Chicago Fire Department - Everyone Goes Home

NFFF News Release: In an effort to make personal safety a top priority, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and the Chicago Fire Department (CFD) today released a new video, Chicago Fire Department – Everyone Goes Home®. Members of the CFD and families of fallen firefighters share their stories in this compelling and moving testimonial of the importance of adhering to safety standards and accepting personal responsibility for following procedures.

Chicago Fire Commissioner Robert Hoff was impressed by a video that the NFFF and the Fire Department of New York produced several years earlier to educate members about the importance of training and safety standards. The FDNY leadership had noticed behavioral improvement among its members following the release of their video. Hoff felt that the members of the CFD could benefit from hearing first-hand accounts of the lessons learned by their colleagues and invited the NFFF to collaborate on a video for Chicago.

“The culture of firefighting requires us to do everything we can to make sound decisions so we can be in a position to help the people we serve when they most need it,” said Ronald J. Siarnicki, executive director of the NFFF. “With this video the firefighters and leadership of the Chicago Fire Department are clearly showing the rest of the fire service you can still be a firefighter and at the same time do your best to make sure Everyone Goes Home®.”

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

LODD Firefighter Jim Rice - A Fireman's Prayer

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

LODD Peabody Fire Department Firefighter...

Firefighter James Rice, 46-years-old, an 11-year veteran of the Peabody Fire Department, died of injuries combating a 3-alarm fire. It is reported that Firefighter Rice died inside the multiple-family apartment complex between the 1^st and 2^nd floors.

According to The Boston Herald Firefighter Jim Rice inhaled toxic fumes while battling the blaze and received emergency medical treatment at the fire scene. Firefighter Rice was then transported to the North Shore Medical Center in Salem, Mass. where he was pronounced dead.

“Firefighter James Rice was liked and loved by everyone. He was a very popular firefighter he was also a popular man in the community. And he’ll be missed by all of us in the Peabody Fire Department and throughout the entire City of Peabody.

Firefighter Jim Rice leaves a wife and three children. The fire in under investigation by Massachusetts State Troopers, The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, and Peabody Fire Department Firefighters.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Five-alarm San Francisco fire in Historic Alamo Square…

At least 150 SFFD firefighters, about half the Bay City’s firefighting force, responded and combated a five-alarm blaze where strong winds were a factor, fanning the flames, and pushed the fire that engulfed two structures

It was reported that the fire started in the backyard of a 3-story condominium at 1502 Golden Gate Ave, to where the fast moving fire quickly caught an adjacent 4-story apartment build, located on 1015 Pierce, on fire as well shortly around noon. Two other structures, including a school were damaged at the fire scene.

At one point in the firefighting efforts the blaze was so hot and intense a search for trapped residents could not be done. Firefighters evacuated also for a time for fear of a structure collapse. SFFD Fire Chief Hayes-White stated that firefighters had to forcefully battle the fire or risk losing controlled. “If you don’t make an aggressive attack it is likely you will lose the entire block,” Chief Hayes-White said.

As for injuries on the fire ground, it was reported that one firefighter received minor burns on the back of the neck, and one resident was suffering from smoke inhalation and was treated. Both firefighter and resident were taken to the hospital for treatment. The 5-alarm building blaze left up to 60 residents homeless.

Firefighting crews fought the blaze for more than two hours, around 3:00p.m. PST the fire was declared under control. Cause of the fire is unknown at this time and an arson investigating team will be investigating a cause according to SFFD Fire Chief Hayes-White.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

3-Alarm Fire Destroys Ballymeade Townhouse, No One Injured

There was a three- alarm fire yesterday, 12/19/11 at 2:30 pm in the afternoon, in the 800 block of West Boxborough Drive in the Ballymeade Community just outside Wilmington, Delaware. The fire destroyed one house and causing heavy smoke & water damage to several other homes.





The Claymont Fire Company responded and was assisted by many surrounding fire companies fighting the townhouse fire. During the fire there was a radio transmission of a “Mayday” in which initiated a firefighter accountability count of all firefighters on the fire ground. All firefighters were accounted for. At 8 minutes 32 seconds into the following YouTube audio, the Claymount DE fire departments “Mayday” call was canceled. The dispatcher working this alarm transmitted that the “Mayday” restriction was lifted with all firefighters on the fire ground accounted for.



The fully engulfed townhouse that caught fire, in flames with fire shooting out top-floor windows and with fire extending into the exposed connecting housing units collapsed into a pile or rubble. The Townhouse was completely destroyed with adjacent homes damaged with one missing a roof, and the other home in pretty bad shape.



Dozens of firefighters were on-scene combating this three-alarm blaze for several hours.



It has been reported the no one was injured in the fire. Official cause of the townhouse fire fire is being investigated. The Red Cross will be assisting & helping the victims of this three-alarm fire who are now without a home days before Christmas Day.


(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Holiday Safety Tips...

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 13, 2011

Holiday Safety Alert:

Consumer Injuries Involving Decorations and Decorating Are on the Rise CPSC and UL Provide Tips for a Safe Holiday Home

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Holiday decorating plans do not normally include lacerations, falls and fires. Unfortunately, these hazards make an unwelcome appearance in the homes of thousands of consumers each year. To help avoid hidden decorating dangers, CPSC and UL are providing families with tips for a safe holiday home.

Reports of falls from ladders while stringing lights and hanging decorations, incidents of lacerations from broken glass ornaments and other holiday-related injuries are increasing. During November and December 2010, CPSC estimates that more than 13,000 people were treated in emergency departments nationwide due to injuries involving holiday decorations. This is an increase from 10,000 in 2007 and 12,000 in 2008 and in 2009.

Although estimates of deaths and injuries related to Christmas tree and candle fires are down, there are still an alarming number of incidents. Live trees or other evergreen decorations that have dried out burn fast and hot in a matter of seconds if they come in contact with an open flame.

Between 2006 and 2008, there was an annual average of four deaths and $18 million in property damage related to Christmas tree fires. During this same time period, CPSC received reports of about 130 deaths and $360 million in property losses related to candle fires.

"A well-watered tree, carefully placed candles, and carefully checked holiday light sets will help prevent the joy of the holidays from turning into a trip to the emergency room or the loss of your home," said Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "Follow CPSC's safety tips and give your family the gift of a safe holiday home."

"This is easily the busiest time of year, but it's important to make time for safety while celebrating the holidays," said John Drengenberg, director of consumer safety at UL. "By committing a few minutes each day to safety, many accidents can be avoided and your holidays will be memorable for all the right reasons."

CPSC and UL suggest using the following 12 safety tips to help keep your holiday home safe this year:

Trees and Decorations

1. Buying live trees, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, its needles are hard to pull from branches, and its needles do not break when bent between your fingers. The bottom of a fresh tree is sticky with resin and, when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
2. Setting up a tree at home, place it away from heat sources, such as fireplaces, vents, and radiators. Because heated rooms rapidly dry out live trees, be sure to monitor water levels daily and keep the tree stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic, and do not block doorways with the tree.
3. Buying an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean that the tree will not catch fire, it does indicate that the tree is more resistant to catching fire.
4. Decorating a tree in homes with small children, take special care to avoid sharp, weighted, or breakable decorations. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children who could swallow or inhale small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.

Candles

5. Keep burning candles within sight. Extinguish all candles before you go to bed, leave the room, or leave the house.
6. Keep candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface where kids and pets cannot reach them or knock them over. Lighted candles should be placed away from items that can catch fire and burn easily, such as trees, other evergreens, decorations, curtains and furniture.

Lights

7. Use only lights that have been tested for safety by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as UL. Lights for both indoor and outdoor usage must meet strict requirements that testing laboratories are able to verify. On most decorative lights available in stores, UL's red holographic label signifies that the product meets safety requirements for indoor and outdoor usage. UL's holographic label, with the green UL Mark, signifies it meets requirements for only indoor usage.
8. Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Throw out damaged sets and do not use electric lights on a metallic tree.
9. Check each extension cord to make sure it is rated for the intended use.
10. Check outdoor lights for labels showing that the lights have been certified for outdoor use, and only plug them into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI)-protected receptacle or a portable GFCI.

Fireplaces

11. Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if swallowed. Keep them away from children.
12. Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

To find more valuable safety information for keeping your home safe and bright this holiday season, please visit www.cpsc.gov or UL's www.SafetyAtHome.com

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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

Christmas tree fires likely to be more serious than average home fires

NFPA shares tips for safe holidays

December 2011 – Festive lighting, windowsill candles and ornamented Christmas trees are staples of the holidays, but these decorative items also pose a fire risk if handled improperly. In 2005-2009, on average, one of every 18 reported home Christmas tree fires resulted in a death, compared to an average of one death per 141 total home fires.

Holiday lights and other decorative lighting were involved in an estimated average of 150 home fires per year during the same time. These fires caused an average of eight civilian deaths, 14 injuries, and $8.5 million in direct property damage per year.

“December is an exciting time where almost every home on the block is accented with decorations and seasonal lighting,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of communications for the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). “Though decorations such as candles or Christmas trees certainly spread holiday cheer, it is important to follow basic safety steps so celebrations go off without a hitch.”

Video: A demonstration showing how flammable a dry Christmas tree can be as opposed to a tree watered regularly.

Here are NFPA’s tips for safe holiday decorating:

• Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
• Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
• Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Check the packaging; some lights are only for indoor use.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini light sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.
• Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
• Keep decorations away from windows and doors.

For proper Christmas tree safety:

• Keep your tree well watered. A dry tree can be extremely dangerous. See how flammable a dry Christmas tree can be in comparison to a well-watered tree in a demonstration by NFPA.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.
• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
• Get rid of the tree when it is dry. Check with your local community to find a recycling program.
• Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.

About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)

NFPA and USFA join forces again to Put a Freeze on Winter Fires

As we move closer to winter and home fire deaths begin to increase, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) remind everyone that fire safety and prevention are especially important in the coming months. Because home fires are more prevalent in winter than in any other season, NFPA and USFA are once again jointly sponsoring a special initiative – Put a Freeze on Winter Fires – to help raise public awareness about winter fires.

“These fires are a painful reminder of what we see every year – the temperatures drop and fires increase,” said NFPA President Jim Shannon. According to NFPA statistics, space heaters account for about one third of home heating fires and approximately 80 percent of the home heating fire deaths.

The USFA’s Winter Residential Building Fires (PDF, 1 MB) report shows that each winter an estimated 108,400 residential building fires occur in the United States, resulting in 945 deaths, 3,825 injuries, and $1.7 billion in property loss. Cooking is the leading cause of winter residential building fires at 36 percent followed by heating at 23 percent. Winter residential building fires occur mainly in the early evening hours, peaking from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“The winter season brings the highest number of home fires, more than at any other time of year,” said USFA’s Deputy Fire Administrator Glenn Gaines. “Home fires increase in part due to cooking and heating. Winter storms can also interrupt electrical service and cause people to turn to alternative heating sources that contribute to the increased risk of fire during the winter months.”

The NFPA and USFA recommend following these safety tips to prevent winter home fires:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period, turn off the stove.
• Space heaters need space; keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from each heater.
• Check electrical cords often and replace cracked or damaged electrical or extension cords. Do not try to repair them.
• Never use your oven or stovetop to heat your home. They are not designed for this purpose and can be a fire hazard. In addition, carbon monoxide (CO) gas might kill people and pets.
• Do not put your live Christmas tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.
• Avoid using lighted candles. If you must use candles, place them in sturdy candleholders that won’t burn.
• If you smoke, use only fire-safe cigarettes and smoke outside.

“Winter fires are preventable,” Gaines emphasized. “Everyone should find out what they need to know to prevent a tragedy and have a safe winter season.”

For more information about the causes of winter fires, winter storm fire safety, holiday fire safety, and tips that will help prevent the incidence of fire in the home, visit the USFA website at www.usfa.fema.gov/winter and the NFPA website at www.nfpa.org/winter.

About the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) As an entity of the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency, the mission of the USFA is to provide national leadership to foster a solid foundation for our fire and emergency services stakeholders in prevention, preparedness, and response.

About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education.

(The usual disclaimers: I am not a journalist; This is a blog that expresses an outlook and is not conclusive in any shape or manner.)