Learn How To Reduce Your Property Tax Bill By 50%

The good news here is not only is there a tax benefit to doing this but, more importantly, a potential life saving benefit as well.

Residential fire sprinklers save lives! Read on below.

Learn How To Reduce Your Property Tax Bill By 50%

Put a Freeze on Winter Fires

Discard Fireplace Ashes in a Metal Container Away From the House and Keep Clutter Away From Heat Sources

The cold temperatures are here. More fires seem to occur around this time of the year as the result of combustibles too close to a heat sources, malfunction in chimney flues, improperly placed fireplace ashes, malfunctioning heating systems and/or associated electrical overloads. During the upcoming months, home heating systems and heating equipment continue to be significant factor in structural fires in Montgomery County. Many of these fires can be prevented. The following fire safety tips and information, from our friends at the NFPA and USFA, can help you maintain a fire safe home and business this winter.

Winter Fire Safety

PUT A FREEZE ON WINTER FIRES

Cub Scouts Visit Fire Station #34 (Milestone) For Safety Lessons and Tour

Last night roughly 40 Cub Scouts descended on our newly opened Fire Station #34 (Milestone). They were there to learn more about various emergencies and how to respond as part of their badge requirements. In addition, they were also treated to a tour of our state of the art fire station.

As you can see in the videos below, the group was divided into two with one in the training room and the other touring the station. They then switched roles.

The boys were treated to expert instruction by the career Fire Fighters of “B” Shift led by Lieutenant Morrissey. Topics covered included home fire escape planning, smoke alarms, calling 911, water safety, home safety and what to do if your clothes catch on fire. Educational fire safety handouts were also provided the pack to share with their parents!

From Our Fire House to Your Home - Update

In November of 2008, our department initiated a proactive fire safety campaign designed to ensure that all county residents have working smoke alarms in their homes.

Every Saturday afternoon, the women and men of MCFRS go to various neighborhoods in their communities knocking on doors, handing out fire safety information, and offering to check resident’s smoke alarms. If you are in need of a new smoke alarm or just a new battery, we will install them for FREE! If you are not home you will find a little something on your door knob (look to right of this article) letting you know we were by with a list of safety tips and a number to call if you would like us to stop by your home on another day to check your alarms.

Since the program started we have found that we are actually going into roughly 20% of the homes whose doors we knock on. Of that, roughly 50% of those homes do not have a working smoke alarm! The good news is that they will before we leave!

Why is it important to have working smoke alarms in your home? About two-thirds of home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms and they can reduce your risk of dying form a fire in your home by almost half!

Here are some updated numbers from our door to door campaign through the end of April:

Homes Visited: 35,193
Smoke Alarms Installed: 1,075
Batteries Installed: 1,233

So there are several thousand homes in Montgomery County that are now a little bit safer as a result of our program! Do not wait for us to stop by your home. Take a moment now to “Put A Finger On It” and test your smoke alarms to make sure they are working!

Stay Safe,

Bill Delaney
Program Manager, Community Safety Education

Stand By Your Pan This Thanksgiving!

It is that time of the year again when family and friends gather to celebrate, eat, drink, and be merry. Likewise, it is also the time of year where everyone is practicing to maybe be the next Iron Chef. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking fires are more likely on Thanksgiving than any other day.

With the last sentence in mind, I would like to offer all of you out there some information that you might find useful not only for Thanksgiving this week but for all of the various holidays and observances over the next several weeks.

I will be hosting a Cooking Safety Show this Wednesday, November 25th at 1 PM – 2 PM at MCFRS Blog Talk Radio Show.

You can listen live on your computer and I will be taking phone calls as well as Instant Messages. If you can not listen live no worries! The show will be available for download on the web site to listen when you can.

Our friends at the NFPA urges cooks to stand by their pan to prevent fires. Both MCFRS and NFPA discourage the use of outdoor gas-fueled turkey fryers that immerse the turkey in hot oil.

Go here to read more: Turkey fryers

Go to our YouTube site to see a great video by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) that highlights the dangers: MCFRS on YouTube

NFPA also have some other resources you might find helpful:

NFPA's printable fact sheet on cooking fires

NFPA's cooking safety tips

Here’s wishing you and yours a SAFE and Happy Thanksgiving!

-Bill

Have a Safe and Spook-tacular Halloween

With Halloween quickly approaching, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service offers residents some safety tips to help prepare for a safe Halloween:

Plan a safe route.

1. Children are four times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other night of the year. Accompany children and remind them to stop at all street corners, cross only at intersections and crosswalks. Teach them to look left, right and left before crossing the street and to continue looking both ways as they cross. If you’re a motorist, please slow down and be prepared to give trick or treaters a brake.

2. Stay in familiar neighborhoods and have an adult accompany trick or treaters. Visit only those houses where the lights are on. Accept treats only in the doorway and NEVER go inside a house.

3. Secure emergency identification (name, address, phone number) discreetly within Halloween attire or on a bracelet.

4. Safety in numbers. If they’re old enough to trick-or-treat without an adult, designate a route before the kids go trick or treating, tell your kids to stay in a group, avoid taking short cuts through backyards and alleys and ask them to check in regularly.

5. Have an adult inspect treats BEFORE eating anything. Do not eat any unwrapped, partially wrapped, or homemade looking treats.

6. Stay away from open flames or jack-o-lanterns with candles burning.

7. Stay on the sidewalk. Don't walk or run in the street.

Be a good neighbor.

1. Keep your porch lights on and eliminate tripping hazards on your porch and walkway. Remove outdoor safety hazards such as toys, bicycles and lawn ornaments. Make sure the driveway and steps are cleared of leaves, which can be a slipping and falling hazard. Make sure that the driveway and walks are well lit for incoming trick-or-treaters. Replace burned-out or broken light bulbs.

2. Pets get frightened on Halloween. Confine your pets for their safety and for that of trick or treaters.

Be Safe – Be Seen.

1. Encourage kids to follow all the rules for pedestrian safety. That includes obeying all traffic laws, looking both ways before crossing, using crosswalks, crossing at intersections and corners and never darting between parked cars.

2. Consider adding reflective tape or decals to costumes. Be sure kids carry a flashlight and use glow sticks for extra visibility.

3. Teach children their home phone number and to how call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become lost. Remind them that 9-1-1 can be dialed free from any phone.

Decorate Safely.

1. Illuminate your jack-o’-lanterns with flashlights or battery-operated candles instead of real ones. You won’t have the worries of an open flame coming in contact with anything . . .or anyone.

2. If you do use candles, keep them well away from where trick or treaters will be walking or standing.

3. Review with your children the principle of “stop, drop and roll” should their clothes catch fire.

4. When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories purchase only those with a label indicating they are flame resistant. Shorter IS safer. Ensure costumes are not so long they could trip and shoes should fit - - - even if they don’t go with the costume.

Have a happy and safe Halloween.

Fire Prevention Week October 4 - 10, 2009

Just a friendly reminder that we are in the middle of Fire Prevention Week 2009 (FPW 2009). The theme this year is: “Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned.”

Our friends at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) have produced several very good videos as it relates to FPW 2009. I have placed them on our YouTube site for you to view at your convenience. They are very short and to the point and provide great information for you and your loved ones! Visit MCFRS TV to view.

In addition, NFPA has some great safety information on their Fire Prevention Week Website. Take a moment to go there and review.

As always, we here at MCFRS will be promoting fire and injury prevention throughout the month of October. This will include fire and rescue station "Open House" events, senior center and school visits, and participation in community events.

I would like to encourage all of you to make sure you have developed a home escape plan (and practiced it) and that you check all smoke alarms to ensure they are working.

Below, please find a list of Open House events this weekend. Be SAFE out there!
Bill Delaney – Program Manager, Community Life Safety Education

Saturday, October 10:
Chevy Chase, Fire/Rescue, Station 7             10am - 4pm
8001 Connecticut Ave., Chevy Chase, MD.
240.773.4707

Cabin John, Fire/Rescue Station 10              10am - 4pm
8001 River Road, Potomac, MD.
240.773.4710

Sunday, October 11:
Hillandale, Fire/Rescue Station 24                12pm – 3pm
13216 New Hampshire Ave., Silver Spring, MD.
240.773.4724

Burtonsville Fire/Rescue Station 15              12pm - 4pm
13900 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD
240.773.4715

Watch the Kids - County Schools Start Today!

Fire Chief Richard Bowers wants to remind everyone that today is the first day of school for Montgomery County Public Schools and about 142,000 students.  Please take a moment to review the below safety tips from the Mid-Atlantic Foundation for Safety and Education and AAA:

 

Drivers Tips to Keep School Children Safe


* Slow down in or near school and residential areas.

* Drive with your headlights on - even during the day - so children and other drivers can see you.

* Look for clues such as School Safety Patrols, Adult Crossing Guards, bicycles, and playgrounds, which indicate children could be in the area.

* Always stop for school buses that are loading/unloading students.

* Limit distractions such as cell phones, CD players or other devices that cause you to take your eyes off the road.

* Practice extra caution in adverse weather conditions.

* Pay particular attention near schools during the morning and afternoon hours.

* Scan between parked cars and other objects for signs that children could dart into the road.


Safe Walking Tips for Children

* Always obey Adult Crossing Guards and AAA School Safety Patrols.

* Before crossing - look all ways.

* Obey all traffic signals.

* Use crosswalks and corners to cross the road.

* Where there is no sidewalk and it is necessary to walk in the roadway, walk facing traffic and as far from the roadway as possible.

* Avoid crossing between parked cars.

* Watch for cars. Be sure that the way is clear before you cross.

Remember, school's open - drive carefully. You can make a difference just by staying alert and taking the extra care while driving where children are present.

Our Events At The County Fair

From 10am to 5pm we will have our area open to the public to move through our tent, moon bounce, fire trucks, and the safe trailer. From 5pm-roughly 9pm there will be nightly demonstrations.

FRIDAY AUGUST 14TH
5pm-6pm Public Safety Q and A demo
6pm- Paramedic Fred Maxey will be setting up 5 EMS related scenarios.

SATURDAY AUGUST 15th
5pm-6pm Public Safety Q and A demo
6pm- The Firefighters Combat Challenge Course

SUNDAY AUGUST 16th
5pm-6pm Public Safety Q and A demo
6pm-Station 7 B shift will be doing a dramatization of a HAZMAT incident. They will also be displaying their equipment for the crowd to see.

MONDAY AUGUST 17th
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – “Deal – No Deal Public Fire Safety Education Game – sponsored by Takoma Park VFD
5pm-6pm Public Safety Q and A demo
6 PM – 8:00 PM – “Deal – No Deal Public Fire Safety Education Game – sponsored by Takoma Park VFD+
7PM Fire Safety Puppet Show – sponsored by the Sandy Spring VFD
7:45 PM EMS Demonstration performed by Wheaton Vol Rescue Squad and BCC Rescue Squad

TUESDAY AUGUST 18th
5pm-6pm Public Safety Q and A demo
6 PM – 8:00 PM – “Deal – No Deal Public Fire Safety Education Game – sponsored by Takoma Park VFD
6:30 PM Kitchen Fire Safety hosted by the Sandy Spring VFD

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 19th
5pm-6pm Public Safety Q and A demo
6pm: The dogs of Montgomery County.

THURSDAY AUGUST 20th
5pm-6pm Public Safety Q and A demo
6PM – 9PM Water Supply Static Display – Hyattstown VFD
6pm- Captain Green from Station 3 is demonstrating rope and technical rescue

FRIDAY AUGUST 21st and SATURDAY AUGUST 22nd
5pm-6pm Public Safety Q and A demo
The auto extrication competition will begin at 6:30 PM in the Grandstand area
7:00 PM – Fire Safety Puppet Show – sponsored by the Sandy Spring VFD
8:00 PM – Kitchen Fire Safety – sponsored by the Sandy Spring VFD

Blog Talk Radio Show on Thursday!

Join host Bill Delaney and special guest, Captain Tom Foster, as they take you behind the scenes of the upcoming Montgomery County Fair. They will also go over what MCFRS will be doing at the Fair and run down the special demonstrations each night. Listener calls and emails will be taken.
Go to: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/mcfrs at 10:30 AM on Thursday.

Date / Time: 8/13/2009 10:30 AM Call-in Number: (646) 716-9998

Cost Effective Life Safety Programs

As the Program Manager for Community Life Safety Education, I am always looking for cost effective ways to promote and enhance our fire and injury prevention efforts. This approach is even more important during these trying economic times!

But tough times can also lead to new, and previously considered unusual, opportunities. Recently I have been able to establish a partnership with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene – a very non traditional partnership for us in the fire service. The funny thing is it should be a very prominent partner for us as they have basically the same fire and injury prevention goals that we have.

This partnership has resulted in a recent donation of 700 ten-year lithium smoke alarms (approximate value of $8,400) that are to be used for our seniors or families that can not otherwise afford an alarm due to financial circumstances. We are also in the beginning stages of becoming a partner agency on a falls prevention grant with the DHMH. This program will again benefit our senior population here in the county by preventing unnecessary falls and, sometimes tragically, the corresponding injury.

As Fire Chief Richard Bowers has stressed repeatedly, one of our primary responsibilities is to prevent the 9-1-1 call! A falls prevention partnership will go a long way to keeping our seniors safe from harm and reducing the number of emergencies our fire and ems units respond too! I am also hopeful that by partnering with many agencies, including our own County Health and Human Services Department, we will be doing so in a very cost effective manor while bringing a very diverse group of health and safety advocates together for the greater good.

Stay safe out there!

Bill Delaney, Program Manager – Community Life Safety Education MCFRS

MCFRS New Media & Social Outreach

Just a reminder that we can be found throughout the Internet! Please take a moment to look at some of what we are doing. You can sign up for many of these sites and interact with us!

MCFRS Virtual TV

MCFRS on Twitter

Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Facebook page

MCFRS Blog Talk Radio

MCFRS Blog

ENewsletter

MCFRS on Zannel

8830 Piney Branch Road Two Alarm Fire

Silver Spring, MD July 12, 2009 - At approximately 7:35 PM last night units from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, and Prince Georges County, responded to 8830 Piney Branch Rd. (Pineway Towers Condominiums) in Silver Spring for a reported building fire with people trapped.

Units arrived on the scene to find a residential hi-rise building with fire and toxic smoke showing from the 12th floor. Battalion Chief Officer 701 arrived to the rear of the building and reported seeing fire from the top floor and requested a second alarm worth of equipment and personnel to the scene. An aggressive interior attack and search and rescue operations were initiated. First arriving fire fighters rescued at least a dozen occupants from the 12th floor to safer areas on the floors below.

Upon arriving on the scene, the Fire Investigators were able to identify and interview the residents from the fire apartment. Four occupants were home at the time of the fire and they advised that the smoke alarms sounded and when they investigated they found smoke coming from a rear bedroom. The four exited the apartment and called 911.

The investigation revealed that a number of electronic components were plugged into an undersized extension cord in the room of origin. An apparent failure of the electrical cord occurred which was the cause of the fire.

One Firefighter was transported due to dehydration and one civilian was injured from falling debris. Red Cross was on the scene assisting with the numerous people that were displaced from their apartments

LOCATION: 8830 Piney Branch Rd (Pineway Towers Condominiums)
ORIGIN/CAUSE: Bedroom / Accidental
DAMAGE: 600,000
INJURY: Two – 1 F/F, 1 Civilian
DISPLACEMENT: Approx - 80
Smoke alarm and building alarms activated

Photo provided by FEI Junghans

Automatic Fire Sprinklers Save Again!

Rockville, MD July 11, 2009 - Early this morning at approximately 1:30 AM, units from Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service were dispatched for a fire in the Shoppers Food Warehouse at 18140 Village Center Drive.

Workers in the store reported seeing and smelling smoke and upon discovering the fire, they promptly exited the building to safety. The automatic fire sprinkler system operated to control the fire and Montgomery County Fire & Rescue units completed the extinguishment.

Chief Fire Marshal Mike Love noted, “This is the second time in less than a week where we have seen evidence showing the value of automatic fire sprinklers in their value to save lives and property. No home or business should be without automatic fire sprinklers.”

Fire Investigators determined that the fire started in a fluorescent light ballast attached to the refrigeration unit (see photo). The store is allowed to reopen although approximately half of it will be closed for a short time. Total damage estimates are still pending.

Fire Sprinklers Avert Tragedy At Nursing Home

Rockville, MD, July 8, 2009 - Yesterday morning at approximately 2:30 AM, units from Burtonsville Fire Station 15 were dispatched for an automatic fire alarm at the Arden Court Nursing Home (2500 Block of Musgrove Road). Engine 715 arrived on scene and reported heavy smoke conditions in the building and located an extinguished fire in a resident’s room.

A single automatic fire sprinkler operated to extinguish the fire. The elderly resident was removed from the room by the time the Fire Department arrived and he was transported to the hospital as a precaution for possible smoke inhalation. A picture of his room is on the right.

“There is no doubt in my mind that the action of the automatic sprinkler system averted a major a tragedy this morning,” stated Division Chief Mike Love, Chief Fire Marshal for Montgomery County.

The fire originated at a wire connection within a wall mounted A/C, heat pump unit and extended up the wall and burned a portion of the blinds at the window before the sprinkler activated. The Origin/Cause has been determined as Accidental – Electrical and damage is estimated at $5,000 Structure and $1,000 Contents.

Chief Love also said, “If this had been a non-sprinkled building, damage estimates could have easily been ten times what they were. The fact of the matter is fire sprinklers save lives and reduce property loss.”

County residents, who want to learn about residential fire sprinklers for their own home and how they can reduce their property tax bill by 50%, can go here for more information: Automatic Fire Sprinklers

Outdoor Grilling Safety

The onset of warm weather signals the beginning of Barbecue Season! Fire Chief Richard Bowers of the Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service wants you and your loved ones to enjoy this season SAFELY! Here are some tips from the National Fire Protection Association that he hopes will help: GO HERE

ALL FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Arson Tipline: 240-777-2263 to report illegal use of fireworks in Montgomery County

The Law
It is illegal for any person to manufacture, possess, store, offer for sale, sell, discharge, use, burn, or explode any fireworks in Montgomery County, Maryland, except that an authorized display may be conducted by a licensed pyrotechnic professional with a permit. Penalties for violations of the law include a fine up to $1,000 and/or six months in jail.

Leave Fireworks To The Professionals! Protect The Ones You Love!

Questions you may have about fireworks.

June is Home Safety Month!

Just a reminder that June is Home Safety Month! See what tools our friends at the Home Safety Council have to help you make your home safer!

Safety Guide

The Safety Guide includes tips to help you make your entire home safe. Whether you follow a room-by-room approach to home safety or are looking to make seasonal safety improvements to your home, the Safety Guide offers step-by-step tips and photos to help.

Lumetique Recalls Botanika Candles Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

For More Go HERE.

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service- Community Perception Survey

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service takes pride in the service we provide to you and the community. We would like to hear from you about your perception of our services. Please complete the following survey by checking your answer to each question. Some questions may allow multiple answers. Your comments are appreciated.

http://www.zoomerang.com/Survey/survey-intro.zgi?p=WEB228X6T8RPLK