@PGFDPIO Twitter
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Monday, March 3, 2014
Stay Warm Safely - Freezing Temperatures Forecast After Snow ends
MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO
After todays snow event the National Weather Service is forecasting single digital temperatures tonight and combined with wind the air temperatures could be near or below zero degrees. Colder than normal temperatures are forecast through the rest of this week.
The Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department (PGFD) is reminding everyone that home fires are more prevalent in cold weather than in any other time of the year. This is due in part to an increase in cooking and heating fires. Winter storms can interrupt electrical service and cause people to turn to alternative heating sources which also contribute to the increased risk of fire in winter. This reminder involves the safe use of space heaters, general heating safety tips, Hypothermia and Frostbite prevention and location of Warming Centers.
The civilian, career and volunteer men and women of the Fire/EMS Department want to remind everyone that fire safety and prevention are especially important during times of cold temperatures. “Temperatures drop and fires increase,” said Prince George's County Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor. According to NFPA statistics space heaters account for about one third of the home heating fires yet more than 80 percent of the home heating fire deaths.
The Winter Residential Building Fires report released by USFA in 2010, reports an estimated 108,400 winter residential building fires occur annually in the United States, resulting in an estimated average of 945 deaths, 3,825 injuries, and $1.7 billion in property loss.
Cooking and heating are the top causes of fires during cold weather.
“The winter season brings the highest number of home fires than any other time of year,” said Fire Chief Bashoor. “Each winter season, home fires increase in part due to cooking and heating fires. Fire safety and injury prevention must not be lost in an effort to stay warm. Stay warm and do so safely. Safety First ensures everyone goes home.”
The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department recommend the following safety tips for space heaters.
Electric Space Heaters
• Buy only heaters evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
• Check to make sure it has a thermostat control mechanism, and will switch off automatically if the heater falls over.
• Heaters are not dryers or tables; don't dry clothes or store objects on top of your heater.
• Space heaters need space; keep combustibles at least three feet away from each heater.
• Always unplug your electric space heater when not in use.
Turn off at night or whenever you sleep. - - Never use an extension cord with space heaters - plug directly into wall socket.
Using a kerosene heater??? Never refuel indoors. Remove the kerosene heater outdoors, turn off and wait for it to cool down before refueling and only use the correct type of fuel.
General Heating Tips
• Furnaces, fireplaces and chimneys should be cleaned and checked each year by an appropriate professional prior to using. Clear away any clutter from these heating devices, at least 3 feet away.
• Only use seasoned wood in fireplaces, never use ignitable liquids to start a fire and do not overload your appliance.
• The 3-foot rule also applies to furnaces and fireplaces. No combustibles items within 3 feet of these heating appliances.
• Dispose of fireplace ash into a metal container and store outdoors away from structures on a concrete surface. Fireplace ash can ignite a fire days after they have been discarded.
Finally, ensure your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are working by pushing the test button on the front cover. If you do not hear an audible warning, replace your alarm with a new 10-year, tamper proof, with hush feature alarm. Having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. A working CO detector will protect you and your family from deadly "silent killer" fumes that may be building up in your home. Remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.
Residents of Prince George’s County can contact our "Safety First" smoke alarm program at 301-864-SAFE (7233). A firefighter will install a working smoke alarm in your home free of charge.
For additional information from the USFA on Winter Fire Safety; click here.usfire.gov.
Residents are encouraged to utilize Prince George’s County’s CountyClick 311 system to obtain information about public services.
Stay Healthy
With temperatures reaching single digits and dangerously low wind chills tonight, Prince George’s County Health Department wants our residents to avoid serious health problems that can occur due to prolonged exposure to cold weather. The two most common conditions are hypothermia and frostbite.
“All residents must take precautionary actions as a primary defense against injuries and illness resulting from extreme cold weather conditions,” said Pamela Creekmur, Health Officer. “When exposed to cold weather, our bodies lose heat faster than it can produce it, resulting in bodily injury, illness, and even death.”
The Health Department advises all residents to check on your elderly relatives and neighbors to ensure they have adequate heat and protection from the cold. Limit the amount of time your pet spends outside. Indoor pets when outside in the freezing cold, can also contract hypothermia very quickly.
Hypothermia is one of the serious health problems that can be caused by exposure during cold weather. If a person’s body temperature drops below 95 degrees, immediately seek medical attention.
In mild cases the symptoms include:
• Uncontrollable shivering
• Pale and cold skin
Other more serious signs include:
• Confusion or sleepiness
• Slurred speech
• Shallow breathing
• Weak pulse
• Stiffness in the arms or legs
• Or, poor control over body movements
In the case of serious symptoms, contact the victim’s doctor or call 911.
In either case, until help arrives or the person is seen by a doctor, move the person to a warm room, warm the body with dry layers of blankets or clothing, and give warm beverages.
Frostbite refers to actual freezing and subsequent destruction of body tissue which is likely to occur any time skin temperature gets much below 32F. The areas most likely to freeze are toes, fingers, ears, cheeks and the tip of the nose.
Individual at risk for frostbite include those with impaired circulation, the elderly, the very young and anyone who remains outside for prolonged periods. The danger increases if the individual becomes wet.
Symptoms of frostbite include:
• Gradual numbness;
• Hardness and paleness of the affected area during exposure,
• Pain and tingling or burning in affected area following warming; and
• Possible change of skin color to purple
NEVER MASSAGE OR RUB FROSTBITTEN AREAS AS THIS MAY CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE SKIN.
Follow these tips to weather the winter in a healthy way:
• Cover your head. You lose as much as 50 percent of your body heat through your head.
• Wear several layers of lightweight, loose-fitting clothing. The air between the layers acts as insulation to keep you warmer.
• Cover your mouth with a scarf to protect lungs from direct, extremely cold air. Cover your ears and lower part of your face as well.
• Wear mittens rather than fingered gloves. The close contact of fingers helps to keep your hands warm.
• Wear warm leg coverings and heavy socks or two pairs of lightweight socks.
• Wear waterproof boots or sturdy shoes to keep your feet warm and dry.
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Seat Pleasant House Fire Displaces Family of 8 - Valley Park Drive
MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us Twitter: @PGFDPIO
No injuries were reported. 2 adults and 6 children will be displaced. The County Citizen Services Unit and the American Red Cross will be providing temporary shelter for the family.
The cause remains under investigation and fire loss is estimated at $50,000.
Attached images are provided courtesy of Fire Fighter/Medic Shawn Croissette
Winter Storm Warning for Prince George's County - Sunday 11:00 am Update
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 1104 AM EST SUN MAR 2 2014 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 PM EST MONDAY... * PRECIPITATION TYPE...FREEZING RAIN...SLEET...AND HEAVY SNOW. * ACCUMULATIONS...UP TO ONE TENTH INCH ICE...MORE AT HIGHER ELEVATIONS...THEN 8 TO 12 INCHES OF SNOW. * TIMING...RAIN CHANGES TO FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET FROM NORTH TO SOUTH AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT...THEN BECOMES HEAVY SNOW LATE TONIGHT AND CONTINUING THROUGH MONDAY. * TEMPERATURES...DROPPING FROM THE LOWER 30S AROUND MIDNIGHT TO THE MID 20S LATE TONIGHT...THEN LOWER 20S THROUGH MONDAY. * WINDS...NORTH 10 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH. * IMPACTS...VERY HAZARDOUS TRAVEL OVERNIGHT TONIGHT TROUGH MONDAY... AFFECTING BOTH THE MONDAY MORNING AND MONDAY AFTERNOON PEAK COMMUTE HOURS. POWER OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE WITH THE COMBINATION OF ICE AND HEAVY SNOW. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... THIS WINTER STORM WARNING IS FOR HEAVY SNOW...SLEET...AND FREEZING RAIN AND MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF ICE AND SNOW ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY CAUSE POWER OUTAGES. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...KEEP AN EXTRA FLASHLIGHT... FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY.
Stay Informed - Stay Ready - Stay Safe
www.ready.gov
The forecast includes a heavy wet snow. Anyone with a known cardiac condition or age 55 and over should not attempt to shovel this snow.
Shoveling heavy wet snow has been known to cause massive heart attacks and other cardiac episodes.
Staying healthy and safe during a winter storm -
safety tips from PGFD.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Arson Fire Under Investigation at 2020 Brooks Drive
MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us Twitter: @PGFDPIO
911 calls were plentiful at Public Safety Communications
with callers describing being trapped in their apartment condos and some trying
to escape through smoke filled hallways by holding towels against their
face. It was around 10:15 pm, Friday,
February 28, when firefighters and paramedics were dispatched to 2020 Brooks
Drive, District Heights, an 8-story mid-rise building at the Oakcrest Towers
Complex.
Fire/EMS units arrived quickly having been informed by
dispatchers of the situation they were about to face; heavy smoke on the 5th
floor and above with residents trapped. An initial interior update provided by
firefighters indicated heavy smoke conditions on the 5th floor. Additional updates included moderate to heavy
smoke on upper floor hallways as well.
Some residents continued to evacuate, however, the incident
commander ordered residents to “shelter-in-place” allowing firefighters an
opportunity to locate the source of the smoke and only evacuate those residents
in immediate danger.
A precautionary Second Alarm was sounded bringing in
additional resources to the scene. The
majority of the units on the 2nd Alarm were not utilized.
The fire and source of the smoke was soon located in the 5th
floor hallway. It appears a fire was
intentionally set at a door of a unit. The
fire was easily contained and extinguished with smoke removal initiated through
roof vents and the use of fire department fans.
A firefighter and one resident were treated on the scene for
smoke inhalation and transported to a local hospital for treatment. It was anticipated that they would be treated
and released.
Fire Investigators have classified the cause of fire as
incendiary. Fire loss is estimated at
$10,000. There were no displacements.
Prince George’s County Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor stated,
“If someone thinks they can commit a heinous act of arson in an occupied
multi-occupancy building and get away with it in Prince George’s County is
wrong. Rest assured that I will not tolerate
this type of activity and have authorized our talented and experienced Fire
Investigators to do everything they can to thoroughly investigate this incident
and arrest the person responsible.”
Anyone with information about this crime of arson that
occurred on the 5th floor of 2020 Brooks Drive on Friday evening at
about 10:15 pm should contact our Arson Tip Line at 301-77-ARSON (301-772-7766). Tips may be left anonymously.
Photos of Fire/EMS units operating on scene are provided courtesy of Assistant Fire Chief Paul Gomez
Staying Healthy and Safe During a Winter Storm
MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us Twitter: @PGFDPIO
The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Watch for Prince George's County for Sunday evening into Monday. The men and women of your Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department want you to help us by staying safe yourself.
FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
Winter Storm Watch
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC 959 AM EST SAT MAR 1 2014 ...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON... * PRECIPITATION TYPE...FREEZING RAIN...SLEET...AND SNOW. * ACCUMULATIONS...POTENTIAL FOR FIVE OR MORE INCHES OF SNOW AND SLEET WITH SOME ICE ACCUMULATION FROM FREEZING RAIN ALSO POSSIBLE. * TIMING...FREEZING RAIN AND SLEET LOOKS TO BEGIN OVERNIGHT SUNDAY WITH SNOW...HEAVY AT TIMES...LATE SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY. * TEMPERATURES...IN THE LOWER 30S OVERNIGHT SUNDAY...MID TO UPPER 20S FOR MONDAY. * WINDS...NORTH 5 TO 15 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 25 MPH. * IMPACTS...POTENTIAL FOR HAZARDOUS TRAVEL OVERNIGHT SUNDAY FROM ICY ROADS...BECOMING SNOWY FOR MONDAY. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SNOW...SLEET...AND ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL. CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.
Some of the Fire/EMS Department's highest concerns during a winter weather event is everyone staying healthy and safe.
Heavy snow and ice presents:
Health Concerns - for those trying to clear snow from sidewalks and driveways.
Shoveling snow has been known to cause cardiac emergencies.
- Take your time and frequent breaks
- Limit exertion
- Dress warmly in layers
- Stay hydrated - limit coffee, caffeinated drinks and alcohol
- Lift with your legs not your back
- If you aren't healthy enough, have a known cardiac condition or age 50 or over, please, seek help from your friends and neighbors
Health Concerns for Dialysis patients
- Road condition could be dangerous to travel to your appointments on Monday and Tuesday. Dialysis patients please contact your centers and discuss your access to the center on Monday and Tuesday. You might arrange for a treatment early or delay your treatment until after Tuesday afternoon. Consult your center as soon as possible.
Power Outages
Heavy snow accumulation on trees and on utility lines could result in power outages.
- If you see a downed utility line - consider it LIVE.
- Call 911 or your utility company if you see a downed utility line or a tree branch on power lines
- Keep phones and tablets fully charged before the storm
- A yellow caution tape on downed utility lines indicates that situation has already been checked by public safety and there is no immediate danger. These areas should not be approached until repairs have been completed.
- In the event of a power outage - never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage - the carbon monoxide (CO) that it generates will kill you and anyone else in the house - USE ONLY OUTDOORS
- Test your smoke alarm and CO alarms to ensure they are working before the storm.
- Do not use candles - use flashlights or battery powered lanterns.
Stay Informed, Stay Ready, Stay Safe
• Stay prepared by bringing out your emergency preparedness kit and having a supply of essential items (food, water, warming items, radios, batteries, flashlights, etc.) available.
• Stay informed by monitoring TV news, news radio, National Weather Service radios and the Internet. Important information may be broadcast that could affect you and your family. Ensure your cell phones and lap top computers are fully charged now – before the storm occurs. Sign up now for Notify Me - Prince George's for weather updates, closings and other important information right from your cell phone, laptops, desktop computers and more.
• Stay safe by keeping fire safety and injury prevention a priority in your activities. It is important to remember that fire apparatus and ambulances will be slower to respond to your emergencies due to the weather and hazardous driving conditions. Check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms now to ensure they are working. In the event of an emergency, have an escape plan and call 911 immediately from a safe location.
• If possible, stay indoors and off the roads at all costs. Reduced traffic on roadways will allow public works crews an opportunity to clear a path that can be used by first responders to handle emergencies. If you must venture outdoors, dress warm and in layers, wear a hat and gloves, and cover your face with a scarf.
• Speaking of calling 911 – please – only call 911 for emergencies. Activity for Fire and EMS service could be high. If you do not have an emergency you should call 311 for assistance.
• Give space heaters space – keep space heaters at least 3-feet away from anything combustible like bedding, furniture, paper, etc.
• Use only seasoned wood products in your fireplace and use extreme caution when disposing of fireplace ashes as they can remain hot for days after the fire is out. Dispose of ashes in a metal container outside and away from the house.
• Some winter storms produce enough snow and ice that will make it difficult to shovel, especially for those that have an existing heart condition or anyone over the age of 50. Limit shoveling to only a few minutes at a time, shovel smaller amounts, and take frequent breaks.
• It is time to be a good neighbor – check on your senior citizen neighbors and ensure they have heat and food. Shovel their sidewalks and check on them frequently.
• Clear away snow from the fire hydrant on your street. If the fire hydrant is on your property; you are required to clear away the snow.
• If you must drive – reduce your speed, increase the distance between you and the car in front of you, turn on your headlights, and do not be distracted by texting and cell phones. Keep an eye out for pedestrians as they will venture out into the streets as sidewalks disappear.This information especially applies to 4-wheel drive SUV operators.
Finally, please keep pets indoors during the storm!!!
The Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Fire Department stands ready and prepared to provide the best emergency and non-emergency services available. We ask you to help us by preventing emergencies from ever occurring to avoid the need for us to have to respond to that emergency.
Remember, Safety First ensures Everyone Goes Home.
SAFETY FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH of MARCH - A MONTH of CHANGE
MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us TWITTER: @PGFDPIO
How important are working smoke alarms??
Just this past month we have had three families awakened by a fire in their home by a working smoke alarm. Had it not been for these life saving alarms it is very possible that we may have had needless tragedy. The County also experienced its first residential fire fatality this past month. This occurred in the Brandywine area on February 11. The fire claimed the life of a 75-year-old resident. It was impossible to determine if a smoke alarm was present or not.
When you pressed the alarms test button and your alarm did not emit a warning - replace the batteries and re-test. Still no sound?? It's time to purchase and install a new alarm. Smoke and CO alarms have an effective life of between 8 to 10 years. Additionally, please visit your senior citizen neighbors and offer to test their alarm as well. Many members of our senior community can not reach their alarm to test it, change a battery or upgrade to a new alarm. Neighbors Helping Neighbors could save a life!!! Do it today.
Now, back to the subject of CHANGE. Sunday, March 9 is when we Spring Forward and adjust our clocks one-hour forward for Daylight Saving Time. We also will remind you to change the battery in your smoke and CO alarms and to consider instead of changing your battery - change your alarm. Purchase and install the 10-year, tamper proof, with hush button smoke and CO alarms. Never change a battery again with these new alarms that are designed to a have a life of 10 years with never having to change your battery. We still recommend testing your alarm on the Safety First Day of every month.
A new law in Prince George's County will require residents to add CO alarms if your homes use a fuel to heat and cook, have a fireplace and/or have an attached garage must install a CO alarm. This law takes effect on July 1, 2014. Purchase and install CO alarms now and install one on every level of your home.
At the end of 2014 a State law will require residents to upgrade to the new 10-year smoke alarm. If your home and loved ones are currently protected by a battery operated smoke alarm, you are mandated to purchase and install the 10-year smoke alarm on every level of your home.
These are laws we can live with!!!
Firefighters will be going door-to-door on the first Wednesday of every month reminding our residents to test and replace their alarms. We will also open up our Fire/EMS Stations for anyone that would like to stop by. We have have personnel available to take blood pressures and discuss fire prevention and developing an escape plan with 2 ways out of every room in their house.
Weather forecasts for the first week of March contain cold winter temperatures and a possible snow storm. This winter has contained some very cold temperatures with plenty of winter precipitation. March apparently is coming in like a 'Lion." Because winter temperatures and storms remain in our forecast and because we continue to experience fires caused by unattended cooking we will be leaving our "staying warm" safety tips in our March - Safety First Day of the Month.
Unattended cooking is the leading cause of fires and fire related injuries in Prince George's County. Never leave the kitchen when you have food cooking on the stove top.
The Prince George’s County Fire/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department (PGFD) is reminding everyone that home fires are more prevalent in cold weather than in any other time of the year. This is due in part to an increase in cooking and heating fires. This reminder involves the safe use of space heaters and general heating safety tips.
The civilian, career and volunteer men and women of the Fire/EMS Department want to remind everyone that fire safety and prevention are especially important during times of cold temperatures. “Temperatures drop and fires increase,” said Prince George's County Fire Chief Marc S. Bashoor. According to NFPA statistics space heaters account for about one third of the home heating fires yet more than 80 percent of the home heating fire deaths. The Winter Residential Building Fires report released by USFA in 2010, reports an estimated 108,400 winter residential building fires occur annually in the United States, resulting in an estimated average of 945 deaths, 3,825 injuries, and $1.7 billion in property loss.
“The winter season brings the highest number of home fires than any other time of year,” said Fire Chief Bashoor. “Each winter season, home fires increase in part due to cooking and heating fires. Fire safety and injury prevention must not be lost in an effort to stay warm. Stay warm and do so safely. Safety First ensures everyone goes home.”
Cooking and heating are the top causes of fires during cold weather.
The Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department recommend the following safety tips for space heaters.
Electric Space Heaters
• Buy only heaters evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
• Check to make sure it has a thermostat control mechanism, and will switch off automatically if the heater falls over. • Heaters are not dryers or tables; don't dry clothes or store objects on top of your heater. • Space heaters need space; keep combustibles at least three feet away from each heater. • Always unplug your electric space heater when not in use. Turn off at night or whenever you sleep. - - Never use an extension cord with space heaters - plug directly into wall socket.
Using a kerosene heater??? Never refuel indoors. Remove the kerosene heater outdoors, turn off and wait for it to cool down before refueling and only use the correct type of fuel.
General Heating Tips
• Furnaces, fireplaces and chimneys should be cleaned and checked each year by an appropriate professional prior to using. Clear away any clutter from these heating devices, at least 3 feet away.
Change Your Clock - Change Your Battery or Change Your Alarm
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)