What I did on my summer vacation

I haven't had to write an essay like this since grade school, and I guess to be fair I dont really have to write this one. Not to mention summer has barely begun. I have been involved in the fire service for nearly 30 years and in those years I cant remember a summer or year for that matter, like this one. I surely hope that things settle down or the men and women I serve with will wear out and age ten years. Yesterday, June 30, 2012. We had a call come in of a structure fire, as I pulled out of the fire station I could see a large column of smoke rising into the Salt Lake valley skyline. Information was beginning to come in as we got closer. Engine 72 was the first to arrive. The size up went something like this. Engine 72 has arrived, we have a four-plex apartment building fully involved. We have several exposures threatened. We will be in a defensive strategy. Start a second alarm. As I pulled up I could see that one structure was a complete loss. It definitely was fully involved! Fire was not only coming out of every opening, but was covering the entire exterior of the building. The second four-plex was smoking and we had hopes that we could stop the progress there. But as the initial radio report mentioned we had several exposure problems. There were three cars that were beginning to smoke, and a duplex to the north that was heating up quickly. We decided to cool down the cars and the third building with a 2-1/2 in line. Glad we did because it would have gone to a third alarm if any of those had done more than smoke and melt from the radiant heat. We positioned ladder 75 and engine 72 and 73 on the east side, and tower 74 and engine 71 on the south side.  The hydrants were tapped and didn't give us much in the way of available water, just what you don't need when you're in a dicey situation. The crews did an amazing job at keeping the chaos to a minimum. As more resources started to arrive we divide the fire into two divisions. In the fire service a division is a geographical area that emergency responders work in. We had a south division and an east division. The crews report to a division supervisor which is generally a chief officer or captain depending on who is there at the time. Fortunately I had the luxury of have two great division supervisors. As one problem is addressed you move to the next in your list of priorities. So once we knew the cars and the duplex had stabilized we were able to start working on the initial two buildings. Our hopes of saving any of the second building were diminishing quickly. The fire in the attic was building, We assigned crews to do a quick recon and  search to make sure no one was inside. About that time the roof began to fail. We pulled those crews from harms way and began an assault with the two aerial master streams capable of pouring out thousands of gallons onto the inferno. We finally made some good progress and were able to start releasing crews back to their areas. After six hours of work the last of the crews, myself included were available. Not a bad days work. the only problem with that statement is that this fire was the third working fire of the day. not to mention the medical calls that had come in and all of the calls were to come in yet. Oh well like one of my favorite lines from the old super chicken cartoon show "besides you knew the job was dangerous when you took it"  life goes on.

Special thanks to the following folks. WVCFD, WVCPD, West Valley City Public works, South Salt Lake City Fire, Salt Lake City Fire, West Jordan Fire, Sandy City Fire, Metro Fire Agency, Metro Rehab, and Unified.

As I close this lengthy post, just a couple of thoughts. Please be careful if you do anything related to fire. whether. it a BBQ, a home fire work show, or if you smoke. Take time to do it right. Or not at all! heres my new battle cry for firefighting 2012.  HELP US FIGHT..... DON'T IGNITE!

Be Smart... Be Safe....BE READY!       FIRE MARSHAL BOB

COME ON YOU KNEW I COULDN'T RESIST

HERES MY ANNUAL REMINDER!





BE SAFE... BE READY!!!!        FIRE MARSHAL BOB

West is Best!

Hi everyone just a reminder that West Fest is upon us. Please stop by and visit the fire Department. We'll have activities and fun for the families come by and see the fire guy's drop from the air as we repel from out tower.

BE safe... Whats that flying the air?

Its a bird.... Its a plane... Its a squirrel.... No Sorry its just time for fireworks again. Hello everyone, just thought we’d pass this along.

As you remember the State of Utah passed new legislation last year. A new and exciting class of fireworks is available again this year. With the expanded availability comes expanded responsibility! There are still many illegal fireworks. Here are some other reminders.

Please, pay particular attention to safety recommendations and safety tips from manufacturers and retailers who sell fireworks. Reading instructions this year will be significantly important and necessary to help reduce the chances of a destructive fire or debilitating injury.
Purchase fireworks from reliable, licensed fireworks dealers. Read all instructions to help reduce the chances of a destructive fire or debilitating injury. Follow all safety guidelines exactly.
Children should not handle fireworks. You must be at least 16 years of age to handle or light fireworks. Adults are to supervise any activity that includes fireworks. Never let children handle, play with or light fireworks. Only knowing and clear-headed adults should handle fireworks.
Adults should never use alcohol or drugs or be impaired while engaged in handling, using, placing or lighting fireworks.
New aerial type fireworks are now lawful. Aerial devices, also known as “multiple tube”, “repeater”, or “cake” fireworks often look like miniature professional displays and can travel high into the air, as much as 150 feet.These fireworks need sufficient space from trees, carports, structures, power lines or other high or low obstacles. Aerial or “cake” fireworks need at least a 30 foot clearance around on the ground and at least 150 foot clearance in the air.
Not allowed still are: firecrackers, M-80’s, cherry bombs, Bottle- rockets, roman candles, single or reloadable mortars, and ground salutes are still unlawful. All local, state and federal laws must be adhered to.
Use common sense at all times when handling fireworks. Do not alter, change or experiment with makeshift or any firework device and do not allow others to violate the law.
Store fireworks in a cool, dry place. Do not place fireworks in your pockets.
Only use fireworks out of doors. Never play with, set or light fireworks under a carport or overhang, inside a building or compartment.
Never shoot fireworks in windy conditions.
Keep a bucket of water or running hose nearby during the time of lighting and disposing of fireworks and in case of an emergency.
Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks. Keep all unused fireworks 30 feet away from the shooting area.
Make sure other people are out of range at a reasonable distance before lighting fireworks. Do not point or throw fireworks at people, animals or where they may not be under proper control. And remember, sparklers burn at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. They can be an extremely dangerous device in the hands of children and are deceptive in nature and can cause serious burns and injuries if not cared for properly.
Light fireworks one at a time. Do not attempt to light multiple fireworks at any time. Do not relight a firework whose fuse has burned away. Do not attempt to repair broken fireworks. Soak fireworks that did not ignite in a bucket of water. Light the firework and then get away quickly.
Keep clear of the firework. Never place a body part above or around a burning firework. Never pickup a burning firework. Never look into the tube or stay close to the burning end of the device. Never hold a lit firework in your hand.
Use caution with animals. Excitement, noise and lights can cause fear and stress.
Fireworks are an American tradition. Safety and common sense are so important as we celebrate the holidays with fireworks. Shooting fireworks can provide hours of wholesome family entertainment, but must be use carefully and safely.

We’ve included the following information so you can know when you can light fireworks. Remember to be good neighbor.


2012 FIREWORKS SALES AND DISCHARGE DATES

Sales

Class “C” fireworks can be sold the following dates:

June 23 - July 27

December 29 - January 1
2 days before and on Chinese New Year’s Eve

Discharge

Between the hours of 11am and 11pm except as noted:

July 1 - July 7
(July 4 hours extended to midnight)

July 21 - 27
(July 24 hours extended to midnight)

December 31
(11am -1am Jan. 1)

Chinese New Year’s Eve
(11am - 1am the following day)


Be Smart... Be Safe... BE READY!     Have a great summer, Fire Marshal Bob

Summer Safety Reminder

Summer is fast approaching. With warmer temperatures more of us will be moving our activities to the out of doors. Hopefully all of us will be able to take advantage of the fun that surrounds us. But I would like to take a moment to remind us that even the simplest family activity can take a turn for the worse if we are not paying attention. We don't want anyone's family fun to turn to tragedy.

I'll give you an example. Last night fire crews responded to a report of a drowning at one of the pools in our city. The report said that ane eleven year old had been pulled from the pool and family and bystanders were working to revive the child. Our crews quickly started working to help this young one. The equipment showed that the child was in what we call v-fib. Which simply means that heart is not doing much more than quivering, not delivering blood flow. It is the same sign we see when a person has had a heart attack and CPR is being performed. I must say our paramedics are great! They are well trained and well seasoned. They defibrillated the child and were able to get a decent rhythm. The child was still not breathing. They quickly transported the child by one of our city ambulances, providing breaths for the child. When our crews left the hospital. The young one was breathing and crying. These are excellent signs. But the outcome is still unknown. Near drowning can have many after effects. This entire event went from a family enjoying an evening by the pool, to a life changing event in less than four minutes.

So there is the reminder and warning. Please be diligent and aware in all your summer activities. thanks go to the West Valley Police and Fire departments for always being there and ready to help. .......have a great summer!

 Remember. Be Smart.... Be Safe.... BE READY!
                                                                                 Fire Marshal Bob

Quick action by West Valley Fire C shift

Fire fighters responded to a report of a shed fire at approximately 1600 w and 3300 south at around 2:30
"We could see black smoke rising into thge air from a few blocks away and called for a full assignment" said Captain Rob Huffman. The fire had quickly spread from the shed to a fence and was impinging on another neigbors garage. Quick action by the crew quickly contained the fire and they were able to keep the fire from spreading further.

Fire Marshal Bob Fitzgerald interviewed those that were home at the time of the fire. During the interview he noticed that one lad 11years of age had singed hair and eybrows. The boy quickly confessed when asked about his hair. Summer is fast approaching, Please make sure your family is safe. Always keep matches and lighters out of the hands of kids. You never know whose life you might save!

Remember Be Smart... Be Safe... BE READY!!!
Fire Marshal Bob

the Boys of B shift

West Valley City firefighters battled a blaze in a split entry home located at 2768 south 3860 west. An off duty firefighter noticed the familiar odor of a fire as he was taking his family to get something to eat. He was able to alert the family and extinguish part of the fire on the outside of the home with the garden hose.

 Fire crews did a great job of keeping the fire from reaching the living area of the home, although there was a significant fire working in the attic. The fire seems to have started with a electrical problem from a lighting fixture.The Red Cross was called to assist the family of six with accommodations. Estimated damages are around 40000.00. There were no injuries reported and three cats survived the mayhem.

Be Smart... Be Safe... BE READY!
Fire Marshal Bob

Fire 2700 W Parkway

2700 west parkway West Valley City West valley fire crews responded to the report of a house fire at the mountainview mobile home park. When the arrived they found large volumes of smoke coming from the home. Neighbors stated that they thought the owners were at home at the time,but could not be accounted for. Crews quickly deployed hose lines and entered the home to do a search. The fire was contained to a bedroom. The family had gone to the grocery store. Once that fire crews knew the occupants were safe they were able to concentrate on extinguishing the fire. Crews from West Valley City and South Salt Lake worked to complete the operation. The we're no civilian or fire injuries to report. The fire is still under investigation, and damages are estimated at 30,000.00 dollars Remember, Be Safe.... Be Smart... BE READY! Fire Marshal Bob

I Wonder?..Hmmmm

Do you have a questIon for the fire department? Ask away, leave us you comments or questions in the comment box. We'll answer them the best we can. If we don't know the answer we'll find it for you or try to anyway.. Remember, be Smart... Be Safe... BE READY! Fire Marshal Bob

HOT SPOTS - 3/30/2012 - 4/6/2012

WOW WHAT A WEEK!
Hello everyone. I hope you had a good week. It proved to be a busy one for the fire guy's and gals. last Friday and Saturday were very busy. High winds Saturday were a challenge for our crews. We had a structure fire late in the morning that was caused by two twelve year old boys playing with illegal fireworks, firecrackers and bottle rockets to be exact. The "two utes" (great line from a movie) were lighting them from an open bedroom window, and were also lighting them by using a paper towel outside. You can guess what happened next. The fire started on the exterior of the home. Instead of calling the fire department the boys decided to try to extinguish it with a garden hose. Fortunately for the boys a neighbor had called 9-1-1 and our guys were on the way. One of the boys took the garden hose into the house and was going to try to keep the fire from spreading into the home..... a problem with his theory was that the garden hose was not hooked up to a spigot.  Oops! About this time Captain Rekoutis and his crew arrived. They quickly deployed lines and got the boy out of the home. Almost as soon as they got him to a safe location, the fire breached the window and was ready to start its work of destruction inside the home. If the fire fighters had not taken quick action this boy would have been in more than just trouble with his dad. Nice Job C shift!

Shortly after 2:00 PM the same day, another structure fire call came in.  As battalion Chief Dean Williams pulled up to the scene it became apparent that this was no ordinary house fire. The fire started in an attached carport/shed and with the help of the wind quickly gained a head of steam and into the home. What made this fire different is that when Chief Williams arrived, not one - but two homes were well involved with fire. He quickly did his size up and Called for a second alarm so we could address both fires. Fortunately everyone was out, and safe from both homes. Crews were able to extinguish both fires in about 30 minutes of aggressive offensive firefighting, followed up by a couple of hours of what we call "overhaul". Investigators worked through the debris but there was so much damage that an exact cause was hard to pinpoint but it does appear to be accidental.

Well these are just a sampling of what went on. There were numerous calls for help this past week. In al the fire department responded on 71 fire or hazardous conditions calls. The medical end of what the fire department does is no exception. Our crews responded to over 190 calls for medical emergencies. This weeks stats don't include any of the Public education, Inspections, training,  and maintenance that our guys do. As you can see the West Valley City Fire Department continues to be one of the busiest departments in the western United States, especially when you break it down to call volume per capita, and man hours.

Hope you enjoy these updates. Remember if you've got a question or comment we'd love to hear from you.

As always,      BE Smart.... Be Safe... BE READY!
                                                                                  Fire Marshal Bob