Mt. Lodge Fire Co

This drill was a combination Search & Rescue, Ladder Operations and Roof Venting Training.

Tommie H. McDuffie is a 62-year resident of Mt. Lodge Park and a Fifty-three year Life Member of the Mt. Lodge Park Fire Company, died on Thursday, January 24, 2008 after suffering a stroke on January 17^th. Tom was considered the “elder statesman’s” of the fire company considering he joined three after its inception. Tom rose through the ranks of the fire company and was eventually elected to the position of Chief. He served in numerous positions during his 53 year career in the fire service. Here are some of the positions and titles he held.

Tommie retired after 33 ½ years as a structure specialist for the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. He was a veteran of the United States Navy, serving in World War II. He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church in Monroe. He was a member and treasurer of the Blooming Grove Democratic Committee, a life-member of the V.F.W Post #8691 in Washingtonville and was involved with the Orange County Board of Elections voting machines.

Tom is survived by his wife Alice, son Art, and daughters Kathy & Barbara with eight grand children and five great grand children. He was a tremendous asset to the fire company, the fire district and the community and will be truly missed by all.

In the event of an EMERGENCY such as Fire, Electrical, Gas, Medical or Motor Vehicle Accident

An emergency is any Life Threatening situation the requires immediate attention. A call placed to "911", goes through the County Emergency Dispatcher and is relayed at once to the appropriate emergency services.

It is very important that your "E-911" house number is clearly displayed in at least 4" numbers. The numbers should be on your house facing the driveway of your road or affixed to both sides of a 4x4 post in the ground, at the entrance to your driveway. For added safety, the numbers should be reflective for better visibility at night. Emergency services, not familiar with the community could loose precious minutes looking for a house that is not clearly marked and this could be a matter of life or death for your loved ones.

Please do not park your vehicle on your road or trail. Many of the trails are only about 10 to 15 fet wide. If it is necessary to get fire apparatus or an ambulance past a parked vehicle, response time will be lost until the road is cleared. You should use your driveway or park off the traveled part of the road. Most of our fire trucks are as wide as the road and any blockage could cause a loss of life or property.

If you are interested in renting the hall at the Mt. Lodge Firehouse for any occasion such as Birthday Parties, Engagements, Christenings, please call Fred Grover at 496-9280 to schedule your event. Rental rates are $350.00 per day or evening. Kitchen facilities are available.

Your Fire Department is always looking for community spirited men, women and teenagers that are interested in helping to protect the community. If you would like to be part of this organization, come to the regular meeting on the second Tuesday of each month or anytime that the doors are open to pick up an application. You must be at least 16 to become a junior firefighter. (some restrictions apply) If you do not want to join as a Firefighter, there are also openings for "Social Members" and "Laides Auxilliary" These groups support the Firehouse and the Firefighters through fundraising events and logistical support.

1. Install Smoke Detectors.
WORKING SMOKE DETECTORS can alert you to a fire in your home in time for you to escape, even if you are sleeping. Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, including the basement, and outside each sleeping area. If you sleep with the door closed, install one inside your sleeping area as well.

Test detectors every month, following the manufacturer's directions, and replace batteries once a year, or whenever a detector "chirps" to signal low battery power. Never "borrow" a smoke detector's battery for another use - a disabled detector can't save your life. Replace detectors that are more than 10 years old.

2. Plan Your Escape From Fire.
IF A FIRE BREAKS OUT in your home, you have to get out fast. Prepare for a fire emergency by sitting down with your family and agreeing on an escape plan. Be sure that everyone knows at least two unobstructed exits - doors and windows - from every room. (If you live in an apartment building, do not include elevators in your escape plan.) Decide on a meeting place outside where everyone will meet after they escape. Have your entire household practice your escape plan at least twice a year.

3. Keep An Eye On Smokers.
Careless smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths in North America. Smoking in bed or when you are drowsy could be deadly. Provide smokers with large, deep non-tip ashtrays and soak butts with water before discarding them. Before going to bed or leaving home after someone has been smoking, check under and around cushions and upholstered furniture for smoldering cigarettes.

4. Cook Carefully.
Never leave cooking unattended. Keep cooking areas clear of combustibles and wear clothes with short, rolled-up or tight-fitting sleeves when you cook. Turn pot handles inward on the stove where you can't bump them and children can't grab them. Enforce a "Kid-Free Zone" three feet (one meter) around your kitchen stove. If grease catches fire in a pan, slide a lid over the pan to smother the flames and turn off the heat. Leave the lid on until cool.

5. Give Space Heaters Space.
Keep portable heaters and space heaters at least three feet (one meter) from anything that can burn. keep children and pets away from heaters, and never leave heaters on when you leave home or go to bed.

6. Remember: Matches And Lighters Are Tools, Not Toys.
In a child's hand, matches and lighters can be deadly. Use only child-resistant lighters and store all matches and lighters up high, where small children can't see or reach them, preferably in a locked cabinet. Teach your children that matches and lighters are tools, not toys, and should be used only by adults or with adult supervision. Teach young children to tell a grown-up if they find matches or lighters; older children should bring matches or lighters to an adult immediately.

7. Cool A Burn.
Run cool water over a burn for 10 to 15 minutes. Never put butter or any grease on a burn. If the burned skin blisters or is charred, see a doctor immediately. Never use ice.

8. Use Electricity Safely.
If an electrical appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it immediately, then have it serviced before using it again. Replace any electrical cord that is cracked or frayed. Don't overload extension cords or run them under rugs. Dont' tamper with your fuse box or use improper-size fuses.

9. Crawl Low Under Smoke.
During a fire, smoke and poisonous gases rise with the heat. The air is cleaner near the floor. If you encounter smoke while you are escaping from a fire, use an alternate escape route.

10. Stop, Drop And Roll.
If your clothes catch fire, don't run. Stop where you are, drop to the ground, cover your face with your hands, and roll over and over to smother the flames.

Home heating and your safety

Keeping home heating costs under control during our long, cold winters can be a challenge. There are ways you can help manage those costs as part of your overall home maintenance program. Many of these actions will also help keep your home and family safe, so follow these steps and you'll have the peace of mind that comes from knowing your gas appliances are operating efficiently and safely.

Hire a licensed gas contractor
Have a licensed gas contractor check your gas appliances, chimney and venting systems at least once a year. Think of it as an investment that improves the efficiency of your heating system and provides a level of safety for your family. If you are considering installing any heat-saving devices, have your contractor ensure that they conform with the operation of your gas appliances. And, if it's time to replace a heating or gas appliance, your contractor can help you choose the right equipment and install it for you.

Do it yourself
There are a number of things you can do yourself as part of your home maintenance program, but do not attempt to repair gas appliances yourself. Leave that work for a licensed gas contractor.

One obvious step is to seal up your home to prevent expensive and drafty air leaks. Use caulking around windows and other openings to stop the cold air invasion. If you have a window air conditioner, make sure it is well sealed around the edges, and cover the unit to protect it and keep the cold air out. Be aware that if you make your house airtight, you will need to install a combustion air duct into the room containing your major gas heating appliances. This air duct supplies fresh outside air for burner operation and helps vent the products of combustion.

Once you've sealed the leaks, you can make your own visual checks of chimneys, venting systems and filters periodically during the heating season:

check furnace filters monthly, and clean or replace them when necessary;
remove any additional filters at floor registers and cold air return grills, as they restrict the air flow your furnace needs to operate properly;

ensure proper heat distribution by keeping registers, grills and heat radiators free of obstructions such as furniture or carpets; and
if your furnace has a fan belt, check it monthly and replace it when it shows signs of wear. After you've made your checks, make sure all panels and doors on your gas appliances are closed properly.
Here are some other tips that will help keep you and your family safe:

keep items away from ventilation openings on gas appliances and never store flammable liquids or materials near them;
do not use gas appliances such as a range or oven to heat your home;
have wood-burning fireplaces or appliances checked regularly and follow directions for their safe use;

open a window before lighting your fireplace or wood stove and keep it open until the fire is completely out;
understand the dangers and symptoms of carbon monoxide (CO), the silent killer, and consider installing a CO detector in your home; and avoid carbon monoxide buildup by never running your vehicle or snow blower in the garage or other enclosed area for extended periods of time.

To conduct a free five-minute audit of your home's energy efficiency, go to homecheck

Propane safety tips for winter

Safe storage for your propane barbeque
For most of us winter means the end of the barbeque season. It also means taking time to prepare your gas grill for safe storage. It will take about an hour to clean your grill thoroughly, but some clean-up work now will make it much easier to start cooking outdoors again in the spring.

To get the job done you'll need warm, soapy water, a brass bristle brush, a soft cloth, toothpicks, sandpaper and the owner's manual for your grill.

Begin by turning over the briquettes so the greasy side faces the burner. Light the grill, close the lid and turn the burner to high for 15 minutes to burn the grease off the briquettes and cooking grids.

When the grill cools, remove the briquettes and grids. Use the brush and soapy water to remove any remaining grease from the grids, rinse and dry them. Then, set the briquettes and grids aside.
Turn the gas off at the cylinder. Follow instructions in your manual to unfasten the burner, slip the venturi tubes off the gas lines and remove the unit. Clean any dirt or grease on the unit using the soft cloth and warm water. Towel dry the unit and clear each gas port on the burner with a toothpick. Clean the venturi tubes with warm, soapy water and set the unit aside.

Cover the gas outlets under the grill with aluminum foil, and then clean any grease buildup inside and outside the grill housing using the brush and water. Rinse the grill and towel it dry. You can then remove the aluminum foil.

Examine the grill housing for paint chips or scrapes. Grills made of aluminum will not rust, but they can corrode if paint chips are not repaired. Sand the scraped or chipped paint until the metal is white and shiny. Apply primer and touchup paints designed for high heat to the sanded areas. When the paint is dry, reattach the burner, venturi tubes and igniter. Cover the gas line openings with a plastic bag over the ends to keep insects out. Put the briquettes and cooking grids back in place.

Check the condition of the propane cylinder. If it is dented or seriously rusted, replace it immediately. Stop any minor corrosion following the same procedures as with the grill housing.
Move the barbeque to its winter storage location. If the grill is stored outside, leave the propane cylinder in its normal position and cover the entire grill with a protective cover. If the grill is stored indoors, disconnect the cylinder and store it outdoors in an upright position, away from dryer or furnace vents, or children's play areas. Never store the cylinder in an enclosed space.

Fire Safety Tips For Fireplaces and Wood Burning Stoves

Fireplaces and wood burning stoves are auxiliary home heating devices that demand care and attention in their purchase, installation, and maintenance. Following these precautions can reduce the possibility of a fire or injury related to their use. All wood burning stoves and fireplaces should be cleaned and inspected before the heating season begins. Make sure that the door latch closes properly. Furnaces and water heaters which have flue pipes attached to the chimney of a fireplace or wood burning stove should have tight fitting joints and seams.

Fireplaces should be equipped with a tight fitting spark screen or enclosed with glass doors to stop sparks from landing on carpet or other nearby combustibles. Special retaining screens can also keep children and pets at a safe distance from the fire and so reduce the possibility of accidental burns.
Never use liquid fuel to start the fire in a fireplace or wood burning stove.

Ashes need to be thoroughly dampened, cooled, and stored in metal cans that are used solely for ash storage, not in compost piles, cartons, boxes or anything else that is combustible. It is important to use only thoroughly dried hardwood. This will prevent or slow the buildup of creosote which is the cause of many chimney fires. Although these following these precautions should reduce your risk of a chimney fire, be aware of the signs of one and know what to do if you encounter them -- a loud roar, sucking sounds, shaking pipes, hot spots on wall or chimney, or smoke in the house or apartment.
If you hear or see any of these sounds shut off the fire's air supply, get everyone out of the house quickly, and call 9-1-1 from a neighbor's phone.

There is something special about the feeling of warmth and cheer that surrounds gathering around the hearth on a cold winter night; take the time to make it a safe experience for you and your family.