DECEMBER 2014 FIRELINE
F A U QU I E R C O U N TY D E PA R T ME N T
OF
F I R E , R E S CU E & E M E R GE N CY M A N A GE ME N T
T HE FIRELINE NEWSLETTER F RO M T H E D E S K OF T H E C H I E F
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
THOMAS M. BILLINGTON
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
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BIRTHDAYS
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BATTALION 1
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BATTALION 3
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TRAINING
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
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“What's in your Bucket?" In “Go for Gold: Inspiration to Increase Your Leadership Impact” by John Maxwell, the author expresses that every good leader continuously holds two buckets: in one hand is a bucket of water, the other holds a bucket of gasoline. Empowering leaders know when to use each bucket. Disruptive leaders do not. The way you use each bucket is the way you influence individuals, groups, and situations. When a wise leader comes upon a situation that’s volatile and tense, he/she doesn’t pour gasoline upon it! That’s a situation where cooler heads need to prevail. This situation calls for a bucket of water, so that you can put that fire out. Imagine the damage that’s created when a disruptive, dysfunctional, or downright MEAN leader comes into a volatile setting and just adds to it! That is pouring gasoline on a fire, and it won’t be long before it’s worse than ever.
FAUQUIER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF FIRE, RESCUE & EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT Phone: 540-422-8800 www.fauquierfirerescue.org
On the other hand, not all fires need to be put out. We’ve probably all seen times when a person in the organization gets really excited about a new vision, new challenges, or new opportunities; only to have someone “pour water” all over their aspirations. It may even have happened to you! That’s when an empowering leader uses her bucket of gasoline. It is a situation that calls for encouragement and enthusiasm! Everyone has both buckets in their possession. Great leaders just know when to use the right one!
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DECEMBER 2014 FIRELINE
E M E RG E N C Y M A N AG E M E N T
BY: SARA MAKELY
Check or have a mechanic check the following items on your car: Antifreeze levels - ensure they are sufficient to avoid freezing. Battery and ignition system - should be in top condition and battery terminals should be clean. Brakes - check for wear and fluid levels. Exhaust system - check for leaks and crimped pipes and repair or replace as necessary. Carbon monoxide is deadly and usually gives no warning. Fuel and air filters - replace and keep water out of the system by using additives and maintaining a full tank of gas. A full tank will keep the fuel line from freezing. Heater and defroster - ensure they work properly. Lights and flashing hazard lights - check for serviceability. Oil - check for level and weight. Heavier oils congeal more at low temperatures and do not lubricate as well. Thermostat - ensure it works properly. Windshield wiper equipment - repair any problems and maintain proper washer fluid level. Install good winter tires - Make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. However, some jurisdictions require that to drive on their roads, vehicles must be equipped with chains or snow tires with studs.
Update the emergency kits in your vehicles with: extra hats, socks, a shovel windshield scraper and mittens and small broom first aid kit flashlight pocket knife battery powered medications radio blanket(s) extra batteries tow chain or rope water road salt and sand snack food booster cables matches distress flags emergency flares
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DECEMBER 2014 FIRELINE
12/03—Chief Randall 12/11—Terry Graham 12/28—Kerri O’Brien 12/31—Clifton Frederick
Be Safe during the Holiday Season! Follow these important safety tips: Holiday Trees Place your tree away from fireplaces, heaters and other heat sources. Don’t use candles on or near the tree. If you have a live tree, keep it in a sturdy base filled with water. Check the water level every day. Safely dispose of your tree before it becomes dangerously dry. Never burn the tree or tree parts in your fireplace. Holiday Lights Use “UL” approved lights. Examine all indoor and outdoor lights for frayed cords and replace if necessary. Lights should not touch combustible materials. "Indoor" lights should never be used outdoors. Avoid using extension cords, but if you do, follow instructions carefully. Do not overload electrical circuits such as wall outlets and extension cords. Use a circuit strip.
Holiday Gift Wrap Keep papers, bows and trims away from heat sources such as fireplaces, space heaters, and radiators. Never burn gift wrappings in your fireplace.
Fireplaces and Wood Stoves Have chimney or wood stove inspected and cleaned by a certified chimney specialist. Leave glass doors open while burning a fire to prevent creosote buildup. Install a stovepipe thermometer to help monitor flue temperature.
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DECEMBER 2014 FIRELINE
BATTALION 1
BY: TECHNICIAN KRIEG
Let’s Get Ahead of the Fire! Staying in good physical condition is a challenge no matter what may be happening in our lives, but during the holidays it can be downright the last thing we want to do. The good news is that most folks who choose the fire service as a career are “take the bull by the horns”, type “A” personalities that attack change. The bad news is, no one ages backwards. We need this for our career, our families, and frankly to enjoy life after retirement. All of us can decrease the chance for injury, enhance our lifestyles, and heal more efficiently with exercise just 30 minutes per day, 5 times per week. Yes, this requires commitment to not only exercise but diet as well. So, keeping the end of the journey in mind with first steps, I propose a two stage approach this holiday. #1: Start today, during the holidays. That can be the hardest time to do it but we all are a rare breed indeed that faces challenges each shift, we got this! #2: Reduce your portions by 1/3 and start a fit for life regime. More meals per day of smaller portions help to metabolize fat and keep the pounds away. Stretching, walking, running, pushups, air squats, and core strengthening exercises will have you well ahead of those folks who use the New Year as their benchmark. It takes 21 days to create a habit, let’s give ourselves a gift before Santa comes calling. Not a sermon, just a suggestion. Be safe and have a great Christmas!
Battalion 1 also added some new additions to their families last month! Congrats! Technician Dodson and family
Technician Wood’s newest edition
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DECEMBER 2014 FIRELINE
THE SOUTHERN VOICE
BY: BC LICHTY The month of November is already behind us and we are only a few short weeks away from the holiday season and the New Year. The Southern Battalion is getting ready for the end of the year and the start of a new one. As the year comes to an end we look back at what we have learned and accomplished and look forward to the changes of the New Year.
We would like to thank Technician Wilson and Technician Neese for their DFREM presence at this year’s Turkey Trot. They showed that although DFREM’s participation was not as high as last year, we were still there. Technician Wilson even got himself a ribbon (ask him for more details). Tractor trailer accident at Elk Run Road and Bristersburg Road
Big vehicle fire on Daffan Drive
Lastly we would like to congratulate the Catlett Volunteer Fire Department for the arrival of their new Rescue Engine which is anticipated to be in service around the first part of the New Year.
Technician Wilson learns how to start a burner on an old stove
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DECEMBER 2014 FIRELINE
NORTHERN LIGHTS
BY: TECHNICIAN TROILO
The holiday season is upon us and it seems winter is coming early this year. With cold weather setting in on us, take some time and make sure you are prepared for the cold weather. As everyone is settling in and adjusting to their new assignments, we in the north have been busy training, inventorying, cleaning around the stations and visiting new construction sites. Calls in the north have been business as usual; auto accidents, fly outs, fires, and medicals. Staffing at 4 and 11 have swapped days with Station 11 now being staffed Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and Station 4 now being staffed Tuesday and Thursday. Companies 3 and 5 are still anxiously awaiting the arrival of their new units. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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DECEMBER 2014 FIRELINE
T R A I N I N G D E PA R T M E N T There’s a lot going on in the training department lately! Check out the photos below from various events and training opportunities from last month. There are photos from the new protocol training, bailout training, the department update with Chief Billington, and some photos taken at our new SIM Lab!
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DECEMBER 2014 FIRELINE
A N N O U N C E M E N TS Remington Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department’s annual Toys-forTots breakfast buffet will be December 14th from 8 AM until noon. Bring a new, unwrapped toy and eat for free! All toys go to the Marines Toysfor-Tots program. Remington filled seven boxes last year, and has a goal to fill at least ten this year! Also, Santa will be there from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM, so be sure to stop by.
Fauquier Alert Network (FAN) Fauquier County Emergency Notification System Effective July 1st, 2014 - Fauquier County has launched a new emergency notification system, Fauquier Alert Network (FAN) provided by Everbridge. Everbridge is a web based service that enables the County to provide mass notification quickly and easily. Notifications may include evacuations, missing person alerts, hazardous materials incident, flooding, and other emergency incidents where rapid and accurate notification is essential for life safety. Messages are delivered by phone call, text, and email. To ensure you receive emergency notifications, sign up by clicking on the image link below.