Time in the Field

[snowbear]

The crews from a few stations were out installing and inspecting residential smoke alarms. I helped create the GIS-based tracking system, so I tagged along for IT support. Engine 842 and Truck 821.


DSC_7001.jpg by Charlie Wrenn, on Flickr

[/url
][url=https://flic.kr/p/UVV3iy]DSC_7000.jpg by Charlie Wrenn, on Flickr[/url]

 

[Designer]

The crews from a few stations were out installing and inspecting residential smoke alarms.

(sigh) I suppose the people in charge think it's a good idea to send a million dollar's worth of equipment and their crews to install $10 smoke detectors, but I have a hunch there is probably a better way.

 

[snowbear]

Personnel pay is a non issue - they're paid whether they's out or sitting in the station. The fuel used is minimal since they get to an area then park while they knock on doors. They are available for calls while out. In fact, the engine (842) had to leave before finishing because of a call, and the group I was with, finished up. There were 81 homes on the list to visit.

The program, in it's current form, was started a few years ago. Businesses and community groups provide the alarms and we install them. If the resident has an alarm, we inspect it. There were four fatal fires in the county a few years back, one on Christmas day and one the day after. In all four cases, no working detectors were found in the residences. That's what pushed the program to it's current level. Personally, I think it's well worth the effort to save a few lives.

 

[smoke665]

Personnel pay is a non issue

As volunteers, pay really is a non-issue for us. LOL Still we make trips out through our district, sometimes installing smoke alarms, sometimes visiting local businesses, sometimes selling BBQ tickets. Whatever the reason, it allows you the opportunity to connect with the people you serve, to observe and educate on safety issues, and to become aware of the lay of things if you do have to respond in an emergency.

 

[snowbear]

Personnel pay is a non issue

As volunteers, pay really is a non-issue for us. LOL Still we make trips out through our district, sometimes installing smoke alarms, sometimes visiting local businesses, sometimes selling BBQ tickets. Whatever the reason, it allows you the opportunity to connect with the people you serve, to observe and educate on safety issues, and to become aware of the lay of things if you do have to respond in an emergency.

That is correct - community service and being proactive. We have a combination department; I'm told the largest in the U.S., possibly North America.

 

[smoke665]

@snowbear our district is 26 miles long, and 5-6 miles wide, with two stations. Unless we got out occasionally the only time some members would see some of the district is on a call.

 

[snowbear]

@snowbear our district is 26 miles long, and 5-6 miles wide, with two stations. Unless we got out occasionally the only time some members would see some of the district is on a call.

We're a bit more covered, though one station's first due takes 25 minutes to cross at posted speed. A nice mix of urban (inside the beltway), typical suburban sprawl, and a little rural / exurban.

 

[smoke665]

and a little rural / exurban.

All rural here with narrow, roads, and hilly/mountainous terrain. Surprisingly there are a lot of high dollar homes back in the the hollows.

 

[snowbear]

All rural here with narrow, roads, and hilly/mountainous terrain. Surprisingly there are a lot of high dollar homes back in the the hollows.

Same here - working farms next to McMansions.