You need to plan the way a fire department plans: it cannot anticipate where the next fire will be, so it has to shape an energetic and efficient team that is capable of responding to the unanticipated as well as to any ordinary event. Andrew S. Grove
November 2012
Helping hands news
Quote of the month
Volume I, Issue 2
In this issue:
november 2012
Special points of interest:
Our Beginnings
2
Winter Safety Seminar
Sprinkler Safety
3
Cooking Safety Tips
Winter Safety Seminar
4
Thanksgiving
Cooking Safety
5
Helping Hands Events
Featured for November
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Helping Hands FOR BFPD
500 S York Rd Bensenville , IL 60106 630-350-3441
We’re on the Web! WWW.BENSENVILLEFPD.ORG/ HELPING –HANDS
Our beginnings The Helping Hands being a brain storm of Chief Mike Spain was started in April of 2011 to assist families who have been displaced as a result of fire, providing financial assistance and moral support through donations and volunteerism. Knowing the needs of families as they watch their homes going up in a blaze and knowing that the firefighters on sight have one goal in mind, to put that fire out, Chief Spain felt that the needs of the families during this devastating events were not being fully met. The concept of having a group of volunteers who could respond to the needs of families in peril came to mind and hence The Helping Hands of the BFPD came to fruition. Since the inception of the Helping Hands, responders have been called to three Bensenville residential fires and have been requested to assist with MABAS (Mutual Aide Box Alarm System) for an apartment fire in Maywood, Il and a mass evacuation of over 200 senior citizens who reside in the Concord Place Assisted Living in Northlake, IL. Knowing that fires don’t happen every day, another function of the Helping Hands is to assist the BFPD in Fire Education to the community! The Helping Hands members help to provide fire awareness to the community as well as attend continuing education classes and seminars to provide valuable information to residents. During this past year, several of our Helping Hands volunteers have obtained their CPR certification offered by the Bensenville Fire Protection District, the CERT class offered by the Bensenville Emergency Management Agency (Citizen’s Emergency Responder Training) and the Citizens Police and Fire Academy which will help them to be better prepared in the event of an area emergency. Over the past year the Helping Hands has sponsored two senior luncheons for the Bensenville Park District at the Leisure Center’s monthly senior luncheon and most recently the Helping Hands in conjunction with the Fire Prevention District sponsored a Senior Safety Seminar to area residents at White Pines Banquets providing them with valuable information. The Helping Hands moves forward through donations by hosting fundraisers. Funds are held for families in need should the need arise. If a family loses their home due to a fire, the Helping Hands will assist them financially with their immediate needs; clothing, temporary housing, food, etc. Not everyone has insurance and even if they do it may take hours if not days for their insurance to give them financial support. The Helping Hands has a support system in place to assist those families in need. Donations are our lifeline and the Helping Hands raises funds solely through fundraising events without utilizing taxpayer dollars. Over the past year and a half the Helping Hands has hosted several fundraisers within the Village of Bensenville. Golf Outings, Mini Concerts, Libertyfest are just a few of the fundraising events we have hosted! We thank the Bensenville residents and businesses for supporting our cause and hope to move forward to assist the Bensenville residents in their time of need. Being that the Helping Hands is a volunteer organization, we are always looking for additional volunteers to assist us. If you would like more information on the Helping Hands of the BFPD or becoming a volunteer, please email us at helpinghand@bensenvillefpd.org Meetings are held monthly at the Bensenville Fire Protection District, located at 500 S. York Road, Bensenville. You may also visit our Facebook Page, The Helping Hands of the Bensenville Fire Protection District for upcoming meeting dates, updates and information. 2
About Fire sprinklers Fires in the home pose one of the biggest threats to the people of your community. Over 350,000 home fires occur every year in this country and more than 2,500 people a year die in these home fires. Home fire sprinklers are a proven way to protect lives and property against fires at home. These life-saving systems respond quickly and effectively to the presence of a nearby fire. When sprinklers are present, they save lives. If you have a reported fire in your home, the risk of dying decreases by about 80 percent when sprinklers are present. People in homes with sprinklers are protected against significant property loss—sprinklers reduce the average property loss by about 71 percent per fire. Model safety codes now require the use of home fire sprinklers in new one- and two-family homes. These requirements offer the highest level of safety to protect the people of your community. Home sprinkler systems respond quickly to reduce the heat, flames, and smoke from a fire, giving families valuable time to get to safety. Roughly 85 percent of the time, just one sprinkler operates. Each individual sprinkler is designed and calibrated to go off when it senses a significant heat change. Only the sprinkler closest to the fire will activate, spraying water directly on the fire. WWW.NFPA.ORG
Cost of Fire sprinklers The cost of installing home fire sprinklers averages $1.61 per square foot for new construction, according to a Home Fire Sprinkler Cost Assessment report from the Fire Protection Research Foundation. To put that into perspective, many people pay similar amounts for carpet upgrades, a paving stone driveway, or a whirlpool bath. Sales in many U.S. communities where sprinkler systems are available show that, not only are consumers requesting this feature, but also that houses with sprinkler systems are selling faster than those without. Installing home fire sprinklers can help residents:
Significantly reduce property loss in the event of fire Cut homeowner insurance premiums Help qualify home for a tax rebate Help support local fire service efforts
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Helping Hands FOR BFPD
Cooking safety tips
5
Helping Hands FOR BFPD
Active shooter exercise
500 S York Rd Bensenville , IL 60106 630-350-3441
We’re on the Web! WWW.BENSENVILLEFPD.ORG/ HELPING –HANDS
The Helping Hands of the BFPD volunteer for and "Active Shooter Exercise" at O'hare Airport Terminal 5 where a simulation of a domestic dispute resulted in a shooting in the terminal. Chicago PD and FD, Swat Teams, wounded and fatalities, triage were all part of the execise! (No gunfire was simulated) — at Chicago O'Hare Airport Terminal 5. April 3, 2012 HH Members Attend CERT CLASS
Citizens Emergency Responder Training Class given by the Bensenville EMA — at The Helping Hands of the Bensenville Fire Protection District. June 2012
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In session concert
In Session concert November 16, 2012 White Pines Golf 500 W. Jefferson Tickets $20.00 Buy online at Www.bensenvillefpd. org/helping-hands $5.00 of ea. ticket sale will be donated to the Illinois Severely Wounded Veterans
Citizen’s police and fire academy
July 25, 2012
Back by popular demand!!!
Helping Hands Presents In Session May 5, 2012
Helping Hands FOR BFPD
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