Congratulations to Our Newest Firefighters and EMT's

This past Friday evening a graduation ceremony was held at our Public Safety Training Academy (PSTA) for Twenty-One (21) newly certified volunteer Firefighters and Fifty-Nine (59) newly certified volunteer Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT's).

Each person went through rigorous training and a challenging course load throughout the summer months to attain the certifications.  Family and friends packed the PSTA to honor and cheer on their loved ones as they received recognition for this tremendous achievement.

Congratulations to all!

Videos and photos from the ceremony below.

Montgomery County Volunteer Fire - Rescue Association Announces Award of Federal Grant for Recruiting New Volunteers

Congratulations to our partners in public safety on receiving this federal grant to support volunteer fire and rescue recruiting and retention.

Thanks MCVFRA for the many contributions towards making Montgomery County the largest and best resourced combination fire and rescue department in the nation.

Montgomery County Volunteer Fire - Rescue Association Announces Award of Federal Grant for Recruiting New V...

Teaching Kids How to Walk Safely

Hard to believe but school starts next week!

If your child walks to school, now would be a good time to review with her/him how to safely walk to school.  The below tips are provided by our partners in safety SafeKids.

• Teach kids at an early age to look left, right and left again before crossing the street. Then remind them to continue looking around until safely across.


• It’s always best to walk on sidewalks or paths and cross at street corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.


• Teach kids to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.


• Children under 10 need to cross the street with an adult. Every child is different, but developmentally, most kids are unable to judge the speed and distance of oncoming cars until age 10.


• Encourage kids to be especially alert for cars that are turning or backing up.


• Teach kids not to run or dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.


• If kids are walking when it’s dark out, teach them to be especially alert and make sure they are visible to drivers. Have them wear light- or brightly-colored clothing and reflective gear.

9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

Please consider joining Montgomery County Firefighters on Saturday, September 5 to raise money for a great cause while honoring the memory of the firefighters and law enforcement officers who perished at the World Trade Center on 9/11.  Firefighters and police officers are encouraged to do the climb in their gear, and civilians may participate in PT attire.

Note that although the flyer says that registration is closed, registration has been extended so people can still sign up!

You can register here: Registration for 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

High Rise Fire Fighter Stair Climb

Reminder: "Ladies Night Out" For Potential Female Firefighter Candidates Friday

Just a reminder that our "Ladies Night Out" For Potential Female Firefighter Candidates is tomorrow, Friday, late afternoon/early evening. Please feel free to come by anytime between 4 - 8 pm!

As well, an RSVP can be emailed to Master Firefighter Shantell Brown

Child Passenger Safety - Selecting The Right Car Seat

As mentioned in yesterday's blog post, this weeks themes in the Montgomery County Summer of Safety outreach are smoke alarms and child passenger safety.

One question that pops up often for parents is: how do I select the right car seat for my child?

Wonder no longer as we have the answers in this very informative two-page fact sheet.  Please go here to learn more: Selecting The Right Car Seat

Summer of Safety - Smoke Alarms and Child Passenger Safety Seats

As part of Montgomery County's Summer of Safety, this week we will be providing information as it relates to smoke alarms and child passenger safety seats.

Speaking of smoke alarms; have you tested your lately?  If not, why not?  Ideally, smoke alarms should be tested at least once a week to ensure they are working.

In addition, if your smoke alarm is 10 years or older it needs to be replaced - regardless of whether it works, or not, when you push the test button.

For more information on smoke alarms, please find a very comprehensive list of information on the County's Summer of Safety web site.

From The Firehouse Kitchen: Chicken Taco Salad Recipe

This past Friday, August 14 some of you may have gone on our Virtual Ride Along.  Around dinner time, we conducted a live Periscope firehouse cooking segment that was a hit - especially the dish that our host, and fire house chef, Lt. Tim Burns whipped up.

So, we thought it would be a good idea to provide the recipe for this tasty little firehouse dish. Enjoy!

Chicken Taco Salad

1 head iceberg lettuce,  chopped
1 cucumber peeled/chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
3 carrots, peeled, sliced
2 bunches fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tomatoes, 1" cubes
1 large can sliced black olives
1 15 oz can kidney beans
1 15 oz can corn

3 lbs chicken, sliced into bite sized thin pieces
1 red onion julienned
2 red bell peppers julienned
2 pouches chipotle taco marinade or seasoning

8 oz shredded pepper jack cheese

16oz light sour cream
1 jar salsa
3 tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1 bag fritos

Mix first set of ingredients in large bowl, set aside

In separate bowls, make one packet of chipotle marinade each, according to directions on packet
marinade chicken in one bowl for at least 30 minutes, longer if possible.  In other bowl, mix onions and peppers with 2nd chipotle marinade.  allow to marinade for at least 30 minutes as well.

Cook chicken over high heat until done and transfer to a clean bowl. let cool.

In same skillet, cook pepper/onion mixture.  Transfer to same bowl as chicken and let cool also.

Whisk together sour cream, salsa, and cider vinegar.

To the large bowl with first set of ingredients, add chicken/peppers/onions mixture, cheese, and dressing mixture.  Mix thoroughly.

Just before serving, add fritos. Toss once more to incorporate.  Serve.  Feeds 9.

Virtual Ride Along Today

We are up and running on our "virtual ride along" today at Fire Station #29.  Please feel free to follow along on Twitter (www.twitter.com/mcfrs) and we will be using the hashtag #mcfrs.

"Ladies Night Out" For Potential Female Firefighter Candidates

Join Us -- Virtual Ride-a-Long This Friday

On Friday, August 14, at approximately 7:00 AM personnel at Fire Station #29 in Germantown will be participating in our latest “Virtual Ride-a-Long“ that will be broadcast via Montgomery County Fire and Rescue (MCFRS)  @MCFRS Twitter Page as well as occasional posts to the MCFRS Facebook Page. The hashtag for this event will be #mcfrs so that all of you can follow along, and engage us, without having to 'follow' or be 'followed' on the particular social platforms.

The purpose behind this initiative is to engage you, the residents we serve, in an innovative way and provide an almost real time view as to what occurs during a “typical” 24-hour shift.  Social media allows us a unique opportunity to bring you, in a “virtual” manner, into “our world.” and allows us to interact with the community.  You will “visit” a fire and rescue station and, where appropriate, be able to observe various 911 responses which highlight the outstanding work Montgomery County firefighters provide on a daily basis.

Lieutenant Tim Burns, with some support from our Office of Public Information and Outreach, will be the lead “tweeter” on this initiative. He will be sending “tweets from the street.”

It must be emphasized that Lieutenant Burn’s primary responsibility will be to his operational obligations and he will not be engaging in tweets/social media of any kind that would distract from the response too, and mitigation of, any emergency situations. Lieutenant Burns anticipates providing public updates until approximately 9:00 PM and will only provide social interaction after that if he feels appropriate.

We look forward to providing you 'A day in the life.......'

Vacation Fire Safety

Getting ready to go out of town? Holidays and the summer months are not the time to take a vacation from fire safety. Be sure to check your home before leaving to minimize the risk of fire while you are away and review these important safety tips:

Your Home

• All stoves and electrical appliances should be turned off or disconnected.
• Unplug all television sets, computers and radios. Lightning storms or sudden electrical surges can damage or even cause a fire in these types of equipment.
• When you return, check to make sure all smoke alarms are working.
• Tell a trusted neighbor your departure and return dates. Supply an itinerary with phone numbers where you can be reached in the event of an emergency.

If you are staying in a hotel/motel

When you are traveling away from home and staying in a hotel or motel, it is important to know what actions to take in the event of a fire. While hotel fires account for only a small number of fire fatalities, they present a unique fire risk. Fire can spread quickly in hotels and guests are typically in unfamiliar surroundings. While sprinklers, smoke alarms and fire walls are required in many parts of the world, do not assume that all hotels will have the same safety features you may be accustomed to. The more you know in advance about dealing with a fire emergency, the better your chances for survival.

• Select a hotel/motel that, at a minimum, has smoke alarms installed. It is recommended to select lodging that also has a fire sprinkler system installed. If you must stay in a hotel/motel without alarms or sprinklers, or have mobility limitations, request a room on the first or second floor.
• When you arrive, review the fire safety information provided. It is typically posted near or on the back of the entry door. Just like in your home, you need to plan your escape ahead of time. Locate the two exits nearest your room. Walk the potential escape routes, counting the number of doors between your room and the exit. Make sure that the fire exit doors work and are unlocked. In a real fire, the hallway may become dark with smoke making it hard to see.
• Put your room key, flashlight, cell phone, eyeglasses and shoes, near the bed. You don't want to waste any time looking for things during a fire and keeping everything together can make your escape easier.
• Learn what number to call in the event of an emergency - not all locations use 9-1-1.

If the alarm does sound:

• If you feel conditions in the hallway are safe, go to your nearest exit and proceed downstairs to the first floor and exit the building. Make sure to close all doors behind you as you exit.
• Be sure to take your room key. In some cases, your room may end up being the safest place to be and you may need to return if your exit is blocked.
• If there is any smoke in the hallway, crawl low - under smoke - to the fire exit and safety.
• If a fire starts in your room, leave immediately and close the door behind you to confine the fire and smoke to the room. Activate the fire alarm and call the fire department once you are safely out of danger.
• NEVER use an elevator under fire conditions. Elevators may malfunction, cables could melt, the elevator car may heat up to lethal temperatures or open on the floor where the fire is. Always take the stairs when exiting from a high-rise building.

Every fire is different. While these guidelines may help you survive a fire, there are situations where you will need to do things differently. Taking the time to prepare in advance can save your life.

Heatstroke - How Hot The Inside Of A Car Can Get

In light of our close call yesterday I thought this would be good to re-post from a few weeks ago. BD

An extremely eye opening video from our friends at SafeKids. Please take 53 seconds to watch!

If you ever see a child alone in a car, please call 911. You could save a life!

Help Protect Kids From Heatstroke

We had a close call today with a child left alone in a hot vehicle.  If you are not aware of it you can go here:

Child left in hot car at Md. Metro station

Child Recovering After Being Left in Parked Car at Forest Glen Metro Station

6-month-old left in car at Metro parking lot

Our partners in safety, SafeKids, has an important related message to share in light of today's event.

Reduce the number of deaths from heatstroke by remembering to ACT.

A: Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. And make sure to keep your car locked when you’re not in it so kids don’t get in on their own.

C: Create reminders by putting something in the back of your car next to your child such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you’re not following your normal routine.

T: Take action. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations. One call could save a life.

Safety Recalls

Below are several safety recalls via our partners in safety - Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

NVIDIA Recalls Tablet Computers Due to Fire Hazard

Cooper Lighting Recalls Fluorescent Lighting Fixtures Due to Fire Hazard

Whirlpool Recalls Jenn-Air Wall Ovens Due to Risk of Burns

Avon Recalls Nut Chopper Due to Risk of Injury

Instant Pot Pressure Cookers Recalled by Double Insight Due to Shock Hazard (Recall Alert)

Bexco Recalls DaVinci Brand Cribs Due to Entrapment, Fall and Laceration Hazards

Olympus Recalls Digital Point-And-Shoot Camera Due to Shock Hazard; Sold Exclusively at HHGregg Appliance