2017 Fire Prevention Week edition

OCT. 8-14, 2017

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK A SALUTE TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS IN CHOKIO, CYRUS, DONNELLY, HANCOCK AND MORRIS OCT. 7, 2017, STEVENS COUNTY TIMES, C1

Fire Prevention

C2 Saturday, October 7, 2017

Morris Fire Department

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The Stevens County Times

Jeremiah Day

Dustin Thymian

Engineer

Apparatus Operator/Engineer 12 YEARS FAMILY: Wife - Kellie

Plans are important • According to an NFPA survey, only one-third of Americans have both developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.

• Almost three-quarters of Americans do have an escape plan; however, less than half ever practiced it.

• One-third of survey respondents who made an estimate thought they would have at least six minutes before a fire in their home would become life threatening. The time available is often less.

Only 8 percent said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out!

6 YEARS of service SPONSORED BY:

FAMILY:

Wife - Elisa Children - Elizebeth, Liam

of service

OCCUPATION:

SPONSORED BY:

Parks & Recreation, City of Morris

Children - Raylie

OCCUPATION: HVAC-R Technician

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Matt Solemsaas

Cory Marquart

1st. Asst. Chief

Rescue Captain/Relief Treasurer

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Jason Young

Entry/Rescue

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1 YEAR of service

FAMILY:

Wife - Jessica Children - Lilly, Ali

15 YEARS of service

SPONSORED BY:

OCCUPATION:

SPONSORED BY:

DACO FARMS

Farmer, DACO Farms, Inc.

12 YEARS

FAMILY:

Wife-Angie Children-Abigail, Andrew, Annika, Abby, Nicholas

of service SPONSORED BY:

OCCUPATION:

FAMILY:

Wife-Tammy ChildrenJaedyn, Josie

OCCUPATION:

Engineer- West Central Research and Outreach Center

District Administrator, Stevens SWCD

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Darron Carr

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Pete Hentges

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Dave Dybdal

Chief

22 YEARS

of service SPONSORED BY:

FAMILY:

Wife-Lisa ChildrenDeven, Shelby

OCCUPATION:

Truck Captain

10 YEARS of service SPONSORED BY:

AWS/ASME Weld Instructor/ Consultant, Superior Ind.

FAMILY:

Wife-Amber Children-Braelyn, Kynlee, Messer

OCCUPATION: Jerry’s U-Save, Inc.

Fire Prevention Coordinator

2 YEARS

of service

FAMILY:

Wife-Michelle Children-Trevyn, Lauryn

OCCUPATION: SPONSORED BY:

Sales Engineer, R.E. Purvis & Associates

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We salute the brave firefighters in our community and across the country for their tireless dedication to keeping us safe.

Help protect our loyal firefighters and your family by learning more about fire prevention during Fire Prevention Week.

520 Atlantic Ave., Morris www.homeland.vlending.com 589-0070 001640027r1

Fire Prevention

The Stevens County Times

Morris Fire Department

Saturday, October 7, 2017 C3

Mark Nemmers

Dwain Schmidt

Entry/Rescue

Ladder/Vent

Bedrooms high site of home fires From the National Fire Protection Association • Half of home fire deaths result from fires reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Only one in five home fires were reported during these hours.

• One-quarter of home fire deaths were caused by fires that started in the bedroom. Another quarter resulted from fires in the living room, family room or den.

• Three out of five home fire deaths happen from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

• In 2015, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 365,500

home structure fires.

These fires caused 2,560 deaths, 11,075 civilian injuries, and $7 billion in direct damage.

• On average, seven people die in U.S. home fires per day.

• Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fire injuries, followed by heating equipment.

• Smoking materials are the leading cause of home fire deaths.

Most fatal fires kill one or two people..

• During 2010-2014, roughly, one of every 338 households reported a home fire per year.

4 YEARS

18 YEARS

OCCUPATION:

of Service

Welder, Superior Industries

of service SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

FAMILY:

Wife - Kari Children - Dalton, Jordan

OCCUPATION: Heavy Equipment Mechanic - MN DOT

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Kirk Riley

Justin Howe

Jon Anderson

Retired

Training Officer

Ladder Captain

FAMILY:

Children-Karmen, Kami, Cole

10 YEARS of service

SPONSORED BY:

OCCUPATION:

SPONSORED BY:

Owner, Jim Riley & Sons Construction

10 YEARS

FAMILY:

Wife - Kelly Children - Nate, Kayla

of service SPONSORED BY:

OCCUPATION: MN DOT

FAMILY:

Wife - Heidi

OCCUPATION: Carpenter, UMM Facilities Management

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31 YEARS of service

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Adam Schmidgall

Entry/Rescue

Truck Maintenance

Jacob Kent

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Andy Banta

2 YEARS

of service SPONSORED BY:

FAMILY:

Wife-Christine Children-Miles, Alexander

4 YEARS

FAMILY:

Wife- Kayla Children - Zoey

1 YEAR of service

SPONSORED BY:

OCCUPATION:

SPONSORED BY:

of service

OCCUPATION:

Entry/Rescue

Shop Manager, Jerry’s U-Save

Public Works Water Dept., City of Morris

OCCUPATION: Operator, Hancock Concrete

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PLEASE THANK ALL THE FIRE FIGHTERS WHO SO GERNEROUSLY VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME.

Mohr Plumbing and Heating Salutes the Area Fire Fighters

MOHR Plumbing and Heating

Morris, MN

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46400 St. Hwy. 28 Morris, MN 56267-4507 of Morris, Inc.

320-589-1006 • mohrph@mohrplumbing.com

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Fire Prevention

C4 Saturday, October 7, 2017

Morris Fire Department Rural areas have particular risks

The Stevens County Times

Travis Campbell

John Lembcke

From the National Fire Protection Association Rural communities face unique fire risks.

The distance between communities and between residents within those communities results in challenges related to fire. Fire death rates in rural areas are very high. Additionally, loss of property and livestock have an extreme emotional and economic impact on residents in the local area.

Common fire problems in rural areas

• Heating is a common cause of residential structure fires and deaths.

• Fixed heaters, including wood stoves, are involved in most rural residential heating fires.

• Damaged electrical equipment is often the source of fire in barns and other farm buildings.

• Many homes do not have working smoke alarms increasing risk of death in a fire.

Entry/Rescue 4 YEARS of FAMILY: Childrenservice Carson, Caleb SPONSORED BY:

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12 YEARS of service

OCCUPATION:

OCCUPATION: Assistant Technician, Stevens SWCD

SPONSORED BY:

Welder, Superior Industries

Photos of Morris firefighters by Amy E. Photography.

2nd Asst. Chief

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C.J. Fromm

Paul Preimesberger

Nathan Suess

Incident Reporter, Secretary

Entry/Rescue

Entry/Rescue

SPONSORED BY:

FAMILY:

3 YEARS of service

Wife - Stacey Children - Reagen, Alaina

FAMILY:

Wife - Brittany Children - Jacey, Lyndan

SPONSORED BY:

OCCUPATION: Owner, Met Lounge

OCCUPATION:

15 YEARS of service

FAMILY:

SPONSORED BY:

OCCUPATION:

Driver, UPS

Needham Plumbing, LLC

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10 YEARS of service

Children - Katlyn, Lindsey

Sales, Morris Lumber & Millwork; Owner, Pomme de Terre Seed & Sales 001640302r1

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Brent Bankord

Entry/Rescue

Entry/Rescue

Wife-Heidi Children-Kye, Abram, Maela

of service SPONSORED BY:

OCCUPATION: Morris Lumber & Millwork

FAMILY:

Children - Kyle

OCCUPATION:

Electrician, Bankord’s Electric LLC

Entry/Rescue 2 YEARS of service SPONSORED BY:

FAMILY:

Wife - Naomi Children - Ivan, Isaac, Izzy

OCCUPATION: Owner, Hoffman Construction, Inc.

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SPONSORED BY:

2 YEARS

FAMILY:

Eric Hoffman

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15 YEARS of service

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Neil Suess

Lord, Protect our Firefighters; Keep them safe each day and night.

Give them Courage & Strength, on each rescue & fire they fight.

Morris Coop www.morriscoop.com

STATION (Office & Shop) 320-589-4744

CENEX SOUTH AGRONOMY CENTER 320-589-4774

320-589-4749

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We salute & thank all our local and area Firefighters!

T hank you to all firefighters!

We appreciate everything you do.

Fire Prevention

The Stevens County Times

Saturday, October 7, 2017 C5

Building a culture centered on fire prevention Dave Dybdal Morris Fire Chief By the time you read this Morris Firefighters are working hard on our Fire Prevention Dave Dybdal Week agenda. By now we have already judged our Coloring Contest Posters from grades K-5, will be conducting school visits this week, conducting fire station tours and getting ready for this coming weeks events.

The Morris fire department takes a lead role in Fire Prevention Week Oct. 8-14 by hosting activities and events that will

entertain and educate our area public specifically, our children.

Fire Prevention Coordinator Darron Carr has been working hard organizing all the activities we have planned for the week. The goal is to raise awareness of key fire-safety issues and help residents prevent fires and fire injuries, especially at home.

History lesson: On Oct. 9, 1871, the Great Chicago fire burned for 27 hours, ultimately killing more than 250 people, leaving more than 100,000 people homeless, and destroying nearly 18,000 buildings.

On the 40th anniversary of the blaze, fire officials

from across the country sponsored the National Fire Prevention Day, advocating an annual observance about fire safety and education. In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation, and since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period during which Oct. 9 falls.

2017 theme: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) spearheads national Fire Prevention Week, which is Oct. 8-14 this year. The 2017 theme is “Every Second Counts

Plan 2 ways Out!” First things first, research the subject. Know why it is important to have two ways out of every room and what to do in the event of a fire so you are prepared.

Have a plan. Fires are terrifying and there’s little that will change that if you’re in one but having a well-rehearsed plan can help. Map out with your family the quickest escape path through your home from each room.

Remind kids to feel a door for warmth before they open it — a hot door means fire is close to the other side — and if any part of them catches fire,

“stop, drop and roll” is a thing because it works.

And never, under any circumstances, go back in for anything.

Do more than just own an extinguisher. Do you know how to use it?

Do your kids? A simple refresher through any one of the many available YouTube tutorials takes care of this. And pick a more strategic spot for it than behind the oven or out in the garage, where it helps no one.

Lastly, Don’t ignore the beep. If your smoke alarm’s battery is chirping like an annoying, intermittent bird, it’s time to change the bat-

tery. Smoke alarms will alert you to a weak, dying battery before it’s completely drained, giving you time to switch it out.

Having a detector on every level of your home, inside and outside bedrooms, and putting them through a quick test every month.

What was the Fire Prevention theme again for this year?

“Every Second Counts Plan 2 Ways Out!”…….

Let’s do it. Stay Safe!

Morris Fire Department Marty Flicek

Doug Storck

Ladder/Vent & Maintenance FAMILY: 6 YEARS Wife - Whitney - Austin, of service Children Ben

Ladder/Vent

RETIRED

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Rick Millard

OCCUPATION:

Wife - Candice Children - Hunter, Grace

SPONSORED BY:

Fabricator, Wilkens Industries, Inc.

Austin Schmidgall

Kevin Stallman

Chaplain

Entry/Rescue

Engineer at Superior Industries

12 YEARS

of service SPONSORED BY:

SPONSORED BY:

FAMILY:

Wife-Heather Children-Damon, Drew

OCCUPATION: Wilkens Industries, Inc./Fire Extinguisher Sales

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OCCUPATION:

SPONSORED BY:

OCCUPATION:

City of Morris

Coby Bruns

Entry/Rescue

FAMILY:

Wife-Amy Children-Gavin, Grady and Gunner

OCCUPATION: Quality Manager/ Weld Instructor, Superior Industries

9 YEARS of service SPONSORED BY:

FAMILY:

Wife - Jessica Children - Tony, Zach, Whitney

OCCUPATION: Driver, UPS

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Thank you for all of your service to the community!

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3 YEARS of service

35 YEARS of service

FAMILY:

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SPONSORED BY:

10 YEARS of service

205 HWy 9 SO. MORRIS www.valuford.com 001640327r1

Fire Prevention

C6 Saturday, October 7, 2017

The Stevens County Times

Chokio Fire Department

The Chokio fire department includes, front row, from left, Chief Tom Claassen, Dustin Anderson, Lucas DeNeui, Mark Gibson, Luke Claassen, Jerame VanEps, Ron Hawkinson, Brennan VanEps, Matt Dorweiler, (back, left to right) Gary Dierks, Leo Berlinger, Kirby Johnson, Rory Goehring, Dave Krugsrud, Aaron VanEps, Jake Daly, Brad Motz, and Doug Olson. LifeLink flight crew is also pictured but are not members of the fire department staff. Submitted photo

Cyrus Fire Department

The Cyrus Fire Department includes, front row, from left, retired firefighteres, Darrell Hansen, Donald Hansen, John Stellner, Allan Rutter, Dennis Bye, Keith Gades, Gordon Alfson, Roger Pieske, Jeff Pring, Steve Tollefson and Ellsworth Engebretson. Back from left, Al Lesmeister, Robert Huebner, Garrett Hubbard, Cody Nielsen, Brian Payne, Rick Gades, Jeff Anderson, Chief, Matt Huntley, Neil Rutter, Rollin Janssen, Tyler Berg, Joe Dalen, Ryan Gades, Bob Tirevold and Travis Thooft. Photo submitted.

Thank you to all area firefighters for all that you do!

Tools & Equipment, Sales, Service & Accessories

320-795-2221 cell: 320-287-2368

1200 PACIFIC AVE. MORRIS, 320-589-3700

710 Atlantic Ave. - Morris 320-589-3275 001487682r1 001487689r1

Meadowland Market

HOOTER’S LUMBER, INC.

Corner of 6th and Pacific

Morris • 585-5050

Monday - Friday: 9am-7pm Saturday: 9am-12pm Sunday: Closed 001487709r1

61904 Hwy. 28, Chokio

(320) 324-7171

106 W. Main St., Cyrus email:airtoolclinic@yahoo.com

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CONCRETE OF MORRIS

Air Tool Clinic

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Thank You Fire Departments

Fire Prevention

The Stevens County Times

Saturday, October 7, 2017 C7

Donnelly Fire Department

The Donnelly Fire Department includes, front row, from left, Crystal Henrichs, Sara Stallman, Karen VanHorn, Melanie VanHorn and Maynard Mau. Back, Shaun Knutson, Chad Smith, Pat Smith, Jeanne Ennen, Chiara Race, Jordan Grenson, Mike Lonnergan, Justin Stallman, Brad Searle. Photo submitted

Hancock Fire Department

The Hancock Fire Department includes (front, left to right) Mike Kratz, Ross Haugen(training officer), Scott VerSteeg, Kyle Rose (chief), Shawn Miller, Brent Evink (Asst. Chief), Bruce Schmidgall (President), Mark Mattson (treasure), (back, left to right) Ryan Schroeder, Allen Thiel (mechanic), Tony Feutchenberger (may have spelled that wrong), Casey Marzack (last name also may be spelled wrong), Chad Burnham, Mark Holleman, Erik Rinkenberger, Dustin Schmidgall (Asst. chief), Ted Schmidgall (training officer), John Boon (chaplin), Blake Hentgen, and not pictured Jesse Jensen (mechanic), Justin Flaten (Secretary), Jeff Flaten, Jeff Kisgen, Adam Hentgen, and Kevin Blair.

Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times

Donnelly Coop

Full Agronomy Services

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Mohr Plumbing and Heating supports the Hancock Fire Department

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Office- 320.589.3245 • Cell- 320.808.8257 Email- danderson@mnfuia.com 10 East 6th Street, Suite 105

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Debbie Anderson - Agent

Office 246-3555 Shop 246-3558 Crop Consultant 246-3557 Fertilizer 246-3556

412 Atlantic Avenue, Donnelly, MN

570 6th St. - Hancock 320-392-5278 www.comdevbank.com 001640175r1

CITY OF HANCOCK PO Box 168 320-392-5285

Fire Prevention

C8 Saturday, October 7, 2017

The Stevens County Times

COOKING FIRES KEEP DEPARTMENTS BUSY From the National Fire Protection Association

In 2010-2014, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 166,100 home structure fires that involved cooking equipment per year. These fires caused an average of 480 civilian fire deaths, 5,540 civilian fire injuries, and $1.1 billion in direct property damage.

Cooking by the numbers (Based on 2010-2014 annual averages) Two-thirds (66 percent) of home cooking fires started with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.

Clothing was the item first ignited in less than 1 percent of these fires, but these incidents accounted for 18 percent of the cooking fire deaths.

Ranges accounted for the largest share (62 percent) of home cooking fire incidents. Ovens accounted for 16 percent.

More than half (55 percent) of reported nonfatal home cooking fire injuries occurred when the victims tried to fight the fire themselves.

Check smoke alarms in the home From the National Fire Protection Association

Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast.

Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.

• A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area.

Install alarms on every

level of the home. Install alarms in the basement.

Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound.

• Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.

• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds they all sound.

• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month.

Press the test button to be

sure the alarm is working.

• There are two kinds of alarms. Ionization smoke alarms are quicker to warn about flaming fires.

Photoelectric alarms are quicker to warn about smoldering fires. It is best to use of both types of alarms in the home.

• A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false

alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.

• People who are hardof-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.

• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

• Smoke alarms are an important part of a home fire escape plan.

Monday, October 9, 5 to 8 PM

Look for the Morris Fire Prevention

POSTER WINNERS in the Oct. 7 Stevens County Times