this Sunday October 6th, 2013 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. On tap are lots of informational handouts and loads of fun activities for kids of all ages!  In addition there will be live demonstrations, static displays of equipment and apparatus, information on volunteering, and the Auxiliary Farmer's Market and Bake Sale.

A special treat, though it is dependent on weather and availability, is that the new MD State Police Helicopter as well as the Children's Hospital Helicopter are slatted to stop by for a visit (and possible a demonstration).

If you are in the Sandy Spring area Sunday, please drop by.

New Traffic Safety Laws In Effect Today!

Hopefully everyone is aware of the new traffic safety laws that go into effect today!  If not, please visit here - Hang Up or Hands Free - to learn more.

Be safe out there!