Staying Safe during the Summer Heat
Simple measures can be taken to significantly reduce the chance of heat related illness. We encourage drinking plenty of water and taking frequent breaks while working outside. Staying inside and avoiding strenuous activity is also recommended. 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 400 Americans die each year due to summer’s sweltering heat. Furthermore, the National Weather Service asserts that excessive heat was the number one weather-related killer, causing more fatalities per year than floods, lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, winter storms and extreme cold.
Everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees but the elderly and the very young are most susceptible to heat and heat-related illnesses. Heat-related illnesses can cause serious injury and even death if unattended. Signs of heat-related illnesses include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches. Victims of heat-related illness should be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool wet cloths should be applied to the skin. If a victim refuses water, vomits or loses consciousness, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Heat Safety Tips:                                            
 Dress for the heat. Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun's energy. It is also a good idea to wear hats or to use an umbrella.
Drink water. Carry water or juice with you and drink continuously even if you do not feel thirsty. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which dehydrate the body. Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid high-protein foods, which increase metabolic heat.
Slow down. Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4 and 7 a.m.
Stay indoors when possible. If air-conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine.  Remember that electric fans do not cool, they simply circulate the air.
Be a good neighbor. During heat waves, check in on elderly residents in your neighborhood and those who do not have air conditioning.
 
Swimming Pool and Spa Safety
Spending time in swimming pools and spas is a favorite activity for children and adults all over the country at this time of year. Whether enjoying pool time with family and friends, exercising, playing water sports, or learning to swim, everyone needs to be mindful of the potential for incidents and drownings in pools and spas.
Each year, nearly 300 children under the age of five drown in residential and public pools and spas. Submersion incidents requiring emergency-room treatment or hospitalization number in the thousands and many victims experience permanent disability, including brain damage. Few people know of the hidden dangers from drain or suction entrapments. Drains with broken, missing, or faulty covers can entrap hair, the body, limbs, jewelry and clothing, and cause serious injury.
 
For more information visit:
http://www.poolsafety.gov/
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.asp

 


Summer Fire Safety
 
Every year Americans look forward to summer vacations, camping, family reunions, picnics, and the Fourth of July. Summertime, however, also brings fires and injuries due to fireworks and outdoor grills. Annually just under 10,000 Americans are injured by fireworks and almost 5,000 are injured by charcoal/wood-burning and propane grill fires. In 2007, 64 percent of fireworks injuries occurred between June 22 and July 22.
 
Families also enjoy camping in the summer. It is important to follow the park's rules for the use and extinguishing of campfires.
 
Summertime should be a time for fun and making happy memories. Knowing a few fire safety tips and following instructions will help everyone have a safe summer.
 
Fireworks Safety
·        The best way to enjoy fireworks is to visit public fireworks displays put on by professionals who know how to safely handle fireworks.  Fireworks are not legal in New York State.
 
Barbeque Safety
·        Before using a grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line. Make sure the venturi tubes - where the air and gas mix - are not blocked.
·        Do not overfill the propane tank.
·        Do not wear loose clothing while cooking at a barbecue.
·        Be careful when using lighter fluid. Do not add fluid to an already lit fire because the flame can flashback up into the container and explode.
·        Keep all matches and lighters away from children. Teach your children to report any loose matches or lighters to an adult immediately. Supervise children around outdoor grills.
·        Dispose of hot coals properly - douse them with plenty of water, and stir them to ensure that the fire is out. Never place them in plastic, paper or wooden containers.
·        Never grill/barbecue in enclosed areas - carbon monoxide could be produced.
·        Make sure everyone knows to Stop, Drop and Roll in case a piece of clothing does catch fire. Call 911 or your local emergency number if a burn warrants serious medical attention.
 
Campfire Safety
·        Build campfires where they will not spread, away from dry grass and leaves.
·        Keep campfires small, and don't let them get out of hand.
·        Keep plenty of water and a shovel around to douse the fire when you're done. Stir it and douse it again with water.
·        Never leave campfires unattended.
 
Summer Storm Fire Safety
·       Lightning associated with thunderstorms generates a variety of fire hazards. The power of lightning’s electrical charge and intense heat can electrocute on contact, splitting trees and causing fires.
Pools of water and even appliances can be electrically charged.
·       Appliances that have been exposed to water can short and become a fire hazard.
·       Generators are often used during power outages. Generators that are not properly used and maintained can be very hazardous.
For more information please visit the United Statesd Fire Administration web site http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/pdf/summer.pdf
 

The DeWitt Fire District is reminding residents that all residential brush burning is prohibited during the state’s historically high fire risk period from March 15 to May 15.
Several factors enable wildfires to start easily and spread quickly at this time, including the lack of green vegetation, the abundance of available fuels such as dry grass and leaves, warm temperatures and wind.
Open burning is the largest single cause of wildfires in New York State. Data from DEC’s Forest Protection Division show that debris burning accounted for about 40 percent of wildfires between 1986 and 2006 -- more than twice the next most-cited source. From 2000 to 2007, New York's fire departments responded to an average of 2,600 wildfires each year during the period of March 15 through May 15. For more information visit the NYS DEC website http://www.dec.ny.gov/press/58544.html.

Firefighters know the importance of home fire safety. That's why we encourage participation in the home fire safety program called: Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery!
Sponsored by the International Association of Fire Chiefs and Energizer brand batteries, the program urges you to adopt a simple lifesaving habit: Change all of your Smoke Alarm batteries when you change your clocks on March 14, 2010.
 
Protecting your home is simple: Change, Check, Count and Clean!™
 
 Change Your Smoke Alarm Batteries! 
We encourage you to change Smoke Alarm batteries twice each year. An easy way to remember is to change these batteries when you change your clock to and from Standard Time each Spring and Fall. Replace old batteries with fresh, high quality batteries to keep your Smoke Alarms ready to protect you all year-long.
 
 Check Your Smoke Alarms! 
After inserting fresh batteries in your Smoke Alarm, make sure the Alarm is working by activating the safety test button. We recommend that you test all of your Smoke Alarms at least once each month. If you have any doubt regarding the working condition of a Smoke Alarm, we recommend you replace it.
 
 Count Your Smoke Alarms! 
We recommend that you have a properly functioning Smoke Alarm in every sleeping room -and- in the hallway directly adjacent to those rooms. If sleeping rooms are on an upper level, a Smoke Alarm should also be installed in the center of the ceiling directly above the interior stairway.
It's best to have at least one working Smoke Alarm on every level of your home, including the basement and family room. To assure optimal protection and avoid false alarms, your Smoke Alarm must be mounted properly. You'll find simple instructions included with every Smoke Alarm you purchase. Should questions remain, we encourage you to visit or contact us.
 
 Clean Your Smoke Alarms! 
Help your Smoke Alarm remain sensitive and ready to protect you by gently using a vacuum cleaner once a month to remove dust and cobwebs. If your Smoke Alarms have been accidently painted or contaminated, replacement may be necessary.

Now that the snow has stop falling for now and you continuing to shovel out your driveway, you may want to take a few more minutes to shovel one more place.

It's that yellow fire hydrant that maybe in your yard or across the street that you may forget about and if you forget to help clear your hydrant it may take longer to put out a fire in your neighborhood.  Shoveling out your fire hydrant may not be the first thing that comes to mind when cleaning off your sidewalk or driveway. But with so many in town, it’s hard for the fire department to keep up with the cleaning.  Keeping your hydrant clear of snow will allow crews from the fire department to get access to them quicker.

The best way you can help is clear out a 360 degree circle around your fire hydrant so that all outlets are clear.

The fire and water departments try to clear all of the hydrants around the fire district. But by helping out you can reduce the risk of further damage or injury of a fire.

The town or the fire department does not obligate you to clean around your fire hydrant, but any help is appreciated.

Congratulations to 4 of the newest DeWitt candidates that graduated the Firefighter 1 academy in Fayetteville.  Firefighters Glen LeComte, Carrissa Jones, Courtney Stewart, and Gregg Feal completed the 2 month academy consisting of FF1, Haz-Mat awareness, Firefighter Survival, and FAST. Also FF LeComte was tied for valedictorian of the class.  Welcome aboard candidates and we look forward to working with you.

This year saw the resurrection of the Annual Turkey Bowl in the Town of DeWitt. The DeWitt Fire team squared off against the East Syracuse Black Sheep at 10 am on November 22 at the Jamesville-DeWitt High School. For many years the DeWitt Fire and DeWitt Police personnel held the annual fund-raiser to support the J-D SADD Chapter. This year the Black Sheep of ESFD took up the challenge to benefit the Francis House and the Autism Society of Central New York.
As the teams took the field, what seemed to be an uneven match-up quickly became a formidable competition. The teams approached the final seconds of regulation with the score all tied-up and the Black Sheep making a drive. Bill McGarrity picked off ESFD QB Matt Parker’s pass and ran it back 80 yards for the winning touchdown as the final seconds ticked off the game clock securing the win for DeWitt.

Just after 1500 hours today Fayetteville Fire along with Ambulance and Medics were alerted for a difficulty breathing to a patient on the roof of a 3 story building at 100 Limestone Plaza. While enroute Fayetteville requested DeWitt Tower Ladder 3 to help remove the patient from the roof. Upon the arrival of TL-3, the patient was being treated by Fayetteville paramedics that had gained access to the roof. The tower was raised with the stokes attached, the crews from the 20-Truck and 14-Truck packaged the patient and then he was lowered via the tower to the waiting Fayetteville Ambulance. While returning from that alarm DeWitt Car-1 came across a vehicle fire at the corner of E.Genesee St and McClennen Dr. Fayetteville was activated and the 20-Truck responded, the crew from DeWitt Truck assisted and extinguished the engine compartment fire with the assistance of the Fayetteville crew.

At 1700 hours on Tuesday evening during shift change, DeWitt crews were notified for a motor vehicle collision with injuries at Lyndon Corners. Engines 8 and 1 responded to find 8 cars and a loaded cow trailer involved in the crash. Crews evaluated the situation and found 6 patients that needed to be treated and transported. DeWitt Rescue-7 and Squad-8 also responded, and assistance was requested from Fayetteville Engine-7. All the patients were treated and turned over to 3 waiting Rural/Metro ambulances. A Cornell vet that was stuck in the traffic stopped to render assistance to the two injured cows . Crews were back in service inside of an hour. Chief Cardinali had the "Lyndon Corners Command"

At 13:28 hours on Sunday, Station 14 was alerted for a motor vehicle crash with possible injuries at the intersection of Jamesville Rd and Stonecrest Dr.  Engine-8 responded with a crew of 4 and the incident was upgraded to definite injuries and reported the car was into a house and a nurse on the scene requesting ALS.  Paramedic Engine-8 arrived within 3 minutes of dispatch and found a sedan that had gone through a wooden fence and into the corner of the house. 1 patient was removed from the vehicle and immobilized prior to being turned over to Rural/Metro. Crews assessed the house and found no structural damage. Crews returned to service in 25 minutes. Lt. McGarrity had the "Jamesville Rd Command".  The patient succumbed to her injuries a few days later

At 0722 hours on Saturday, crews were completing shift change when the station was alerted for a reported trailer fire at 6120 Rock Cut Rd in the Jamesville District. Engine-8 and Truck-3 responded and were the first arriving companies to find light smoke coming from the rear of the home. Truck-3 forced the door for the engine crew, then completed a search and outside vent. Engine-8 suppressed a fire in the kitchen. Crews from Fayetteville Engine-5 and Jamesville Engine-5 assisted with overhaul. Companies picked up and assisted loading 800 feet of Supply line. Companies were back in service in 63 minutes. Jamesville Car-1 had the Rock Cut Rd Command. All occupants made it out safely, but were transported to a local hospital by Rural/Metro for evaluation. The occupant stated that the fire was started by children playing with the stove and catching a toy on fire and putting it in the drawer.

As the night shift already had a few calls in, at 1911 hrs Onondaga County Communications alerted DeWitt for a reported vehicle fire in front of 6811 Woodchuck Hill Rd. Engine-8 arrived within minutes to find a rear engine compartment and back seat of a 1971 VW Beatle well involved in flames.  The fire was quickly extinguished and the company was back in service in 35 minutes.

At 19:32 Hours DeWitt Truck-3 and several mutual aide companies were dispatched to a reported fire in the area of Brooklea Dr and Limestone Plaza in the Fayetteville Fire District, crews were out on training so Engine-8 responded in place of Truck-3. Police arrived and reported a fully involved house on Feeder St behind the Town of Manlius municipal building. Fayetteville Engines 7 & 5 arrived and confirmed the police report and transmitted a SIGNAL 99 and outside operations. First arriving companies dropped their initial water on the fire trying to make a hit, then had to wait for a water supply operation to be established as Feeder St was a non-hydranted dirt road that runs along the old Erie Canal. Engine-8 arrived and backed down Feeder St and finished a  split lay of supply line and laid it out to a waiting Manlius Engine that was drafting. Fayetteville Engine-7 got a draft out of the canal supplied by their Eng-5 and DeWitt Eng-8. Once water supply was established the fire was knocked down inside of 10 minutes using a master stream and a blitz fire. Companies were back in service in about 2 hours. Fayetteville Car-1 (Chief Hildreth) had the "Feeder St Command"

After a colder and longer than normal winter, New Yorkers aren’t waiting for Memorial Day; they’re firing up their grills now. According to the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), cooking on outdoor grills has become as mainstream as cooking on the stove top. “If something tastes good baked, fried, or sautéed, it probably tastes even better grilled,” said Steven Raichlen, host of Primal Grill on PBS and author of The Barbecue Bible. “You can cook a meal the whole family loves quickly and with little clean up, which is great for busy families during the week.” And propane is the barbecuing fuel of choice, according to a 2008 survey from About.com of more than 700 respondents. Furthermore, it is environmentally friendly. The Environmental Protection Agency recognizes propane as a clean-burning gas that releases 105 times less carbon monoxide than charcoal. The New York Propane Gas Association reminds everyone, even the most seasoned outdoor cooks, to beef up on safety first. “It’s great that so many Americans have incorporated grilling into their everyday lives, so as the warm weather arrives, we like to remind people about the importance of gas grill safety,” says Barbara Roach, executive director of the New York Propane Gas Association. “By following some basic precautions, grill owners can ensure that each cookout is safe and enjoyable,” she adds.

To reduce any risk of an unwanted fire or burns from propane, consumers should routinely follow some key tips for the safe operation and maintenance of their grills:  Ventilation • When lighting a grill, keep the top open until you are sure that it is lit.   • Keep the grill in a well-ventilated area.Recommended clearances are at least ten feet away from the house—and at least three feet away from trees and shrubs.   • Be sure to set the grill on a non-flammable surface like concrete or asphalt. • Never use a grill indoors or in any unventilated space. This is both a fire and carbon monoxide poisoning hazard.   • Always use and store propane cylinders outdoors in an upright position. Never store propane cylinders indoors.   • After filling or exchanging a cylinder, take it home immediately. While transporting the cylinder, keep your vehicle ventilated and the valve closed or capped. Never transport your propane cylinder in the trunk of your vehicle.   • Never use, store or transport propane cylinders near high temperatures. New York Propane Gas Association Gas Grill Safety Page 2 Firing Up The Grill Safely   • Never use matches or lighters to check for leaks. Never use starter fluid with propane grills.   • Before you grill, check all fittings to ensure that there are no propane leaks. When the grill is cold, turn on the cylinder valve or gas and spray the connections with a leak-detection solution (a 50/50 mixture of water and liquid soap) to check for tightness. If bubbles appear then you have leaks so tighten the connections where the bubbling occurs.   • Never pour an accelerant such as lighter fluid or gasoline on the grill.   • Keep all flammable materials away from the grill. If you detect a leak, immediately turn off gas and do not attempt to light the grill again until the leak is fixed.   • If the grill does not ignite within ten seconds, turn off the gas, keep the lid open and wait five minutes before trying again.   • When refilling the cylinder, always have the supplier check for dents, damage, rust, and leaks.   • Do not smoke while handling a propane cylinder.   • Trim excess fat and drain off excess marinade or oil from meats, replace greasy lava rock or ceramic briquettes, and keep the grill clean to minimize flare-ups.   • Regularly check the tubes that lead into the burner for blockage from insects or food grease.   • Use a pipe cleaner or wire to clear blockage, pushing it through to the main part of the burner. General Safety Tips   • Designate the grilling area a “No Play Zone,” keeping kids and pets away from the equipment.   • Always have one person in charge of the fire at all times. Never leave a hot grill unattended.   • When your grill is not in use, cover the disconnected hose-end fittings with plastic bags or protective caps to keep them clean.   • Always follow grill manufacturer’s instructions and keep written materials on hand.   • Never attempt to repair the tank valve or the appliance yourself. See a propane gas dealer or a qualified appliance repair person. Be sure to locate your model number and the manufacturer’s consumer inquiry phone number and write them on the front page of your manual.   • If you smell gas and you are able to, safely turn off the cylinder valve, turning it to the right (clockwise). Immediately leave the area and call 911 or your local fire department. Before you use the grill again, have a qualified service technician inspect your cylinder.

Propane is a safe, clean, versatile and highly efficient fuel that can be used for other outdoor products to help extend the summer season. In recent years, propane has become more than just an energy source for outdoor grills. Did you know that it is also the fuel of choice for other consumer friendly products such as pool and patio heaters and mosquito magnets? For more information on the value and uses of propane, visit www.nypropane.com. About the New York Propane Gas Association (NYPGA) NYPGA is a trade organization providing services that communicate, educate, and promote the propane industry in New York. The association, formed in 1948, offers training, peer networking opportunities, and assistance with legislative issues that contribute to operating a safe and successful industry.

The DeWitt Fire District Board of Fire Commissioners has begun to post the minutes of their meetings on www.dewittfire.org in order to make their proceedings more available to the public.  These documents can be found by clicking on the "DOWNLOADS" tab along the left side of the home page.  The Board of Commissioners meets at the fire station on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 pm and meetings are open to the public.