SA

Firefighter II
Tuesday, Jan 3rd thru Saturday, Jan 28th at JPFTC
Tuesday & Thursday 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Saturdays 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Anyone interested in registering for this class should see Chief Don Robertson.

There are many responsibilities that do not involve fighting fires.  Volunteers of all skill sets are encouraged to apply!

Fire Fighters needed. Please volunteer to help keep our community safe!

Each year fires occurring during the holiday season claim the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 more, and cause over $990 million in damage. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), there are simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday. By following some of the outlined precautionary tips, individuals can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a holiday fire casualty.

-- Read the Full Article Here --

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) are working together to remind everyone that home fires are more prevalent in winter than in any other season. This is due in part to an increase in cooking and heating fires. Holiday decorations and winter storms that can interrupt electrical service and cause people to turn to alternative heating sources also contribute to the increased risk of fire in winter.

Winter fires can be prevented! The following fire safety tips can help you maintain a fire-safe home this winter season.

-- Read the Full Article Here --

In the famous Christmas poem, the stockings were not just "hung by the chimney;" they were hung "with care." Even in the midst of describing a nocturnal visit from Santa, the author noted one important aspect of Christmas fireplace safety!

-- Read the Full Article Here --

Christmas time is probably the most joyful and festive time of the year, but unfortunately, it is also at time when tragedy visits many families in the form of a house fire. You can greatly improve holiday home safety by assessing your home and determining the greatest risk factors. We created a list of Christmas fire safety tips, which we hope you will read and maybe even post on your refrigerator for the family to see.

-- Read the Full Article Here --

 Jefferson Parish Man Dies Today from Injuries When His Home Caught Fire

Harvey,  LA- A Jefferson Parish man has died today after being hospitalized for injuries he sustained when his home caught fire on December 15, 2011.

The  Marrero Harvey Volunteer Fire Department responded shortly before 8:00 pm  to  700  Bellanger  Street  to  a  report that a residence was on fire. Firefighters arrived minutes later to discover a kitchen fire. They quickly entered  the  home  and  rescued  Thomas  Meador  (dob. 12-24-1928). He was transported  to  West Jefferson Medical Center and later transferred to the Baton  Rouge  General  Burn Unit; he had been listed in critical  condition. The  home  did  not  have  working  smoke  alarms. Fire Chief Don Robertson stated,  “Our personnel did a remarkable job of locating Mr. Meador quickly and rendered emergency care to him”.

The  State  Fire  Marshal’s Office worked jointly with the Jefferson Parish Fire  Prevention  Bureau  to investigate this tragic fire and the resulting death  that  has  occurred  today.  Investigators  believe  that  the  fire
originated  in  the  microwave  oven  where  items being cooked ignited and caused a fire that spread to other combustibles in the kitchen.

State  Fire  Marshal H. “Butch” Browning states, “We were very disappointed to  hear  the  news  today  that  this  man  has  died,  the Marrero Harvey Firefighters  worked  very  hard  to save him. Fires are very dangerous and
take  precious  life  within  moments.  I can’t plead enough; every home in Louisiana must have working smoke alarms if we are to stop these deaths! If you  have  elderly  family members or neighbors act today and install smoke alarms in their home, their lives depend on it”.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal is encouraging families to attend professional, public fireworks displays this holiday season. Attending a public fireworks display is a safe way to honor our tradition, our shared values, and our hopes for a healthy future. Permanent scarring, loss of vision, dismemberment – these are all too often the harsh realities of amateur fireworks use. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is urging everyone to treat all fireworks, as suitable, only for usage by trained professionals. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), amateur firework usage endangers not only the users, but also bystanders and surrounding property and structures. Pyrotechnic devices ranging from sparklers to aerial rockets cause thousands of fires and serious injuries each year. "When things go wrong, they go wrong very fast, and often with disastrous consequences", Said Fire Marshal H. "Butch" Browning.

In recent years, fireworks have been one of the leading causes of injuries serious enough to require hospital emergency room treatment. Fireworks can result in severe burns, fractures, scars, lifelong disfigurement or even death. The thousands of serious injuries each year typically harm the eyes, head, or hands and are mostly reported in states, such as Louisiana, where fireworks are legal. Even sparklers, which are considered by many to be harmless, can reach temperatures in excess of 1200 degrees F.

Wooded areas, homes, and even automobiles have become engulfed in flames because of fireworks. Firework-related fires have typically caused at least $27 million in property loss nationally (not adjusted for inflation) in recent years. A substantial portion of the property loss is due to fireworks typically involving bottle rockets or other fireworks such as rockets/aerial devices. Rockets can land on rooftops or wedge within certain structures and still retain enough heat to cause a fire. Public firework displays are one of those alternatives. These are conducted by trained professionals. They are the smartest and safest fireworks alternative for everyone, because they are established under controlled settings and regulations. Clearly, fireworks are capable of devastating and fatal injuries. The State Fire Marshal’s Office regulates the fireworks industry and the past has shown that retail stores operate in a safe and compliant manner; however, the use of these devices rely solely on the consumer to follow the recommended safety practices.

To those citizens of the State who do intend to purchase and use fireworks during the upcoming holiday, the Fire Marshal’s Office offers the following fireworks safety suggestions:

-- Always read and follow the label directions carefully

-- Always have a garden hose or water bucket nearby for medical emergencies and/or to douse spent or misfired fireworks.

-- Adults should always supervise fireworks activity.

-- Fireworks should be placed on a hard, smooth surface prior to ignition. NEVER light fireworks in your hand.

-- Quickly light one firework at a time, and move away quickly after lighting.

-- Never point or throw fireworks at people, pets, cars, or buildings

-- Keep fireworks away from small children.

-- Do not alter or make your own fireworks.

-- After displays, never pick up fireworks that may be left over.

Fireworks that have been ignited and fail to immediately explode or discharge can cause injury, as they may still be active. Children should always tell an adult if they find fireworks rather than picking up smoking or charred fireworks themselves.

Concerning age requirements, Fire Marshal Browning advised that state law prohibits anyone from offering to sell or selling fireworks to any child under the age of fifteen (15). Fire Marshal Browning adds that parents may be held liable for any damages or injuries caused by their children’s illegal use of fireworks.

Browning said, "Due to the fire hazard as well as the inherent risk of injury involved in fireworks, citizens are urged to use extreme caution when handling fireworks to ensure a safe, fire-free holiday". "The few moments of pleasure consumer fireworks bring are not worth the risk of property loss, injury, or death".

To read this release in it's entirety, please visit http://sfm.dps.louisiana.gov/doc/press/pr_2011-69.pdf