MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLERS

Automatic sprinkler systems have enjoyed an enviable record of protecting life and property for over 100 years. Yet, there are still common misunderstandings about the operation and effectiveness of automatic fire sprinkler systems:

Myth 1: "Water damage from a sprinkler system will be more extensive than fire damage."

Fact: Water damage from a home sprinkler system will be much less severe than the damage caused by water from fire-fighting hose lines or smoke and fire damage if the fire goes unabated. Quick response sprinklers release 8-24 gallons of water per minute compared to 50-125 gallons per minute released by a fire hose.

Myth 2: "When a fire occurs, every sprinkler head goes off."

Fact: Sprinkler heads are individually activated by fire. Residential fires are usually controlled with one sprinkler head. 90% of all fires are controlled with six or fewer heads and a study conducted in Australia and New Zealand covering 82 years of automatic sprinkler use found that 82% of the fires which occurred were controlled by two or fewer sprinklers.

Myth 3: "A smoke detector provides enough protection."

Fact: Smoke detectors save lives by providing a warning system but can do nothing to extinguish a growing fire or protect those physically unable to escape on their own, such as the elderly or small children. Too often, battery operated smoke detectors fail to function because the batteries are dead or have been removed. As the percent of homes in America that were "protected" with smoke detectors increased from zero to more than 70%, the number of fire deaths in homes did not significantly decrease.

Myth 4: "Sprinklers are designed to protect property, but are not effective for life safety."

Fact: Sprinklers provide a high level of life safety. Statistics demonstrate that there has never been any multiple loss of life in a fully sprinklered building. Property losses are 85% less in residences with fire sprinklers compared to those without sprinklers. The combination of automatic sprinklers and early warning systems in all buildings and residences could reduce overall injuries, loss of life and property damage by at least 50%.

Sources:

• National Fire Protection Association
• Automatic Fire Sprinkler Association

As Tropical Storm Emily Approaches East Coast This Weekend, FEMA Encourages Residents to Be Prepared

In advance of Tropical Storm Emily moving toward parts of southern Florida this weekend, FEMA is encouraging residents along the Florida and the East Coast to monitor the storm's developing track and get ready for potential heavy rains, wind and other severe weather. While Emily's track over the next few days is still fairly uncertain, according to current forecasts from the National Hurricane Center, Emily could pass near Florida as a tropical storm this weekend.

Read on: As Tropical Storm Emily Approaches East Coast This Weekend, FEMA Encourages Residents to Be Prepared

Fire Station 18 A-Shift Participates In National Night Out In Glenmont

By: Captain Derrick Anthony, Station Commander

      Montgomery County Fire and Rescue

      Fire Station 18 A-Shift

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.

Significant Fire & EMS Incidents From July 25 through July 31

Battalion 1 Incidents

• Motor Vehicle Crash @ E Randolph Road & Tourmaline Court - Dispatched for a crash involving a loaded Ride-On bus. Fire units arrived to find minor collision and transported 4 patients with minor injuries to local hospital.

Battalion 2 Incidents

• House Fire in the 7700 block of Westlake Terrace. Fire units arrived to find a confined dryer fire.

Battalion 3 Incidents

• Hazardous Materials Incident in the 1200 block of First Street- CO leak w/ 11 patients transported local hospitals. Investigation revealed malfunctioning hot water heater

Battalion 4 Incidents

• Motor Vehicle Crash & Hazardous Materials Incident @New Hampshire Ave / Ednor Rd - Fire units arrived on scene and found 1 patient ejected from vehicle and a 50 gallon diesel spill. MCPD investigating.

• Apartment Fire in the 12500 block of Winexburg Manor Drive - Initial call for alarm bells in garden apartment. Fire units found fire in the walls of terrace level apartment. Small fire that was quickly extinguished. Cause was a defective gas stove. Damage of $2K to the structure with no injuries and a family of 5 displaced.

Battalion 5 Incidents

• Motor Vehicle Crash & Hazardous Materials Incident @ Woodfield Rd/ Churchill Downs – Fire units arrived on scene with a car and van, fueled by propane, which had collided. Van had one propane cylinder slightly ruptured. Haz Mat team stayed on scene to bleed cylinder off.

• Building Fire in the 615 S. Frederick Ave - Fire units found a 3-story commercial/mixed use property w/a cooking pot on fire in a small restaurant. Fire extinguished by sprinkler. No injuries and $2K worth of damage.

• GAS / PIPELINE LEAK in the 11400 block of TULIP POPLAR TER – Fire units arrive on scene and found a gas leak between 2 homes requiring the evacuation of portions of the neighborhood. Unified command established with MCPD and scene mitigated without injuries or fire.

Hear Us, See Us, Clear for Us!

“Please Abide – Pull Aside”


Do you know what to do when approached by an emergency vehicle? The metropolitan area is often crowded and congested with traffic conditions caused by commuters, collisions, work zones and sometimes just “normal” traffic.

Emergency vehicles are impacted by these conditions, as well. When somebody calls 911 for help – the men and women of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service respond. How can everyday drivers help us to help you? – Normally drivers will HEAR us first, next they will SEE us, and then we need drivers to CLEAR for us.

HEAR US - SEE US - CLEAR FOR US

C – L – E – A – R for emergency vehicles.

C – Calmly pull to and as close to the edge of the roadway as possible and stop.

L – Leave room. Keep intersections clear and never try to follow emergency vehicles.

E – Enter into traffic with caution after the emergency vehicle has passed. Remember to use signals.

A – Aware (be). Be aware of your surroundings. Keep radio volume low and check rear view mirrors frequently.

R – Remain stopped until the emergency vehicle ha passed. Be mindful that there may be additional emergency vehicles approaching.

When approached by an emergency vehicle – the law says to pull over to the closest parallel edge of the roadway and yield the right of way to the emergency vehicle. An emergency vehicle is one with an audible siren and/or siren and emergency flashing lights. When driving and approaching an emergency scene – slow down and move over. In other words - “Give us a brake!”

Reduce the risk of an accident near an emergency scene and around emergency equipment.

Stay alert – expect anything to occur when approaching emergency vehicles.

Pay close attention – watch for police or fire direction.

Turn on your headlights – let on scene workers and other motorists see you.

Don’t tailgate – unexpected stops frequently occur near emergency scenes.

Don’t speed – slow down.

Keep up with the traffic flow – dedicate your full attention to the roadway and those traveling around you.

Minimize distractions – avoid changing radio stations and using mobile cell phones while approaching these areas.

Expect the unexpected – keep an eye out for emergency workers and their equipment.

Be patient – remember, firefighters and EMT’s have been called to the scene and are working to help someone.

In Montgomery County pedestrian and traffic safety issues are front and center. If you travel by car or are a pedestrian, please place extra emphasis on safety. Simply looking both ways before crossing a street, crossing in a crosswalk, spending a few extra seconds to cinch the belt on your child's safety seat, or delaying departure to ensure you get enough rest before a long trip can make all the difference. Preventative safety, while measured in seconds or minutes, can save you from months or years of anguish, grief, and "what if". Be smart. Be safe.