Survive Alive/Safety Village Open House

On Saturday, October 15, 2011, the Fort Wayne Fire Department hosted an open house at the Survive Alive House and Safety Village (1275 S. Phoenix Parkway). Beginning at noon the public toured the facility while learning valuable fire safety and prevention tips. 

The Survive Alive House is a full-size two-story residential structure situated in a mock town (Safety Village) and is equipped with state of the art special effects to simulate a real house fire. The special effects include flashing strobe lighting to simulate fire burning; a bedroom door equipped with coils inside the door which can heated via pumped in water to simulate a door becoming hot because of fire; sound effects of an actual fire burning and non-toxic "smoke" from a fog machine which permeates a portion of the house. Guests actively engage in this fire prevention program that includes a hands-on approach to fire safety by teaching evacuation procedures and the proper way of calling 911.

Beginning at approximately 2 p.m. the special side by side burn demonstration  dramatically displayed the valuable life-saving capabilities of residential fire sprinkler systems. The demonstration trailer is equipped with two rooms. One room is equipped with sprinklers, the other is not. Both are set ablaze. Guests see first-hand the speed and destruction of fire, but the outcome is dramatically different in the rooms with sprinklers. 

Saturday's events wrapped-up the week long efforts by the Fort Wayne Fire Department recognizing the 89th annual National Fire Safety Week, October 9-15.  Other FWFD fire prevention initiatives this week included "Neighborhood Smoke Alarm Blitzes" and the annual citywide WOWO Fire Drill.

FWFD Promotes Two

The Fort Wayne Fire Department (FWFD) promoted two members Monday, September 12, 2011. The swearing-in was held at 10 a.m. at Citizens Square.

Captain Jeff Berning, a sixteen-year veteran with the Fort Wayne Fire Department, was promoted to Battalion Chief. Lieutenant Craig Mueller, a ten-year veteran with the department, was promoted to Captain.

Pictured left to right:  Captain Craig Mueller, Fire Chief Peter X. Kelly and Battalion Chief Jeff Berning.

Holiday Safety Tips

Holiday Fire Safety and Prevention Tips

• When most people think about the holidays, family festivities and good cheer likely come to mind. What few of us consider is that the holidays also present an increased risk of home fires.

• Home fires during the holiday season often involve cooking, Christmas trees, candles and holiday decorations.

• By taking some preventive steps and following simple rules of thumb, most home fires can be prevented during the holidays and beyond.

• Unattended cooking is the leading cause of U.S. home fires and home fire injuries, with most cooking fires involving the stovetop.

• Stay in the kitchen while you’re frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food. Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stovetop, and turn it off when you leave the kitchen, even if it’s for a short period of time.

• If you’re simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.

• Create a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food and drinks are prepared or carried.

• If you have a cooking fire, just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. Call 911 or the local      emergency number immediately after you leave.

• If you do try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and that you have access to an exit.

• Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Slide the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

• Candles are widely used in homes throughout the holidays; December is the peak month for home candle fires.

• More than half of all candle fires start because the candles had been too close to things that could catch fire.

• When burning candles, keep them at least 12” away from anything that can burn, and remember to blow them out when you leave the room or go to bed.

• Use candle holders that are sturdy, won’t tip over and are placed on uncluttered surfaces. Avoid using candles in the bedroom, where more than one third of home candle fires begin, or other areas where people may fall asleep.

• Never leave a child or pet alone in a room with a burning candle.

• Consider using flameless candles, which look and smell like real candles.

• U.S. fire departments annually respond to an average of 210 home structure fires caused by Christmas trees per year. Three of every ten are caused by electrical problems, and one in four result from a heat source that’s too close to the tree.

• If you have an artificial tree, be sure it’s labeled, certified or identified by the manufacturer as fire-retardant. If you choose a fresh tree, make sure the green needles don’t fall off when touched; before placing it in the stand, cut 2” from the base of the trunk. Add water to the tree stand, and be sure to water it daily.

• Make sure your tree is not blocking an exit, and is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, space heaters, radiators, candles and heat vents or lights.

• Use lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory, and make sure you know whether they are designed for indoor or outdoor use. Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords, or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.

• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.

• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving the home or going to bed.

• After Christmas, get rid of the tree. Dried-out trees are a fire hazard and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside the home.

• Please see the Allen County Solid Waste Management District website at www.acwaste or call 260-449-7878 for the Christmas Tree Recycling Program

• Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.

Visit www.nfpa.org/holiday for more information and safety tips.