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CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
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By Chris Furstenau
Oftentimes when we plan and discuss is big enough to fit almost everything When assembling this kit, get the
safety in the home, we consider such you need,yet small enough to easily whole family involved. You should plan
things as smoke alarms, carbon carry around. If you should have to for enough supplies to last a couple of
monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, evacuate your house, it is portable and days. Be creative. If you are not going
possibly even an escape route and fits readily in most vehicles. Don't to evacuate and you are stranded in
meeting place should our home catch forget the lid! your home, will you be able to stay
fire. While all these are very good warm for three days with no power?
ideas and critical to keeping our Inside the box, pack a good flashlight Do you have enough clean drinking
families safe, there are so many other with extra batteries, a radio with extra water for your whole family if the water
components to further enhance our batteries(you can also find radio/ system is disrupted?Can you prepare
health and well-being—items that, flash I ig ht/lantern combinations), a first meals to feed everyone with no
when assembled and are readily aid kit, some basic tools(adjustable microwave? No refrigerator? No stove/
available to us if the situation should wrench, pliers, regular and Phillips head oven? Do I have my insulin? Do I have
arise, could be the difference between screwdriver), a blanket, bottled water, my high blood pressure medication?
life and death. nonperishable food, a can opener,toilet Does the baby have diapers, formula,
paper, hand sanitizer, waterproof and bottles?
A Disaster Supply Kit for the home is matches and/or flints, cooking Sternos
something that most families—mine (you know those little cans of fire that Planning for the worst scenario often
included until recently—do not have keep the buffet food warm), dust masks, prevents the worst outcome. Will you
available in an easy-to-find, easy-to- a whistle, a list of important phone and your family be ready for the next
use location, although most homes numbers, and a small jug of pure, massive power outage?Train
have the majority of these items unscented, 5.25%household bleach. derailment with hazardous material
somewhere already. Things like The bleach can be substituted with spill?Tornado?Terrorist attack?
flashlights and batteries, radios, and water purification tablets. This is a very basic disaster supply kit.
small rations of food and water can be There are hundreds of items that can
found in almost everyone's home, but The first aid kit should include: a first be put together for a more advanced
we can all do better. Let's all prepare aid manual, sterile dressings, gauze kit. This does not intend to plan for
for the next emergency now—before pads, moistened towelettes, petroleum every disaster, but rather it is intended
everyone is scrambling around at the jelly, latex gloves, scissors, tweezers, for some possible scenarios that can
last minute when, in reality, it's too late. safety pins, triangle bandages, pain occur here in SE Michigan. If nothing
relief pills (Aspirin or non-aspirin), else, it's just good peace of mind to
You can start by buying—if you don't syrup of ipecac, antacids, activated know that you will be ready in the
already have one—a storage tote. charcoal, antibacterial ointment, and event something happens.
These can be found at hardware any prescription medications should be
stores, home improvement stores, readily available to grab if an Stay safe!
Meijers, Target, etc.An 18 gallon size evacuation is imminent.
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"From the Chief" > w
By: Shadd Whitehead
By Tom Kiurski
Welcome to our third issue of Couplings. We
certainly work hard at this publication and Each year, Livonia firefighters reach out into the
hope you walk away from it better informed. community in so many ways. If I were to pick
;Hmi) Our career firefighters, in addition to being out the ones that I think are the most fun, it
certified firefighters and fire officers, are also won't take me long. It's the big events! We hold
°°°°° licensed paramedics. Unlike many other two annual Open House events each year, that
communities, the firefighters/paramedics who thousands come out and enjoy.
start your emergency care will be the ones In June of each year, we hold our annual
transporting you to the emergency rooms as "School's Out, Safety's In" open house.At
well. this event, we try to load up kids and families
with safety information to last all summer long.
ull Please feel free to come to any of our At our annual Fire Prevention Week Open
community events that we participate in...we House held in October, we focus on fire safety.
would love the opportunity to talk to you! We also include at this event many different
learning experiences which, in the past, have
s� included vehicle extrication demonstrations, a
medical helicopter visit, kitchen fire
demonstrations, and Christmas tree burns.
We try to mix in some fun and education for all
Space Heater ages. Kids love to take part in our "Firefighter
Dress Up" area, and operating a real fire
hose with the assistance of real firefighters is
Saf� Tl S always a highlight. We also have areas
y p specially designed where kids can practice how
to "Stop, Drop and Roll" if their clothes catch
fire, and how to "Crawl Low Under Smoke" in
Purchase electric space heaters that bear the mark of an one of our great props. Kids can also walk
independent testing laboratory, such as UL, ETL, CSA, etc. through our giant smoke alarm, meet with
Place space heaters at least three feet away from anything Sparky the Fire Dog, and watch our firefighters
that can burn—including furniture, people, pets and window put on their full turnout gear with breathing
treatments. apparatus.
°( Turn off space heaters before leaving a room or going to
m sleep. We are also at Laurel Park Place Mall every
` Supervise children and pets at all times when September for the "Passport to Safety" event,
p,G a portable space heater is in use. 4 which has eight different learning stations.
Never use space heaters to dry clothing or While we staff the Fire Safety learning station,
blankets. iii other learning stations include computer/
Newer space heaters have "tip-over" internet safety, bicycle safety, food safety,
switches that turn the unit off when choking and poisonings, to name a few. Each
tipped over.Consider year we have major characters come out and
replacing older meet kids, and a variety of other fun is always
units with the newer in store.
ones.
Pencil us in, won't you? We love the
opportunity to meet citizens in non-emergency
situations. The way we look at it, preventing an
injury or negative event is far better for all
involved. Stay safe, and call us at (734) 466-
2444 for dates, times and locations.
2
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Bike riding is a lot of fun, but accidents -. ..,u , <<»
happen. Every year, about 300,000
uNma r r uwa tiDuu�a�NNYyJJ'Jy)"�)'J"' W �1I l/ V.
kids go to the emergency department 's
because of bike injuries. To help
reduce your chances of being injured,
wear a properly fitted bike helmet. It �' 1'
should be worn level and cover your Your Livonia firefighters got a chance to practice a maneuver called the
forehead. Don't tip it back so your "Head First Ladder Slide". While this would ONLY be used in an
forehead is showing. The straps emergency situation, it is important to know it in case that time comes. We
should always be fastened. If the took a donated house and set up a ladder to an upper window. Firefighters
straps are flying, it's likely to fall off practice sliding out of the window as close to the bottom as possible, as
your head when you need it most. heat rises in house fires. They then slid over the window sill and onto the
Make sure the straps are adjusted so ladder.
they're snug enough that you can't pull
or twist the helmet around on your Strangely enough, two Minneapolis firefighters had to use this exact
head. maneuver to get out of a situation just a week prior to our class, and it was
caught on home video and we were able to watch it. This helps drive home
Before heading out for the season, the importance of the training on this seldom used but possibly life saving
give your bike a little check-up. Make maneuver.
sure your seat, handlebars, and
wheels fit tightly. Children must be
checked while on their bikes each When was theIIIr
year, as they tend to grow since the Iil ILII l
previous fall. Check and oil the bike ""'
chain, and make sure the brakes work
properly before heading out for the Last month? Last year? r
first time. Make sure the tires are Can't remember?
properly inflated and not cracked. y
Wearing bright clothes and putting If you're not sure your smoke alarms
are
reflectors on your bike also can help working, then how can you be sure you'll ms`s
Y Y �
you stay safe. It helps other people on be protected if a fire breaks out? Don't game 41 %� ,
the road see you.And if the see you, Yt'
Y Y Y with your life and assume your smoke alarms are
that means they're more likely to be working. Test each one, every month, so you'll know they'll be ready to
careful around you. protect you and your family if there's a fire. Test your alarm for life.
3
good learning experience for all who
witnessed it.
"Culltllt��bg ""tech
IIIIII We talked about the history of
8 Tom Kiurski
airbags, which is quite a story in itself.
By
The original intent of the airbag was to
replace the three-point harness (seat
f
belt), which occupants were not
wearing in the numbers we had
hoped. The airbag would inflate
automatically, requiring
the occupants
to do nothing themselves. We also
discussed their firing mechanisms, the
« i newer technology of dual inflation
modules, occupant-sensing airbag
inflations, and the many locations for
r s
the modules were all discussed. The
cars were inspected for the markings
of where the airbags were located and
how they are denoted in the vehicle.
This class concluded with another
I have lived in Michigan all my life. airbags. It is interesting to note that stunning visual, as our apparatus
Michigan has many challenges (like the idea for the automobile seat belt division again came through and
wondering what your monthly heating came out in 1955, and that idea was hooked up an airbag to deploy as we
bill will be when your outside sold for$20.50 total. No royalties, all took positions to "watch"the event.
temperatures never made it into the residuals, stocks, or dividends; just Watching may not be the best term to
double digits for a month!), but is the cash. Most U.S. car use, as the whole inflation process
home for all of us. The colors of fall manufacturers had standard front seat takes place in under a tenth of a
are beautiful, the distinct changes of belts by 1964 and had added the seat second!
seasons make a year fun. belts to the rear seats as standard
equipment back in 1968. In future training classes with the
All fire departments have to deal with vehicles, we turn them on their sides,
vehicles that need to be stabilized and The standard "inertia"system of upside down and even parked ones
cut open to remove our patients from, seatbelt operations is that during on top of others. This gave the
but firefighters from "the car capital" heavy braking, the belts "lock" in firefighters challenging scenarios
really need to be on the cutting edge. place, keeping occupants from where they had to first stabilize the
When we had an opportunity to train moving too far from the seat. Newer vehicle (make sure it isn't going
on some new Chrysler vehicles, we vehicles have a system that"fires" a anywhere while we are working on it),
were thrilled. charge, pulling the occupant back into and then open the vehicle based on
the seat. This charge makes a loud patient location and vehicle
The first drill had firefighters pull up to "bang"as it fires. Our apparatus presentation. It was a great learning
the three brand new vehicles, shiny division was able to rig the firing experience, and we do it all for you!
and bright. I did some research on mechanism for the seat belt to go off
seat belts, three-point harnesses, and during our training evolution, making a
4
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Campus fire safety
auM�
must be studioed
By Tom Kiurski
When you start packing your children up for college, consider their fire safety
while they are away from home. The 2006-07 academic year was the most
fatal one on record, as compiled by Campus Firewatch, a group dedicated to �P,
making colleges and universities across America fire safe. There havef
have been 20 campus-related fire deaths in the past academic year,
1
and the total of campus-related fire fatalities since January 2000
until present is an astounding 113. These are young men and
women who died while away to prepare for their future.
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There has been nothing more effective in saving lives from fire by having a working automatic fire
sprinkler system. Unlike the movies, only the sprinkler head(s) closest to the fire will activate. This will
usually control or contain the fire until the fire department arrives.
Ilk
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Hopefully your child's college has a fire alarm system. If they do not, purchase a battery-operated
smoke alarm for his or her room. They are simple to mount (or keep on top of a dresser), and easy to
maintain. You may need to give your child a call to remind him or her to change the batteries at least
once a year. By having working smoke alarms, the chances that you will die in a fire is decrease by
half. Make sure you have working smoke alarms in your home, and test them regularly.
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If they are not prohibited, they should be. If they are not prohibited, let you child know how dangerous
these items can be. Unattended candles can easily find combustibles in small dorm rooms and
Halogen lamps have bulbs that operate at temperatures over 1,000 Degrees Fahrenheit.
Ilk
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Find the stairs out of the building, and practice using them. Find out where the fire extinguishers are
located and make sure your child knows how to use them. Locate the fire alarm system and review
how to use the alarm system, as well.
Your child may be leaving home for an extended period while away at college.
If you have not discussed the items outlined above,
take a few m i n utes to do so.
5
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Fires are dark, not light.
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By Tom Kiurski VIII �� IIIIIIIIIII;; IIIIIIIIIII;; ';1111119't lllllllllll;; �i������9't ������������ l�
It was a cold November night in better prepared in the event of a fire
Boston in 1942.As usual on a while in enjoying dinner, a movie or l
weekend night, the Cocoanut Grove shopping? Plenty!
Night Club was packed beyond
capacity with patrons enjoying shows, Notice and tell your family about the
a relaxed atmosphere, and some different exits located within buildings.
good food and some great times with In larger buildings, a lighted "Exit"sign
friends. Afire started in the should be clearly visible. These doors
decorations and quickly spread. The swing outward, and are equipped with t�
customers in the basement and the panic hardware, so all you have to do
main floor dining area crowded to the is push on the bar on the inside of the
main entrance/exit. It was a revolving door to open it. If you are ever in a VIIImuchVIII;II�me do
door. Imagine what happened when building and feel crowded to the point
hundreds of people all pushed toet where our safetyand , you have
p y is in jeopardy,
out on both sides of the revolving g leave! It is not worth the VIII VIII VIII;;;
door. It didn't move, trapping many of consequences. Tell the management
the people within arms reach of clean or call our fire prevention division to
air and safety. Within minutes, 492 of report any suspected overcrowding Not as much as you think!
the approximately 1,000 patrons had situations.
died in the deadliest nightclub fire in Real fires are hot, smokey, and dark.
American history. In a fire, never use the elevators in a You may have only a very few minutes
building. They go to the main floor to escape from fire. If you're ever in a
This tragedy lead the way for safety (usually a lobby area) and stay put. fire, don't spend time getting dressed
improvements in businesses Upper floors have stairwells, so locate or trying to gather valuables, get out
throughout America. We tightened them before venturing out to explore and stay out. Then call the fire
building and fire codes in an attempt the building. If you are going to split department from a neighbor's
to better control overcrowding, lack of from your group, determine an outside telephone.
exits, and the marking of exits in meeting place in case of an
buildings. What can you do to be emergency.
6
How To
PREVE'AITSCALD BURNS
IN ME, HOME,
By Tom Kiurski
Scald burns can be very painful and ShoUd a burn ar scaId
require long periods of rehabilitation.
The pain and scars that result from DIIII
burns can last a lifetime for some, 1
serving as constant reminders of a First, attempt to cool the burned
painful past. Most scald buns can be area by placing the affected body
prevented by following some basic part under cool water. The flowing
rules around some of the most water takes away heat from the
hazard-prone areas in your home. If you are holding something hot burned area and continues to pull
Most scald burns occur from hot or you are cooking, do not heat out as more cool water
foods, hot liquids, grease and bath attempt to hold children at the continues to flow over the area.
water. Since the vast majority of these same time.
occur in the kitchen and bathroom, Ice is not recommended, as it can
take a look at each room with a critical If you are heating food in the oven also cause some damage to the
eye to reduce the chances that your or microwave, make sure you test skin.
family will be involved in a painful a small amount of it before
burn situation. serving it to others. Examine the burned area. If
blisters form, do not attempt to
IIII ( IIII° i pop o them. This is a burn that
must be treated by a doctor.
• Keep hot foods and drink away 0 Call 911 and have your Livonia
from the edge of the tables and 100 Firefighters treat and transport
counters, where they can be the burned patient if burns are
easily bumped. If your table is serious. If the burn is small, wrap
covered with a tablecloth, this the burned area in a cool, wet
may tempt children to pull it, towel and drive safety to the
along with any hot items on it, hospital or doctor for treatment.
onto themselves. IIII IIID ID Iii IIII
• When cooking, make sure the Always check the water before
family follows a "no play rule" in placing a child in the bathtub. The Hot Liquids
the kitchen. Too many burns skin of a child is more sensitive
happen when someone trips and than adult skin, and can be Burn Like Fire!
falls while carrying hot items. burned more easily by hot water.
Young children in the bathtub
• Turn pot handles toward the require constant supervision.
inside of the stove to reduce the
chance of a child grabbing the Many toddlers are able to turn on
handle and spilling the contents the hot water by themselves, and
onto themselves. scald themselves in the process.
Your hot water heater should be
set at no more than 120 Degrees
c c Fahrenheit. To test this, let the hot
water run for three minutes from a
faucet, and place a meat, candy,
or water thermometer in the water `
to obtain a reading.
7
Livonia Fire & Rescue BULK RATE
14910 Farmington Road U.S. POSTAGE
[NGSLivonia, Michigan 48154 PAID
Permit No.54
CONNECTING THE COMMUNITY WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT Livonia MI
Shadd Whitehead, Chief
Tom Kiurski, Editor
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