Fire
Prevention
Week
O C T O B E R 7 - 13 , 2 018
Submitted Photo
A S A LU T E T O T H E VO LU N T E E R F I R E D E PA RT M E N T S I N C H O K I O , C Y R U S , D O N N E L LY, H A N C O C K A N D M O R R I S
Submitted Photos
Fire Prevention
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FACTS AND FIGURES WE ALL SHOULD KNOW
On Oct. 9, 1871, a conflagration occurred in the United States known as the great Chicago Fire. It
lasted for 27 hours, killed more than 250 people, left more than 100,000 people homeless and destroyed nearly 18,000 buildings. In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation. Since 1922, National Fire Prevention Week has been observed Sunday through Saturday of the week in which Oct 9. Falls. Fire Prevention Week is the longest-running public safety awareness campaign in U. S. history. For most of those years, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has spearheaded Fire Prevention Week with a theme and a poster. This year, Fire Prevention Week is Oct 7th-13th. The theme is LOOK. LISTEN. LEARN. Be aware Fire Can Happen Anywhere.
Dwain Schmidt
FIRE CHIEF
Vent/Ladder
23 YEARS of service
FAMILY:
Wife - Lisa Children Deven, Shelby
18 YEARS of service
FAMILY:
SPONSORED BY:
OCCUPATION:
SPONSORED BY:
OCCUPATION:
AWS/ASME CWE Weld Instructor/ Consultant at Superior Industries
Wife: Kari Children Jordan and Dalton MNDoT Mechanic
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Nathan Suess
Neil Suess
Matt Solemsaas
Entry/Rescue
ENTRY/RESCUE
1st. Asst. Chief
FAMILY:
SPONSORED BY:
Morris Lumber & Millwork
16 YEARS of service
Children Katlyn, Lindsey
OCCUPATION:
SPONSORED BY:
Wife - Heidi Children Kye, Abram and Maela
SPONSORED BY:
OCCUPATION: Morris Lumber & Millwork
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16 YEARS of service
FAMILY:
FAMILY:
Wife - Angie Children - Abigail, Andrew, Annika, AbbyJo & Nicholas
OCCUPATION: Administrator at Stevens Soil & Water Conservation District
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16 YEARS of service
Dustin Thymian
Cory Marquart
Kevin Stallman
TRUCK ENGINEER
ENTRY/RESCUE CAPTAIN
ENTRY/RESCUE
Wife - Kellie Children - Raylie
OCCUPATION:
HVAC-R Technician at McGinnis Appliance
12 YEARS of service
FAMILY:
Wife - Tammy Children Jaedyn and Josie
12 YEARS of service
SPONSORED BY:
OCCUPATION:
SPONSORED BY:
Engineer at West Central Research & Outreach Center
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SPONSORED BY:
FAMILY:
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13 YEARS of service
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By Morris Fire Chief Dave Dybdal he Morris Fire Department takes a lead role in Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13, 2018 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.
Dave Dybdal
FAMILY:
Wife - Amy Children Gavin, Grady, & Gunner
OCCUPATION: WestMor Industries
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FIRE PREVENTION WEEK 2018
The Stevens County Times
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C2 Saturday, October 6, 2018
PLEASE THANK ALL THE FIRE FIGHTERS WHO SO GENEROUSLY VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME.
Thanks
FIREFIGHTERS!
Heating & Cooling
(320) 589-3933 001783292r1
Morris, MN
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601 Atlantic Ave, Morris
Fire Prevention
The Stevens County Times
FIRE’S COSTLY IMPACT
John Lembcke
Jon Anderson
2nd Asst. Chief
LADDER CAPTAIN
12 YEARS of service
11 YEARS of service
OCCUPATION:
Assistant Technician, Stevens SWCD
SPONSORED BY:
SPONSORED BY:
FAMILY: Wife: Heidi
OCCUPATION: Carpenter at University of Minnesota Morris Facilities Management
C.J. Fromm
Marty Flicek
Peter Hentges
SECRETARY/INCIDENT REPORTER
Vent/Ladder
Truck Captain
Wife - Stacey Children Reagen and Alaina
11 YEARS of service
OCCUPATION:
SPONSORED BY:
Owner of The Met Lounge
11 YEARS of service
FAMILY:
Wife - Candice Children - Hunter, Grace
SPONSORED BY:
OCCUPATION:
Fabricator at Wilkens
FAMILY:
Wife: Amber Children: Braelyn, Kynlee and Messer
OCCUPATION: Jerry’s U-Save
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SPONSORED BY:
FAMILY:
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11 YEARS of service
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Last year ended on a particularly tragic note when four people — 4- and 9-year-old cousins and their grandparents — died Dec. 26 in a Hibbing MN house fire. The leading cause of fatal fires last year in Minnesota was careless smoking (nine deaths), followed by combustibles too close a heat source (four), according to preliminary data. There were 19 deaths in which the fire’s cause was undetermined. As Firefighters we continuously respond to disasters at all levels of severity that could have been easily been prevented, and limited if a solid sense of knowledge and training in prevention, protection, mitigation and response are in place. This is where the fire department is in the best position to take on an increasing role in providing a daily value of efficient and effective community protection.
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innesota set a dreadful record last year. Fire Deaths Jump to Highest Level since 1995. More people died in fires last year in Minnesota than in any year since 1995, according to preliminary numbers released by the Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal Division (DPS-SFMD). 68 people died in fires in 2017, a 58 percent increase. The last time more than 60 people died in fires in Minnesota was in 1995, when 86 people died. An alarming statistic: The number of people over age 60 killed in fires jumped from 16 in 2016 to 35 last year—a 119 percent increase. The lowest number of fire fatalities on record was 35 in 2009; the highest was 134 in 1976. Fire death numbers become final once Minnesota hospital officials report their information to the Minnesota Department of Public Health in the spring.
Saturday, October 6, 2018 C3
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Justin Howe
Coby Bruns
Rick Millard
TRAINING OFFICER
Entry/Rescue
BUILDING/LADDER/VENT MAINTENANCE
Wife - Kelly Children Nate and Kayla
OCCUPATION: MNDoT
10 YEARS of service
FAMILY:
Wife: Jess Children: Tony, Zach, and Whitney
6 YEARS of service
FAMILY:
SPONSORED BY:
OCCUPATION:
SPONSORED BY:
OCCUPATION:
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Mohr Plumbing and Heating Salutes the Area Fire Fighters
MOHR Plumbing and Heating
Wife: Whitney Children: Austin & Ben City of Morris
UPS driver 001783549r1
SPONSORED BY:
FAMILY:
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11 YEARS of service
46400 St. Hwy. 28 Morris, MN 56267 of Morris, Inc.
320-589-1006 • www.mohrplumbing.com
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the o t u o Y k Than or f s n w o t g n followi service your
kio, Morris, Cholly, and ne Cyrus, Doncock. Han You!!! e t u l a s e W 001319029r1
Fire Prevention
C4 Saturday, October 6, 2018
CONTINUED From Page C3
PREVENTING FIRE DEATHS Last year’s increase is concerning, because most fire deaths are preventable. “Fire is deadly, plain and simple,” If people don’t take the dangers of fire seriously and work to prevent a fire in their home, they
The Stevens County Times
could find themselves or their loved ones victims of the next tragedy.” It is difficult to pinpoint a reason for the spike in fire deaths. We urge Minnesotans to make fire prevention in their homes a top priority along with creating a family escape plan and practicing it twice a year.
FIRE PREVENTION TIPS
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innesotans can keep themselves and their family’s safe by following these fire prevention and safety tips.
SMOKING
on the stovetop unattended; stay and look while you cook. • Keep items like oven mitts, aprons and paper towels 3 feet from heat sources in the kitchen.
• If you smoke, smoke outside and extinguish cigarettes in a sturdy ashtray filled with sand HEATING or water. • Keep space heaters • Do not discard cigarettes three feet from anything in potted plants, combustible. leaves, mulch or other • Do not leave space vegetation. heaters unattended • Do not smoke while on oxygen. Turn them off while you’re sleeping. COOKING • Never leave food cooking • Plug space heaters
directly into the wall, not alarms monthly; change an extension cord or the batteries at least power strip. once a year. • Have your furnace and • Fire doubles in size chimney inspected every 60 seconds; a annually. smoke alarm can give you OPEN FLAMES the time you need to • Keep candles at least escape. three feet from anything • Install smoke alarms that can burn and never leave a candle in bedrooms, outside unattended. sleeping areas and on • Use flameless candles every level of instead of real candles. the home. SMOKE/CARBON CO alarms should be MONOXIDE (CO) installed within 10 feet of each sleeping room or ALARMS • Test your smoke and CO inside each sleeping room. Submitted Photo
Jeremiah Day
Travis Campbell
Mark Nemmers
Pump Operator/Engineer
Entry/Rescue
Entry/Rescue
6 YEARS of service
WIFE: Elisa CHILDREN: Elizebeth and Liam
5 YEARS of service
SPONSORED BY:
City of Morris
SPONSORED BY:
Children Carson, Caleb
OCCUPATION:
OCCUPATION: Welder at
Superior Industries
SPONSORED BY:
Welder at Superior Industries 001783488r1
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OCCUPATION:
5 YEARS of service
FAMILY:
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Adam Schmidgall
Paul Preimesberger
Darron Carr
Truck Maintenance Engineer
Entry/Rescue
FIRE PREVENTION COORDINATOR
FAMILY:
SPONSORED BY:
City of Morris water employee
FAMILY:
Wife - Brittany Children Jacey, Lyndan
4 YEARS of service
FAMILY:
SPONSORED BY:
OCCUPATION:
SPONSORED BY:
OCCUPATION:
UPS Driver 001783575r1
OCCUPATION:
4 YEARS of service
Plumbing, LLC
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Needham
Wife: Kayla Children: Zoey
Lord, Protect our Firefighters; Keep them safe each day and night. Give them Courage & Strength, on each rescue & fire they fight. We salute & thank all our local and area Firefighters!
Morris Coop STATION (Office & Shop) 320-589-4744
CENEX SOUTH 320-589-4774
AGRONOMY CENTER 320-589-4749
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www.morriscoop.com
Wife - Michelle Children Trevyn and Lauryn Sales Engineer at RE Purvis & Associates
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5 YEARS of service
Fire Prevention
The Stevens County Times
Saturday, October 6, 2018 C5
HEATING SAFETY
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here is something about the winter months and curling up with a good book by the fireplace. But did you know that heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths? With a few simple safety tips and precautions you can prevent most heating fires from happening.
BE WARM AND SAFE THIS WINTER!
• Keep anything that can burn at least three-feet (one metre) away from heating equipment,
like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater. • Have a three-foot (one metre) “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters. • Never use your oven to heat your home. • Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions. • Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
HEATING EQUIPMENT SMARTS
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed. • Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters. • Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home. • Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
Install wood burning stoves following manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation. All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Install and maintain CO alarms to avoid the risk of CO poisoning. If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave the home immediately and call your local fire department or gas company.
FACTS •Half of home heating fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February. • Learn more at: nfpa.org/education
Brent Bankord
Austin Schmidgall
CHAPLAIN 4 YEARS of service
Eric Hoffman
Entry/Rescue
Entry/Rescue
OCCUPATION:
3 YEARS of service
Engineer at Superior Industries
SPONSORED BY:
Children: Kyle
OCCUPATION: Owner of Bankords Electric LLC
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SPONSORED BY:
FAMILY:
3 YEARS of service
FAMILY:
SPONSORED BY:
OCCUPATION:
Owner, Hoffman Construction
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Jacob Kent
Andrew Banta
Jason Young
Entry/Rescue
Entry/Rescue
Entry/Rescue
2 YEARS of service
OCCUPATION: DENCO II
SPONSORED BY:
4 YEARS of service
FAMILY:
Wife - Christine Children: Miles and Alexander
2 YEARS of service
FAMILY:
SPONSORED BY:
OCCUPATION:
SPONSORED BY:
Transport Driver at Jerry’s U-Save
Shop Manager at Jerry’s U-Save 001783532r1
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Thank you! Thank you fire fighters for your bravery and courage. 001781632r1
Wife: Naomi Children: Ian, Izzy and Isaac
Wife: Jessica Children: Lilly and Ali
OCCUPATION:
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Fire Prevention
C6 Saturday, October 6, 2018
The Stevens County Times
Submitted photo
The members of the Cyrus fire department include: (Front, left) Jamie Thompson, Tyler VanEps, 1st Asst. Chief Al Lesmeister, Chief Jeff Anderson, 2nd Asst. Chief Brian Payne, Nicholas Boots, Travis Thooft, (back, left) Cody Nielsen, Tyler Berg, Robert Huebner, Elliot Richards, Matt Huntley, Bob Tirevold, Garrett Hubbard, Gary Ness and not pictured Lee Krusemark, Chris Charles, Rollin Janssen, Joseph Dalen, and Cole Kannegiesser.
Submitted photo
Chokio Fire Department pictured above: (Front, l-r) Brennan Van Eps, Jeremy Van Eps, Aaron Van Eps, Wyatt Ehrp, Tom Claassen; (Second row) Ron Hawkinson, Gary Dierks, Kirby Johnson, Dave Krogsrud, Luke Claassen, Leo Berlinger, Austin Dierks, Lucas deNeui, Brad Motz; (Back) Tom Schott, Dustin Anderson, Matt Dorweiler. Not pictured: Mark Gibson and Rory Goehring
Tri-County Co-op
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HOOTER’S LUMBER, INC.
320.324.7175
Graceville • Dumont • Chokio • Wheaton
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201 5th Street • Chokio
61904 Hwy. 28, Chokio
(320) 324-7171
FACTS • A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire. • Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level. Smoke alarms should be connected so when one sounds, they all sound. Most homes do not have this level of protection. • Roughly 3 out of 5 fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. • Learn more at: nfpa.org/education
Thank you to all area firefighters for all that you do!
CONCRETE OF MORRIS
1200 PACIFIC AVE. MORRIS, 320-589-3700
Debbie Anderson - Agent
Office- 320.589.3245 • Cell- 320.808.8257 Email- danderson@mnfuia.com 10 East 6th Street, Suite 105
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Thank You Fire Departments
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710 Atlantic Ave. - Morris 320-589-3275
Fire Prevention
The Stevens County Times
Saturday, October 6, 2018 C7
Submitted photo
The Donnelly fire department includes (front, left to right) Brad Searle, Crystal Searle, Jeremy Anderson, Jeff Stallman, Sara Stallman, Melanie Van Horn, Howard Hennen, Maynard Mau, and Jeff Stallman, (Back, left to right) Fritz Spohr, Timothy Uphoff, Chad Smith, Patrick Uphoff, Mike Lonnergan, Jeanne Ennen, Pat Smith, Chiara Race, Doug Cardwell.
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ooking brings family and friends together, provides an outlet for creativity and can be relaxing. But did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries? By following a few safety tips you can prevent these fires.
COOK WITH CAUTION
• Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop. • Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. • If you are simmering, baking,
or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking. • Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.
completely cooled. • For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT ABOUT FIGHTING A SMALL FIRE... • Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. • Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from outside the home.
IF YOU HAVE A SMALL (GREASE) COOKING FIRE AND DECIDE TO FIGHT COOKING AND KIDS THE FIRE... •
On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is
Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet (1 metre) around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
• The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. • Most cooking fires in the home involve the kitchen stove. • Learn more at: nfpa.org/education
Donnelly Coop
Full Agronomy Services
Office 246-3555 Shop 246-3558 Crop Consultant 246-3557 Fertilizer 246-3556
412 Atlantic Avenue, Donnelly, MN
Monday, October 8, 4 to 8 PM
Once again this year, our Morris Fire Profes sionals and your Morris Pizz a Ranch, team up together for Fire Prevention for Kid s. We will have fire personnel delivering the goods in a fire tr uck within the city limits of Morris to raise money for this year’s event. Call early to schedule your delivery as w e will have 4 or 5 teams out de livering.
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589-2102
2 Call 589-210 ur and place yo ! y a d n o M r e d r o
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.
7 East 5th Street, Morris (320)589-2102
520 Atlantic Ave., Morris www.homeland.vlending.com 589-0070 001780741r1
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COOKING SAFETY
FACTS
Fire Prevention
C8 Saturday, October 6, 2018
The Stevens County Times
Brooke Kern / Stevens County Times
The Hancock Fire department includes: (Front, left to right) Bruce Schmidgall, Ryan Schroeder, Scott Ver Steeg, Ted Schmidgall, Justin Flaten, Jeff Kisgen, Kyle Rose, Brent Evink, John Boon, Adam Hengtgen, Dustin Schmidgall, Shawn Miller, Casey Marczak, Blake Hengtgen, Kevin Blair, Mike Kratz, (back, left to right) Al Thiel, Jeff Flaten, Mark Holleman, and Eric Rinkenburger. Missing: Chad Burnham, Mark Mattson, Ross Haugen, Jesse Jensen, Tony Feuchtenberger
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Look for the Morris Fire Prevention POSTER WINNERS in the October 20th, 2018 Stevens County Times 001781960r1
• Feed • Grain • Milling
THANK YOU
FIREFIGHTERS!
Independent Farmers Agricultural Services, LLC
PO Box 68 320-392-5285
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Now Offering Transportation
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Mohr Plumbing and Heating supports the Hancock Fire Department
24913 Cty Rd 1, Hancock • www.ifasmn.com (320) 392-5927 • 877-303-3587
Meadowland Market 001487508r1
570 6th St. - Hancock 320-392-5278 www.comdevbank.com
CITY OF HANCOCK
Corner of 6th and Pacific
Morris • 585-5050 Monday - Friday: 9am-7pm Saturday: 9am-12pm Sunday: Closed
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The Stevens County Times would like to thank the volunteers fire fighters from Chokio, Cyrus, Donnelly, Hancock and Morris and their families for the commitment to keeping us all safe.
Respect Electricity
Electrical malfunctions can cause fires. Electrical work should only be done by a qualified electrician.
(320) 392-5496
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We are passionate about ensuring that your home and business are wired safely!
stevenscountytimes.com