the firehouse scene Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District Firefighters Search River Fires X 2 Page 2 Pages 3 Is a monthly publication of the

Transcription

1 the firehouse scene Is a monthly publication of the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District November 2012 Fire Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost x2 Firefighters Search River Page 2 Fires X 2 Pages 3 Photo by Sheryl Drost

2 From the Chief s Desk By Fire Chief Don Shoevlin November 3rd we were all supposed to fall back an hour with our clocks. With the change to standard time, we would like to remind everyone it is a perfect opportunity to change your smoke alarm and CO detector batteries. River Searched for Missing Woman Photos by Sheryl Drost Harlem-Roscoe Firefighters were asked to help search the Rock River this last month for a missing woman. On Oct. 27, Chief Shoevlin also requested a MABAS Box Alarm be pulled. This alarm brought boats from several local departments to help with the search operations in the water. Harlem-Roscoe s boat and a couple of the other boats were also equiped with side-scan sonar. The woman was still missing at press time. A BIG thank you to all of our fire personnel for their overwhelming work during Fire Prevention week. They have been very busy with call response, public relations and station tours. Thank you for all the participation. Congratulations to the new firefighters sworn in Nov. 11. They have completed their probationary period and requirements. We look for them to continue the great tradition that we all expect from this fire department. This past month I had the opportunity to attend the Illinois Fire Chief s Annual Conference. I had the privilege to network with many fire chiefs from around the state, was re-elected to the board for another term, saw many new products and visited with many vendors at the show. I also attended numerous classes that were offered on the educational track of the conference. In order to continue our commitment to provide excellence, integrity and caring in our performance of our emergency medical services, the board has approved the purchase of a new ambulance. It is a 2012 AEV and is scheduled for delivery by the end of February. This ambulance will be replacing one of our older units. November is the month of the Senior Thanksgiving Turkey Dinner. It will be held Thursday November 15th. We assist the Roscoe Lion s Club in this great event. We will then find ourselves rolling into the Thanksgiving holiday and the shopping season. My hope is that everyone can enjoy the day of togetherness on November 22nd with family and friends. Remember to give thanks for all you have in love, health and take time to appreciate the importance of family and friends. I wish everyone in our communities, our firefighters and their families a Happy Thanksgiving. We will again be participating in the Keep the Wreath Red campaign for the holidays. This will start on Dec 1st and run through Jan 1st. More information will be forthcoming in the December newsletter. As always bookmark our website and /or friend us on Facebook to keep up with the progress of the department, individuals, and calls. Don t hesitate to contact me or stop by if I can be of any assistance. Gone, But not forgotten Some people come into our lives, And quickly go. Some stay awhile and leave footprints in our hearts. And, we are never, ever the same. Boone Co. Fire Dist. 5 Manchester Township President Robert Harnish passed away Nov. 1. Our deepest sympathies and prayers to Bob s family and friends. The Firehouse Scene - Page 2

3 Animal Nest Causes Fire Photos by Sheryl Drost Firefighters were rousted from their beds around midnight on Nov. 3 for a report of a house fire on Danica Dr. in Machesney Park. Firefighter s quick response and an aggressive attack stopped an attic fire from spreading and saved the home from further damage. No one was injured and the resident was outside when units arrived. The cause seems to be an animal nest next to the fireplace chimney stack pipe in the attic that ignited. The fire then started to spread through the attic. Firefighters also removed the burning logs in the fire place. Lawn Mower Fire Photo by Sheryl Drost Harlem-Roscoe Firefighters responded to a lawn mower fire on Chuckunut Dr. on Oct. 25 (pictured left). The fire was quickly extinguished; the mower a total loss. Below, Lt. Jerry McCormick quickly had the fi re knocked down Firefi ghters ladder the roof to check the chimney. Firefi ghters were able to reach the attic fi re through an access hole in the garage. It is believed the cause was an animal nest next to the chimney that ignited. The Firehouse Scene - Page 3

4 ACCIDENTS Photos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe 10/05/12 Hwy 251 & Prairie Hill Rd. 10/10/12 Hwy /27/12 I-90 off-ramp at Rockton Rd. 10/14/21 Hwy 251 & Williams Dr. 10/20/12 Prairie Hill & Hwy /23/12 Hwy 173 & I-90 10/25/12 Orlando St, 11/01/ N. 2nd St. The Firehouse Scene - Page 4

5 EMS Corner Cold-Weather Health Emergencies Serious health problems can result from prolonged exposure to the cold. The most common cold-related problems are hypothermia and frostbite. Hypothermia When exposed to cold temperatures, your body begins to lose heat faster than it can be produced. Prolonged exposure to cold will eventually use up your body s stored energy. The result is hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. Body temperature that is too low affects the brain, making the victim unable to think clearly or move well. This makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because a person may not know it is happening and won t be able to do anything about it. Hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, but it can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40 F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water. Victims of hypothermia are often (1) elderly people with inadequate food, clothing, or heating; (2) babies sleeping in cold bedrooms; (3) people who remain outdoors for long periods the homeless, hikers, hunters, etc.; and (4) people who drink alcohol or use illicit drugs. Recognizing Hypothermia Warnings signs of hypothermia: Adults: shivering, exhaustion confusion, fumbling hands memory loss, slurred speech drowsiness Infants: bright red, cold skin very low energy What to Do If you notice any of these signs, take the person s temperature. If it is below 95, the situation is an emergency get medical attention immediately. If medical care is not available, begin warming the person, as follows: Get the victim into a warm room or shelter. If the victim has on any wet clothing, remove it. Warm the center of the body first chest, neck, head, and groin using an electric blanket, if available. Or use skin-to-skin contact under loose, dry layers of blankets, clothing, towels, or sheets. Warm beverages can help increase the body temperature, but do not give alcoholic beverages. Do not try to give beverages to an unconscious person. After body temperature has increased, keep the person dry and wrapped in a warm blanket, including the head and neck. Get medical attention as soon as possible. A person with severe hypothermia may be unconscious and may not seem to have a pulse or to be breathing. In this case, handle the victim gently, and get emergency assistance immediately. Even if the victim appears dead, CPR should be provided. CPR should continue while the victim is being warmed, until the victim responds or medical aid becomes available. In some cases, hypothermia victims who appear to be dead can be successfully resuscitated. Frostbite Frostbite is an injury to the body that is caused by freezing. Frostbite causes a loss of feeling and color in affected areas. It most often affects the nose, ears, cheeks, chin, fingers, or toes. Frostbite can permanently damage the body, and severe cases can lead to amputation. The risk of frostbite is increased in people with reduced blood circulation and among people who are not dressed properly for extremely cold temperatures. Recognizing Frostbite At the first signs of redness or pain in any skin area, get out of the cold or protect any xposed skin frostbite may be beginning. Any of the following signs may indicate frostbite: a white or grayish-yellow skin area skin that feels unusually firm or waxy numbness A victim is often unaware of frostbite until someone else points it out because the frozen tissues are numb. What to Do If you detect symptoms of frostbite, seek medical care. Because frostbite and hypothermia both result from exposure, first determine whether the victim also shows signs of hypothermia, as described previously. Hypothermia is a more serious medical condition and requires emergency medical assistance. If (1) there is frostbite but no sign of hypothermia and (2) immediate medical care is not available, proceed as follows: Get into a warm room as soon as possible. Unless absolutely necessary, do not walk on frostbitten feet or toes this increases the damage. Immerse the affected area in warm not hot water (the temperature should be comfortable to the touch for unaffected parts of the body). Or, warm the affected area using body heat. For example, the heat of an armpit can be used to warm frostbitten fingers. Do not rub the frostbitten area with snow or massage it at all. This can cause more damage. Don t use a heating pad, heat lamp, or the heat of a stove, fireplace, or radiator for warming. Affected areas are numb and can be easily burned. These procedures are not substitutes for proper medical care. Hypothermia is a medical emergency and frostbite should be evaluated by a health care provider. It is a good idea to take a first aid and emergency resuscitation (CPR) course to prepare for coldweather health problems. Knowing what to do is an important part of protecting your health and the health of others. Taking preventive action is your best defense against having to deal with extreme coldweather conditions. By preparing your home and car in advance for winter emergencies, and by observing safety precautions during times of extremely cold weather, you can reduce the risk of weather-related health problems. The Firehouse Scene - Page 5

6 Fire Prevention Week 2012 Photos by Sheryl Drost & Marcia Soppe Harlem-Roscoe Firefighters were kept extremely busy during the last month with Fire Prevention activities. They visited all the schools in the district for fire drills and safety talk to the younger ages. Tons and tons of tours and fire safety talks to groups. And, the Fire Prevention Week Open House at Station Three was well-attended. Visit our Harlem-Roscoe Facebook page to see more of the fire prevention pictures. Here are some pics from the different events. Fire Prevention Week Coloring Contest Some of the 1st Place winners of the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Prevention Week Coloring Contest, Tam Trinh, Hailey Fedderson, Ethan Moski, Ariance Lamont, and a couple siblings pose with firefighter Greg Wernick and Fire Prevention Lt. Ryan Alms on October 27 at Station One. (Photo right) The 1st place prize was a ride in a fire truck and ice cream party with the Fire Chief. Fire Chief Don Shoevlin apologizes that a rescue call kept him from attending, but Lt. Alms made sure the kids had a great time. Coloring Contest Winners: Ralston 1st Grade: 1st Loren Melenas, 2nd Addison Lukowski, 3rd Maya. Ralston 2nd Grade: 1st Hailey Feddersen, 2nd Alexis Luebke, 3rd Michelle Gorniski. Prairie Hill School 1st Grade: Greyson Motter, 2nd Lucas Touvannas, 3rd Anna Ptacin. Prairie Hill 2nd Grade: 1st Ean Singmouanghtong, 2nd Gracie, 3rd Mia Driscoll. Olson Park School 1st Graders: 1st TamTrinh, 2nd Naithaniel Capter, 3rd Paul. Olson Park 2nd Graders: 1st Ethan Moski, 2nd Emilia Garcia, 3rd Kylie Maas. Ledgewood School Grade 1: 1st Ariana Lamont, 2nd Carlie Mincolla, 3rd - Lauren. Stone Creek School 2nd Graders: 1st Cheney Mullins, 2nd Mya Williams, 3rd Ethan Berth. The Firehouse Scene - Page 6

7 The Firehouse Scene - Page 7

8 Kitchen Fires #1 in New Report; Smoke Alarms and Escape Plans Key to Surviving Fires in the Home October 9, 2012 WASHINGTON, D.C. - In recognition of Fire Prevention Week, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) are providing new statistics on fires in American homes and urging consumers to install smoke alarms in their homes and check to make sure all smoke alarms are working properly. It is also vitally important to develop and practice a family fire escape plan. In a report released today, CPSC estimates there were an average of 366,700 unintentional residential fires, 2,310 deaths, 12,550 injuries and more than $7 billion in property damage each year attended by fire service between 2008 and The top cause of fires in the home is cooking equipment, accounting for an estimated 147,400 or 40 percent of residential fires each year between 2008 and Cooking was also associated with the largest percentage of firerelated injuries, an estimated average 27.4 percent or 3,450, in the home. Home heating and cooling equipment, including portable space heaters, was a top cause of fire deaths, accounting for about nine percent or 210 deaths on average, in homes each year between 2008 and Portable heaters were associated with 100 of those deaths each year. Six people die every day in home fires, said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. The early warning provided by smoke alarms can make a big difference. Consumers who have working smoke alarms in their homes die in fires at about half the rate of those who do not have alarms. Every second counts when there is a fire in your home, said U.S. Fire Administrator Ernie Mitchell. It is easy to believe that when the smoke alarm sounds, you and your family will be able to escape. A home fire drill can prepare you and others to escape a real life emergency in your home. CPSC and USFA recommend that every family have a working smoke alarm in their home. To provide better warning of a fire and more escape time, install more than one alarm and interconnect all smoke alarms in the home. Interconnected alarms speak to one another so if there is a fire in one part of the house, the interconnected alarms sound throughout the house and alert consumers to the fire more quickly. For the best protection, CPSC and USFA recommend installing alarms on every level of the home, outside sleeping areas and inside each bedroom. Install both ionization and photoelectric alarms and make sure alarms are interconnected throughout the home. Alarms that are powered by house wiring should have battery backup. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the death rate per 100 reported fires was 49% less in homes with working smoke alarms than in homes without this protection. In addition to using alarms, never leave cooking items unattended and have a professional inspect heating and cooling equipment every year, including fireplaces and chimneys. Be extra careful with cigarettes and other smoking materials. Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children. According to USFA, the fire death rate dropped by 20 percent over the 10-year time period 2000 through 2009 on a per capita basis for a variety of reasons. CPSC and USFA are working to further reduce fires and fire deaths through education and standards work. CPSC staff is working with other federal agencies on new smoke alarm technology to improve effectiveness and reduce nuisance alarms. CPSC is also developing rulemaking aimed at reducing upholstered furniture fires. How to Put Out Kitchen Fires When a fire starts in the kitchen, you need to act fast to keep the fire from getting out of control. But how you act depends on what kind of fire you have and where it is. Follow these instructions for putting out kitchen fires: If you have a fire in the oven or the microwave, close the door or keep it closed, and turn off the oven. Don t open the door! The lack of oxygen will suffocate the flames. If your oven continues to smoke like a fire is still going on in there, call the fire department. If you have a fire in a cooking pan, use an oven mitt to clap on the lid, then move the pan off the burner, and turn off the stove. The lack of oxygen will stop the flames in a pot. If you can t safely put the lid on a flaming pan or you don t have a lid for the pan, use your fire extinguisher. Aim at the base of the fire not the flames. Never use water to put out grease fires! Water repels grease and can spread the fire by splattering the grease. Instead, try one of these methods: If the fire is small, cover the pan with a lid and turn off the burner. Throw lots of baking soda or salt on it. Never use flour, which can explode or make the fire worse. Smother the fire with a wet towel or other large wet cloth. Use a fire extinguisher. Don t swat at a fire with a towel, apron, or other clothing. You re likely to fan the flames and spread the fire. If the fire is spreading and you can t control it, get everyone out of the house and call 911! The Firehouse Scene -Page 8

9 Thanksgiving Safety The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially at Thanksgiving. Kids love to be involved in holiday preparations. Safety in the kitchen is important, especially on Thanksgiving Day when there is a lot of activity and people at home. Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food. Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently. Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away. Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns. Keep the floor clear so you don t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags. Keep knives out of the reach of children. Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child. Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children up high in a locked cabinet. Never leave children alone in room with a lit a candle. Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button. Your Source for SAFETY Information NFPA Public Education Division 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA Did you know? Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment. Have activities that keep kids out of the kitchen during this busy time. Games, puzzles or books can keep them busy. Kids can get involved in Thanksgiving preparations with recipes that can be done outside the kitchen. The Firehouse Scene -Page 9

10 Times Rekindled by Sheryl Drost Former firefighter Harold Richards stopped in for an interview this month. Richard served over ten years on Harlem-Roscoe in the 70 s and early 80 s. Harold lived on the north end of the fire district, long before the days of Station Three. He would have to drive to Station One on Main St. to respond to a call. Harold said he never made the first truck out, but that was ok, you needed people to get the rest of the trucks out as well. The firefighters that lived on the north end would sometimes carry their gear in their cars and go straight to the scene. Harold said he didn t have to be on the hose line and didn t become an EMT. He said he helped get trucks to the scene, directed traffic and said he has rolled a lot of hose line in his time. If he made it to the station and the trucks were all out, well, the station always needed sweeping or cleaning. He said they were reimbursed $3 a call and $5 an hour. He figured he was there to help with whatever was needed, so he would grab a broom if need be. Harold said the fire trucks were all gas-powered when he got on and you got there, but it took awhile to get there. So, when the new trucks arrived with bigger engines, well they got you there a lot faster. He said the gear they wore were the hip boots with the long jackets, helmets and boots. He had a monitor in his home to hear the call and remembers wearing a pager. I guess you can t take the firefighter out of the man because he still likes to monitor the scanner to this day. He remembers working many a coon and ham dinner. He liked to help prepare the coon and he poured coffee during the dinner. Harold remembers a call off Ventura Blvd where the homeowner smelled something burning. Well, up they go into the attic searching for the smell and they found a dead mouse in a light fixture! Harold said they were walking on the beams and he slipped and his feet went straight through the drywall on the ceiling below. Then the next Spring Dinner, he had to face the homeowner s teasing as he poured him coffee L-r Fred Tuttle, Richard Lyford, Oscar Presley, John Chamberline Richard Mackenthun, Harold Richards and Terry Pitkus. The Firehouse Scene - Page 10

11 Family Christmas Drive Firefighters are now collecting donations for our Family Christmas Drive. Donations of non-perishable foods can be dropped off at any fire station. Please drop monetary donations off in the administration office at Fire Station One on Main St. The schools in our fire district give the department a list of families with children that could use a little help at Christmas time. Firefighters go shopping for presents for each child and enough food so that each family receives a box of food and turkey for a complete holiday dinner with all the fixings. Firefighters then deliver the baskets of food and presents the week before Christmas. Harlem-Roscoe Hosts Blood Drive November 27, pm -8pm. Fire Station #1 at Main St. in Roscoe. Bring a valid ID and drink plenty of fluids before donating. Call Lt Ryan Alms at to schedule your time-saving appt. Walk-ins are welcome. Register for the Be a Match Marrow Registry Birthdays November 1st Jerry McCormick Don Shoevlin 3rd Joe Quast 8th Harry Wagner 10th Nate Noble 11th Kelly Green 14th Ken Kelley 16th Jim Daughenbaugh 19th Chris Farr December 19th Eric Schweitzer 26th Ron Klaman 26th Patrick Trollop How Were Turkeys So Named? The word may have come from the noise a wild turkey makes when it become frightened: it sounds like turk - turk - turk. The original inhabitants of America called this bird a firkee. It s not hard to see how firkee could become turkey. Christopher Columbus, the explorer, took some of the wild turkeys of North America back to Europe. People enjoyed eating the meat. It is possible that traders along the Mediterranean casts, known as Turkes, may have brought some of these birds hence they came to be called turkey birds. Turkey Riddles Where did the first corn come from? The stalk brought it. Why did the Indian chief wear so many feathers? To keep his wigwam. What happened to the Pilgrim who was shot at by an Indian? He had an arrow escape. How did the Mayflower show that it liked America? It hugged the shore. Which side of the turkey has the most feathers? The outside. Can a turkey jump higher than the Empire State Building? Yes - a building can t jump at all. Real Questions Asked on the Butterball Turkey Cooking Hotline Is it OK to baste my turkey with engine oil? Can I poke holes all over the turkey and pour a can of beer over it to keep it moist? Should I carve my turkey with a 16 in Redmax or should I get out my Stihl Electric Chain Saw? Should I leave the giblets in their plastic bag during cooking? I m a truck driver. Can I cook the turkey on the engine block of my semi while I m driving? If I drive faster, will it cook faster? How long should I cook my turkey on the car radiator? 50 minutes at Mach 1 should do it! How do I get my Chihuahua out of the turkey. (Her dog jumped up on the kitchen table.) Don t assume you re always going to be understood. I wrote in a column that one should put a cup of liquid in the cavity of a turkey when roasting it. Someone wrote me that: The turkey tasted great, but the plastic cup melted. - Heloise Total Calls for The Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Prot. Dist. #1. Editor-in-Chief - Don Shoevlin Editor & Layout - Sheryl Drost The Firehouse Scene is available after the second Sunday each month. Copies can be picked up at Fire Station One Main Street in Roscoe, The North Suburban Library and several local government offi ces. It is also posted on the department s website re.com submissions to Sheryl: hrfdsdrost@gmail.com The Firehouse Scene - Page 11

12 Station Gossip... By Sheryl Drost The past month, we here at Harlem-Roscoe have spent a lot of time with the children in our district teaching fire safety in celebration of Fire Prevention Week. Make sure you friend us on Facebook to see all the pictures we have taken during the tours and safety talks. The firefighters really enjoy this time of year and try to make it memorable for the kids. The kids ask the greatest questions and are so smart. My favorite funny was a tour where our firefighter told a group of 4-year-olds that the next truck they were going to look at was our Rescue Squad which was like a big tool box. Two little boys looked at each other and excitedly said together, We like tools!. Taken off the Harlem-Roscoe Facebook page, On behalf of Blackhawk Learning Connection- Kreative Ralston... THANK YOU!!! We had an amazingly fun time learning about fire safety. We appreciate how prepared you were for our large group of anxious preschoolers. We couldn t have asked for a better field trip for our students. We look forward to coming again next year too. Great job, Station 2!!! Sincerely, Miss Tina, Miss Tammy, Miss Christian and Kreative K students Buddy Firefighters Radi and Marty! Speedy recovery thoughts and prayers go out to Firefighter Jim Daughenbaugh s wife Amy after her recent surgery. Not all visitors to the front office are welcomed! Seems the little 4-legged ones are escorted right back out of the building. Make sure you refresh your memory by reading, How to put out a kitchen fire on page 8. I d like to add, don t overfill your pans, especially if they have butter in them! As the butter on the top of my scalloped potatoes and ham spilled over onto the bottom of my oven, smoke started to fill the kitchen. I quickly pulled the pans out of the oven. As I took the last one out, the butter that had collected on the bottom of the oven ignited. Guess I should have shut the power off first. I quickly hit the off button, shut the door and yelled fire out the back door. Now if you don t have a firefighter husband and son-in-law in your backyard at the time, I would suggest calling the fire department if the fire doesn t go right out. Hey firefighter Steve, What happens when I pull this? SENIOR TURKEY DINNER November 15, 11am -1pm Harlem-Roscoe Fire Station Main St. in Roscoe Harlem-Roscoe Fire will be hosting the Roscoe Lion s Club s annual Senior Turkey Dinner again this year. Fire personnel and Lion s Club members will be cooking and serving scrumptious turkey and all the fixings to our local seniors. The Firehouse Scene - Page 12