The Firehouse Report
By Jim Jarboe
As of Mar. 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 168 fire related incidents in 2015. The department addressed or assisted with 746 rescue or ambulance-related incidents for a total of 914. Totals for 2014 were 160 and 689, representing an increase of 65 incidents.
During the month of March 2015, the Takoma Park volunteers put in a total of 1,402.5 hours of standby time at the station, compared to 1,247.5 in March 2014. Grand totals as of March 2015 are 4,412 hours compared to 3,617.5 hours in 2014, an increase of 794.5 hours.
Maryland fire deaths
The Maryland State Fire Marshal Office reported as of March 20, 23 people have died in fires in 2015, compared to 26 in 2014.
Junk vehicles needed
Do you have an old junker littering your driveway? The Takoma Park VFD can take it off your hands – we are currently looking for vehicles to be used for training. If you have a vehicle you would like to donate, call Chief Glenn Butts at the station, 240-773-8954. We’ll be glad to pick it up and dispose of it after we finish training with it.
Be prepared for fire
Plan ahead! If a fire breaks out in your home, you may have only a few minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Everyone needs to know what to do and where to go if there is a fire.
- MAKE a escape plan. Draw a map of your home showing all doors and windows. Discuss the plan with everyone in your home.
- KNOW at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily.
- HAVE an outside meeting place (like a tree, light pole or mailbox) a safe distance from the home where everyone should gather in an emergency evacuation.
- MAKE sure you have working smoke alarms on all levels of the home. Check them monthly.
This article appeared in the May 2015 edition of the Takoma Park Newsletter. The Takoma Park Newsletter is available for download here.
