Wallowa Lake Rural Fire Protection District, protecting Oregon's Little Switzerland: SAFETY FAIR EDUCATES HOMEOWNERS, SURPRISES RETIRED CHIEF

Sunday, September 1, 2013

SAFETY FAIR EDUCATES HOMEOWNERS, SURPRISES RETIRED CHIEF

Joseph firefighters dismantled a truck cab with the Hurst Jaws of Life, some kids got a fire engine ride and recently retired Fire Chief Tom Clevenger was surprised with a long-delayed gift from the Costa Mesa, Calif., Fire Department.

There was plenty of action in the space of two hours Saturday, Aug. 31, at a Home Safety Fair co-sponsored by the Joseph Fire Department and Wallowa Lake Rural Fire Protection District.

Around 100 lake homeowners and vacationers who happened by also learned about the benefits of Life Flight memberships and inspected Joseph’s newest firefighting vehicles, the four-wheel-drive Engine 1 and Brush Truck 9, a converted military Humvee, as well as Wallowa Memorial Hospital’s new state-of-the-art ambulance.

The Humvee and ambulance received lots of attention, but the biggest impression was made with a demonstration of the hydraulic Jaws of Life. Firefighters Clevenger and Bob Lion and Chief Jeffrey Wecks made quick work of a pickup cab, removing doors and the roof, turning the cab into what would have been a convertible if it wasn’t already wrecked.

Clevenger was the center of a short ceremony during which he was presented with a framed resolution of appreciation from the fire district’s board of directors and a traditional fire department retirement-badge wallet from Costa Mesa, where he was a career firefighter before moving here.

District Board President Chuck Anderson explained that the wallet had been intended to be presented to Clevenger upon his retirement but inexplicably wasn’t. Costa Mesa Interim Fire Chief Fred Seguin discovered the wallet as he was researching Clevenger’s employment records at Anderson’s request for the text of the resolution.

“I was honored to be the one to present the wallet and our resolution to Tom,” Anderson said afterward. “His contribution to the fire service in Wallowa County has been tremendous, and it was about time we let him know how much we appreciate him.”

Fire protection and rescue services in the Wallowa Lake basin are provided by Joseph Fire Department under a contract with the fire district.

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About the fire district

Wallowa Lake Rural Fire Protection District encompasses properties bordering and near Wallowa Lake in northeast Oregon. It includes the community at the south end ("head") of the lake, homes at the north end ("foot") of the lake and properties along the West Moraine including Lake Shore Road, Edgewater Drive and the Hays Lane area.

Fire protection and rescue services are provided through a contract with the City of Joseph and its volunteer fire department. Joseph provides a fire engine located at the lake fire station, 60000 Mt. Howard Lane. It is staffed by Joseph firefighters who live and/or work at the lake.

In case of an emergency, Joseph Fire Department responds from the lake fire station and from its station in Joseph. If necessary, additional aid will be provided by Enterprise and Wallowa fire departments, the Oregon Department of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service.

Heat your home safely

Each winter, the high cost of home heating fuels and utilities causes many to search for alternate sources of home heating. Wood stoves, space heaters and fireplaces, however, are a major contributing factor in home fires.

Many of these fires can be prevented. You can prevent the loss of life and property resulting from heating fires by identifying potential hazards and following these safety tips:

All heaters need space. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment.

Use heating equipment that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.

Make sure all fuel-burning heating equipment is vented outdoors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Purchase only portable space heaters with an automatic shutoff so if they’re tipped over they turn off.

Allow wood stove and fireplace ashes to cool before disposing of them. Use a tightly covered metal container and keep it at least 10 feet away from your home.

How to prevent electrical fires

Electrical fires in homes claim the lives of 280 Americans each year. Many of these fires are caused by incorrectly installed wiring and overloaded circuits and extension cords.

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

Check electrical appliances and wiring routinely.

Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately.

Replace any electrical tool if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out or emits smoke or sparks.

Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay special care to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.

Buy electrical products evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, like Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

Keep clothes, curtains, and other combustible items at least three feet from all heaters.

If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.

Don't allow children to play with or around electrical appliances like space heaters, irons and hair dryers.

Use safety closures to make electrical outlets childproof.

Use electrical extension cords wisely; never overload extension cords or wall sockets.

Shut off and replace light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker.

For more information on electrical fire safety, log onto www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/electrical.shtm.

Tips on summer grilling and campfire safety

Every year we look forward to summer vacations, camping, family reunions, picnics and the Fourth of July. Summertime, however, also brings injuries due to outdoor cooking and recreational fires. Annually, nearly 3,800 Americans are injured by gas or charcoal grill fires.

Summertime should be a time of fun and happy memories. Knowing a few fire safety tips and following safety instructions will help everyone have a safe summer.

Safety Tips for Grilling and Campfires

Position the grill well away from siding, deck railing, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.

Keep children and pets from the grill area: declare a three-foot "safe zone" around the grill.

If you own a propane grill, check the cylinder hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose and bubbles will reveal any escaping propane.

In a fire pit, avoid using soft wood, such as pine or cedar that will likely pop and throw sparks. Seasoned hardwood is better.

Don’t build a campfire at a site in hazardous, dry conditions or if the campground, area or event rules prohibit campfires.

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Sunday, September 1, 2013

SAFETY FAIR EDUCATES HOMEOWNERS, SURPRISES RETIRED CHIEF

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