News & Events - Fire Safety - Apparatus Showcase
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News & Events
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.
- Fire is FAST!
- 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.
- Fire is HOT!
- 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.
- Fire is DARK!
- 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.
- Fire is DEADLY!
- Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do.
- 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
The majority of fatal home fires occur at night while everyone is sleeping. A smoke detector can alert you in time to save your life when there is a fire. Make sure your home is equipped with sufficient operational smoke detectors.
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 bathwater 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*
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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.
Battalion 1
2005 Ford Excursion
Equipped with all information required for a command officer (pre-fire plans, hazardous material information, etc.)
Medic 1
1998 Chevrolet/Frazer Ambulance
MICU certified (Highest certification level for Ambulances available in the State of Texas)
Engine 1
1992 Pierce Dash Pumper
1500 GPM Waterous Pump
500 Gallon Poly Tank
60 Gallon Class B Foam Cell
12 Gallon Class A Foam Tank
15 kw Generator
KK Product Class A Foam System to Speedlay
Elkhart 240-P 95 GPM Eduction to Speedlay
Top Mounted Pump Panel
Hydraulic Ladder Rack
2 - 1500 watt Extendable Lights
Medic 2
2003 Frazer Ambulance
MICU certified (Highest certification level for Ambulances available in the State of Texas)
Engine 2
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
Ladder 1
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