Aug
29
The Next Time You See a Firefighter
Filed Under Wildfire Protection | Comments Off
Kurt Kamm asked:
Give him a kiss. Well, if you’re a man, a handshake will do. Think about it. You don’t call 911 unless you’re having a bad day. Unless it’s a law enforcement issue, you’ll be connected to the fire department and, whatever your problem, you’ll expect them to help you. Unless it’s something really stupid, in fact even if it is something really stupid, they will be on their way ASAP.
Firefighters have an amazing amount of training, an incredible range of skills, and a level of physical conditioning, which no one ever thinks about.
Twenty-five years ago, 80% of calls to the fire department were about fire. Today, approximately 10% are about fire and the rest are about health problems, traffic accidents, construction accidents, explosions, spills, trapped hikers, people in rivers. The list goes on and on.
The L.A. County Fire Department receives as many as 1,500 911 calls a day, and that excludes calls to L.A, City Fire. If you have fallen off your roof, cut off your finger, or spilled hot grease on yourself in the kitchen, you should hope a paramedic shows up (he will). If you are trapped in an automobile accident, you should hope they know how to use the Jaws of Life or a K2 Rotary Saw (they do). If you get zapped on a high power line, you should hope someone will know how to get you down (they will). If you are trapped in a structure fire, you should hope they understand what kind of fire it is (electrical, flammable liquid, gas, or just plain combustible materials), understand how to fight it, know where to cut ventilation holes, how to revive you, and how to keep you alive until medical help arrives (they do).
If you are being swept away in a flash flood, or have fallen down the side of a mountain, you should hope they know their ropes and knots and remember their rappelling skills (they do) and that they are not afraid to come after you (they are not). If a wildfire is coming to your neighborhood, you should hope they understand weather patterns, fuel models, humidity indices (they do) and that they are ready to be dropped from helicopters onto mountain sides to cut fire lines to stop the blaze (they are).
The physical demands are incredible. Full turnout gear and respirators can weigh 50 pounds. Try climbing up a two-story ladder wearing that. Try dragging an additional 50 pounds of (empty!) fire hose. Try holding onto a fire hose pumping 150 gallons per minute. Try carrying someone the size of a football player out of an inferno.
When firefighters ask, “How can I help you?” they really mean it. That’s how they get their kicks. This is a group of positive thinking, “can do” men (and a few women). When the tone sounds in the firehouse, it’s an opportunity to go out and get killed or injured. They don’t stop to consider whether they should respond, or to find someone else to handle the problem. When the tone sounds, they are on their way, that’s what “first-responder” means, and they will rely on all of their training and skills and physical endurance to help you. Need them at 2:00 in the afternoon? No problem. Need them at 2:00 in the morning? Still no problem. Cat up a tree? No problem.
Firefighters never stop training and learning and one of them could someday save you in one of a hundred different ways. For a firefighter it’s not a job, it’s a life. An old firefighter’s phrase says, “Let no firefighter’s ghost return to say his training let him down.”
Finally, just so you know, here’s the history of the Maltese Cross, which is the badge of a firefighter. When a group of crusaders known as the Knights of St. John fought the Saracens in the holy land, they were faced with a new weapon unknown in the West. When the Knights moved to the walls of Jerusalem, they were hit by glass bombs containing naphtha. The Saracens then dropped burning torches on them, burning them alive. The surviving Knights were awarded a cross similar to the ones worn by firefighters today. The Knights of St John lived on the island of Malta, and the cross became known as the Maltese Cross. Today it is our symbol of protection.
So, next time you see a firefighter, give him a kiss, or shake his hand.
Chester
Give him a kiss. Well, if you’re a man, a handshake will do. Think about it. You don’t call 911 unless you’re having a bad day. Unless it’s a law enforcement issue, you’ll be connected to the fire department and, whatever your problem, you’ll expect them to help you. Unless it’s something really stupid, in fact even if it is something really stupid, they will be on their way ASAP.
Firefighters have an amazing amount of training, an incredible range of skills, and a level of physical conditioning, which no one ever thinks about.
Twenty-five years ago, 80% of calls to the fire department were about fire. Today, approximately 10% are about fire and the rest are about health problems, traffic accidents, construction accidents, explosions, spills, trapped hikers, people in rivers. The list goes on and on.
The L.A. County Fire Department receives as many as 1,500 911 calls a day, and that excludes calls to L.A, City Fire. If you have fallen off your roof, cut off your finger, or spilled hot grease on yourself in the kitchen, you should hope a paramedic shows up (he will). If you are trapped in an automobile accident, you should hope they know how to use the Jaws of Life or a K2 Rotary Saw (they do). If you get zapped on a high power line, you should hope someone will know how to get you down (they will). If you are trapped in a structure fire, you should hope they understand what kind of fire it is (electrical, flammable liquid, gas, or just plain combustible materials), understand how to fight it, know where to cut ventilation holes, how to revive you, and how to keep you alive until medical help arrives (they do).
If you are being swept away in a flash flood, or have fallen down the side of a mountain, you should hope they know their ropes and knots and remember their rappelling skills (they do) and that they are not afraid to come after you (they are not). If a wildfire is coming to your neighborhood, you should hope they understand weather patterns, fuel models, humidity indices (they do) and that they are ready to be dropped from helicopters onto mountain sides to cut fire lines to stop the blaze (they are).
The physical demands are incredible. Full turnout gear and respirators can weigh 50 pounds. Try climbing up a two-story ladder wearing that. Try dragging an additional 50 pounds of (empty!) fire hose. Try holding onto a fire hose pumping 150 gallons per minute. Try carrying someone the size of a football player out of an inferno.
When firefighters ask, “How can I help you?” they really mean it. That’s how they get their kicks. This is a group of positive thinking, “can do” men (and a few women). When the tone sounds in the firehouse, it’s an opportunity to go out and get killed or injured. They don’t stop to consider whether they should respond, or to find someone else to handle the problem. When the tone sounds, they are on their way, that’s what “first-responder” means, and they will rely on all of their training and skills and physical endurance to help you. Need them at 2:00 in the afternoon? No problem. Need them at 2:00 in the morning? Still no problem. Cat up a tree? No problem.
Firefighters never stop training and learning and one of them could someday save you in one of a hundred different ways. For a firefighter it’s not a job, it’s a life. An old firefighter’s phrase says, “Let no firefighter’s ghost return to say his training let him down.”
Finally, just so you know, here’s the history of the Maltese Cross, which is the badge of a firefighter. When a group of crusaders known as the Knights of St. John fought the Saracens in the holy land, they were faced with a new weapon unknown in the West. When the Knights moved to the walls of Jerusalem, they were hit by glass bombs containing naphtha. The Saracens then dropped burning torches on them, burning them alive. The surviving Knights were awarded a cross similar to the ones worn by firefighters today. The Knights of St John lived on the island of Malta, and the cross became known as the Maltese Cross. Today it is our symbol of protection.
So, next time you see a firefighter, give him a kiss, or shake his hand.
Chester
Aug
26
DVDs Are Still Selling Like Wildfire
Filed Under Wildfire Protection | Comments Off
Aydan Corkern asked:
When you go to the store do you ever go back to the section that has all the televisions in it? If you are like most, the answer to this is yes. The market for movies has taken this section of the store over like fire. We used to be able to buy these on tapes that you put into a machine and watch them at home. But now you might not be able to find them on anything but a DVD.
These items are all over the stores. There are thousands of different kinds to watch. Here are some of the many genres that are available. There are action movies, horror movies, and of course love stories. You can now buy a DVD with two or more movies in the same case.
These items are easier to keep like new, and you can watch them over and over again without worrying about them breaking. You can buy whole season sets for fewer than 100 dollars, or you can buy some of them that are single for 5 dollars. The DVD companies have even started to put your older westerns on them. Sometimes the stores will have sales on several movies, especially during special occasions, such as Christmas time or Father’s Day. Sometimes they might even have some on Mother’s Day.
Most people will have a pretty good sized movie collection, and some kids might have more than their parents. Sometimes this way of watching television is cheaper than paying for cable or satellite. People that don’t have a big time credit card might not be able to get either of these services because of one reason or the other, and this is the main reason that some of these people will buy movies instead.
We have had to do this before, as I’m sure that there are a lot of you that have been in the same situation. But as long as the movies companies make movies, there will be movie after movie to buy and watch. If you can’t find a movie that you want to watch there are several places to go to find them.
You can buy them in every store, at yard sales, at pawnshops, or you can borrow one from your friends and neighbors. If the movie isn’t out there it might not be on one, or they haven’t put it on one yet. But if you will wait it will come out eventually.
Gail
When you go to the store do you ever go back to the section that has all the televisions in it? If you are like most, the answer to this is yes. The market for movies has taken this section of the store over like fire. We used to be able to buy these on tapes that you put into a machine and watch them at home. But now you might not be able to find them on anything but a DVD.
These items are all over the stores. There are thousands of different kinds to watch. Here are some of the many genres that are available. There are action movies, horror movies, and of course love stories. You can now buy a DVD with two or more movies in the same case.
These items are easier to keep like new, and you can watch them over and over again without worrying about them breaking. You can buy whole season sets for fewer than 100 dollars, or you can buy some of them that are single for 5 dollars. The DVD companies have even started to put your older westerns on them. Sometimes the stores will have sales on several movies, especially during special occasions, such as Christmas time or Father’s Day. Sometimes they might even have some on Mother’s Day.
Most people will have a pretty good sized movie collection, and some kids might have more than their parents. Sometimes this way of watching television is cheaper than paying for cable or satellite. People that don’t have a big time credit card might not be able to get either of these services because of one reason or the other, and this is the main reason that some of these people will buy movies instead.
We have had to do this before, as I’m sure that there are a lot of you that have been in the same situation. But as long as the movies companies make movies, there will be movie after movie to buy and watch. If you can’t find a movie that you want to watch there are several places to go to find them.
You can buy them in every store, at yard sales, at pawnshops, or you can borrow one from your friends and neighbors. If the movie isn’t out there it might not be on one, or they haven’t put it on one yet. But if you will wait it will come out eventually.
Gail
Aug
18
Does anyone have alink to pictures that are in order from beginning to end about fire safety ex: someone?
Filed Under Fire Safety | 1 Comment
Yersinia P. {Praprika} asked:
using a match, then something catching on fire, etc. Thye dont have to be in there own little squares or anything just pics that show this. I need it to show the little kids.
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using a match, then something catching on fire, etc. Thye dont have to be in there own little squares or anything just pics that show this. I need it to show the little kids.
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Aug
12
Wildfire in California
Filed Under Wildfire Protection | Comments Off
Swayam Bhattacharya asked:
The latest fire in San Diego County, in Southern California, burned 400,000 acres of land reducing 1300 homes to the ground. The President declared a state of emergency and mass evacuation was forces as the fire spread across San Diego, Long Beach, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Burbank and Santa Barbara.
Well, like all natural disasters the San Diego Wildfire has probably by now taken complete control over the space on your television, newspapers, magazines, & even your computer. If you’re annoyed at being so bombarded by information about the fire—here’s something interesting for you. Statistics reveal that 7 out of ten wildfires are caused strictly by human activities. The wind (Santa Ana, in this case) only plays its role in spreading the fire.
Crazy as it is that a single human act can cause such a natural disaster, there is hardly anything you can do about it!!
Every year a number of people migrate to California in United States. The number of immigrants to California increased from 1.3 million to 8 million between 1990 to1995 and further increased by a few more millions in 2000. That’s a whooping number of people in one state!
In October 2003, a wildfire originating near San Diego engulfed 273,000 acres and destroyed around 4000 structures. The 2003 fire claimed 15 lives. The San Diego fire was one of 15 fires that started around the region. The cause of the fires was a hunter!!
In November 1993, Malibu Los Angeles witnessed a fire resulting from arson. The fire burned for two weeks and killed 25 people. Other devastating fires in the California region include the San Francisco Bay fire of October 1991, San Bernardino Mountain foothills fire of November 1980, San Diego mountain fire of September 1970 and Los Angeles national forest fire of November 1966.
Well there is hardly anything you can do about stopping people camping in the woods from lighting fires. The firefighters are doing their bit in stopping the fire. What you can do for yourself and your family is have a evacuation kit ready especially for forced situations like this. And, that includes:
Social Security Numbers and Identity Cards. Also throw in your documents—legal, educational, medical—whatever is most important. By the way, don’t forget your insurance papers. That often turns out to be the most important.
Take your time to note down the most important contact names, addresses, and contact numbers.
Apart from this you would of course put a first aid kit, hi-calorie food, water, flash lights, and blankets.
Keep this evacuation kit ready and handy for just such a situation. This is about what you can do apart from cursing the government, the TV channels, and specters of hunters in forests.
Randy
The latest fire in San Diego County, in Southern California, burned 400,000 acres of land reducing 1300 homes to the ground. The President declared a state of emergency and mass evacuation was forces as the fire spread across San Diego, Long Beach, Malibu, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Burbank and Santa Barbara.
Well, like all natural disasters the San Diego Wildfire has probably by now taken complete control over the space on your television, newspapers, magazines, & even your computer. If you’re annoyed at being so bombarded by information about the fire—here’s something interesting for you. Statistics reveal that 7 out of ten wildfires are caused strictly by human activities. The wind (Santa Ana, in this case) only plays its role in spreading the fire.
Crazy as it is that a single human act can cause such a natural disaster, there is hardly anything you can do about it!!
Every year a number of people migrate to California in United States. The number of immigrants to California increased from 1.3 million to 8 million between 1990 to1995 and further increased by a few more millions in 2000. That’s a whooping number of people in one state!
In October 2003, a wildfire originating near San Diego engulfed 273,000 acres and destroyed around 4000 structures. The 2003 fire claimed 15 lives. The San Diego fire was one of 15 fires that started around the region. The cause of the fires was a hunter!!
In November 1993, Malibu Los Angeles witnessed a fire resulting from arson. The fire burned for two weeks and killed 25 people. Other devastating fires in the California region include the San Francisco Bay fire of October 1991, San Bernardino Mountain foothills fire of November 1980, San Diego mountain fire of September 1970 and Los Angeles national forest fire of November 1966.
Well there is hardly anything you can do about stopping people camping in the woods from lighting fires. The firefighters are doing their bit in stopping the fire. What you can do for yourself and your family is have a evacuation kit ready especially for forced situations like this. And, that includes:
Social Security Numbers and Identity Cards. Also throw in your documents—legal, educational, medical—whatever is most important. By the way, don’t forget your insurance papers. That often turns out to be the most important.
Take your time to note down the most important contact names, addresses, and contact numbers.
Apart from this you would of course put a first aid kit, hi-calorie food, water, flash lights, and blankets.
Keep this evacuation kit ready and handy for just such a situation. This is about what you can do apart from cursing the government, the TV channels, and specters of hunters in forests.
Randy
Aug
7
I am trying to plan a 3 hour session of fire safety for girls in the 3rd and 4th grade?
Filed Under Fire Safety | 3 Comments
terrio1990 asked:
As a Gold Award Project, we are taking 15 under-privilaged girls to summer camp for a week. We will teach them fire safety, healthy eating, weather warnings, cooking safety, and stranger danger. Monday through Wednesday we will teach them what they need to know from 9-3. Thurdsday and Friday, we will put what they have learned, to use at a real camp ground. If you have any ideas about any of the above topics, please let me know.
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As a Gold Award Project, we are taking 15 under-privilaged girls to summer camp for a week. We will teach them fire safety, healthy eating, weather warnings, cooking safety, and stranger danger. Monday through Wednesday we will teach them what they need to know from 9-3. Thurdsday and Friday, we will put what they have learned, to use at a real camp ground. If you have any ideas about any of the above topics, please let me know.
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Aug
7
dynasty_warriorz2000 asked:
If you happens to put your firearm on a safety mode, will it ever fire? To those who said no, are you sure enough to fire the weapon at yourself to see if the bullet will actually come out of it?
If you happens to put your firearm on a safety mode, will it ever fire? To those who said no, are you sure enough to fire the weapon at yourself to see if the bullet will actually come out of it?
I’m asking this question to test you guys on whether you actually know the fact or because you just assuming that you know the answer.
Wow, I don’t know how the heck can anyone be confused about this.
I AM NOT TELLING YOU TO FIRE A WEAPON AT YOURSELF!
What I meant was if you’re really sure enough to put your life on the line.
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Aug
4
Wildfire Protection Plan
Filed Under Wildfire Protection | Comments Off
Mike Taylor asked:
The recent surge of wildfires in California has started people thinking about what they would do in the event of a wildfire. If you live in a high-risk area, how can you prevent something like this from happening? If you can’t prevent it, how can you protect yourself and minimize the property damage?
Wildfires generally begin in more remote areas, going unnoticed until someone spots them. Usually by this time, they have ignited nearby trees and buildings. They are generally placed into two classes: surface and ground, and the more advanced, crown fire. Surface fires are often caused by negligence, such as cigarette ***** thrown into dry brush, or untended campfires. Ground fires are usually started by lightning. By the time a fire reaches the Crown fire stage, its being spread by the wind through the tops of the trees.
Making Your Home More Fire Resistant
- Keep your roof and gutters, and areas around your house free of debris, and clean your chimneys at least once a year (inspecting at least twice).
- Make certain your chimney or stove pipe meets local requirements and building codes. Deposit the ashes in a metal bucket, soak in water for 2 days, and then bury the cold ashes.
- Apply 1/2 inch mesh screen beneath porches, decks, floors or any other openings.
- Install protective shutters or extra-heavy fire-resistant drapes.
- Landscape with fire-resistant plants such as hardwood trees, and use more native vegetation. Trim your trees to create a 15-foot space between tree crowns and remove limbs 15 feet from the ground.
- Consider boxing in the eaves, fascias, soffits and subfloors with fire-resistant materials.
- Use double-paned or tempered glass for exterior windows and fire-resistant roofing materials on the roof.
Creating a Safety Zone
- If you have branches overhanging power lines, call the power company to have them cleared.
- Remove vines from the walls of your home.
- If you have a wooden fence, do not connect it directly to your home.
- Clear a 10-foot area around propane tanks and the barbecue.
- Store gasoline, oily rags or other flammable materials well away from the base of buildings.
- Stack firewood at least 100 feet away and preferably uphill from the building. Clear an area within 20 feet of the wood.
- The distance between your house and the closest tree should be greater than the height of the tree or a minimum of 10 feet. The same rule applies for sheds or other out-buildings. Planning Water Requirements
- Determine where your closest water sources are and maintain them.
- Have a garden hose(s) handy that will reach any area of the home.
- Consider purchasing a generator in the case of electrical power loss.
Personal Safety Measures
- Ensure your home address is clearly marked for identification by emergency vehicles.
- Post fire emergency numbers, and ensure family members know where to find the fire extinguishers and how to use them.
- Plan a home and neighborhood escape route.
- Have working smoke alarms installed on each level of your home; test them monthly and change batteries twice a year.
- Keep fire tools handy such as an approved ladder that will reach the roof of the building, buckets, chainsaw, shovel, rake, and an axe.
- Keep a battery-operated radio nearby, with charged batteries.
Neighborhood Safety
- Organize neighborhood meetings to discuss wildfire safety, ways the group can work together in the event of a fire, and invite guest speakers from the local fire department.
- Have those interested in helping to fight fires attend training sessions.
Erica
The recent surge of wildfires in California has started people thinking about what they would do in the event of a wildfire. If you live in a high-risk area, how can you prevent something like this from happening? If you can’t prevent it, how can you protect yourself and minimize the property damage?
Wildfires generally begin in more remote areas, going unnoticed until someone spots them. Usually by this time, they have ignited nearby trees and buildings. They are generally placed into two classes: surface and ground, and the more advanced, crown fire. Surface fires are often caused by negligence, such as cigarette ***** thrown into dry brush, or untended campfires. Ground fires are usually started by lightning. By the time a fire reaches the Crown fire stage, its being spread by the wind through the tops of the trees.
Making Your Home More Fire Resistant
- Keep your roof and gutters, and areas around your house free of debris, and clean your chimneys at least once a year (inspecting at least twice).
- Make certain your chimney or stove pipe meets local requirements and building codes. Deposit the ashes in a metal bucket, soak in water for 2 days, and then bury the cold ashes.
- Apply 1/2 inch mesh screen beneath porches, decks, floors or any other openings.
- Install protective shutters or extra-heavy fire-resistant drapes.
- Landscape with fire-resistant plants such as hardwood trees, and use more native vegetation. Trim your trees to create a 15-foot space between tree crowns and remove limbs 15 feet from the ground.
- Consider boxing in the eaves, fascias, soffits and subfloors with fire-resistant materials.
- Use double-paned or tempered glass for exterior windows and fire-resistant roofing materials on the roof.
Creating a Safety Zone
- If you have branches overhanging power lines, call the power company to have them cleared.
- Remove vines from the walls of your home.
- If you have a wooden fence, do not connect it directly to your home.
- Clear a 10-foot area around propane tanks and the barbecue.
- Store gasoline, oily rags or other flammable materials well away from the base of buildings.
- Stack firewood at least 100 feet away and preferably uphill from the building. Clear an area within 20 feet of the wood.
- The distance between your house and the closest tree should be greater than the height of the tree or a minimum of 10 feet. The same rule applies for sheds or other out-buildings. Planning Water Requirements
- Determine where your closest water sources are and maintain them.
- Have a garden hose(s) handy that will reach any area of the home.
- Consider purchasing a generator in the case of electrical power loss.
Personal Safety Measures
- Ensure your home address is clearly marked for identification by emergency vehicles.
- Post fire emergency numbers, and ensure family members know where to find the fire extinguishers and how to use them.
- Plan a home and neighborhood escape route.
- Have working smoke alarms installed on each level of your home; test them monthly and change batteries twice a year.
- Keep fire tools handy such as an approved ladder that will reach the roof of the building, buckets, chainsaw, shovel, rake, and an axe.
- Keep a battery-operated radio nearby, with charged batteries.
Neighborhood Safety
- Organize neighborhood meetings to discuss wildfire safety, ways the group can work together in the event of a fire, and invite guest speakers from the local fire department.
- Have those interested in helping to fight fires attend training sessions.
Erica
Aug
3
Wildfire Pepper Spray – Hottest Around!
Filed Under Wildfire Protection | Comments Off
Majestic Help asked:
Pepper Spray has become one of the most often sought self-defense products on the market. It will disorient a would-be attacker long enough for you to get away to safety and call for help.
It permeates the pores of the skin, makes the victim close their eyes and inhibits the respiratory system. This means that if you are attacked by someone and use your Wildfire Pepper Spray on your attacker, he or she cannot see because their eyes are burning and tearing, and they have to keep them closed for any sort of relief. In addition, your attacker’s skin will start burning and their breathing will be uncomfortable at best.
Pepper spray is sought after as a self-defense tool because it is non-lethal, unlike a gun, which obviously can kill someone. Many people want to protect themselves and their loved ones from attacks, but do not want to use a gun because of the chance of a fatality – an irreversible consequence. If you are looking for an effective self-defense weapon, pepper spray has remained at the top of the list.
It is important when purchasing any self-defense tool that you learn everything that you can about how it works, side effects, warranties and more. It is also important to make your purchase from a company that is reputable, has good products at affordable prices, and will provide you with the information you need to use the tool effectively.
Mathew
Pepper Spray has become one of the most often sought self-defense products on the market. It will disorient a would-be attacker long enough for you to get away to safety and call for help.
It permeates the pores of the skin, makes the victim close their eyes and inhibits the respiratory system. This means that if you are attacked by someone and use your Wildfire Pepper Spray on your attacker, he or she cannot see because their eyes are burning and tearing, and they have to keep them closed for any sort of relief. In addition, your attacker’s skin will start burning and their breathing will be uncomfortable at best.
Pepper spray is sought after as a self-defense tool because it is non-lethal, unlike a gun, which obviously can kill someone. Many people want to protect themselves and their loved ones from attacks, but do not want to use a gun because of the chance of a fatality – an irreversible consequence. If you are looking for an effective self-defense weapon, pepper spray has remained at the top of the list.
It is important when purchasing any self-defense tool that you learn everything that you can about how it works, side effects, warranties and more. It is also important to make your purchase from a company that is reputable, has good products at affordable prices, and will provide you with the information you need to use the tool effectively.
Mathew