Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Lexington, Kentucky : Fire & Emergency Services

Halloween Safety

Believe it or not, there are many serious injuries to children during Trick or Treating and other Halloween activities. Please see the website below for more details:

http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=299&URL=Safety%20Information/For%20consumers/Seasonal%20safety/Halloween%20safety

Fire Prevention Week Activities

and Helpful Websites

The national Fire Prevention Theme this year is -

See below for some photos from our Fire Prevention Festival and Parade

held Oct 5^th.

Bryan Station Band

The Division of Fire and Emergency Services thanks all the participants in this years Festival and Parade. Thank you for helping promote home and fire safety. We hope the citizens of Lexington enjoyed the evening too. We want to remind you to put into practice the things which will make your family's home a safer place all year around.

Here are a few websites that make home fire safety planning a fun learning experience for the family –

http://www.sparky.org

http://www.sparky.org/arcade.html

http://www.nfpa.org/itemDetail.asp?categoryID=271&itemID=17418&URL=Safety%20Information/Fire%20Prevention%20Week%202009/For%20kids%20and%20families

Home Safety Tips for Consumers - http://www.nfpa.org/categoryList.asp?categoryID=244&URL=Safety%20Information/For%20consumers/Fact%20sheets%20and%20safety%20tips

Combat Challenge Logo for Website

Aug 17th, RESULTS OF THE

Firefighter

Combat Challenge

August 14th & 15th, 2009

Lexington, Kentucky

15 members of The Lexington Division of Fire and Emergency Services showed their stuff at the Firefighter Combat Challenge. The citizens of Lexington and Fayette County can be proud of the way these individuals represented themselves in competition and sportsmanship. 91 individual firefighter/athletes came from as far as Colorado, Florida, the coastal states and the mid-west to compete. Division of Fire Assistant Chief Rick Jordan qualified for the World Championships in November in the Individual and Tandem groupings. Four members of Second Platoon, Capt Chris Sweat, Lt Rob King, FF Jeremy Bruner, and FF Andrew Norton qualified for the World Championships in the Relay group. The rest of the team included included Lt Curtis Works, FF Robbie Cole, FF Aaron Cox, FF Chris Cox, FF Joey Harris, FF Brad Dobrzynski, FF Wes Herald, FF Jason Picklesimer, FF Jordan Saas, and FF Nate Wilbur. Considering most of the members had never run the course before competing makes their times and accomplishments all the more incredible. This is the second year for the Challenge to be in Lexington. Kentucky State Fire Commissioner Ronny Day announced a contract was signed to bring it back to Lexington for three more years. The officials associated with the Challenge raved about Lexington, the Division of Fire, State Fire Officials, and the course itself.

The Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge is a Firefighter skills and obstacle course competition. It is a timed event that has been seen on ESPN and other sports programming. The Challenge annually attracts hundreds of U.S. and Canadian municipal fire departments at more than 25 locations and is now expanding to countries around the world. The Challenge seeks to encourage firefighter fitness and demonstrate the profession's rigors to the public. Wearing "full bunker gear" and the SCOTT Air-Pak breathing apparatus, pairs of competitors race head-to-head as they simulate the physical demands of real-life firefighting by performing a linked series of five tasks including climbing the 5-story tower, hoisting, chopping, dragging hoses and rescuing a life-sized, 175 lb. "victim" as they race against themselves, their opponent and the clock."

For more information on the Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge go to their website at: www.firefighterchallenge.com

Grilling safety BBQ Grill for website

Firefighters like grilling on the barbecue. The LEXINGTON FIRE DEPARTMENT wants to make sure that your grill fire stays in your grill!

Safety tips

Propane and charcoal BBQ grills must only be used outdoors.

If used indoors, or in any enclosed spaces, such as tents, they pose both a fire hazard and the risk of exposing occupants to toxic gases and potential asphyxiation.

Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.

Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic.

Keep children and pets away from the grill area: declare a three-foot "safe zone" around the grill.

Put out several long-handled grilling tools to give the chef plenty of clearance from heat and flames when flipping burgers.

Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill.

Charcoal grills

Purchase the proper starter fluid and store the can out of reach of children, and away from heat sources.

Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals or kindling have already been ignited, and never use any flammable or combustible liquid other than charcoal starter fluid to get the fire going.

Propane grills

Check the gas cylinder hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. A light soap and water solution applied to the hose will quickly reveal escaping propane by releasing bubbles. If you determine your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off the gas tank and grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.

Use only equipment with the label of a recognized testing laboratory. Follow the manufacturers’ instructions on how to set up the grill and maintain it.

For more information:

Call: The Lexington Fire Department

Division of Community Services

(231-5605) or go to www.nfpa.org

Annual Guns N Hoses Softball Game

The annual GUNS & HOSES Softball Game was played on Sunday, June 28th at Applebee’s Park. A large crowd came to enjoy the friendly competition and beautiful weather. The Gun’s(POLICE) team jumped out to an early 5 to 1 lead and things didn’t look too good for our Hoses (FIRE) Team. The Hoses tied, then went ahead with their own five run inning to extinguish any Guns hopes for victory. The final nine inning score, Hoses 13, Guns 7. The police took loosing this game for the first time in five years well and graciously accepted the Looser Toilet Seat trophy. The proceeds acquired through T-Shirt sales by the Police and Fire were donated to Red Cross Disaster Relief. Special thanks to the Lexington Legend’s for sharing the field and facilities with us and to Gall’s, who sponsored the event, provided the t-shirts and the Trophies…especially the WINNING Trophy, held high by Hoses Team Captain Firefighter Todd Easton!

Hoses Team Photo

Hoses Hitter 2

Hoses 3 Rounding Third

Hoses AJ Throwing

Hose Todd Backhand

Hoses Scoreboard

Todd and Trophy

June 9th - Utility truck wreck stops New Circle traffic.

TOB for web

New Circle Road and R. J. Corman Railroad had to be shut down for an hour because a utility truck carrying oxygen and acetylene was sideswiped and went over the bridge and was hung up in some trees. The driver got out on his own and was not transported by EMS. However before the truck could be extricated the Division of Fire’s Hazardous Materials and Technical Rescue crews had to render the oxygen and acetylene bottles safe and retrieve them. Once this was accomplished one lane of traffic was opened in each direction.

alexandria for web Two Alarm Apartment Fire on June 1st.

This apartment fire on Alexandria Drive was originally called in as smoke in the structure. First arriving crews found a well developed apartment fire spreading through open roof construction. They battled hard using 2 1/2" hand lines. A second alarm was requested because building construction issues and winds contributed to intense conditions and rapid spread. Eventually interior suppression operations had to be withdrawn and operations went defensive.

March is Severe Storms Preparedness Month

Severe weather can affect Lexington Fayette County at any time of year, but the spring severe weather season can be especially dangerous. During the last several years we have experienced a tornado, straight line winds, severe thunderstorms, hail, lightning, and flash flooding. The Division of Fire and Emergency Services encourages you to take action to be prepared.

Tornado Drill

The statewide tornado drill will be held Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at 10:07 a.m. This drill will be broadcast over the NOAA weather radio. This is a great opportunity to practice your emergency plan for tornadoes.

Tornado Preparedness

To find out more specific information on being prepared for tornadoes click here http://www.fema.gov/hazard/tornado/.

More severe storms and disaster preparedness information can be found on the Division of Emergency Management (DEM) web site at www.lexingtonky.gov/dem, at local libraries, and other locations. If you questions about severe weather or disaster preparedness, please contact Shelley Bendall at sbendall@lfucg.com or 258-3784.

Awards Banquet

BC Marshall Griggs Awards Banquet for Website Battalion Chief Marshall Griggs presided over the the Annual Fire Department Awards Banquet held at the Embassy Suites on March 6th. There were over 450 persons in attendance including dignitaries from the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security, the State Fire Marshal, Kentucky Fire Commission, Bluegrass Emergency Response Team, Mayor Jim Newberry and other members of the Urban County Council and government, fire department retirees, and over 250 firefighters with their families and friends. The banquet was postponed in January due to the ice storm.

We greatly appreciate this years banquet sponsors: Columbia Gas of Kentucky, Galls Incorporated, Landmark Sprinkler, Southern Communications, Bluegrass Fire Equipment, Creative Coach Sales, Elkhart Brass, Excellance Inc., the Lexington Public Safety Museum, Perdue Environmental Contracting Co., S & S Tire, and the Turner Construction Co. These organizations not only sponsored our banquet but also represent vital partnerships in supporting our emergency response mission.

AC Rick Jordan and Chief Hendricks for website Along with the Awards those who were promoted in 2008 and 2009 were recognized. 23 Lieutenants, 21 Captains, 15 Majors, 6 Battalion Chiefs and 1 Assistant Chief received their badges from Chief Robert Hendricks.

At right, Chief Hendricks congratulates Battalion Chief Rick Jordan for his promotion to Assistant Chief of Operations.

These are the Awards and their Recipients:

Citizens Spirit Award

Safe Kids, Fayette County

Therese Moseley

Lee Fields, Ball Homes

Dr. Robert Harmon, UK Research Farm

Larry Blackburn, Turner Construction Company

Tempur-Pedic

Chief’s Commendations

Fire Station #20

Firefighter/EMT Todd Houston

Firefighter/Paramedic Nicholas Newman

Outstanding Company of the Year

1^st Platoon (Capt. Bayer, FF’s Gilliam, Halsaver, Shields)

2^nd Platoon (Lt. Carlin, FF’s Whitt, Barton, Calloway)

3^rd Platoon (Capt. Frontz, FF’s Durr, Herald, Walton)

Civilian Support Person of the Year – Jeff Holzhause

Sworn Support Person of the Year – Battalion Chief Greg Stapleton

Emergency Services Provider of the Year – FF Jeff Godby

Firefighter of the Year – FF Robbie Cole

Company Officer of the year – Capt David Watts

District Major of the Year – Major Mike Tracy

Meritorious Company Citation

1 – Engine 7 Crew (AO King, FF’s Barton, Gibson)

2 – EC-4 Crew (AO Nichols, FF’s Kearns, Lockhard)

Civilian Meritorious Citations

The Roger’s Family

Mr. Patrick Taylor

Sworn Personnel Meritorious Citations

FF/EMT David Cole

Captain/EMT Andy Areaux

FF/Paramedic Ricky Loveless

Seven Paramedics Sworn In

Paramedic Swearing In On December 19, 2008 seven Paramedics were sworn in by Mayor Jim Newberry at the Fire Training Academy. The paramedics are members of the 2008 Fire Recruit Class. Because they entered fire training as certified Paramedics and completed fire, hazardous materials, rescue, and other required training they were sworn in. Following the ceremony they received their shift assignments (five to First Platoon and two to Third Platoon) from Battalion Chief Greg Stapleton. They entered service December 23rd 2008.

2008 Fire Recruit House Burn

2008 Recruit House Burn The 2008 Fire Recruits culminated their fire training with the essential "house burn" on December 18th. This day long exercise typically comes very near the end of the recruits training. It serves as a "Final Exam" and last hurrah together for the fire recruits. All 20 fire recruits have previous fire fighting experience. The house burn and all fire training received in our Fire Academy insure each recruit will be on the same page with the crew they will join on the line. House burns require considerable preparation in order to insure the safety of all participants to maximize the training experience and comply with all laws and fire service guidelines. Seven of these members are already Paramedics and were sworn in on Friday December 19th. They joined the front line on December 23rd. The other 13 fire recruits will start Paramedic training in December.

Open Burning Permits...

BurnPermit Icon

The Division of Fire is administering the Open Burning Permit program a little differently now. You can download and read the new regulations, and an application form here. After filling in the form (online if you wish) you can save it to your hard drive for your reference, then attach the saved file to an email to submit it directly instead of driving downtown. Of course you can also fill it in online, then print and mail it.

Please take the time to read the regulations - they will save you a lot of time and money, and make the whole permit process run more smoothly for everybody. To that end, there is a link at the bottom of each page in the set to get to the next page. Only the last page of the regulations has a link to the actual application. The whole thing opens up in a new browser window, so when you are done, just close the window to come back here and browse more of the LFD website.

To apply, click here....

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