Don’t Become a Statistic Tonight: SoberRide offers New Year's Revelers Safe Way

MCFRS hopes all of you have a SAFE New Year’s eve tonight! I found this great article on WTOP.com with information on how you can get a free ride if you have had a bit too much to drink. Drunk driving is a preventable incident – it is NOT accident when one occurs!

So please take a moment to click on the link below to learn more. Pass along to any one you know who may be out and about celebrating tonight.  If even the slightest doubt please pick up a phone and call for a ride home. 

SoberRide offers New Year's Revelers Safe Way

Stay Safe this evening!

Bill

Whole Foods & Fire Station 6 A-Shift Partner on 28 Day Health Challenge

By: Bill Delaney



Jill Ward provides books and background
to 6 A-Shift

Yesterday I tagged along as Career Fire Fighters from Bethesda Fire Station 6, A-Shift, received a briefing and tour at the Friendship Heights Whole Foods. The reason for this meeting was for the fire fighters to get background on a unique challenge they will be undertaking starting in January.


The challenge is based on a Austin, Texas fire fighter’s book, The Engine 2 Diet, that lays out a 28 day plan to lose weight and lower cholesterol. It is part cook book as well and the personnel at Station 6 hope to prepare healthy meals while on duty.

We will be chronicling their experience here on the blog. So look for updates over the course of January and February.

Special thanks to Jill Ward and Whole Foods for partnering in this special health challenge!



Touring the Whole Foods to learn

where the healthy foods are kept



Already studying!

Ice & Cold Weather Safety Tips

Each year, many residents are injured during the winter months as a result of pedestrian accidents and from exposure in cold water incidents. Skaters fall through the ice; boaters and canoeists overturn their crafts and pedestrians are struck walking in roadways because sidewalks are snow covered.

Here are a few general guidelines for use by winter recreation enthusiasts to lessen their chances for an icy dip or worse. It's impossible to judge the strength of ice by its appearance, thickness, daily temperature, or snow cover alone. Ice strength is also dependent on water depth under the ice, the size of the water and water chemistry, currents, and distribution of the load on the ice.

THE ONLY "SAFE" ICE IS AT A SKATING ARENA!

WHAT DO YOU DO IF SOMEONE FALLS THROUGH THE ICE?

Act quickly and call 9-1-1 for help immediately. Make sure properly trained and equipped rescue personnel are alerted to respond.

DO NOT go out onto the ice. Many times would-be rescuers become victims themselves.

Reach, Throw, or Row. Extend a branch, pole or ladder to the victim. Throw them a buoyant object such as a life ring or float tied to a rope. If a boat is nearby row out to the victim or push it toward them.

HOW COLD IS COLD WATER?

Any water that is cooler than normal body temperature (98.6 degrees F) is by definition "cold water"

Cold water drains away body heat 25 to 30 times faster than air!

The lower the temperature of the water, the faster the onset of hypothermia.

WHAT IS HYPOTHERMIA?

Hypothermia is the excessive lowering of body temperature. A drop n core temperature below 95 degrees F., causes shivering, confusion, loss of muscle strength, and if not treated and reversed leads to unconsciousness and death.

Safety experts estimate that half of all drowning victims die from the fatal effects of hypothermia and cold water, not the fatal effects from water filled lungs.

PEDESTRIAN SAFETY

Slippery driveways and sidewalks can be particularly hazardous in the winter. Keep them well shoveled, and apply materials such as rock salt or sand to improve traction.

Be especially careful crossing the street and wear appropriate shoes and brightly colored (not white) clothing while walking in snowy conditions.

Use reflective clothing or stickers for maximum protection, especially at dawn and dusk.

Christmas Tree and Holiday Light Recycling

Though I am still off for another day winding down my holiday weekend, I thought it important to get out some great information provided by the Montgomery County Division of Solid Waste Services (DSWS), in the Department of Environmental Protection. Below, please find some great information as it relates to Christmas Tree and Holiday Light Recycling.

Hope everyone has had a December full of health and happiness that continues into the New Year!

-Bill

Christmas Tree Recycling Schedule and Tips

Montgomery County residents may recycle their Christmas trees from Monday, December 27, 2010 through Friday, February 4, 2011 by placing the entire tree at the curb by 7 a.m. on their regular recycling collection day.

After February 4, Christmas trees may be recycled through the County’s curbside yard trim recycling collection program. Because the trees will be chipped for mulch, they must first be cut into smaller pieces.

The Division of Solid Waste Services reminds residents to keep trees in their natural state and to remove the stand and all decorations, including lights, ornaments, tinsel and garland. There should be nothing attached to the tree.

Residents are also reminded not to place trees in plastics bags. Trees with root balls are considered

“live” and therefore cannot be collected as part of this recycling program. In addition, artificial trees cannot be collected as part of the recycling program. Residents might consider donating artificial trees to charitable organizations or offering them for reuse through online reuse networks such as the Freecycle Network at www.Freecycle.org.

Tree branches and needles may be recycled at home by placing them under outdoor trees and shrubs as temporary winter mulch, or they may be chopped up and added to a backyard compost bin.

Wreaths and roping that are typically bound together with wire cannot be recycled unless the wire is removed from the greens. If there is no wiring attached, the greens may be placed directly into paper lawn bags or in reusable containers or bundled as yard trim and placed at the curb for recycling collection on recycling day.

Residents of apartments and condominiums, as well as businesses, should check with their property or business manager for specific Christmas tree recycling instructions.

After Christmas trees are collected for recycling, they are shredded into mulch that will be available in February and March at County-operated Neighborhood Mulch Preserves. The preserves are located at: Montgomery County Recycling Center, 16105 Frederick Rd. in the Derwood/Rockville/Gaithersburg area; and at E.E. Halmos Park (use the Bodmer Ave. entrance) in Poolesville. The mulch is free but must be loaded and transported by the user.

This mulch is good to use on woody plants, such as bushes, shrubs and trees; as a cover material on walkways or other areas where vegetation needs to be controlled; and as a carbon-rich addition to home compost bins. Because the mulch is “green,” it must be aged for at least six to eight months before it can be used on flowers, vegetables or other plants with tender or shallow root systems.

For more information about Christmas tree recycling, the Neighborhood Mulch Preserves and/or using mulch, call 311; 240-777-0311 240-777-0311 from outside Montgomery County; TTY 240-777-3556; or visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/recycling.

Holiday Light Recycling Opportunities

Broken, burnt out and/or unwanted holiday lights used on Christmas trees or around the house can be recycled, but not as part of the County’s curbside recycling program. Residents may take their holiday lights to a number of local retailers for recycling collection or they may send the lights directly to private recycling companies.

For an updated list of holiday light recycling options, visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/recycling and click on Recycle Your Holiday Lights.

MCFRS Triathlon Team Members raise $19,140 For the Make-A-Wish Foundation

MCFRS triathlon team members raised a total of $19,140 this year for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Kensington resident Theresa Brooks was our official honoree.  The triathlon was held in September at Bethany Beach in Delaware.

Theresa is a 6 year old cancer survivor, who had a wish to "be a ballerina" fulfilled last year by the Make a Wish Foundation.  In December 2006, at the age of two and a half, she was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancerous tumor.  Theresa was treated primarily at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, DC, where she received chemotherapy for 10 months.  She also received radiation treatments at Mass General in Boston.  As of this date Theresa is cancer free.

Theresa has been a good friend of Katie Monahan (daughter of Fire Fighter T.J. Monahan, 33 A Shift) since preschool.

You will actually be able to see Theresa in a two minute segment called “Theresa’s Wish” that will air on CNN as part of a one-hour special called "Giving in Focus" on Christmas Day at 4:00 PM.

MCFRS Triathlon Team Members: Michael Johns, TJ Monahan, Robert Stojinski, Elwood Ey, Michael Green, Joshua Devries, David Carter, Michael McDonald, Amanda Viragh, James Riddle, Andrew Welk, Jose Estrada.

Special thanks to Fire Fighter Carla Myers (22 C Shift), for the embroidery for this year's team shirts.

Still Time to Drop Off a New Toy to a Local Fire Station!

Today is the last day MCFRS Fire Stations will be accepting new, unwrapped toys that will be used for existing annual local volunteer fire department initiatives supporting neighborhood and local community holiday programs, as well as, the regional 2010 Toys for Tots Campaign in conjunction with the United States Marines.

As you are out and about today, please consider purchasing a new toy and then drop it by one of our fire stations. The toys are intended to go to children from infants and toddlers to seventeen (17) years of age.

Below, please find a brief video from our partners – the United States Marines!

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning - A Colorless, Tasteless, and Odorless Killer

As many of you are aware, there was a tragic death with a couple more close calls in the District of Columbia a couple of days ago related to Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning. With the cold weather our furnaces, wood stoves, space heaters, and fire places will be working to keep our homes toasty warm. The use of improperly operating oil, natural gas and LPG forced air heating systems and appliances can result in CO poisoning.

Heck, leaving your car running in an attached to your home garage can result in CO leaking into your home!

With the above in mind, I would like to offer some of the CO exposure warning signs and symptoms and what you can do to protect yourself and your family from this hidden danger. CO is a colorless, tasteless, odorless, and non-irritating gas that you may be unaware you are breathing. The signs/symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include:

•Symptoms often described as “Flu-like”

• Mild headache initially, increasing in intensity to throbbing headache

• Shortness of breath

• Irritability and fatigue

• Impaired judgment

• Memory loss

• Vomiting

• Symptoms can progress rapidly to coma and death

• Symptoms decrease when leaving the home or location to go to work, school

Some standard steps to prevent CO poisoning from occurring:

• 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 your furnace checked before use each year to ensure adequate ventilation and proper operation.

• Always provide adequate ventilation when using wood stoves, fuel-fired space heaters, and fireplaces and ensure proper installation, adjustment and operation of all flame-burning appliances.

• Never use an oven or gas range to heat the house. These appliances use the existing oxygen supply.

• Never burn charcoal inside a home or other enclosed space.

• Always ventilate generators used to run cleaning equipment, pump water or supply electricity to a home. Generators used in a garage can result in fumes seeping into the home.

• 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.

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

If you are in doubt about whether you may be the victim of CO poisoning or a leak, call 9-1-1.

Two-Alarm Apartment Fire & Space Heater Safety

With cold weather usually, unfortunately, come home fires. A little after mid-night this morning was no exception as MCFRS personnel responded to a two-alarm apartment fire in the 2900 Block of Hewitt Avenue.


View Larger Map

One resident was transported to the hospital for smoke inhalation. Damage to the building was $250K and $100K for contents of the impacted apartments. Preliminary findings indicate that a space heater, placed too close to items that can burn, MAY be a contributing factor to this fire.

If you scroll back the last several days of this blog, you will notice we hit on the topic of cold weather fires and the usual suspect causes. The common theme is that a vast majority of these fires are preventable incidents. In other words, they did not have to happen.

Please remember that space heaters need SPACE! There should be nothing within a 3 foot radius of the space heater that can burn! Clothes and other burnable items should not be placed in and around the space heater to dry out or warm up! A vast majority of space heater related fires we respond too are not caused by a malfunction of the space heater.
Please take a moment to review the below tips for more information. Also, PLEASE feel free to forward to friends and family members. Help us to help you and your loved ones from having to place a 9-1-1 call because your home is on fire.

For portable space heaters:

o Fuel-fired space heaters are only permitted in single-family dwellings (houses and townhouses) in Montgomery County.

o Space heaters need space. Portable space heaters need a three-foot clearance from anything that can burn.

o When buying heaters, look for devices that are UL (Underwriters Laboratory) listed with automatic shutoff features that shut the unit off if it is tipped over. Be sure any heating device is placed in a room with adequate ventilation.

o Portable kerosene heaters should be fueled outside, free of flame and other heat sources, and only when the device has cooled completely. Use only the type of kerosene specified by the manufacturer for that device.

o Place them on a solid, flat surface.

o Turn them off when you go to bed or leave the room.

o Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.

o Inspect for cracked or damaged, broken plugs or loose connections; replace before using.

o Follow manufacturer recommendations when using space heaters.

Preventing Christmas Tree Fires

By: Lieutenant Dave Carter, Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service

Each year fires occurring during the holiday season claim the lives of over 400 Americans, injure 1,650 more, and cause over $990 million in damage.

According to the U. S. Fire Administration (USFA), there are simple life saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday. By following some of the outlined precautionary tips, individuals can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a holiday fire casualty.

Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping a live or fresh cut tree in the house.

Safety Links

· Christmas Tree Fire Hazards

· Selecting a Christmas Tree

· Christmas Tree Care

Finally, as in every season, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home to include all sleeping areas, test them monthly, and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times.

Know when and how to call for help (ESPECIALLY CHILDREN). Ensure your house has the address readable from the street in night time light conditions.

Have in place and remember to practice your home escape plan. The plan should have at least 2 points of escape from each living area and a meeting place outside for family members exiting the home. Meet in a safe area that is visible to responding fire department personnel. Be able to provide information for anyone not accounted for.

Friday Home Fires Highlight Danger of Combustible Materials Too Close to Lamps/Lights

A couple of fire calls this past Friday caught my eye and I wanted to share them with you. The cause of the fires may actually surprise many of you. It certainly highlights the fact that many of the fires MCFRS Fire Fighter’s respond to are PREVENTABLE incidents.

In one instance the fire originated in closet by the front door due to combustibles too close to light fixture.

The next fire was due to bedding materials on a lamp.

Hopefully all of you caught on to the fact that the light bulbs in the lamp and light fixture were the “spark” that started each fire. They were allowed to be the “spark” because materials that can burn were placed close enough to each device that the materials heated up to the point where they caught fire.

None of the people who lived in these homes meant for this to happen. No doubt many of you reading this right now are saying to yourselves, “Wow! I did not realize a fire could start this way!”

But it can and it did! My hope is that many of you will read this and perhaps pay a little more attention to where you may be tossing your clothes, towels, bed sheets/blankets, jackets, etc. This is the time of year where we also see many folks using space heaters to dry out or heat up wet clothes – which can result in the same set of circumstances that occurred Friday.

So, please, understand that your lamps and light fixtures are a potential source of heat that can start a fire if you are placing things that can burn too close to them.

For more safety tips, please go to our Safety In Our Neighborhood site.

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

Several Recalls of Note

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued several recalls yesterday involving either a burn or fire hazard that I thought all of you should be aware of. Please take a look at the recalled items below to see if any of them are in your home. If you find some familiar items in the list, please follow the instructions of the CPSC and the manufacturer.

1. Rachael Ray(tm) Brand Two Quart Teakettle Recalled by Meyer Corporation, U.S. Due to Burn Hazard, http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11059.html

2. Circo Children's Camping Combo Pack Recalled Due to Fire Hazard; Sold Exclusively at Target Stores, http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11060.html

3. Silver Metallic Pillar Candles Sold Exclusively at Bed Bath & Beyond Stores Recalled By General Wax & Candle Company Due to Fire Hazard, http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml11/11061.html

Dog Rescue

While this happened a week ago, I thought it would still be nice to pass along to all of you out there who follow us. Several good pictures are included. The below narrative was provided by Lieutenant Rick Triplett who was the Officer in Charge on Truck 735 (Milestone) which participated in the rescue.

A week ago, November 30, fire and rescue units were called to assist with a dog that was trapped in a metal drainage pipe. The dog was in a metal drainage pipe about 30 feet from the opening and was hung up on something in the pipe and the pipe was too narrow to crawl in to. The squad crew had measured in from the end to see how far in he was so they knew where to start digging. Rescue Squad 729 (Germantown) had started digging when we arrived and were down about 1 foot or so. We continued to dig when a guy said he had a small backhoe across the street.

We were able to get the backhoe into the scene and dig down 4 to 5 feet before it hit the pipe. We then used an air chisel, hydraulic spreaders and cutters to make a hole in the top of the pipe. The dog was about 4 feet from the opening and could not be reached. While we were discussing our options the dog stuck his nose out of the opening. At first he backed away when he saw strangers but a minute later he came out a little further and we were able to grab him and pull him out.

Go here to see several photos: MCFRS on Flickr

The crews were: Battalion Chief Witt was Battalion 705, Rescue Squad 729 was Lieutenant Randall, Firefighters Tatum and Palma, Aerial Truck 735 was Lieutenant Triplett, Master Firefighter Hardy and Firefighter Ocker.

NEWS ADVISORY: Montgomery County Fire and Explosive Investigators Arrest Two Suspects in String of Early Morning Fires

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 3, 2010

Advisory Arson 120320101

Fire Safe Home For The Holidays!

The Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service wants to help make your holidays joyful and safe. By taking the simple safety precautions listed below, you can help ensure that you and your loved ones will have a Fire Safe Home For The Holidays!

Lights and Candles

Decorate your tree using only UL (Underwriters' Lab Inc.) approved lights and cords. Inspect lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets. Do not overload extension cords. Use no more than three strings of lights on one extension cord, and never run an electrical cord under a carpet. Be sure to secure electrical cords so that children cannot pull them and topple the tree.

Turn off the tree lights when you go to bed, depart from home or leave the tree in an unattended room.

Keep burning candles out of the reach of children and pets; keep matches and lighters out of sight and locked away. Make sure they are in stable holders. Do not leave candles unattended - especially around children or pets.

Do not place candles near draperies or anything that might easily catch fire. Make sure you put out candles when you go to bed or leave the home.

Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree! Do not go near a holiday tree with an open flame - candles, lighters or matches.

Cooking

Never leave cooking food unattended - it is the number one cause of house fires.

Make sure you wear close-fitting clothing when cooking.

Put pans on back burners and turn all pot handles toward the back of the stove.

Never leave a child unattended in the kitchen. Close supervision is essential, whether children are helping an adult cook or simply watching.

Trees

When selecting a tree for the Holiday, needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard. A safer option is to buy a fire-resistant artificial tree.

Use a wide-based stand to make sure the tree is secure and will not fall over. Keep your tree in a container full of water, and check it daily.

Keep the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators and heating vents. Decorate your tree with children in mind. Do not put ornaments that are breakable, have small detachable parts, metal hooks or look like food or candy on the lower branches where small children can reach them. Make sure tree lights are hung out of reach of young children. Also, cut back the lower branches to avoid eye injuries to small children.

Never burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood or wrapping paper in your fireplace. Dispose of your tree promptly after the holidays.

Other Related Tips

Have your furnace and chimney professionally inspected and cleaned.

Space heaters need space. Keep materials that burn easily at least three feet away from each heater.

Working smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Test alarms once a month and replace the batteries at least twice a year.

Plan and practice at least two fire escape routes from each room of your home and identify an outside meeting place.

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!