The Firehouse Report
Published on: Wednesday, July 1, 2015 Takoma Park Newsletter

The Firehouse Report

By Jim Jarboe

As of May 31, 2015, the Takoma Park Volunteer Fire Department and the personnel of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service assigned to the station have responded to 269 firerelated incidents in 2015. The department addressed or assisted with 1,316 rescue or ambulance related incidents for a total of 1,585.

Totals for 2014 were 259 and 1,148, representing an increase of 178 incidents.

During the month of May 2015, the Takoma Park volunteers put in a total of 1,189.5 hours of standby time at the station, compared to 1,443.5 in May 2014. Grand totals as of May 2015 are 7,265.5 hours, compared to 6,368.5 hours in 2014, an increase of 897 hours.

Maryland fire deaths

The Maryland State Fire Marshal Office reported as of June 18, 2015, 33 people have died in fires, compared to 35 in June 2014.

Safety Messages

ALL FIREWORKS ARE ILLEGAL IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY! Let’s be safe…enjoy them from a distance. Leave the fireworks to the professionals.

Grilling Safety

There’s nothing like outdoor grilling. It’s one of the most popular ways to cook food. But, a grill placed too close to anything that can burn is a fire hazard. They can be very hot, causing burn injuries. Follow these simple tips and you will be on the way to safe grilling.

  • All cooking grills should only be used outdoors.
  • The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
  • Keep children and pets away from the grill area.
  • Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
  • Never leave your grill unattended.

Facts

  • June and July are the peak months for grill fires.
  • Thirty-three percent of home grill structure fires start on an exterior balcony or unenclosed porch. IT’S THE LAW… NO COOKING ON BALCONIES!

This article appeared in the July 2015 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.