Spokane Police and Fire Departments urge everyone to slow down and drive cautiously during winter weather conditions

Spokane Police and Fire Departments urge everyone to slow down and drive cautiously during winter weather conditions

 

The Spokane Police and Fire Departments warn that storms expected over the next few days with anticipated snowfall is a reminder that winter weather driving conditions have arrived. To be safe and courteous driver in these conditions will require slower speeds and greater following distances for everyone. 

 

According to public safety officials, motorists need to give themselves plenty of room to stop by allowing at least three times more space than usual between their car and vehicles in front of them, especially during snow and ice conditions on area streets and roads. Slowing down and driving with cautious respect for conditions is a key to maintaining vehicle control and avoiding collisions during winter driving conditions. This also applies to four-wheel drive vehicles. Although four-wheel drive vehicles may have better traction when using the four-wheel drive option, they have no better stopping capabilities than any other vehicle on the road in winter driving conditions.

 

Sergeant John Griffin of the Spokane Police Traffic Unit would like to remind everyone that “posted speed limits are for perfect conditions and that driving behavior must be changed to reflect the current weather and road conditions. We want everyone to have a safe and Merry Christmas with their families.”

 

Other winter driving tips offered by the Spokane Police and Fire Departments include:

• Leave early to allow extra time to reach your destination.
• Brake gently to avoid skidding. Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges, or shady spots.
• Turn on your headlights to increase visibility to other motorists, and keep the windshield and headlight lenses clean.
• Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel drive and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter problems in winter driving conditions.
• Don’t use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
• Don’t pass snowplows and sanding trucks. Keep a safe distance behind snowplows, to give yourself plenty of braking space if you need to suddenly stop.
• Always wear seatbelts and make sure everyone in the vehicle is wearing a seatbelt and that children are secured in child seat restraints.
• Make sure that your windshield wipers are in good condition, and maintain adequate levels of window washing fluid for winter conditions.

 

In addition to these tips, Interim Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer adds, “We want to remind motorists to move to the right or pull off the roadway for responding emergency vehicles. It will make our roads safer for all of us.”

 

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 | mlanderson@spokanecity.org

 

Spokane Fire Department wants residents to keep warm safely

 

Spokane Fire Department wants residents to keep warm safely

 

With colder temperatures becoming more common, the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) wants to help residents greatly reduce their chances of becoming a fire casualty by outlining the following safety tips.

 

• Alternative heaters need their space. Keep anything combustible at least 3 feet away.
• Be sure your heater is in good working condition. Inspect exhaust parts for carbon build up. Be sure the heater has an emergency shut off in case the heater is tipped over.
• Use a generator or other fuel-powered machines outside the house. Carbon Monoxide fumes are odorless and can quickly overwhelm you indoors.
• Use appropriate sized and type power cords to carry the electric load. Overloaded cords can overheat and cause fires.
• Do not use the kitchen oven range to heat your home. In addition to being a fire hazard, it can be a source of toxic fumes. 
• Never use fuel burning appliances without proper room venting. Burning fuel can produce deadly fumes.
• Have a chimney professionally inspected annually and cleaned if necessary, especially if it has not been used in some time.
• Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out. Never close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A closed damper can help rekindle the fire, forcing toxic carbon monoxide into the residence.
• Never discard hot ashes inside or near the home. Place them in a metal container outside and well away from the house.
• Be sure every level of your home has a working smoke alarm. All smoke alarms should be tested monthly.

 

“During this time of the year, we see residents searching for alternative sources of heating,” says SFD Fire Marshal Michael Miller. “The Spokane Fire Department wants residents to keep warm safely and maintain a fire-safe home this winter. Many fires during the colder months can be prevented.”

 

For more fire safety tips contact SFD’s Fire Prevention Bureau at 509-625-7058. A variety of community education resources are also available to help meet the needs of both children and adults. Fire safety presentations can be arranged for neighborhood, business, civic, or education groups.

 

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 | mlanderson@spokanecity.org

 

Spokane Fire Department suggests ways to help avoid a holiday tragedy

 

Spokane Fire Department suggests ways to help avoid a holiday tragedy

 

Residents must remember that while candles bring an added element to holiday celebration, the open flame of a candle can easily and quickly ignite any combustible that is close by such as curtains, draperies, bedding and holiday decorations.

 

“The holidays present great potential for candle related home fires,” says Spokane Fire Marshal Michael Miller. “Statistics show the top 4 days for home candle fires are Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.”

 

The Spokane Fire Department suggests the following safety tips to help avoid a candle-related holiday tragedy from occurring:

 

• If possible, avoid using lighted candles.
• Use battery operated flameless candles as an alternative to traditional open flame candles.
• If you must use candles, ensure that they are placed in sturdy holders.
• Use candles in sturdy metal, glass or ceramic holders that are placed where they won’t tip over easily. Be sure they are large enough to collect dripping wax.
• Never use candles on live or artificial Christmas trees.
• Keep candles away from items that can catch fire such as holiday decorations, curtains and draperies, bedding, clothing, books, etc.
• Always extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Never leave your home with candles burning, and do not leave candles burning unattended.
• Keep candles and all open flames away from flammable liquids.
• Keep candle wicks trimmed to one-quarter inch, and extinguish taper and pillar candles when they get to within two inches of the holders. Votive candles and containers should be extinguished before the last half-inch of wax starts to melt.

 

“The majority of candle fires are preventable, says Miller. “By following a few candle fire safety tips, everyone can enjoy a safe and happy holiday season.”

 

The Spokane Fire Department would like to wish everyone a safe holiday season. For more information on holiday fire safety tips contact SFD’s Fire Prevention Bureau at 509-625-7058. A variety of community education resources are also available to help meet the needs of both children and adults. Fire safety presentations can be arranged for neighborhood, business, civic, or education groups.

 

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 | mlanderson@spokanecity.org

 

Crews from the Spokane Fire Department respond to back-to-back structure fires

 

 

Crews from the Spokane Fire Department respond to back-to-back structure fires

Around 3:30 a.m., fire crews from the Spokane Fire Department responded to back-to-back structure fires. No injuries were reported to civilians or firefighters at either fire. A family dog was lost in one of the fires.

 

The first structure fire was reported in the 1600 block of E. Ostrander Ave. at 3:20 a.m. The occupant reported all occupants of the home had safely evacuated and smoke was coming from the basement. Firefighters were able to confine the fire to basement and a small portion of the first floor kitchen area. Crews credit operating smoke detectors for providing an early warning signal allowing the residents in the home to safely escape. The American Red Cross responded to assist the family (2 adults and 3 children). The cause of the fire was determined to be related to electrical hazards.

The second structure fire was reported in the 500 block of E. Crown Ave. at 3:31 a.m. An observant neighbor advised of a fire at a single-family home, but was not aware if the home was occupied. When the first company arrived, heavy smoke was visible from street side and the incident was declared as a working fire. Firefighters searched the structure and removed a family pet dog that had succumbed to the fire. The incident was under control within 30-minutes and investigators are still on-scene investigating the cause of the fire. 

 

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 | mlanderson@spokanecity.org

 

Spokane Fire Department and ALTCEW selected for national training conference

 

 

Spokane Fire Department and ALTCEW selected for national training conference

Spokane Fire Department (SFD) and Aging & Long Term Care of Eastern Washington (ALTCEW) were awarded a scholarship to attend the 2016 National Fire Protection Association’s Remembering When Conference. The team participated in training to deliver the educational fire and falls prevention program sponsored by the NFPA.

 

The conference, Remembering When: A Fire and Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults, was held November 14-16, 2016. NFPA selected teams from 30 communities across the United States and Canada to travel to San Antonio for the training. Teams were composed of at least one member of the fire department partnered with an individual from an agency within the community that serves older adults. Jamie Wiggins and Jamie McIntyre from SFD partnered with Mark Haberman from ALTCEW. 

Each scholarship award covered training, materials, and travel expenses, and is valued at more than $4,000.

Following the conference, the team has returned to Spokane and is conducting group presentations and training sessions to prepare additional facilitators. Team members will also bring the program to older adults during home visits where they will tailor the Remembering When messages and help older adults identify changes that will increase home safety. 

“We are excited to provide this important training to help fire departments and local agencies meet their goals related to older adult safety. Many communities are seeing dramatic increases in the numbers of older adult residents and are strengthening resources to meet the needs stemming from this growth. Reducing risks related to injury and death is key and the Remembering When program is a helpful tool in this endeavor.” said Karen Berard-Reed, NFPA senior project manager. “The data provides a crystal clear picture of the fire and falls problem for older adults across North America. Kudos to the professionals who are dedicated to the work of helping older adults live safely.” 

The Remembering When program has been implemented in communities throughout North America since 1999, to help thousands of older adults learn strategies to help them live safely at home for as long as possible. Program materials are available online at no cost.

For more information about Remembering When, visit www.nfpa.org/rememberingwhen.

*Attached photo courtesy of Karen Berard-Reed, NFPA senior project manager.

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 | mlanderson@spokanecity.org