Union Hook & Ladder vol. Fire co.#1

Happy Thanksgiving from us to yous have a blessed day be safe

Just so everyone is aware the union hook and ladder will be canceling the December meeting if you have any questions contact me at 7165345875

Meeting is Monday the 2nd of November bring a mask 8 pmMeeting is Monday the 2nd of November bring a mask 8 pm

From Chief of Department October 30, 2020 This past Wednesday, as they do each year, the Exchange Club of the Tonawanda’s, held a luncheon to honor members fr...om both the Tonawanda and North Tonawanda Fire Departments. Each year I am tasked with identifying one member of our department deserving of this award. This year’s recipient for the award was Captain/Paramedic, Joshua Lapham. Josh was chosen for his energetic attitude, many accomplishments and being involved in many aspects of the department. As a member of our EMS committee, he has performed many jobs that include ordering equipment, scheduling meetings, taking notes, setting agendas and creating our Ambulance RFP committee. He was also instrumental in helping us transition to electronic patient care reporting. In 2019, Josh was solely responsible for our department receiving the EMS Agency of the Year award presented by the Wyoming Erie Regional Emergency Medical Services Council. In 2016 Josh was promoted to the rank of Captain and assigned as our Fire Prevention Officer. In that office he was able to attain National-Level Fire Inspector Certification, something no other department member has been able reach. As the fire inspector, Josh worked hard to ensure the safety of our residents especially those who resided in multi-family apartment buildings. During his time as a Fire Prevention Officer Josh also received training to become a fire scene investigator and joined our Fire Cause and Origin Team. Josh was of great help to me in our efforts to transition to the Lexipol System of Standard Operating Procedures and Guidelines as well as helping to create a pre-fire plan database in electronic form. If all this weren’t enough, several years ago I asked Josh to function as our Exposure Control Officer, a necessary component required by the Dept. of Labor to ensure the safety of all our members by creating plans, procedures and engineering controls to protect against communicable diseases. His work in this area has never been so important as it has since the COVID pandemic hit. Josh also serves as our CPR Instructor coordinator making sure that all career and volunteer firefighters receive this vital training as well as that for interested citizens. To this day Josh remains energetic, involved and most of all, constantly motivated to improve all aspects of our fire department. I want to thank Josh for his continued commitment and unending desire to show initiative each day he comes to work and for setting an example to our other members on how to take real pride and ownership of our department. Chief Stuart

Firehall meeting is on November 2nd at 8 pm bring a maskFirehall meeting is on November 2nd at 8 pm bring a mask

From Chief of Department October 16, 2020 It is just as important to have carbon monoxide detectors in your home as it is to have working smoke alarms. Carbon ...monoxide, also known as CO, is a colorless and odorless gas that is a byproduct of combustion (the burning of fossil fuels and ordinary combustibles such as natural gas, gasoline/diesel fuel, coal/charcoal, wood, plastics, rubber etc.). Inhaling increased amounts of CO can cause death by asphyxia. Asphyxia occurs because CO molecules will displace the oxygen molecules that are normally transported in the bloodstream. Life cannot be sustained without adequate oxygenation of the bloodstream. First responders have been instructed that individuals with greater oxygen requirements such as unborn babies, infants, children, elderly persons and people with coronary or respiratory problems, are at a greater risk for CO poisoning. CO emergencies occur throughout the year but, it is during the colder months that there is a greater chance due to the increased use of heating equipment. Statistically, automobiles left running in an attached garage remain the leading cause of CO poisoning but there are other likely causes as well. These include inadequate venting of gas-powered hot water heaters, furnaces and clothes dryers. The vent or flue on these appliances are the metal, duct-like pipes that are usually attached at the top of the unit. If there are cracks or holes in this piping or if they are not pitched properly so the exhausted gases travel upward and out the chimney, CO gas can accumulate and spread throughout the house. High-efficiency furnaces that utilize PVC (plastic) piping to exhaust fumes usually extend through the basement foundation wall rather than the chimney. The closeness of this exhaust piping to the ground makes them susceptible to getting blocked by snow drifts should a heavy snowfall occur (remember to keep snow clear from these areas). A cracked plenum or heat exchanger on a forced air style furnace can also cause CO gas to accumulate in a home. Other causes include the use of a gas-powered electrical generator or gas grill inside a home or attached garage (or too close to an open window or door). This is not a complete list of all potential causes of CO gas. Several years ago, when answering a CO detector alarming at a home on Rogers Avenue, we traced the source of CO to be coming from a metal bucket full of ashes situated next to their fireplace. Heat from the fireplace sustained a small amount of combustion from within the ashes in the metal bucket that resulted in the production of a large amount of CO gas. The scary part was that there was no burning or smoke odor being given off from the burning ashes that might have alerted the resident. Had it not been for the CO detector providing a warning, it was likely that this situation could have proven fatal had the family gone to sleep. My hope is that the information I just described will motivate you to make sure to have a CO detector in place. There have been many incidents involving loss of life due to CO gas accumulation in a home that could have been prevented had a simple, relatively inexpensive carbon monoxide detector, been in place. It is best to have a detector installed in a common area on all floors and one in the basement or utilities room. If you rent a home or an apartment, it is the legal responsibility of the landlord to have both CO detectors and smoke alarms in place. Symptoms of CO poisoning can be like that of the flu such as headaches, nausea, vomiting and fatigue. If a CO detector alarms in your residence and you are experiencing these types of symptoms, leave the house immediately and call 911 to request the fire department. The fire department has equipment that can confirm and measure the presence of carbon monoxide gas. If your CO detector should alarm and no one has any symptoms, you should still call 911 and request that the FD come to investigate. It is always better to be safe than sorry. If you cannot afford a CO detector (or smoke alarm), the fire department can provide one for you at no cost, thank you to the generosity of the Kiwanis Club of the Tonawanda’s. If you have any questions about carbon monoxide, feel free to call 692-8400 and our firefighters can speak to you. If you have concerns about an appliance or any of the components I mentioned above, our firefighters can come to your residence to check it out. Chief Stuart