1. JAN 2018 Fire Chief’s Update 2017 A YEAR IN REVEIW
chief’s report
In this issue
JAN
2018
Fire Chief’s Update
by Autumn Carlisle
DECEMBER 58
Leaks, Overheated Motors, Electrical Problems, Power Lines Down, Etc.), 48 Service Calls, 92 Good Intent Calls (includes Smoke Scares, Illegal Burns, Burn Ban Violations, Unfounded, and calls cancelled enroute), 43 False Alarms (includes alarm system activation with no fire), and 2 Severe Weather Related/Natural Disaster responses.
In addition to responding to the 750 emergency incidents our firefighters and first responders completed hundreds of hours of training courses for the year. These courses and regular meetings allow responders to stay up to date on their response skills. Our volunteers work hard to provide the best in emergency response for our community and we thank them as well as the family members who are willing to unselfishly sacrifice their time with their loved ones so that they may fulfill this great need for our community.
70 West responders had a total of 58 Incidents in October: 16 (28%) were Fire related, 27 (46%) were Emergency Medical, 8 (14%) Motor Vehicle Collisions, and 7 (12%) of the calls were false alarms or units were cancelled while in route; or arrived to find no incident.
2017 A YEAR IN REVEIW
(Above Photo Credit: Firefighter Joe Tackett)
KLEINSHORE FIRE – Firefighters from 70 West and other area departments joined forces on July 4 to extinguish a blaze that burned 4 units and caused damage to the exterior of several other units.
Looking back over the response year 2017 from January through December, our responders met 750 total incidents for the year. This was an increase of 14 calls from Our Fire responses were considerably higher from the previous year which is unusual since we actually spent less time under a burn ban than in previous years. We saw an increase in structure fires, vehicle fires, and wildland fires. We logged fewer Emergency Medical responses but responded on more motor vehicle collisions. We also received more calls this year that were false alarms, unfounded incidents, or calls where we were cancelled in route. Many were False Alarms from residential smoke detectors.
An overall breakdown reveals that our units responded to 112 Fires, 429 Emergency Medical Incidents (including Motor Vehicle Accidents and Rescues), 24 Hazardous Conditions/No Fire (Gas
2017 RESPONSES IN REVIEW
Emergency Medical (Including MVAs, Rescues, etc.)
429
Good Intent Calls (Smoke Scares, Illegal Burns, Burn Ban Violations, Unfounded, and Cancelled Calls) 92
Fires (Structure, Grass, Brush, Trash/Rubbish, Cooking, Chimney, Vehicle, Etc.)
112
Hazardous Conditions/No Fire (Power lines, Trees Down, Electrical Problems, Overheated Motors, etc.) 24
False Alarms (Smoke/Alarm Activations with No Fire) 43
Service Calls 48
Weather/Natural Disaster 2
 Total Incidents
 750
70 WEST FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION
2900 Airport Road - Hot Springs, AR 71913
Telephone: * Fax:
Emergency 911
us:
Website:

2. BE WARM & SAFE THIS WINTER Get Ahead of the Winter Freeze FACTS
70 WEST FIRE News JANUARY ISSUE 2
BE WARM & SAFE
THIS WINTER
There is something about the winter months and curling up with a good book by the fireplace. But did you know that heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths? With a few simple safety tips and precautions you can prevent most heating fires from happening.
FINANCIALS AT A GLANCE
COVERING THE MONTH OF DECEMBER
In December 2017, 70 West took in a total of $18, in membership dues, donations, sale of signs, and non-member fire fees. December is one of our lowest income months largely due to the holidays. Our expenses totaled $21, leaving a net income at the close of the month of $ We did spend $ of our Walmart Safety Grant for Reflective Vests. Last month we saw some expensive and unexpected fleet repair costs in the way of 6 new tires on a brush truck, steering gear assembly repairs to an Engine, as well as increased fuel expense from a very busy November.
HEATING EQUIPMENT SMARTS
Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fire place, wood stove, or portable space heater.
Have a three foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
Never use your oven to heat your home.
Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters, central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
Get Ahead of
the Winter Freeze
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
POSTED DECEMBER 19, 2017 BURN BAN LIFTED FOR GARLAND & HOT SPRING COUNTIES
Check these tips off your list:
Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters.
Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room.
Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container; keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
Test smoke alarms monthly.
Furnace has been inspected & serviced by a qualified professional during the last 12 months. (A furnace should be serviced at least once a year.)
Our chimney & vents have been cleaned & inspected by a qualified professional. I have checked for creosote built-up. (Not cleaning chimneys is the leading cause of chimney fires from creosote. Chimneys should be cleaned at least once a year.
Our wood for our fireplace or wood stove is dry, seasoned wood.
Our fire place screen is metal or heat-tempered glass, in good condition and secure in its position in front of the fire place.
We have a covered metal container ready to use to dispose of ashes. (The ash container should be kept at least 10ft from the home and any nearby buildings.)
Our children know to stay at least 3 ft away from the fireplace, wood/pellet stove, oil stove, or other space heaters.
Our portable space heaters have an auto shut off feature.
Our portable space heaters are plugged directly into an outlet. (DO NOT USE EXTENSION CORDS)
Our portable space heaters have a 3ft defensible space from anything that can burn.
We have tested our smoke alarms and made sure they work!
Install wood burning stoves following manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation.
All fuel burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
Install and maintain CO alarms to avoid the risk of CO poisoning.
If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call 911.
While the Burn Ban is not in effect we do encourage our residents to be mindful and safe with their burning. Many are getting out and cleaning their yard in between the cold weather patterns. Most of you have already winterized your water hoses or when your fires got out found that your hoses were frozen. Please make sure you have adequate water sources before burning and DO NOT LEAVE IT, EVEN FOR A MINUTE.
@ 70 West
Fire Rescue.
EVENTS & INFORMATION
JAN 1 – OFFICE CLOSED/NEW YEARS DAY
JAN 8 & 6PM – FD TRAINING
JAN 15 – OFFICE CLOSED/
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY
FACTS
HALF OF HOME HEATING FIRES ARE REPORTED DURING THE MONTHS OF DECEMBER, JANUARY, & FEBRUARY.
HAPPY NEW YEAR