Report by Paula Antolini
October 17, 2017 2:42PM EDT
Run Totals for Bethel Fire and EMS for the Month of September; Fire Prevention/Safety Week in Oct.
Fire
There were a total of 40 calls for the Fire Department for the month of September.
Automatic Alarms – 13
Structure Fire – 0
Motor Vehicle Accident – 10
Carbon Monoxide/Gas leak – 3
EMS Assist – 3
Rescue calls – 1
Stand By – 1
Gas Spills – 2
Wires down – 1
Broken Water Pipe – 1
Smell of Smoke investigation – 3
Public Assist – 1
Brush fires – 1
EMS
There were a total of 112 EMS calls for this past month.
Captain’s Corner
As Fire Prevention/Safety Week falls in the month of October I was happy to be able to write a quick note about the topic that they have chosen for this years theme. This years topic is something I have written about before but it is really worth repeating and that is “every second counts, Plan two way’s out”
This topic is meant to remind you to familiarize your entire family to have a plan to quickly leave your house in the event of a fire, and to have a back-up plan in case your initial plan or way out is blocked. Many times this can mean simply making a short hop out a bedroom window, cutting through another room, or if the drop out a window is out of the question due to height, it may require a plan involving the use of an emergency escape ladder to be kept in the rooms where this would be an issue.
The key to having these ladders is making sure not only you, but anyone in your house, has the knowledge to set it up and quickly get out. I think of having an escape ladder in your house the same way as having a gym membership, Just having it doesn’t do you any good, you have to use it to get any benefit. the National Fire Protection Agency or NFPA suggests doing two fire drills with your family each year. In addition to bi-annual drills the NFPA also suggests:
Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.
Make sure the number of your home is clearly marked and easy for the fire department to find.
Close doors behind you as you leave – this may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.Once you get outside
Stay outside. Never go back inside a burning building.
The NFPA also has a free grid diagram you can download off their website to use as a visual aid for you and your family.
Have an awesome October and I hope to see all of you down at Trick or Treat Street. Drop by and say hello !!!
Be well and Stay Safe,
Brendan
Leave a Reply