"This is Just a Test" -- Wireless Emergency Alerts System Test Scheduled for April 5th - What You Need to Know

As Chief of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, I am joining the County’s effort to make certain that all our community members and visitors know that a test of the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system will be taking place on Thursday, April 5 from 10 to 11 a.m. The test will take place in 20 jurisdictions throughout the National Capital Region, which includes all of Montgomery County.

For anyone who has not previously received a WEA message, it is important to know that your WEA-enabled cell phone and other mobile devices will vibrate and produce loud warning audio signals, prior to the receipt of a text-like message. You don’t sign up for WEA alerts, they come automatically. This one is just a test, not a cause for alarm.

The WEA system was developed by the Federal Communications Commission in 2012 to send out geographically-targeted, text-like messages about threats to safety in specific areas. The state of Maryland uses the WEA system for Amber Alerts and the National Weather Service uses it for extreme weather information. It is also designed so that the President of the United States can send out nation-wide alerts during a national emergency.

Wherever you are on April 5 between 10 and 11 a.m., driving, at a store, in school, at work, in the gym, please know that this test will be taking place. And please help us spread the word by letting others know about it.

You can learn more at: WEA Test
   

IMPORTANT: Kidde Recalls Dual-Sensor Smoke Alarms

Kidde is recalling almost 500,000 dual-sensor smoke alarms due to a manufacturing malfunction that can compromise the alarm's ability to detect smoke. Specifically, a yellow cap that was left on during manufacturing can cover one of the two smoke sensors, posing a risk of people not being alerted to a fire in their home. These dual-sensor types of alarms are not used in any of the department's smoke alarm installation programs.

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commision:

"Consumers should remove the alarm from the wall/ceiling and visually inspect it through the opening on the side of the alarm for the presence of a yellow cap. Consumers should not attempt to take apart the alarm, open the casing, or otherwise remove the yellow cap themselves. If a yellow cap is present, the consumer should immediately contact Kidde to receive instructions and request a free replacement smoke alarm. They should remove and discard the recalled smoke alarm only after they receive and install the replacement alarm. If no yellow cap is present, consumers should reinstall the smoke alarm and no further action is needed."

The recalled models: Kidde PI2010 and Kidde PI9010
Dates affected: September 10, 2016 - October 13, 2017

How to check your smoke alarms to see if it is affected:

    Step 1:

   Step 2:

If a yellow cap is present, owners should immediately contact Kidde to receive a free replacement. They should only remove and discard the recalled smoke alarm after they receive and install their replacement. 

Consumer Contact:
You can reach Kidde at 833-551-7739 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or from 9 a.m.to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information visit the "Product Safety" section of www.kidde.com. 

Need Help With Your MCFRS Firefighter Application?

The Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service (MCFRS) is hiring and accepting applications for the position of Firefighter/Rescuer I (Recruit) through January 6, 2018 at midnight. 

This recruitment will be used to establish eligibility for a Recruit Class that will tentatively begin in September or October, 2018. Applications will only be accepted on-line. MCFRS Firefighter/Rescuers receive outstanding benefits, including a 20-year retirement with no age limit, group health and life insurance, tuition assistance, pay differentials, paid holidays, paid vacation, and paid sick leave.

If you have applied for the position of Firefighter/Rescuer I (Recruit) previously, you MUST reapply to be considered.

Have questions? We can help!

1.  How do I create my Account? Can you give me step-by-step instructions?

Yes! Click here: Link

2. I created my account, but still can’t apply.  What should I do?

Make sure that you have waited at least 30 minutes after creating your account to apply.  Make sure that you are logged in when trying to apply.  Follow these instructions:

1.  Log into your account
2. Click on the word "employment"
3. On the search panel, highlight "public safety"
4. Hit go.
5. Find the position. (IRC28202)
6. Click on the vacancy number (IRC28202)
7. Scroll all the way to the right.
8. Click on the "apply" button

3. I applied, but didn’t get a confirmation email.  How can I check my status?

1. Log into your account
2. Click on the vacancy number (IRC28202)
3. You should be able to see your status. It should say “active application.”
4. If yes, you have successfully applied and no additional information is needed.
5. If no, please make sure that you applied for the position and clicked on the “submit” button.
6. If you continue to have problems, contact:
   Jacquelyn.Anderson@montgomerycountymd.gov

4. I received an error message when I tried to input an employee as my referral source.
How can I fix this?

1. Send an email to Jacquelyn.Anderson@montgomerycountymd.gov
2. Include the following information:
    a. Your Last name and Your First name
    b. The name of the employee that referred you to the job announcement 
        (only 1 person can be listed). Include Last Name and First Name
    c. Your Information will be updated within 1-2 business days.
    d. An email confirmation will be sent to you as a confirmation of the change.

5. Do I need a resume?
A resume is not required for this position so you do not need to upload one. If this document is needed later in the application process, you will be provided with specific instructions on how to upload.

6.  I forgot something on my application. Can I make an edit?
Unfortunately, you cannot edit your application once it is submitted. If you need to have your application updated with your college credits, you must send an official transcript from your university before the closing date to the contacts listed at the bottom of this page. Once received and verified that you have 30 or more credits, your application will be updated. Again, an official transcript from your university MUST be received BEFORE the application period closes. 

7. I can't make any of the dates for the entrance exam. What do I do?
There are no alternate dates for the entrance exam.

8. Any special order when inputting my name?
Your name must be last name then first name.

9. I need HELP!!!
We understand and are here to help you. For any OHR and computer access (registration and Job Vacancy Portal) concerns contact: Jacquelyn Anderson Montgomery County Government OHR (Office of Human Resourses) at: Jacquelyn.Anderson@montgomerycountymd.gov

For any Fire and Rescue, hiring press release and job description related questions please contact: Captain O’Neal Johnson Jr. Montgomery County MD Fire & Rescue Service Recruiting Manager at: MCFRS.Recruiter@montgomerycountymd.gov or via cell at 240-454-1533. 

Updates to Maryland’s Smoke Alarm Law

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New Year. New Alarm? What You Need to Know 

Smoke alarm technology has advanced over the years and the updates to Maryland's Smoke Alarm Law are part of a nationwide trend to ensure that new and replacement smoke alarms have the most effective technology available. In Maryland, legislation updating smoke alarm requirements was signed in 2013 with a phased-in implementation period to provide time for residents impacted to make any required upgrades and be in compliance by the January 1, 2018 deadline. There are essentially two key things you need to know about the new law to determine if you need to take action: 

• All smoke alarms, regardless of whether they are battery-only or hard-wired, MUST be replaced EVERY ten years from the date of manufacturer printed on the back of the alarm.  
• All battery-ONLY smoke alarms must be replaced with ten-year, sealed, long-life battery-powered smoke alarms with a silence/hush feature. These battery-only smoke alarms are the primary target of Maryland's new law and are the type of alarms typically found in older (pre-1975) homes.

The intent of Maryland’s new Smoke Alarm Law was to achieve as much reliable smoke alarm coverage as possible in older dwellings without requiring the homeowner to run new wiring. As a department, we have been talking about changes to Maryland’s Smoke Alarm Law since the legislation was signed in 2013 and as we approach 2018, we’ve compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions below. Questions like: Is it really necessary?  Why every ten years?  Why a sealed battery?  How much will it cost me? What if I have hard-wired alarms? Why the changes? Let’s learn the reasons for these legislative changes.

Six years ago the Maryland Smoke Alarm Technology Task Force examined residential fire deaths around the State to learn why people were not able to escape their homes in time.  The Task Force was asked to look at new and emerging technologies to determine if better smoke detection was available and ensure it was affordable for Marylanders. The goal of the Task Force was simple:  Reduce residential fire deaths in Maryland. The legislation was written to do exactly that.  

ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS:

How do I know if I am affected by the changes to Maryland’s Smoke Alarm Law?

Two things you need to know. Maryland’s new Smoke Alarm Law requires the replacement of all smoke alarms (hard-wired and battery-only) when they are ten years old (ten years from the date of manufacture printed on the back of the smoke alarm) and requires the replacement of any/all battery-only powered smoke alarms with 10-year long-life, sealed smoke alarms. It is never acceptable to replace required hard-wired smoke alarms and replace with ANY type of battery-only smoke alarm. 

How do I know what type of smoke alarms I need?

Smoke alarm requirements are based on the Code requirements when the house was built. As a result, requirements can be somewhat confusing and it is critical to determine when your home was actually built to determine the locations and type of smoke alarms required. Residential code requirements can be found at  www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe.

Are hard-wired smoke alarms affected by the changes to Maryland’s Smoke Alarm law?

The only impact to hard-wired smoke alarms: if they are over 10 years, they need to be replaced with new hard-wired smoke alarms. The manufacture date can be found on the alarm to determine if it needs to be replaced. Hard-wired smoke alarms always have a battery-backup in the event of a power outage to ensure continuous smoke alarm protection.

Why do I have to change my smoke alarms every ten years?
How old is your cell phone? It is likely less than ten years old. Then why should your smoke alarm, an electronic device designed to protect your family not be periodically replaced? Most people know they should have working smoke alarms. The one thing many people don’t realize is that smoke alarms need to be replaced every ten years. Studies concluded that the proper operational sensitivity of a smoke alarm deteriorates dramatically ten years from its date of manufacture. You can find the manufacturer date on the underside of your smoke alarm. No date? No question --- your smoke alarms are overdue for replacement.

Can I replace my required hard-wired smoke alarms with these new 10-year, sealed battery-only smoke alarms?

NO! (no, no and no)! The new law heavily emphasizes the use of sealed, 10-year battery-powered smoke alarms with long-life batteries and silence/hush features. However, it is critical to understand that these devices are appropriate only where battery-operated smoke alarms presently exist or in locations where no smoke alarms are present. It is never (ever) acceptable to remove required hard-wired smoke alarms and replace them with any type of battery-only smoke alarm.  

 

Why a “sealed battery” in battery-only alarms?

When looking at the data on residential fire fatalities, more than half of the smoke alarms failed to sound because the 9v battery had been removed. The primary intent of the new Maryland Smoke Alarm Law was to transition away from smoke alarms with nine-volt batteries. Historically, the normal course of action when frying bacon or burning toast activated the smoke alarm was to remove the battery to quiet the alarm. That annoying low battery alarm chip which almost always occurs at 3:00 in the morning also resulted in the removal of the smoke alarm battery. Despite the best intentions, many of these batteries never got replaced resulting in much loss of life fires in homes having non-working smoke alarms due to dead or missing batteries. Both of these problems will be essentially solved as we transition to sealed smoke alarms. The silence button will temporarily turn off the alarm due to cooking activations (we are not saying you're a bad cook ...) and the alarm will reset after a few minutes. A low battery chirp will only occur once every ten years with the new generation of sealed units indicating it’s time to replace the entire smoke alarm unit. Battery technology has come a long way and this “sealed battery” technology is a good thing.

How much will it cost me?

More good news. While the new sealed smoke alarms with long-life batteries and hush features will cost a little more at the time of purchase, money is actually saved over the ten-year life of the alarms since there is no longer a need to purchase new nine-volt batteries ever year. If you have hard-wired smoke alarms you might need an electrician to change them out.  The device itself costs around $30.00. Small price to pay for your family’s safety. 

Can I purchase a hard-wired smoke alarm with a ten-year battery back-up?

Yes.  When the legislation was written they were not available on the market but they are now. Again, they are potentially a less expensive alternative since you won’t have to continue to buy 9 volt batteries each year and while the law doesn’t require ten-year back-up batteries for hard-wired smoke alarms, it could be a good solution to the “low battery replacement chirp” that always seems to occur in the middle of the night.

Why is the “hush” feature important?
Smoke alarms are available with a “hush” button that can be used to temporarily silence the alarm. This is a convenient way to deal with nuisance alarms, such as those caused by burning toast or opening smoky ovens, without disabling the alarm. The hush button will silence the alarm for several minutes and then automatically reset itself. Smoke alarms with this feature discourage the dangerous practice of removing the battery or disconnecting the power source as a method of dealing with frequent nuisance alarms. If smoke continues to build from an actual fire while the alarm is in hush mode, the smoke will override the silence feature and the smoke alarm will reactivate.

How can I test my alarm? 
Every smoke alarm comes with a test button. MCFRS recommends that people test their alarms at least once a month. Think about it. You go out of town for a month and “missed” the end of life chirp of your smoke alarm during that time and have no idea that your alarm is no longer protecting your family. A monthly push of the test button could just save your life. 

What about new homes. Any changes?

For new construction, the Maryland Smoke Alarm Law has simply been updated to correspond with the International Residential Code and NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. An AC powered, battery back-up smoke alarm is required in every bedroom, in the common area outside of bedrooms and on every level of the home (including finished or unfinished basements) with ALL of the required smoke alarms being interconnected. 

What if I rent?
The new law is applicable to homeowners and landlords. Every property management company in Maryland and all landlords need to be fully compliant with the requirements of the new law.

What if I can't afford a smoke alarm?
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service has a small inventory of 10-year, long life, battery-powered smoke alarms reserved for senior citizens and residents that are unable to purchase or safely install smoke alarms due to mobility, vision or hearing impairments or other disabilities. Residents can call 311 to learn more about this program.

Can I just stop by or call my local fire station for help or information about smoke alarms?
The department recommends that you contact 311 or visit our website for assistance. While MCFRS firefighters would like to meet you -- they are frequently out of the station dispatched on calls, transporting patients, engaged in training exercises and education classes. There is a team of fire safety educators who can quickly assist you that can be reached by calling 311 or visiting our website.

Does MCFRS install or replace hard-wired smoke alarms in my home?
No. MCFRS does not install or replace hard-wired smoke alarms. If your smoke alarms are hard-wired into your home's electrical system, an electrician is recommended to complete any installation or replacement of hard-wired smoke alarms. Remember, if the Code requires hard-wired smoke alarms, you must replace with hard-wired smoke alarms which come with a battery back-up to provide continuous coverage in the event of a power outage.  

Is there anything new I need to know if I am selling my house? 
The residential property disclosure form provided to the purchaser of specified single-family residential real property must include whether the smoke alarms (1) are over 10 years old and (2) if battery-operated, are sealed, tamper-resistant units incorporating a silence/hush button and use long-life batteries as required in all Maryland homes by 2018. 

Residential Sprinkler Systems

Nothing in the new law is intended to imply in any way that smoke alarms are an adequate or acceptable substitute for residential sprinkler protection. The combination of properly located and functioning smoke alarms and properly designed residential sprinkler protection systems provide the greatest potential for surviving any residential fire.

How do I dispose of my old alarms?
The radioactive material in smoke alarms is extremely weak. Smoke alarms can be safely disposed of in the regular trash. Some manufacturers will take their own products back, but will not take products made by other companies. The postage is at the consumer's expense. Additionally, the County's Transfer Station on Shady Grove Road is also a great place to dispose of your alarms.

I still see smoke alarms with removable batteries (9v) on the shelves of retailers. Is this illegal?
An addendum to Maryland's Smoke Alarm law in 2018 required retailers to transition their inventory over to selling only 10-year sealed long-life battery smoke alarms. 

What if I need help or have questions? 
Please visit us at www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe or call 311 for assistance.

Countdown to Halloween - Tips for a Safe and Fun Night

With Halloween quickly approaching, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service offers some important tips for a safe Halloween. "Recent research shows that children are four times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween than any other night of the year, said Fire Chief Scott Goldstein. “Fatal collisions between motor vehicles and young pedestrians occur most frequently between the hours of 4 and 8 p.m. It’s a dangerous night because so many kids are on the streets, many without their parents or an adult, and in their excitement often forget important pedestrian safety rules.”

Plan a safe route.

1. 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 a parent or responsible 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 or apartment.

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. Ensure trick-or-treaters stay away from open flames or jack-o-lanterns with candles burning.

6. Children should avoid busy streets, always use sidewalks, and follow all traffic rules and regulations. Motorists should drive slowly and be alert to small children crossing streets. Many accidents occur when motorists are backing vehicles out of driveways, unaware of the presence of small children.

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, garden hoses 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. Don't assume the right-of-way. Motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters in the dark. Just because one car stops doesn't mean others will. 

2. 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.

All Dressed Up.

1. Plan costumes that are bright and have reflective qualities. Consider adding reflective tape or decals to costumes and trick or treat bags. Be sure kids carry a flashlight and use glow sticks for extra visibility.

2. When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories purchase only those with a label indicating they are flame resistant.

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

4. Shorter IS safer. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.

5. Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup as a safer alternative.

6. If a sword, cane or stick is part of your child’s costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if they trip or fall.

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

Lastly, teach children how to call 9-1-1 if they have an emergency or become lost.