July 2007 Newsletter
Webmaster
1) HOSE TESTING
Much of June was spent testing hose. Every Year our crews test every
piece of hose carried on apparatus or in reserve here on the station.
The testing involves filling the hose with water and pressurizing it
to a set level above normal operating pressures. This pressure is
maintained for a period of time. If the hose does not develop any
leaks and does not burst it passes and remains in service. If a piece
of hose fails the test it is taken out of service and used for various
utility service, training, or discarded. Each section of hose is
numbered for record-keeping.
2) LODDs
On 06-18-07 nine Firefighters from Charleston, SC were killed when the
roof of a burning warehouse collapsed during rescue operations. This
was the largest loss of life from a single incident for the US Fire
Service since 9-11. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who lost
their lives, as well as their families and loved ones.
3) Apparatus Issues
L101 was out of service for several week early in June due to a
waterway malfunction. The waterway is a metal tube that carries water
from the pump up through the ladder tower. This tube is made up of
several sections that slide within each other to allow the waterway to
lengthen and shorten as the the tower is extended or retracted. One
of the seals in the waterway froze and caused it to break when the
Ladder was being retracted. This also damaged a small area of the
tower frame. The Ladder had to go back to the manufacturer for
approximately one week for repairs.
4) Happy 4th of July !
We wish everyone a happy 4th of July, but remind you that fireworks
can be very dangerous. Please enjoy fireworks by attending
professional displays during the week, occurring in numerous
communities.
Fireworks in Ohio are illegal for the most part, and we wish to share
(again) a message from the Consumer Product Safety Commission...
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CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Nychelle Fleming or Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7800
CPSC Warns of Deadly Dangers When Consumers Use Illegal Fireworks
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Between 2000 and 2006, the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission (CPSC) has reports of 49 fireworks-related consumer
deaths, the CPSC announced today on the Washington Mall, joined by the
U.S. Fire Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms,
and Explosives (ATF). More than half of these incidents involved
illegal
fireworks.
[More:]
"While many Americans will enjoy the safe and legal use of fireworks,"
said Acting CPSC Chairman Nancy Nord, "there will be those who will be
treated in hospital emergency rooms as a result of using illegal
fireworks, misusing fireworks, or due to a firework that has
malfunctioned."
On average there are about seven firework-related deaths each year.
The
CPSC is aware of 11 deaths associated with fireworks in 2006.
CPSC's staff estimates that there were 9,200 emergency room-treated
injuries associated with all fireworks in 2006. Most of these
injuries,
6,400, occurred during the one month period surrounding the July 4th
holiday.
For those consumers who choose to use fireworks, CPSC encourages them
to
do so safely and legally. The federal government is committed to
stopping the manufacture and sale of illegal fireworks and the
diversion
of professional fireworks to consumers. These explosives can be deadly
if used by consumers.
As a part of its fireworks enforcement program, CPSC actively works
with
ATF. Through undercover buys, online purchases, inspections and
investigations, CPSC and ATF are tracking down and closing illegal
roadside stands, warehouses and retail stores that sell professional
grade explosives to consumers, and manufacturers of dangerous
fireworks
devices. CPSC also works with the U.S. Fire Administration to reduce
deaths and injuries from fire-related hazards, including fireworks.
Since 1988, CPSC and Customs and Border Protection have seized or
detained more than 462 million hazardous fireworks at docks across the
country. The investigative work conducted by CPSC and ATF has led to
dozens of successful prosecutions by the Justice Department's Office
of
Consumer Litigation and U.S. Attorney's offices across the country.
CPSC recommends following these fireworks safety tips:
* Never allow young children to play with fireworks.
* Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using
them.
Avoid buying fireworks that come in brown paper packaging, as this is
often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional shows and
could pose a danger to consumers.
* Adults should always supervise fireworks activities. Parents often
don't realize that sparklers have caused more injuries to children
under
age five than any other type of firework. Sparklers burn at
temperatures
of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
* Never have any portion of your body directly over a firework device
when lighting the fuse. Move back a safe distance immediately after
lighting.
* Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not fully
functioned.
* Douse and soak with water and throw them away.
* Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
* Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or
other
mishap.
* Light one item at a time, then move back quickly.
* Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or
glass
containers.
To see this press release on CPSC's web site, please go to:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml07/07223.html