saco fire department-saco, maine2 test your fire and safety knowledge about...
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September 2015
Volume 3 Issue 1
Central Fire Station
271 North Street
Phone: 207-282-3244
Fax: 207-282-8203
Web: www.sacomaine.org
Fire Chief
Chief John L. Duross
Deputy Fire Chiefs
Deputy Chief Robert A. Martin
Deputy Chief David O Pendleton
Call Division Chief
Raynald Legendre
Public Education Coordinator
Karl Finley
EMS Coordinator
Brad Chicoine
Fire Training Coordinator
Lieutenant David Hamel
FROM THE CHIEF…….
It is likely that we all have special connections to the different seasons, months or
times of year. This is also true also for the Fire Service. In September, on the 11th, we
honor Patriot Day; a national day of remembrance for those events that occurred on Sep-
tember 11, 2001. We remember the victims of the horrific events of that day. Never For-
getting Means Never Forgotten. We would like to thank the Alumni Band and the Maine
Pops Concert Band for their September 11 Remembrance Concert; an outstanding tribute
to those who have served and are currently serving America here at home or overseas.
October is also a special month for the fire service. On October 4, 2015, we will
observe Firefighters Memorial Sunday. On that day, the National Fallen Firefighters
Foundation will hold the national tribute to all firefighters who died in the line of duty dur-
ing the previous year. This year, at the service held in Emmitsburg, Maryland, the NFFF
will honor the families of 87 firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice.
October 4th through the 10th is Fire Prevention Week. The theme: Hear the
Beep Where you Sleep. Keep your family safe with a working smoke alarm in every bed-
room. During the month of October, the Saco Fire Department will continue our tradi-
tion of bringing our fire safety messages to our children in the schools. We are very appre-
ciative of the collaborative efforts of the Saco School Department in allowing us to spend
a few minutes with the children at Young and Fairfield Schools. We will bring the Fire
Safety House that we share with the Biddeford Fire Department; this will give the children
an opportunity to practice Exit Drills in the Home and learn other Fire Safety messages.
Speaking of seasons, now is the time to have our heating appliances serviced in
preparation of the winter months ahead. When installing wood burning stoves; follow the
manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional perform the installation. Install and
maintain smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and remember to turn off any portable heat-
ers when leaving a room. With a few simple safety tips and precautions, you can prevent
most heating fires from happening, saving lives and property.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Citizens of Saco for their contin-
ued support and the members of the Saco Fire Department for their dedication and hard
work each and every day.
My Best regards,
John L. Duross, Fire Chief
Saco Fire Department-Saco, Maine
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Test your Fire and Safety Knowledge about ———————Wood Burning Stoves
1) True or False: All older fireplaces are a safe heating source for your home.
False: Only when properly cleaned and maintained, does a fireplace offers a safe home heating source.
2) True or False: Replacing the fireplace with an electric heater is the only efficient replacement solution.
False: A modern wood stove offers the warmth of a fireplace without compromising energy efficiency.
3) True or False: Modern wood stoves burn wood more efficiently than a fireplace, but do not burn as clean as gas or electric.
True: Modern wood stoves do burn wood more efficiently than a fireplace but not burn as clean as a gas fired or electric fireplace.
4) True or False: I know enough about burning wood or pellets to decide which type of stove I should purchase.
False: Before making any costly decisions that you may regret, you should consult with a home heating & installation professional.
5) It is perfectly safe to use a modern wood burner installed in your home that has been inactive for some period of time.
False: No matter how old or how modern the stove may be, have the stove checked before you use the stove. Before using a wood burning stove, always make certain to have the stove and chimney inspected for safety.
6) There is no problem if I use the fireplace opening to house two heating units as all the fumes will go up the chimney.
False: Unless you have had an approved chimney splitter installed and inspected, never use two heating devices in one fireplace to prevent fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
Saco Fire Department-Saco, Maine
Say...can you rearrange these letters to
spell a word associated with our de-
partment and public safety?
The answer is elsewhere in our newsletter
L A V O H E F S
Incident Responses by your
Fire Department
During July and August of this year,
Department personnel responded to
the many needs of our citizens,
businesses and surrounding com-
munities. Incident responses totaled
320 in July of this year as compared
to 342 last year. In August this year,
responses numbered 303; last year
the total was 337. Of the 623 total
calls for July and August, 467, or
74.9%, were medical emergencies.
Last year in the same period, there
were 556 medical emergency calls,
or 81.2% of the total for that period.
Spotlight on one of the critical equipment pieces used for fire fighting and search & rescue
2013 Polaris Ranger 6x6 800cc All Terrain Utility Vehicle
40 HP motor/ 4-Stroke twin cylinder/760 cc
6 Wheel Drive with high and low gears automatic transmission
Ground speed of up to 44 MPH
2,000 pounds towing capacity with a 1,500 pounds total payload capacity
Seating for 3 people (1,551 lbs dry weight)
2,000 lb. rated Front Mount Winch
Includes a Kimtek Supermax Transport Skid Unit
with a Darley-Davey® Two Stage High Pressure
Twin impeller pump powered by a Honda GX 160
4-Stroke engine
An 85 gallon water tank
A 5 gallon Class A foam tank and 100 feet of 3/4 inch booster hose
Scotty Foam Eductor
and an EMS Rescue transport area with 2- 48" x 1" stainless steel grab rails for mounting
a stokes basket or long board
R
Prevent falling at home: Organize your clutter - remove it from floor & stairs Tack down loose carpets and throw rugs Install Grab Bars and Handrails in baths & on stairs
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As a part of our ongoing practices, the Department considers general and specialized training to be of paramount importance for the preparedness and professionalism of all staff. Training encompasses both fire fighting and public safety techniques, preparedness of the individual, coordination of the various teams and proper planning for anticipated, as well as extraordinary tasks and challenges. All members of the Career and Call Departments (including all Firefighters, Officers, Deputy Chiefs and the Fire Chief) participate in our training sessions and are required to participate in a minimum of scheduled training subjects.
Our annual training on Confined Space Rescue occurs as a joint training venture with the Biddeford Fire Department and rotates between the two cities each year in order for us to see numerous entry spaces that we might have to deal with during a real emergency. This year, all the career staff from both departments met at the Bear Brook Water Resource Recovery Division (WRRD) Pumping Station in Saco to meet the mandatory requirements set by the Maine Bureau of Labor. The cooperative effort from the WRRD staff allowed us the use of the facility. A specifically constructed training prop enabled providing this refresher training to about 75 Fire/EMS personnel between both cities over the 4 separate days of recently held s c h e d u l e d t r a i n i n g . Individual members who participated in the training were able to utilize the various pieces of equipment that each department inventories for these rescue incidents including a Rescue Tripod, Retrieval Hoist, Self-Retracting Lifeline (SRL), Emergency Backup Belay and Hauling System, Class III Harnesses and Gas Detection equipment.
During training, each member was outfitted with a Class III Harness and was lowered into the confined space on a mechanical hoist with an emergency rope backup system. This backup system was then converted to a hauling system so everyone would recognize the different options available to them should equipment failure occur or some important piece of equipment not be available during a real life incident. Team members then worked to facilitate a rescue by delivering a crew into the confined space to package and remove an unconscious victim while adhering to
applicable safety practices.
Thankfully, these types of rescue incidents don't occur frequently, however it is essential that team members learn these rescue skills in order to safely and efficiently meet the demands of confined space rescues.
Saco Fire Department-Saco, Maine
Hear the Beep Where You Sleep
Location matters when it comes to your smoke alarm. That’s the message behind this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, Hear the Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Work-ing Smoke Alarm.
Along with firefighters and safety advocates nationwide, the Saco Fire Department is joining forces with the National Fire Protec-tion Association (NFPA) during Fire Prevention Week, October 4-10, to remind local residents about the importance of having a working smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.
In a fire, seconds count. Half of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night between 11 PM and 7 AM when most people are asleep. Home smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out.
According to the latest NFPA research, working smoke alarms cut the chances of dying in a fire almost in half. Sadly, three out of five deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign includes the following smoke alarm message: Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. This way, when one sounds, they all do. Test all alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button. Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if the don’t respond properly. Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm and understands what to do when they hear it. If the smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside. Go to your outside meeting place. Call the fire department when outside the home.
Public Education Programs Courtesy of Karl Finley
Public Education Coordinator
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The Saco Fire Department publish-
es its online newsletter bimonthly.
To receive an email notifying you
when it is published, please visit our
newsletter page and complete the
email sign up information.
Just click below to sign up:
For the latest on what’s happening
at Saco City Hall, see the newest
edition of the City Hall newsletter by
clicking below:
Saco Fire Department-Saco, Maine
THE PEPPERELL POST
Fire Department Newsletters
Our latest Annual Report with
detailed information on Depart-
ment activities, responses, equip-
ment, facilities, personnel and
operations is available on our
website. To view or download
the Annual Report, click:
ANNUAL REPORTS
Halloween Safety for Kids and Families Planning ahead will make this Halloween a fire-
safe one.
Taking simple fire safety precautions, like making
certain that fabrics for costumes and decorative ma-
terials in use around the home are flame resistant,
can help prevent fires and personal injury.
Fasten reflective tape on costumes and Hallow-
een bags so that drivers are able to see a walker.
Make sure the kids walk, not run, between houses
(if you can).
We encourage you to be watchful of our elderly and infirmed neighbors. Should you
believe an elderly or infirmed neighbor needs medical or emergency assistance, don’t
hesitate to contact our department for information and help.
EMS Week Personal Thank You
News from our Crews
Firefighter Lieutenant Steve Kerner was recently honored by the City of Saco for his 30 years of dedicated service to the Department and to Sa-co. Steve works on D-Shift and is currently serving as the Senior Fire-fighter and Driver/Operator of Engine 3 as well as being active in our EMS serving the citizens of Saco.
Pictured from left to right is Mayor Don Pilon, Lt. Steve Kerner and Fire Chief John L Duross
Members of our Saco Fire Depart-
ment participated in the 2015 Lower Saco River Trash Drive
under the auspices of the Saco River Salmon Club & Hatchery.
There was approximately 3 tons of debris and trash removed
from the 3 river miles that were targeted.
Page 2 word solution: FLASHOVER
Retired Call Firefighter Richard F. Gallant of
Hollis Center passed away in July. Richard was a 25
year member of our Call Division.
Richard is sadly missed and fondly remembered.
In Memoriam
Trash Cleanup on Saco River
Bit of Saco Fire Department History……
In 1792, George Washington was President and the Saco Social Fire Society was founded. Initially, the Society had 30 pioneer-
ing members. Each was outfitted with two leather buckets that were emblazoned with the member’s initials. The buckets were
for carrying water at a fire. A special watchword would be given to members that announced a call to a fire.