Ask an Inspector

Have you ever wondered why firefighters cut holes in the roof of a house on fire? Or why the fire engine responds on EMS calls with an ambulance? Do you have fire code questions or fire prevention questions you would like answered? Ask an inspector will give you the chance to get your questions answered and provide safety education to the Mason community. Please email your questions to firesafety@masonoh. org and your question may be in an upcoming article. The Mason Fire Department continues to educate the community to make it safer for all of us.

“Why do firefighters cut a hole in the roof of a house that is on fire?”

—James H.

Cutting a hole in the roof serves multiple purposes. It allows trapped heat, smoke, and poisonous gases to exit the structure, which makes the atmosphere safer for anyone trapped in the fire. By doing so it also gives firefighters additional time to reach those trapped and get them to safety. It helps prevent a smoke explosion, commonly referred to as a backdraft, which occurs when a fire starved of oxygen suddenly receives the fresh air it needs to freely burn after starved of it. The “vent hole” releases those trapped gases and soot which could ignite causing the smoke explosion itself. A “vent hole” creates a safer environment for trapped occupants and the firefighters.

100 Who Care

GATHER. VOTE. GIVE. It really is that simple!

“I am trying to create an emergency escape plan for my family. What would you recommend as the best meeting place? I was thinking our mailbox.”—Tiffany

T.

Your mailbox is not a bad choice but keep in mind, fires never seem to happen when the weather is nice. It seems like fires occur on the coldest, rainiest nights of the year, when the wind is blowing extra hard, or when it is over 100° in the shade and 90% humidity. If your home is on fire, there are going to be a lot of first responders arriving in large trucks, hauling heavy hoses and tools towards your door. You may want to meet at your neighbor’s mailbox or their porch, especially if it is covered. Try to plan with your neighbors ahead of time and if there is an emergency, maybe they can come to your home and in return you can go to theirs to protect yourself from the elements.

If you do choose to use your own mailbox, once everyone is gathered, have them move a safe distance away and wait for the first responders to arrive. One adult, or older child should meet the first arriving truck and let them know if everyone is safely out or if there are people or pets trapped inside. Then, if possible, give a brief description of how to get to the room the trapped occupants were last known to be in, to expedite the firefighters’ search and rescue effort. Remember, we do not know your home as well as you do, so any help you can provide cuts down on the time to rescue and improves the trapped occupant’s chance of survival. The most important factor in choosing a meeting place is that everyone knows where it is.

Are you are looking for a way to give back to your local community? Join 100+ Who Care of Warren County! Together, the members of this giving circle have donated over $32,000 to local nonprofit organizations.

100+ Who Care of Warren County is a giving circle dedicated to making life better for all Warren County residents through a quarterly donation to a Warren County nonprofit organization ($100/ adult, $25/student), and our online giving platform on Grapevine makes it easy!

Two or three local charities give a five-minute presentation each quarter. Members who are present (in-person and online) vote, and one is selected to receive the donation for that quarter. Organizations up for consideration must serve Warren County and are nominated by group members; the idea is to keep it local and provide an impact we can see. Donation recipients in 2022 were Luke 5 Adventures, Lebanon Impact Club, Friends of Warren County Park District, and Family Promise of Warren County.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IT’S. THAT. SIMPLE.

2023 Meeting Dates:

• April 4, July 5, and October 3

• 5:30–6:30 p.m.

• Conger Construction, 2020 McKinley Blvd., Lebanon, OH 45036 and on Zoom

CONNECT WITH US:

• 100whocareofwarrencounty@gmail.com

• facebook.com/100WhoCareofWarrenCounty

• linkedin.com/groups/13928970/

• grapevine.org/giving-circle/e7WiBe8/100-Who-Care-of-Warren-County