In 1922, the second week of October was named Fire Prevention Week by the National Fire Protection Association.
Being at this time frame, it is a great time of the year to go through some routine checklists and drills for the family plan. One of the top priorities on the list should be checking smoke alarms and changing the batteries. Do you have enough smoke alarms? Do you need to have a carbon monoxide alarm? If you need to have someone to do a walk through your home or business, reach out to your local fire department. They will be able to help with education and make recommendations.
Do you burn candles in your home? Are they placed in a safe area, including where they will not be touched by the youngsters’ hands or even the cat’s tail? Are the matches and lighters kept out of reach? Have you discussed the dangers of fire, even with the youngest of the home?
Do you have a fire escape plan from all areas of your home, outbuildings, garages and all frequent areas of your property? Practicing these family plans often will help everyone of all ages. What if there is a wildland fire; do you have a plan for this? To help reduce the risk of one starting near your home, clear or cut back brush and overgrown vegetation from around all buildings.
Have you cleaned your fireplace, stove pipe or chimney for the upcoming winter months? It is ideal to check those before the need of the first fire. If you are not familiar with the process, please have someone with experience to help. Last winter, dispatch received 41 calls for structure fires, with at least five beginning in the chimney area.
Do you have a fire extinguisher? Have you ever practiced using it? Should you have one or more in a certain area? Did you have the correct type of fire extinguisher? If you have any number of electronic areas with many wires or components, there is another kind of extinguisher available for this area.
Have you met with your local fire department? Are you aware of their procedures and that most operate on a voluntary dues base system. Dues, fundraisers and the hope of any grants are their only means of funding. All the personnel are volunteers. These volunteers are the first to help in any situation, not just a fire in their communities. If you have not visited with them, I encourage you to do so. Have you thought about volunteering? There are many ways to help, you do not have to respond to fires to be a key part of the department.
If you are doing a control burn, call 9-1-1 dispatch to let them know. No matter how small or large the fire. 417-967-5997, 417-967-5998 or 417-967-5999 are the best numbers to reach dispatch directly. However, if you are at a place and cannot remember the numbers, it is OK to dial 9-1-1. Dispatch will ask the location, type and size of the fire, your name and a contact phone number. If someone drives by, sees the fire, and then calls 9-1-1 to report it, dispatch will know that is the location of a controlled burn and will not send the fire department. If the person driving by does not see anyone around or is adamant that it is not under control, dispatch will call the original caller, asking if it is still under control. If there is no answer and it cannot be determined, then the fire department will be sent. If at any time you are doing a controlled burn and it becomes out of control, call 9-1-1 immediately. If you have an area of any size and would like it burned but cannot do it yourself, reach out to your local department for assistance.
During this week, month or anytime make sure your address is always visible. If emergency responders were driving down your roadway, would they be able to determine which house is yours? Do you have your mailbox sitting with a group of mailboxes at the end of a drive? If this is the case, then your personal driveway and house should also have the numerics of your address on the house and possibly at the end of your driveway. Ensure they are large enough to see on the darkest rainy night, making them reflective or illuminated is recommended.
Again, if you have not reached out to your local department, please do so. These are some of the most dedicated, community-minded individuals and we are happy to have them. There are many opportunities to help or just let them know you see them.
On behalf of Texas County 9-1-1, I would like to extend our great appreciation to all the fire departments in Texas County and throughout.
The Texas County Emergency Services office in Houston is funded by a 3/8-cent countywide sales tax approved by voters in 2013. Director Terra Culley can be reached by phone at 417-967-5309 or by email at terraculley911@hotmail.com.