The HCVFEMSA Training Committee, Harford County Emergency Operations, and our member companies are hosting several seminars and classes in the upcoming months.. Please see the "TRAINING" page for additional information on these classes and registration information. 

As we continue through the winter holiday seasons, Christmas Tree Fire Safety becomes one of the primary topics that your Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association member companies need to discuss with our communities. U.S. fire departments annually respond to several hundred structure fires caused by Christmas trees. Nearly half of them are caused by electrical problems, and one in four resulted from a heat source that’s too close to the tree. You can help to insure a fire safe Christmas in your home by using only Christmas tree lights that carry the label of an independent testing laboratory, and make sure you know whether they are designed for indoor or outdoor use. Replace any string of lights that have worn or broken cords, or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini-string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.. Always turn off or unplug the lights before leaving home or going to bed. Never  use lit candles to decorate a 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 1-2” 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. 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. Check with your refuse hauler or local municipality as to the proper procedures for pick up and disposal of your tree.

By taking these preventative steps and following simple rules of thumb, most home fires can be prevented during the holidays and beyond. For further information on Christmas Tree fire safety, and other winter and holiday fire safety topics contact your nearest Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association Company or go to www.nfpa.org/holiday.

As we enter our winter season experiencing cold weather and the potential for snowy days, the member companies of the Harford County Volunteer Fire & EMS Association remind everyone to follow these important safety tips to avoid fires or burn injuries.

Smoke Detectors - Install a smoke alarm on at least every level of the home or building, preferably in every room. Test your smoke alarm batteries every month and change the batteries at least once a year. New technology has greatly improved smoke alarms and detectors for home use. Smoke detectors have shown to have a useful life of ten years. Now detectors are on the market with a long-life (10 year) battery sealed in the unit. As the useful life of the detector expires, the homeowner simply discards the old detector and installs a new unit. The only maintenance is a monthly test of the unit. Also, for older homes without hardwired detectors there are now wireless interconnected detectors available. When multiple detectors of this type are installed in the home remote areas can be protected. When one detector activates they will all sound an alarm. Also consider installing, and check for local laws requiring Carbon Monoxide Alarms in your home.
 

Alternate Home Heating - Never use a range or oven to heat a home or building. These appliances are not designed for long term or continuous use. In addition, toxic carbon monoxide gas can be produced by these devices. Space heater use must be monitored at all times.  Never leave an operating space heater unattended. Be sure to allow at least three feet of clear space all the way around the heater so that combustible items do not ignite.  Make sure the space heater has an emergency shut-off in case it tips over.  Follow all manufacturers guidelines especially in the use of the recommended fuel for any space heater.  Never refuel the space heater indoors. Always refuel them away from the house and never refill it while it is operating or still hot. Electric space heaters must be connected directly to a wall receptacle. Never use extension cords or any type of multi-plug outlet for these devices. 

Make sure wood stoves are properly installed and away from combustible surfaces.  They need to have proper floor support and adequate ventilation.  Never use flammable liquids (such as gasoline) to start or accelerate the fire. Make sure that your chimney is professionally inspected annually and cleaned if necessary. The use of a glass or metal screen in front of a fireplace to prevent sparks from igniting carpets or furniture nearby is essential. Dispose of hot ashes in metal containers placed away from the house or building. Never use a combustible container (e.g.- paper bag, cardboard box, or plastic pail) to dispose of the ashes, no matter how long after the fireplace or stove has been used. And never place the ashes or their container on a deck or in your garage. 
 

Additional Tips -  Be sure to keep the fire hydrant near a home or business clear of snow for easy access by firefighters. This can save precious moments during an emergency after the snow plows have been through your neighborhood. Practice your family Exit Drills In The Home. The family meeting place you selected in good weather may not be accessible after a snow event. Also remember when clearing snow, to clear a path from all the exits from your home.

These are just a few safety reminders for everyone to follow to help stay safe and warm during cold weather. For additional information contact your nearest Harford County Volunteer Fire & EMS Company.

 

Reprinted with permission of the author:

Over a month into fiscal year 2012, on July 20,2011, when none of the fire companies in Harford County had received the County allotment approved by the County Council, the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association polled the County Government to determine when funds would be released. The Association Treasurer was told that the County was modifying their financial interface with the fire companies and information would be forthcoming. 

The County told the Association that they would meet with the Association leadership on August 11 to roll out the new plan. At that meeting the leadership was presented with a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that set several new conditions on companies and defined distribution of funding on a quarterly basis. The Association leadership agreed, in principle to County’s plan, even though it was contrary to the Harford County Code Chapter 1, Article III, §1-33. The County told the leadership, that as an act of good faith, they would release the first quarter funding but would release no further funding until the MOA’s were signed.
 
The Association and its member companies reviewed the document and requested clarification of vague verbiage in the document as well as correction of several errors. The Association also requested that all companies sign a single document so the individual companies would not negotiate unique MOA’s with the County government. 
 
On August 24, the companies and the Association leadership met with the County Executive and his staff to discuss the issues. The County Executive supported the majority of the changes requested by the fire service.
 
On September 7, four weeks later, the County Attorney e-mailed the Association’s member companies MOA’s that still contained many of the vagaries and errors of the original document. The fire service immediately sent back numerous comments to the County. 
 
On September 23 the County Attorney sent out an e-mail to the companies stating “Here is the MOA with the final tweaks we are prepared to make.” The message also stated that if the companies did not sign the MOA by October 7, their second quarter funding would be withheld. This MOA version still did not meet the agreements made with the County Executive at the August 24th meeting.
 
On October 7th the Association leadership met with the County Executive in an attempt to resolve this issue.   On October 11th the County issued a final MOA to each company that finally addressed the majority of our concerns and the County’s attorney who created this final MOA commented that Association’s input made this a more stringent document than County’s original draft.   In mid-October the Association finally received assurance from Harford County that every company would sign an MOA with exactly the same requirements.
 
The Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association and its member companies are proud that we provide timely, effective fire and EMS services at one the lowest per capita cost of any metropolitan county in Maryland. According to the “fire study” that was released earlier this year it would cost Harford County taxpayers an estimated $68 million a year to maintain a career type of fire/EMS service within the county.
 
Recent newspaper articles, especially a cartoon parody and an editorial, concerning this MOA have implied in a disparaging fashion that the volunteer fire system in Harford County has had something to hide by not immediately signing the MOA. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. These stories and editorials send a confusing message to the citizens of Harford County that we have sworn to uphold, protect, and serve. The fire and EMS companies in Harford County want you to know that the safety and protection of you and your family come first to us before any administrative or operational issues that we may be faced with.
 
In many cases the reasons the MOA was not immediately signed and returned was that the contents of the agreement were being reviewed by Association and individual fire company attorneys to help understand and clarify the requirements, and as previously discussed; to negotiate items the Association felt important. This is a practice done with every legal document and contract that comes through the Association or local fire companies’ business offices. No one enters into a legal agreement blindly without taking time to learn its contents and effects on the signees. It is no different than a private citizen or local business that enters into a legal agreement with another entity and is basic common sense business practice. By not taking time to analyze this, or any, document would be negligent and poor fiduciary responsibility by these corporations, their Board of Directors, Officers and general membership. As this document was reviewed by these attorneys it was determined that many of the requirements were items that were already being done by each of the volunteer corporations.
 
Over the past 25 or more years the Association’s companies, without county prompting, have remained financially prudent with funds provided by Harford County, funds donated by the citizens and funds raised by other sources such as EMS billing. For each of the approximate past 15 years each volunteer fire company in Harford County has submitted a complete audit of their finances, conducted by an independent auditor, to the County government. In addition, each year each company files an IRS Form 990 which is publicly available and each company has maintained bonding or insurance for personnel who handle significant company finances. 
 
I hope this has provided some insight as to our side of the story, the story that is never printed.
Rich Gardiner, PIO

HCVFEMSA

As we enter the holiday season fire safety around the home becomes a very important subject. Not only are we into the home heating season, but there is more cooking and entertaining taking place in our homes than at any other time of the year. Each of these activities brings with it an increased risk of fire and burn injury hazards. To begin our series of holiday fire safety tips, please click on the link provided to review the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) fact sheet on the use of gas-fueled oil filled turkey fryers. These appliances can create a dangerous fire and burn injury hazard when used improperly. Read the attached information and make an informed decision prior to using this type of device. Also remember that any propane , charcoal, or other open flame cooking device is not permitted on a deck, balcony, or porch of a multi-family dwelling (townhouse, apartment, condo, etc) in Harford County. Also, all open flame cooking devices should be at least 15 feet from any part of the dwelling, deck, sheds, etc. when in use. Your Harford County Volunteer Fire & EMS Association member companies wish you a very safe and happy holiday season. Please check this website during the holidays for updated safety messages.

 

“It’s Fire Prevention Week. Protect Your Family from Fire!”
 
This year, our Fire Prevention Week campaign is all about keeping you, your family, and our communities safe from fire. You'll find all of the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS companies holding events to provide educational material and information on the leading causes of home fires, information about protecting your home and families with life-saving technologies such as smoke alarms and residential sprinklers, and the importance of home escape planning.
 
Why do we observe fire safety events at this time each year? Fire Prevention Week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire. On the 40th anniversary (in 1911) of the Great Chicago Fire, the Fire Marshals Association of North America (FMANA); the oldest membership section of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), sponsored the first National Fire Prevention Day, deciding to observe the anniversary as a way to keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention. We continue to show the importance of fire safety and education in our communities as this time of year we see the greatest increase in home fires. This is due to several reasons. The start of the home heating season, the many holiday celebrations we are about to embark on with the related home decorations and additional cooking that takes place are just a few of the causes for this seasonal increase in home fires.    
 
The Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association along with the Office of the State Fire Marshal is taking an active role in supporting community activities and events that will inform and educate the public. We hope that the awareness of key fire safety issues will help our citizens to prevent fires and fire injuries, in particular, those that may impact their own home.
 
“If there is a fire in your home, you may have only minutes to escape. Having working smoke alarms and a well-practiced home escape plan are crucial so that everyone knows exactly what to do if a fire occurs,” says State Fire Marshal William E. Barnard. “Taking the time to plan for your family’s safety and well-being can make the difference should a fire emergency occur.”
 
The National Fire Protection Association selected the 2011 Fire Prevention Week theme in order to highlight a serious concern for safety. Fires in the home take a great toll on life and property each year. During the five-year-period from 2005-2009, NFPA estimates that U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 373,900 reported home structure fires per year. These fires caused an estimated average of 2,650 civilian deaths, 12,890 civilian injuries, and $7.1 billion in direct property damage per year. Smoking materials remain the leading cause of home fire deaths, while cooking equipment is the leading cause of home structure fires and home fire injuries.
 


 
The theme, “It’s Fire Prevention Week. Protect Your Family from Fire!” is a safety message urging you to plan and prepare for fire emergencies. Here are a few tips to follow:
 
• Develop a fire escape plan that identifies two ways out of each room of your home and designate a family meeting place outside.
• Practice your plan at least twice a year.
• If your smoke alarm sounds: Go to the closest exit, and if you encounter smoke on your way out, turn around and use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit.
 
Did you know there are two types of smoke sensing technologies available in smoke alarms? An ionization smoke alarm responds more quickly to flaming fires, whereas, a photoelectric smoke alarm responds more quickly to smoldering fires. Ionization alarms are more likely to alert due to cooking than photoelectric alarms. It is recommended to have both types of smoke alarms or dual sensor type alarms in your home.
Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, outside sleeping areas and inside each bedroom. Interconnected smoke alarms are highly recommended because when one smoke alarm activates, all of them will. A licensed electrician should install hard wired smoke alarm systems. However, you should be aware that with new technology, we now have the option of wirelessly interconnected smoke alarms that can be easily installed by the homeowner.
Test all smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button. Replace batteries at least once a year and replace the entire smoke alarm every ten years.
Smoke alarms are also available for individuals that are hearing impaired. Visual smoke alarms which have a bright strobe light that flashes while sounding an alarm are now available. These units can also be enhanced with notification appliances that shake pillows and beds.
You should consider purchasing a carbon monoxide alarm if you live in a home that has liquid-fueled space heaters, an attached garage, gas appliances, oil heat, a wood stove and/or fireplace. Carbon monoxide detectors should be located on every floor of the home.
 
Come out and visit your local Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS company’s Fire Prevention Week Open House event. Meet the men and women that protect you and your family 24 hours a day, 7 days a week VOLUNTEERING their time to safeguard your community! See the equipment that is used by our firefighters and emergency medical service providers in the daily course of emergency responses.  Several of the events that are scheduled are listed below:
 
October 8th              10 AM – 4 PM         Whiteford Volunteer Fire Company
 
October 9th              11 AM – 3 PM         Jarrettsville Volunteer Fire Company
 
October 9th              9 AM – Noon           Darlington Volunteer Fire Company
 
October 9th              10 AM – 3 PM         Fallston Volunteer Fire & Ambulance Co.
 
October 15th            11 AM – 3 PM         Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company
 
October 23rd            Noon – 4 PM            Abingdon Fire Company
 
For further information on these events contact the Volunteer Fire and EMS Company listed.
 
Don’t forget….“It’s Fire Prevention Week. Protect Your Family from Fire!”

The Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association Training Committee invites you attend a dynamic, educational, and informative seminar presented by Chief Billy Goldfeder,  E.F.O., Deputy Fire Chief of the Loveland-Symmes FD, Associate/Contributing Editor for FIRE ENGINEERING, FIRE-RESCUE, FIREHOUSE, FIREHOUSE.COM, monthly columnist: Firehouse Magazine's "CLOSE CALLS" and  co-host of www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

 

 

This seminar, entitled “Fireground Injury and Death: not EVERYONE Goes Home! 2011 Fire Officers and Fire Fighters Survival Program” to be held on Thursday November 17, 2011 from 4:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. will be hosted by and at the Aberdeen Fire Department, 21 North Rogers Street in Aberdeen, Maryland. The agenda is as follows:

                        1600 hours – 1800 hours    Dinner and Equipment/Vendor Display

                        1800 hours -                     Seminar

 

This seminar is FREE to all interested members of the fire service, however class size is limited to the first 250 pre-registered attendees.

This is guaranteed to be a very informative seminar and you will not be disappointed!

 To register click on the link here: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2064459855.

 

 

 

In addition the Harford County Division of Emergency Operations and the Harford County Sheriff’s Office will host a NIMS Training-ICS300/400 Level Course on October 4 and 5, 2011 at the Harford County Emergency Operations Center, 2220 Ady Road, Forest Hill, Maryland. These classes will start at 0800 hours and end at 1700 hours. Tuition and course materials are free, lunch will also be provided both days. Space is limited, pre-registration is required by following this link  http://harfordnimstraining.eventbrite.com/.

The 2011 Harford County Farm Fair was a great success for many Harford County groups, including the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association. In addition to providing fire prevention information,  EMS care to Farm Fair attendees and exhibitors, and also furnishing fire department support during one of the Fair’s favorite attractions- the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling Tractor Pulls, our Volunteers manned a Recruitment & Retention Activities tent throughout the Fair to introduce attendees with their own local First Responders. Throughout the four day event, hundreds of Harford County neighbors stopped by and talked with HCVFEMSA members, discussing the need for and benefits of Volunteering with one of the twelve Volunteer Fire and EMS companies throughout Harford County. 
            One of the activities at the Recruitment and Retention tent was the HCVFEMSA “Jar of Life Savers” Give Away. Out of nearly 600 entries attempting to accurately guess the number of Life Savers in the jar, eleven year old Daniel Farrell and his mother Stacy Farrell, from Abingdon were the winners. Their estimate was the closest to the actual number of 861, which allowed Daniel, an incoming sixth-grader at Edgewood Middle School to take home the prize.
            The HCVFEMSA would like to thank the Harford County community for coming out to support the Farm Fair and enjoying the activities. In addition, we would like to thank all of the member fire companies and their volunteers for bringing their equipment, supplies, and manpower to provide the community with fire prevention information and Emergency Medical Services helping to make this years’ Farm Fair a safe and successful event.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND KICKS OFF OUTDOOR EVENTS
 
With Memorial Day weekend upon us, families throughout Harford County will be outdoors – at one of our County or State Parks, at a sports event, or maybe just in their backyards. Increased outdoor activities also result in an increase of outdoor fire and injury risks; therefore the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association and the Office of the State Fire Marshal are providing the following common-sense tips that will help our citizens enjoy a safe holiday weekend and summer season to come. “These tips will help reduce the chance of a tragedy that could ruin an otherwise fun-filled time of the year,” according to State Fire Marshal William Barnard.
 
Outdoor Cooking- Safety Tips for Gas Grills:
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders, when transported, should always be in an upright position on the floor of the vehicle, with all vehicle windows open. Never transport LPG cylinders in the trunk of a car. Remove the cylinder from the vehicle as soon as possible!
Using the proper size wrench ensure that all hoses and connections are tight. Check all connections with an application of soapy water. The appearance of bubbles indicates that dangerous leaks are present!  If leaks are present- retighten leaking connections.
Make sure that grease is not allowed to drip onto the hoses or the gas cylinder.
Always store the LPG cylinders (including those attached to barbecues), securely sitting upright, outdoors in a shaded, cool area out of direct sunlight.
Read thoroughly and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the use of your gas grill. Remember to save the instructions!
Outdoor Cooking- Safety Tips for Charcoal Grills:
Use only a small amount of charcoal starter fuel. Remember- A little goes a long way! Consider using charcoal that does not require starter fuel for ignition.
Once a fire has been started, never add additional starter fuel! Fire can easily follow the stream of fluid back to the container causing an explosion.
Use extreme caution when disposing of ashes from your grill or any fire. Ashes may contain live coals that can start a fire if not disposed of properly. The safest method is to wet the ashes thoroughly with water before emptying the barbecue.
With any outdoor cooking equipment, never be tempted to use them inside for any reason or at any time – not even in a garage or on a porch or balcony says the State Fire Marshal. “Charcoal grills produce carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless, and poisonous gas which even in small quantities can cause injury or death. LPG cylinders that develop a leak indoors can also cause an explosion with devastating results.”
 
Also, with the warmer weather, we will be attending public fireworks displays in Harford County that attract thousands of spectators every year. These licensed and inspected events afford our citizens a safe and pleasurable way to celebrate holidays and other events. Often, however, we find that some individuals are tempted to use illegal fireworks or use legal fireworks while consuming alcohol.
The following tips can help to enjoy fireworks – safely!
Plan to attend one of hundreds of licensed and inspected public fireworks displays held annually across Maryland.
Remember, the only fireworks allowed for personal use in Maryland are snap n’ pops, party poppers, black snakes, gold-labeled sparklers, and ground-based sparkling devices.
All fireworks are banned in Baltimore City, Prince George’s County, and
Montgomery County. The town of Ocean City along with Howard County and
Harford County has specifically prohibited Ground-based Sparkling Devices!!!
Children should only use approved fireworks and with close adult supervision. Be certain that all users keep sparklers away from their body, others near them, and loose fitting clothes, and other combustible materials. Read and follow the instructions on the sparkler package!
Never mix alcohol and fireworks. The combination could be deadly
 
By following these simple safety tips, our residents and visitors to Harford County will be able to avoid injuries and enjoy a safe and wonderful summer season. For more information on fire and life safety topics please contact your nearest Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association member company.

WMAR TV News reporter Jeff Hager and camera crew spent some time recently in Harford County learning and reporting about our Volunteer Fire and EMS personnel, our work in the community, and what it means to be a Volunteer First Responder. The news story illustrates activities during a portion of a day at the Bel Air VFC.  Thanks to Jeff Hager, WMAR TV, and the members of the BAVFC for allowing the citizens of Harford County to have a glimpse of what we are all about.

From WMAR TV 2, Jeff Hager-

"They meet the destructive force of a fire head-on, racing into harms way to save life, limb and property.

They are firefighters, yet it takes a special person to volunteer for such duty.

In his 37 years with the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company, Tony Caliano, Senior says calls like this one have become commonplace on a daily basis.

"In the early years it was 500 or 600 calls per year and now its 2,000 fire and 6,400 EMS calls", says Caliano.

On this day, firefighters would suit up for their first fire call at four o'clock in the morning and three more would follow by noon.

The company's paramedics also are slammed with medical calls that set them in motion, running ambulances out the doors from the heart of the city.

Members of that emergency medical services team, though, are distinctly different from their firefighting counterparts. They get a paycheck.

At just 18 years old, firefighter recruit Eric Ryan says he's already grown tired of the stigma that comes with being a volunteer.

"My biggest gripe is when we go out on a call and people say, ˜How many of you are volunteers?' I look around and say, 'Everybody here is. We all are volunteers,'" says Ryan.

Tony Caliano's son agrees.

He grew up watching his father fight fires for free and decided to joins his ranks 15 years ago.

"We are very lucky here that we have a lot of people that are career firefighters in D.C., Baltimore City, Baltimore County, BWI Fire Department, and I don't think there's any difference. In fact, I think we're a lot better trained and we have better equipment than a lot of paid departments do," says Caliano.

The company is actively recruiting new volunteers to help keep up the county's explosive population growth due to the base realignment that's bringing thousands of new residents here.

While volunteer firefighters don't draw a paycheck, they do receive some tax breaks and can qualify for a pension.

Harford County is the largest jurisdiction in Maryland with an all-volunteer fire service with 1500 firefighters to cover 80 square miles.

If you're interested in joining their ranks, you can find more information at Harford County Government's website by clicking here. "

(Click on the headline above to access a link to the video) 

As the entire state deals with wild weather conditions , State Fire Marshal William E. Barnard is cautioning residents when using alternative light and electrical sources during power outages. “These easy to follow tips
will help all Marylanders avoid injury or death during power outages,” said the State Fire Marshal.
 
• Use flashlights during power outages instead of candles. Keep plenty of fresh batteries on hand at all times.
• If using candles, make sure they are placed on a stable piece of furniture and in sturdy holders that will not tip over. Candles should fit in the holders securely and holders should be made of material that will not burn.
• Keep candles away from items that can catch fire such as; clothing, books, papers, curtains, combustible decorations or anything else that can burn.
• Do not place candles where they can be knocked over by children or pets.
• Always extinguish all candles when leaving the room or before going to sleep.
• If you are depending on portable generators for electricity during power outages, use extreme caution when refueling. Fuel splashed on a hot muffler or other warm engine parts could ignite, causing severe burns and serious injuries.
• Never attempt to refuel a generator while it is running. Always allow the unit to cool completely before attempting to refuel.
• Operate and fuel your generators outside of the home and outside of garages, carbon monoxide gas produced by operating generators is poisonous and can quickly cause severe injury or death.
 
The State Fire Marshal offers one final tip that could well be the most important. “Make sure your home is equipped with working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. These devices are some of the most effective fire safety tools in preventing injury or death from fire and carbon monoxide,” according to State Fire Marshal Barnard.
 
Your local Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Company can offer additional safety tips related to storms and severe weather. Please use the "LINKS" section on the left of this page to contact your local HCVFEMSA Fire or EMS Company.

Level Volunteer Fire Company, Inc. proudly offers a camp designed to educate children on how to prevent accidents, prepare for the unexpected and how to react to emergency situations. Daily hands on lessons, games, crafts and activities will reinforce the knowledge your child already has as well as teach additional valuable life saving lessons.
 
The camp is FREE of charge and open to children entering kindergarten through the completion of 5th grade. Parents are asked to provide one package of cookies per child to be used for snack. Please bring this on the first day of camp. Special dietary snacks should be sent in a brown paper bag labeled with the child’s name. Level VFC will provide juice and water.
 
Please see the Level VFC website (www.Levelvfc.com) for a list of the speakers and topics to be covered each day during the camp.
 
Camp is strictly limited to the first 100 children who pre-register, no exceptions. Please register your child early and only if they can attend all three days. Camp will begin promptly at 9:00 am and end at Noon each day. Please be on time. 
 
Camp will be held July 6, 7 & 8, 2011 at the Level Volunteer Fire Company from 9:00 am to 12 Noon each day. The fire house is located at 3633 Level Village Road   Havre de Grace, MD 21078.
 
Should you have any questions please feel free to contact Rhonda Polk at 410-272-3771 or lifesaver911@comcast.net. Deadline to register is June 15th.   Additional applications can be downloaded at www.Levelvfc.com

A recent article in The Aegis newspaper highlighted the recent spate of residential fires in and near Harford County. In the article Bruce Bouch, Director of Public Education and Media Affairs for the Office of the State Fire Marshal explained that although these fires have been coincidental in nature, they illustrate the need for homeowners to be proactive in regards to their fire safety practices. The recent adoption of Building Code requirements to include residential fire sprinklers in all newly constructed residential buildings will certainly have a positive effect in reducing injuries, deaths, and property loss in newly constructed homes. However, all homeowners still need to take the time to eliminate fire hazards in and around the home. Therefore, the HCVFEMSA in co-operation with the Office of the State Fire Marshal will be providing a series of home fire safety messages to the citizens of Harford County via this website over the next few weeks. A recent article addressed spring housecleaning and fire safety. This article will focus on fire safe practices related to residential clothes dryers.
 
Most home fires that are caused by clothes dryers can be prevented by regular maintenance and cleaning of the appliance and the attached vent ductwork. “Following the below listed guidelines will not only promote the longevity of the dryer, but it will also lessen the chance for a fire,” stated Maryland Fire Marshal William Barnard.
 
Clean the lint filter of the dryer before or after each use to allow proper airflow.
Never operate the dryer without the lint filter in place.
Check the outside vent housing and remove any obstructions.
Specialized brushes are available for purchase to reach into the area beneath
the lint screen and the vent pipe.
Consider having a qualified professional service the appliance at least once a
year to ensure peak performance and efficiency.
Keep the area around the dryer clean and free of all combustible items.
Ensure the dryer is plugged into an appropriate electrical outlet designed for your
appliance.
Replace plastic and metal foil accordion type flexible vent ductwork with rigid or semi-
rigid metal duct. Plastic and foil ductwork can more easily trap lint, which
reduces airflow and presents a potential fire hazard.
If you leave your home, do not allow the dryer to continue operating.
Do not overload the dryer. The additional items cause stress on the appliance
and will lower the effectiveness of the dryer to dry clothes efficiently.
When in doubt, review the owner’s manual for proper safety measures.
If you are drying items that were previously contaminated with volatile
chemicals such as gasoline, motor oil, cooking oils or other types of
combustible liquids, please ensure you remove the items soon after the drying
cycle ends. Avoid stacking them together until the items have cooled to
room temperature. If chemicals still remain in the items, they could self-
ignite if not allowed to cool properly.
Following the above listed safety guidelines will help to ensure a regular household
task does not turn into a dangerous situation. Additionally, please take the time to check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors for proper operation. A smoke alarm should be installed in the area where the dryer is located in your home.
 
These fire safety guidelines should be followed whether you have a gas or electric clothes dryer. If you have questions or require further information on this topic or any fire safety matter, please use the “LINKS” section of this website to contact your closest Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association member company.

As the weather gets warmer and we begin to be more active outdoors and around our homes, this is an excellent time to begin a conscious, concerted effort to maintain a fire safe environment for ourselves and our loved ones. Along with our household spring cleaning and yard maintenance rituals should be activities which allow us to check our yards, homes, and garages for hazards and unsafe conditions. You can start by taking a few minutes to plan your safety clean-up. You will need to check each room in your home, including the attic and basement. Also, don’t forget the garage, yard, sheds, and other outbuildings.
 
Your plan should include several things:
 
1)     Remove All Hazards:
Check for frayed or damaged electrical appliance cords, wiring, fuses, or circuit breakers. These items must be removed from use if found damaged or worn.
 
Look for piles of rubbish, trash, and other yard debris. After the winter storms many downed branches and other materials may be accumulated in and around your property creating a fire and/or safety hazard.
 
Discard stacks of papers and magazines. Find the nearest recycling center or drop off location near you.
 
Look for evidence of water leaks, especially near electrical appliances.
 
Check for adequate clearances between heating appliances and combustible materials in the home, garage, or other locations.
 
2)     Properly Store Flammable Liquids and Home Chemicals:
      Make sure that all gasoline, diesel fuel, pesticides, fertilizers, and cleaning fluids are well marked and are out of the reach of children and pets. These are dangerous,toxic,and flammable products! They are to be stored in a cool, dry place outside of the house, secured and locked as necessary.
 
      Clean up your work areas. Place dangerous tools, adhesives, matches or other work items away in their proper place out of any child's reach.
     
       3) Check Your Fire Protection and Safety Equipment:
            Test your smoke alarms!!  Do It Now while you're thinking about it!!
            Make sure all doors and windows open easily and are accessible for fast escapes.
            Make sure your street numbers are posted properly and are visible.
           Check your portable fire extinguishers, be sure that they are properly charged and located where they can be easily accessed.
           Insure that you have a working flashlight and a battery-powered radio for the approaching storm season.
           Obtain and install carbon monoxide alarms if you do have not already done so.
           If you have CO alarms installed also test them with your smoke alarms.
 
      4) Plan Your Escape:
           Sit down with your family and make sure that everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire by designing a home escape plan.
           Make sure you have two ways out of every room and that you have a meeting place outside the home for the whole family.
           Practice the plan. Even the best plan is no good if you don't practice it!
         
 
 You can do a lot to protect yourself, your family and your property. In fact, you are the key to your safety. A little time spent on simple common sense prevention now will do a lot to make your home a safer place to live!
 
 
The HCVFEMSA would like to thank DSFM Bruce Bouch of the Office of the State Fire Marshal for his contribution to this article.

We are at it again !!!
 
If you found the last seminars at Abingdon Fire Company to be enlightening, you will surely find this one to be a benefit both professionally and personally.
 
The Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association
is hosting Dr. Kim Alyn’s seminar - 
 
“Real Leadership in the Fire Service is Not for Wimps” 
 
at the Abingdon Fire Company on Sunday, May 22nd, 2011 beginning at 9:30 A.M.
 
 
Please see the attached flyer for information or click on this link http://abingdonfc.com/index.php/news/register to go directly to the registration page.
 
Dr. Kim Alyn is known as one of today’s most dynamic and thought-provoking speakers on leadership. Dr. Alyn has been a featured presenter at fire service conferences  all over the United States.

See the "TRAINING" page link to the left for upcoming additional info.  

Link to seminar flyer-

http://mail.google.com/a/fvfac.org/?ui=2&ik=2f95de4e46&view=att&th=12ebf6c17c5a6a17&attid=0.1&disp=attd&zw