Give A Space Heater Space (VIDEO)

From our friends at MyMCMedia, MCFRS Spokesperson Pete Piringer says it is important to give space heaters space. Take a look and listen:

Thanksgiving Holiday Message form Chief Lohr To MCFRS

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Thanksgiving Holiday is the traditional start of the holiday season. As we all pause to reflect upon the many things we have to celebrate and give thanks for, I want to personally wish each member of the MCFRS and their families a safe Thanksgiving Holiday. We need look no further than the national news  to realize  that we are fortunate to live and work in a community that values our efforts and our commitment to safe and secure neighborhoods.

On behalf of our entire senior staff, I am authorizing a holiday work routine tomorrow in order that all essential on-duty personnel have an opportunity to enjoy a traditional holiday meal with their work family while maintaining the level of readiness I expect.

History holds that the first Thanksgiving observance followed the Pilgrim’s first harvest in 1621. Over two-hundred-forty years later, in the throes of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving as a federal and public holiday. The important part of this custom has always been reflected in the fact that diverse groups of people with different beliefs and traditions have come together in a charitable way to serve others.

The Thanksgiving tradition is a natural extension of our day-to-day mission; serving our communities in a charitable way. On this holiday, the American people choose to celebrate Thanksgiving in a variety of methods. Whether a parade, a football game, local and non-local travel or, a simple family meal; remember that each of you can contribute in a positive way by simply doing what you always do best; provide a kind word and a helping hand to assist others in need.

I am keenly aware that throughout my career, this season also marks a time when the frequency and severity of incidents are typically elevated. An unintended consequence of this busy season is the additional emotional toll on our personnel who are tasked with responding to others. Please be attentive to each other as we work through this peak demand season.  

Thank you for your great service and Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Steven E. Lohr

Fire Chief

Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service

Thanksgiving Fire Safety Tips From NFPA

Keep Your Family Safe this Thanksgiving

Did you know that cooking fires are the #1 cause of fires? 

More cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year. With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, Montgomery County Fire Chief Steven Lohr is urging residents to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday and to keep safety at the top of everyone’s “to do” list this holiday season. “Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a rookie cooking your first holiday feast, the strategies for serving up a safe meal are the same,” said Chief Lohr. “Unattended cooking is the leading cause of residential fires and we’re asking residents to follow these simple safety tips and to have a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday.

Cooking Safety Tips:

Be alert! Stay in the kitchen when using the stovetop and use a timer. If you must leave the kitchen, even for a minute, turn off the stove.

Keep anything that can catch fire at least 3 feet from the stove, toaster oven or other heat source. This includes pot holders, food packaging, dish towels, paper/plastic bags, etc.

Do not pour water on a grease fire. Pouring water on a grease fire can cause the fire to spread. In the event of a range-top fire, turn off the burner, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding a lid or cookie sheet onto the pan. Leave the lid in place until the pot or pan has cooled.

Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup which can ignite.

Always wear short, tight-fitting sleeves when cooking to prevent clothing from coming in contact with a burner and catching fire.

Do not hold children while cooking or carrying hot foods or drinks. Keep children at a safe distance from hot surfaces, liquids and other kitchen hazards.

 Plug microwaves and other kitchen appliances directly into an outlet. Never use an extension cord for a cooking appliance as it can overload the circuit and cause a fire.

Double-check the kitchen before you go to bed or leave the house. Make sure all other appliances are turned off and that any candles or smoking materials are safely extinguished.

Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home, test alarms monthly and change batteries annually or as recommended by the manufacturer if your alarm features long-life batteries.

Turkey fryers are becoming an increasingly popular choice to cook the Thanksgiving turkey and can be extremely dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. If your plans include using a turkey fryer, fire department officials urge residents to follow all manufacturer directions closely and to review the following safety tips: 

Turkey Fryer Safety Tips:

Never leave a fryer unattended.

By design, turkey fryers are prone to tipping over. Fryers should always be used on a non-combustible, flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.

Fryers should always be used outdoors at least 10 feet from buildings and any flammable materials. Never use a fryer on a wooden deck, under a patio cover, in a garage, porch or other enclosed space.

Do not overfill the fryer. The oil may spill out of the unit when the turkey is placed into the cooking pot. Oil may hit the burner/flames resulting in a potential fire hazard that could engulf the entire unit.

Oil and water do not mix! Make sure the turkey is completely thawed before it is placed in a fryer. Partially frozen turkeys can cause a spillover effect which may result in a fire. 

Some units do not have thermostat controls and, if not carefully watched, have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion.

Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching the pot or lid handle. The sides of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles get dangerously hot and can result in severe burns. If available, use safety goggles to protect your eyes from any oil splatter.

Keep children and pets away from fryers. The oil can remain dangerously hot even hours after use.

Following these simple fire safety tips can boost survival rates and reduce injuries dramatically.  For more information about our fire safety programs or to request a free home safety evaluation or smoke alarm check, please contact the County’s non-emergency call center at 311 during business hours.

1st Battalion Paramedic Awarded EMS Provider of the Month for October

By Battalion Chief Mark Davis

Congratulations to Lieutenant Paramedic (LTP) Robert Furst (A-Shift Float) for being chosen by MCFRS's EMS Division as EMS Provider of the Month for October 2014. Lieutenant Furst was the primary care provider on a critically ill and combative patient. His work, along with his crew's efforts provided a successful outcome. In the photos below you will notice that in addition to a certificate, the EMS Provider of the Month also receives a beautiful challenge coin.

In addition to his normal duties as a Float Lieutenant on the A-Shift in the 1st Battalion, LTP Furst also serves as a back-up EMS Duty Officer and as a guest lecturer at the County's training academy. 

Excellent work LTP Robert Furst!