Operations
Shift Calendar | Fire Prevention | Apparatus
Shift Calendar (Published for Reference Use Only)
The regular monthly meeting of the Fire Commission of the Village Fire Department will be held at 7:00 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at Village Fire Department, 901 Corbindale Rd., Houston, Texas. If you would like to see a copy of the minutes of this meeting, contact Chief Calagna. If you would like to attend the monthly meeting but would require some special assistance, contact the Department at (713)468-7941 at least 48 hours before the meeting you wish to attend.
Fire Prevention
LEARN ABOUT FIRE: THE NATURE OF FIRE
Every day Americans experience the horror of fire. But most people don't understand fire. Only when we know the true nature of fire can we prepare ourselves and our families. Each year more than 4,000 Americans die and approximately 20,000 are injured in fires, many of which could be prevented.The United States Fire Administration (USFA) believes that fire deaths can be reduced by teaching people the basic facts about fire. Below are some simple facts that explain the particular characteristics of fire.
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Fire is FAST!
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There is little time! In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house. In minutes, a house can be engulfed in flames. Most fires occur in the home when people are asleep. If you wake up to a fire, you won't have time to grab valuables because fire spreads too quickly and the smoke is too thick. There is only time to escape.
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Fire is HOT!
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Heat is more threatening than flames. A fire's heat alone can kill. Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super hot air will scorch your lungs. This heat can melt clothes to your skin. In five minutes a room can get so hot that everything in it ignites at once: this is called flashover.
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Fire is DARK!
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Fire isn't bright, it's pitch black. Fire starts bright, but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness. If you wake up to a fire you may be blinded, disoriented and unable to find your way around the home you've lived in for years.
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Fire is DEADLY!
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Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do.
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Fire uses up the oxygen you need and produces smoke and poisonous gases that kill. Breathing even small amounts of smoke and toxic gases can make you drowsy, disoriented and short of breath. The odorless, colorless fumes can lull you into a deep sleep before the flames reach your door. You may not wake up in time to escape
FIRE SAFETY TIPS
In the event of a fire, remember time is the biggest enemy and every second counts!
Escape first, then call for help. Develop a home fire escape plan and designate a meeting place outside. Make sure everyone in the family knows two ways to escape from every room. Practice feeling your way out with your eyes closed. Never stand up in a fire, always crawl low under the smoke and try to keep your mouth covered. Never return to a burning building for any reason; it may cost you your life.
Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. And remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.
STREET NUMBER IDENTIFIERS
Firefighters and ambulance personnel may be called to your home for an emergency. Make sure that your street address is properly posted and visible from the street! Don't cause delays with small or illegible street number identifiers.
Every home should have its street number posted in such a manner that it is visible from the street, even at NIGHT. The street numbers should be legible, well-lit and in a position easily identified from the street.
SMOKE DETECTORS
Nationally, over 5000 people are killed each year in their own home.
In fires where multiple deaths occur, 80% are between the hours of
9:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
Sufficient smoke detectors in good-working order are an invaluable resource in every home in the event of a fire. Make sure that your home is equipped with detectors in proximity to all bedrooms and the kitchen.
Choosing a Smoke Detector:
The decision to purchase a smoke detector should be based on the quality of the appliance. The smoke detector you choose should have these features:
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Laboratory label indicating that the detector model has been carefully tested.
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Alarm loud enough to awaken the entire family.
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Malfunction signal designed to warn when batteries are weak or dead.
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Manufacturer's warranty of at least five years.
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Easy maintenance and cleaning features.
There are two main types of smoke detectors you can purchase for your home:
Ionization: This detector contains a small amount of radioactivity that conducts electricity. Electric current flows continuously between two electrodes in the chamber. When smoke particles enter, they disturb the flow, causing the alarm to go off. Ionization detectors are more sensitive to the tiny particles of combustion that can't be seen or smelled, those emitted by flaming fires.
Photoelectric: This detector contains a beam of light and a photocell within the chamber. When smoke enters, it deflects the beam, causing it to strike the photocell and set off the alarm. Photoelectric detectors are more sensitive to the large particles of combustion emitted by smoldering fires.
Both types of smoke detectors are EQUALLY EFFECTIVE. The time difference for detecting the different types of fires by each detector is generally NOT CRITICAL (usually a matter of seconds).
Deciding Where to Put Your Detectors:
While smoke detectors in every room may provide complete coverage for house fires originating in any room of the home, it may be sufficient to have detectors located as follows:
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In homes with multiple levels, be sure that EACH level has at least a minimum of one smoke detector.
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If you keep bedroom doors closed in your home, a smoke detector should be installed in EACH bedroom.
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In homes where bedroom doors are left open, a detector in the hallway outside the bedroom area may be sufficient.
Installing Your Smoke Detectors:
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Follow manufacturer's installation instructions.
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Mounting on Ceilings - mount detectors 8-10 inches away from corners and walls.
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Mounting on Walls - install detectors high, about 8-10 inches away from corners and ceilings.
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Do not install smoke detectors within three feet of vents, air conditioners or fans which may interfere with the proper functioning of the detector.
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Do not mount smoke detectors on un-insulated walls or ceilings. Extreme temperatures may ruin batteries and prevent the proper functioning of the detector.
Maintaining your smoke detectors:
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Test smoke detectors by pressing the test button MONTHLY and whenever you return to your home after an extended absence.
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Replace weak or worn-out batteries immediately.
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Keep extra batteries on hand.
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Keep smoke detectors free of dust to ensure proper functioning.
Additional Safety Measures:
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Have a preplanned fire escape plan and practice it regularly with the family.
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Designate a family meeting place outside the home.
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Never call 911 from a home or building that is on fire, call from a neighboring location.
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Never return into a burning home or building.
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Never smoke in bed.
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Keep all flammable objects away from space heaters.
KITCHEN SAFETY
Make sure that children are out of the way when transferring hot liquids or food.
Pot handles should be turned toward the rear of the stove. Whenever possible, use the back burners for cooking.
Do not place hot food or liquids within the reach of small children.
Be careful when placing hot food or liquids on tables covered by tablecloths. Hot items can easily be pulled down on them.
Never hold a child while drinking or moving hot liquids or food.
Be careful using area rugs in the kitchen, especially near the stove.
HOT WATER SAFETY
Never leave a young child unattended in the bathroom or tub.
Use extreme caution if bathing small children in the sink. A child may easily turn on single-lever faucets installed in many sinks.
Adjust the thermostat settings on your water heater to a maximum temperature of 120"F to 125"F or less.
Always test a child's bath water before placing him or her in the tub. A child's skin is more sensitive to heat. Bath temperatures should never exceed 100"F.
Consider installing "anti-scald" devices on tub faucets and shower heads to prevent accidental scalds.
PRE-ARRANGED EVACUATION PLANS
Pre-arranged evacuation plans can be critical in savings the lives of you and your family members in the event of a fire. Discuss escape routes with all family members from each room of the house to the outside. Stage rehearsals to help cement evacuation routes. Evacuation procedures should be performed quickly and safely. The plan should include an assembly location where family members meet after exiting the home. Practice your plan regularly and make fire safety a HABIT.
STOP, DROP, AND ROLL
Teach your children what to do if their clothing catches fire:
STOP! right away
DROP! to the ground
ROLL! over and over to put out the flames
GASOLINE SAFETY
Never use gasoline or other flammable liquids to start a fire.
Allow lawn equipment to cool down before refilling gasoline in the tank.
Store flammable liquids in an approved container away from heat sources. If possible, keep these liquids away from the home.
Keep children away from all flammable liquids.
POISON GAS LEAKAGE
All fuels for heating appliances, when burned, give off poisonous gases. Most of these gases exit the home through the chimney. However, if they become trapped in the home, these gases can kill. The signs of poison gas leakage are:
1. Excess moisture on walls and windows
2. Headaches
3. Burning Eyes
4. Soot or discoloration at the heating appliance's door opening
5. Rust and scales at the draft hood of the heating appliance
6. Bright red or orange burning flames (flames should burn blue)
7. Flames shooting out of the heating stove
8. Strange odors not normally present in the home
FIRE SAFETY .PDF RESOURCES*
Home Fire Safety
Home Fire Safety Checklist
Bedroom Fire Safety
Dangers of Carbon Monoxide
Importance of changing smoke detector batteries
Flood Fire Safety
Portable Generator Safety
Tornado / Hurricane Safety
Summer Storm Safety
Winter Fire Safety
*Adobe Acrobat Reader needed to view .pdf files, download a free copy here
**Disclaimer**
The safety information in this guide was compiled from the best sources available.
The Village Fire Department, it's Authors, and myself, cannot assume any liability for its effectiveness in every emergency situation.
Apparatus
2005 Ford Excursion
Equipped with all information required for a command officer (pre-fire plans, hazardous material information, etc.)
2008 Pierce Velocity Pumper
1500 GPM Waterous Pump
750 Gallon Poly Tank
40 Gallon Class B Foam Cell
20 Gallon Class A Foam Tank
Husky 12 Class A Foam System to Speedlay
Side Mounted Pump Panel
Command Light Tower
5 - 1500 watt Scene Lights
2000 Pierce / Kenworth Pumper
1250 GPM Waterous Pump
500 Gallon Poly Water Tank
40 Gallon "B" Foam Cell
20 Gallon "A" Foam Cell
5 KW Honda Generator
2 - 750 Watt Extenda-Lights
125 GPM Elkhart Foam Eductor
2002 Pierce Dash w/ 75' Ladder
2000 GPM waterous pump
400 gal. poly tank
2-20 gal. foam cells
10kw Hydraulic generator
Equipped with a full complement of rescue tools
Frazer Ambulance
MICU certified (Highest certification level for Ambulances available in the State of Texas)
Frazer Ambulance
MICU certified (Highest certification level for Ambulances available in the State of Texas)
June 19, 2002