The Fifth District VFD would like to invite the community to the firehouse on Saturday December 10th from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm to enjoy pizza with Santa. The event will be held in the engine bays. Pizza supplied by Pudgies of Clarksville.

Under 5-Free

6and over-$6.00

A wide range of natural disasters occurs within the United States every year. Natural disasters can have a devastating effect on you and your home. The U.S. Fire Administration encourages you to use the following safety tips to help protect yourself, your family and your home from the potential threat of fire during or after a winter storm. You can greatly reduce your chances of becoming a fire casualty by being able to identify potential hazards and following the outlined safety tips.

Some Types of Fire Related Hazards Present During and After a Winter Storm

• Alternative heating devices used incorrectly create fire hazards.
• Damaged or downed utility lines can present a fire and life safety hazard.
• Water damaged appliances and utilities can be electrically charged.
• Frozen water pipes can burst and cause safety hazards.
• Leaking gas lines, damaged or leaking gas propane containers, and leaking vehicle gas tanks may explode or ignite.
• Generators are often used during power outages. Generators that are not properly used and maintained can be very hazardous.

Chemical Safety

• Look for combustible liquids like gasoline, lighter fluid, and paint thinner that may have spilled. Thoroughly clean the spill and place containers in a well-ventilated area.
• Keep combustible liquids away from heat sources.

Electrical Safety

• If your home has sustained flood or water damage, and you can safely get to the main breaker or fuse box, turn off the power.
• Assume all wires on the ground are electrically charged. This includes cable TV feeds.
• Look for and replace frayed or cracked extension and appliance cords, loose prongs, and plugs.
• Exposed outlets and wiring could present a fire and life safety hazard.
• Appliances that emit smoke or sparks should be repaired or replaced.
• Have a licensed electrician check your home for damage.

Gas Safety

• Smell and listen for leaky gas connections. If you believe there is a gas leak, immediately leave the house and leave the door(s) open.
• Never strike a match. Any size flame can spark an explosion.
• Before turning the gas back on, have the gas system checked by a professional.

Generator Safety

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines when using generators.
• Use a generator or other fuel-powered machines outside the home. CO fumes are odorless and can quickly overwhelm you indoors.
• Use the appropriate sized and type power cords to carry the electric load. Overloaded cords can overheat and cause fires.
• Never run cords under rugs or carpets where heat might build up or damage to a cord may go unnoticed.
• Never connect generators to another power source such as power lines. The reverse flow of electricity or 'backfeed' can electrocute an unsuspecting utility worker.

Heating Safety

• Kerosene heaters may not be legal in your area and should only be used where approved by authorities.
• Do not use the kitchen oven range to heat your home. In addition to being a fire hazard, it can be a source of toxic fumes.
• Alternative heaters need their space. Keep anything combustible at least 3 feet away.
• Make sure your alternative heaters have 'tip switches.' These 'tip switches' are designed to automatically turn off the heater in the event they tip over.
• Only use the type of fuel recommended by the manufacturer and follow suggested guidelines.
• Never refill a space heater while it is operating or still hot.
• Refuel heaters only outdoors.
• Make sure wood stoves are properly installed, and at least 3 feet away from combustible materials. Ensure they have the proper floor support and adequate ventilation.
• Use a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace to prevent sparks from igniting nearby carpets, furniture or other combustible items.

and Remember...

• Be careful when using candles. Keep the flame away from combustible objects and out of the reach of children.
• Some smoke alarms may be dependent on your home's electrical service and could be inoperative during a power outage. Check to see if your smoke alarm uses a back-up battery and install a new battery at least once a year.
• Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home and inside and outside of sleeping areas.
• All smoke alarms should be tested monthly. All batteries should be replaced with new ones at least once a year.
• If there is a fire hydrant near your home, keep it clear of debris for easy access by the fire department.

 

1. Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.  

2. Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.  

3. Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.  

4. Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.  

5. Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.  

6. Keep knives out of the reach of children.  

7. 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.  

8. Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.  

9. Never leave children alone in room with a lit a candle.  

10. Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

The members of the Fifth District V.F.D. want to remind everyone to be safe in and around pools this summer.

Water Safety Tips

Childhood drowning and near-drowning can happen in a matter of seconds. They typically occur when a child is left unattended or during a brief lapse of supervision. Eight hundred ten children ages 14 and under drowned in 2005. An estimated 2,780 children were treated in emergency rooms after near-drowning in 2007. Severe and permanent brain damage affects as many as 20 percent of near-drowning victims.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) (12/17/08). 

Safety basics

• Make sure pools and spas are enclosed on four sides with a fence at least 5 feet high with a self-closing and latching gates.
• Drains in pools and spas should have anti-entrapment drain covers.
• Learn infant and child CPR and always have a phone near the pool for emergency use.
• Children should always swim under the supervision of a grown-up. Every child over the age of three should have swimming lessons.
• Children using air-filled swimming aids should always be supervised by an adult within arm’s reach.
• A U.S. Coast guard approved life jacket should be worn for water sports such as tubing, skiing or jet skiing. Air-filled aids such as inner tubes, water wings and inflatable rafts are not substitutes for approved life jackets

It is important for children to learn and practice water safety rules. Here are some helpful water safety rules for children:

• Children should swim only if a lifeguard or a grown-up gives you permission.
• Teach children to obey the posted rules.

Encourage children to:

• Check with the lifeguard to find out how deep the water is.
• Always swim with a buddy.
• Never jump or dive unless the lifeguard or a grown-up says it is okay to do so.
• Don’t eat candy or chew gum when swimming.
• Never swim at night.
• Get out of the water right away if you hear thunder or see lightning.
• When on a boat, everyone needs a seat and his or her own U.S. Coastguard approved life jacket.

Story from NFPA www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp

In the early morning hours of Sunday June 5th Howard County Fire Dispatch received the Mutual Aid request for Rescue Squad 5 to Carroll County Rescue Local 1-03. Twin Arch command special called Squad 5 for the Crane. They had been working a heavy rescue with a subject trapped under a motorcycle which was crushed under a 68,000 lb carnival ride. Squad 5 arrived on the scene and went to work with Carroll units and Browning's towing to lift the vehicle off the patient. Squad 5 remained on scene for a total of 45 minutes and returned to service. 

On Friday evening Crews from Company 5 were alerted to assist Montgomery County Fire with a water rescue in the Triadelphia Reservoir. The inital assignment called for Boat 5. The career personnel started that way with the Boat and the Engine 52. Soon after Montgomery requested the Dive team. Units searched until night fall on Friday to no avail. The Dive Team returned Saturday morning and assisted Units from Montgomery for the major part of the day. Units will return on Sunday morning and continue the search.

Saturday June 4
After running surface/shore based dog searches and the dogs hitting on
several locations the dive team was again put in the water searching
the locations the dogs had hit on. The team started with shore/land
based searches but the distance was too great and the team was forced
to move to boat based patterns in the afternoon. Patrick Smith, Blair
Anessi, Mark Saxe, Ron Clements, and D'Mitri Martin responded in the
morning with one diver being relieved in the afternoon by Tom
Weckesser. By 1530 on Saturday the search was called as personnel
were unavailable to continue running safe searches and the search area
had been run several times with no success.
 

This weekend several members of the dive team traveled to Guppy Gulch Quarry in Delta, PA for some advanced training. The water was cold, as low as 32 degrees and the underwater visibility was poor (less than 2 feet in certain parts). Overall, it was a success. Four (4) members became PADI certified drysuit divers and several worked towards their Advanced Open Water certification.

At 1329 hrs. Station 5 was alerted for Mutual Aid Rescue with reports of subjects trapped in the area of Brighton Dam Rd and Brooke Rd in Montgomery County. The initial assignment called for E52, then Montgomery County Chief 704 special called for Squad 5 for the crane. Upon arrival of Squad 5 they found a single vehicle over a guardrail and into a tree with one victim trapped. Company 5 assisted Montgomery County with vehicle stabilization and extrication of the patient. Squad 5 utilized the crane to assist with roof removal and vehicle stabilization. The patient was turned over to awaiting Medics from Montgomery.

The American Red Cross is in great need of donors. There are two drives being held in our area: Friday, March 25 from Noon until 6pm at the Fifth District Fire Department located at 5000 Signal Bell Lane, Clarksville and Monday, March 28 from 3:00 to 8:00pm at the Elkridge Volunteer Fire Department located at 6275 Old Washington Road, Elkridge You can call the American Red Cross at 1-800-Red-Cross to schedule your life saving donation. Walk ins are welcome. Thank you!

Please join us in the Ten Oaks Ballroom  Sunday February 27th, 2011 from 0800-1200 for our Country Breakfast. 

Children $5.00

Adults $9.00

Seniors $8.00

Menu- Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Sausage patties, Sausage Links, Toast, Fruit, Chip Beef Gravy, Apple Sauce, Milk, Coffee, Orange Juice

Shortly after 10:00 hrs a COLLAPSE RESCUE BOX ALARM was sounded in COMPANY 5's first due for a reported structural collapse with injuries. First arriving ENGINE Co. 52 found a 80' x 200' barn under construction that had partially collapsed injuring multiple people. All in all two patients were transported by Maryland State Police Aviation and an additional patient was transported by ground to University of Maryland Shock Trauma by PARAMEDIC 55. No one was trapped and the situation was quickly mitigated.

Around 10:00 hrs. a RESCUE ALARM was struck for a reported Motor Vehicle Accident with Injuries on State Route 32 in the area of the Dayton Highways Shop. Units arrived to find one person trapped inside their vehicle and released the same prior to turning the patient over to Maryland State Police Trooper 3. Units were picked up and back in service in approximately 45 minutes. Units On The Call: ENGINE Co. 52, RESCUE SQUAD 5 and PARAMEDIC 55. Later in the afternoon due to a prolonged incident in the Elkridge Area ENGINE Co. 51 was transfered to the quarters of COMPANY 1. Multiple crews were maintained and units responded to multiple runs before returning to the Clarksville area. COMPANY 5 maintained multiple crews throughout the day.

Shortly after 2100 hrs. units from Company 4 and the surrounding area were alerted for a reported Barn Fire in the 13000 blk. of Frederick Road.  Minutes there after a Task Force and Special Alarms were sounded bringing TANKER 5 to the scene.  TANKER 5 arrived on the scene and was placed into the water shuttle operation as there are no municipal hydrants in Company 4's first due.  As the Special Alarms continued ENGINE Co.  51 eventually ended up on the incident being utilized to establish another drafting site to support the operation.  Units operated for over two before being placed in service, the quarters of Company 5 was staffed with an additional crew.

All members that are able are requested to enter their availability in the www.CodeScheduling.net program. The calendar has been opened up and everyone is able to sign up now. Thank you for your help, if you have any questions please contact Mike Poetker.

Minutes after 23:00 hrs. a Miscellaneous Alarm was transmitted for a vehicle into the building in the 6300 blk. of Ten Oaks Road in Clarksville. ENGINE Co. 51 arrived on location to find a one story, wood frame, strip mall with a 8' x 8' hole in it and the vehicle removed prior to arrival. With no immediate Rescue needed the assignment was scaled back and the Engine Company awaited the arrival of Battalion Chief 2 to post the building. RESPONDING UNITS: ENGINE Co. 51, RESCUE SQUAD 5, and CHIEF 5B. Less than an hour after the above alarm a Rescue Alarm was transmitted for a reported motorcycle into the woods with a downed rider in the woods as well. Units arrived on location to find a motorcycle that had left the roadway and knocked down a tree that was laying on top of it. The single occupant was located in the same area and treated by Paramedic 55 before being transported to the area Trauma Center. Companies assisted in packaging the patient as well as controlling the hazards caused by the motorcycle. RESPONDING UNITS: ENGINE Co. 51, RESCUE SQUAD 5, PARAMEDIC 55, AMBULANCE 56, and CHIEF 5B.