Montgomery County Fire and Rescue was
honored to have Jim Resnick invited to attend and present at the Alabama
Association of Fire Chiefs Leadership Conference on Fire Prevention and
Community Risk Reduction this week.
Jim presented to over 100 Fire Chiefs and other fire
service leaders from across Alabama. He outlined the proactive Community Risk
Reduction strategies, initiatives and educational programs that are having big
impact in Montgomery County and resulting in a safer, resilient and engaged
community. While Community Risk Reduction is a growing concept in many fire
departments, Fire Chief Scott Goldstein ensures it's a tactical priority and
part of each morning's roll call.
By: Greg St. James CERT Manager The Montgomery County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) conducted a snap drill of its “Go Team” late last week. 17 CERT members assembled from all over the county within 60 minutes of an alert to participate in a line search for a simulated missing child. The search successfully found the “child” after a 25 minute line search in difficult terrain and humid conditions. Division Chief Alan Hinde was in command with CERT Program Manager Greg St, James. CERT volunteer Cynthia Halota ran the CERT volunteers as the CERT Duty Officer for the day. The CERT Go Team is being developed by the Division Of Volunteer Services and Community Outreach to be a ‘force expander’ for MCFRS and other public agencies. In the photo below, Division Chief Hinde conducts a ‘hot wash’ with the CERT team after the drill in Rockville.
After completing our Safety In the Neighborhood activities (offering to check home smoke alarms) we were heading to pick up dinner while I was riding AT735 (ladder truck). On our way, we came across the Clarksburg Village Community Association's Fall Festival. All of us on the truck wanted to stop and visit with the children. So, we stopped and set up an impromptu public education visit.
The chair for the Home Owners Association was excited for us to stop by unannounced. We passed out smoke detector flyers, answered questions, and gave tours of the ladder truck. There was a local gym that had an obstacle course set up for kids to complete. I asked them if they would mind if I put our newest firefighter to the test. They were excited to have him complete it for everyone.
Firefighter McCombs is our newest firefighter who is completing his probationary skills evaluations. He was up for the challenge to don his gear and complete the course. For those who are unaware, a firefighter's gear can weigh an additional 65 pounds or more depending on what they carry in their pockets. As you can see in the video below, Firefighter McCombs did a fantastic job in the obstacle course. Cheers could be heard by many kids and adults.
On July 25th, Silver
Spring Fire Station 16 on the A-Shift hosted students from an entry-level
English as a Second Language Class. The 17 students who attended learned about fire safety and injury prevention as
well as the services provided by MCFRS. The students were from Cameroon, Congo,
Haiti, Guatemala, Peru, Dominican Republic, and El Salvador. Captain Dee
Richards and her crew at Fire Station 16 did a great job helping to further the
student's knowledge about life safety issues in their home.
By: Master Firefighter Tim Burns Station 16-A Shift
This past week, members of the 1st Battalion from Company 16 A-Shift participated in "career day" at Eastern Middle School in their first due area.
They spoke to two groups of about 30 middle school aged children each. The crew from Paramedic Engine 716 was able to talk with the students about what brought them to this career, what the requirements are to work for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue, and what our days are like.
For the members of the 1st Battalion, it is important for us to get out into our community at events like this one for a number of reasons. Most importantly, we hope to inspire the next generation of 1st Battalion firefighters and paramedics. Many of us began our careers as junior firefighters, cadets, or volunteers at an age not much older than these students are now. We enjoy sharing the good fortune that we have all found in this profession.
While out this past Saturday conducting our Safety In Our Neighborhood door to door smoke alarm check program, we came across two families enjoying the day. The
personnel of Clarksburg Fire Station 35 C Shift were very happy to show off Truck 735 and its equipment to the kids and their parents.
Be sure to look out for us just about every Saturday in communities across Montgomery County reminding everyone to make sure you have working smoke alarms in your home!
When not fighting fires or responding to calls for
emergency medical care, the women and men of MCFRS stay busy with a variety of
non emergency duties. A very important
duty is to help educate people of all ages about the dangers of fire and how to
prevent them or, if the worst happens and there is a fire, how to properly
react and get out of the home safely.
A couple of days ago Lieutenant Sam Villani, Fire Station 5-D Shift, and crew stopped by a local day
care to teach the kids about fire prevention and to show them how a fire
fighter gets dressed to go into a fire.
Assisting Lieutenant Villani is Fire Fighter Andrew Randolph
while Master Fire Fighter Wayne Malcolm works the camera.
By: Greg St. James, MontgomeryCountyCERT / Fire Corps
Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service is happy to announce registration is open for our Spring 2012 Basic Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) class.CERT helps you prepare your family, your neighborhood, and your workplace for emergencies and disasters. Topics include CPR/First Aid, Fire Safety, Search and Rescue, Pet Preparedness, Family Disaster Kits, Incident Management, and Terrorism Awareness. Montgomery County CERT stresses hands on practical training taught by professional EMT’s, Firefighters, Educators, and International Disaster Responders.
CERT training is free to county residents 18 and older, and takes place twice a week over the course of month. Students are required to attend all sessions to receive a FEMAcertificate of completion.. The Spring 2012 class will take place in Gaithersburg on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings from March 14, through April 28, 2012 with a break included for the spring Holidays. CERT operates on a first come basis for a limited number of seats. To learn more please click HERE.
Montgomery County Fire Station 18 participated Tuesday, August 2nd in the National Night Out Crime and Community Awareness campaign at Weller Road Elementary School. The local event was sponsored by Mrs. Rose Alvarez, President of the Glenmont Civic Association.
E718 (fire truck that carries hose and water) and AT718 (fire truck with the big ladder on top) partnered with police officers from the Fourth District to represent Montgomery County’s finest at the local event. The Glenmont Civic Association organized activities to acquaint community residents with their local law enforcement and fire/rescue personnel as well as providing a platform for public safety to deliver crime and safety awareness messages.
Members from Company 18 set up static displays with the engine and tower providing residents an opportunity to see what we do first hand! Captain Derrick Anthony, FS18 A-Shift, gave a brief introduction and emphasized to the residents that Montgomery County Fire and Rescue is an “All Hazards” community based fire department that is here to serve and protect the residents of Montgomery County.
When not fighting fires or responding to calls for
emergency medical care, the women and men of MCFRS stay busy with a variety of
non emergency duties. A very important
duty is to help educate people of all ages about the dangers of fire and how to
prevent them or, if the worst happens and there is a fire, how to properly
react and get out of the home safely. 
Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service is happy to announce registration is open for our Spring 2012 Basic Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) class.CERT helps you prepare your family, your neighborhood, and your workplace for emergencies and disasters. Topics include CPR/First Aid, Fire Safety, Search and Rescue, Pet Preparedness, Family Disaster Kits, Incident Management, and Terrorism Awareness. Montgomery County CERT stresses hands on practical training taught by professional EMT’s, Firefighters, Educators, and International Disaster Responders.
Community Awareness campaign at Weller Road Elementary School. The local event was sponsored by Mrs. Rose Alvarez, President of the Glenmont Civic Association.
