The Charlotte Fire Department Reminds the Community to

‘CHANGE YOUR CLOCK, REPLACE YOUR BATTERY’

Did you know that households with non-working Smoke Alarms now outnumber those with no Smoke Alarms?

(Charlotte, NC) The Charlotte Fire Department is urging people to check their Smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarm batteries when they move their clocks back Sunday, November 1^st and replace batteries to ensure that these alarms will be in good working condition for the busy holiday season and winter months. A working Smoke Alarm, the development of a home escape plan, and yearly home fire drills, more than doubles your chances of surviving the event of a fire in your home.

This is the time to protect your family from the tragedy of fire and CO poisoning by putting new batteries in your alarms this weekend when the time changes! The Charlotte Fire Department encourages you to replace your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm batteries this weekend when the time changes!  

For additional information go to: 

http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Fire/Fire+and+Life+Safety/Change+Your+Clock+Change+Your+Battery.htm

Mark Basnight | Captain

Charlotte Fire Department | Office of Public Affairs

228 E. 9th Street | Charlotte NC 28202

704.432.2068 office | 704.580.0012 pager | 704.507.6415 cell

www.CharlotteFire.org | www.MarkBasnightCFDPIO.blogspot.com/

his message is subject to Public Records Laws and may be disclosed to third parties.

The Charlotte Fire Department Reminds Parents, Drivers, and Children To ‘Be Safe, Be Seen This Halloween’

(Charlotte, NC)  Halloween is the most dangerous day of the year for children under 14 while participating in Halloween and Fall Festival activities. Children trick-or-treating in the dark are more difficult for drivers to see and the excitement of the holiday can be distracting to both drivers and children, which is why children are more than twice as likely to be struck and killed by a vehicle on Halloween as any other night of the year.

Parents, caregivers, and drivers should adhere to the following safety tips:

·         Be sure to look in both directions before crossing streets.

·         Make use of sidewalks or paths.

·         Kids should carry glow sticks or flashlights and wear reflective items in an effort  

 to be more visible.

• Drive slower in residential areas and anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic.
• Remember that costumes can limit children’s visibility and they may not be able to see your vehicle.

Although pedestrian safety is a main concern on Halloween, parents should also be aware of additional hazards children face.

• Treats.  Kids should only eat treats in original, unopened wrappers.
• Glow Sticks.  If they break, the contents can irritate the skin or cause illness.

For additional information on Halloween Safety tips go to:  http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Fire/Fire+and+Life+Safety/Halloween+Safety+Tips.htm

Mark Basnight | Captain

Charlotte Fire Department | Office of Public Affairs

228 E. 9th Street | Charlotte NC 28202

704.432.2068 office | 704.580.0012 pager | 704.507.6415 cell

www.CharlotteFire.org |  www.MarkBasnightCFDPIO.blogspot.com/

Incident #10-0037285 

RE: Structure fire/ house @ 800 East 17^th Street   #-5 

On Monday September 28^th, 2009 at 11:36 am (8) Companies from the Charlotte Fire Department including (4) engines, (1) Ladder, (1) Heavy Rescue, and (2) Battalion Chiefs were dispatched to a report of a house on fire at 800 East 17^th Street just off North McDowell Street.  Firefighters from nearby Fire Station 1 arrived quickly at 11:40 am and reported heavy smoke showing from a 1-story single-family dwelling. Firefighters engaged in an aggressive fire attack by deploying (2) 1 ¾ hoselines through the front door. While engaged in this firefight, firefighters encountered dense black smoke and high heat conditions.  Teams of firefighters searched the home for occupants while others climbed ground ladders to get to the roof where they cut a hole to allow heat, smoke, and super-heated gases to escape. The firefighter's search of the house yielded negative results, but firefighters treated three occupants who self-evacuated, one of which was transported to an area hospital. Firefighters were able knockdown the bulk of the fire quickly, but not before the fire caused extensive damage estimated at $35,000. Twenty-seven (27) were needed to bring the fire under control in 24 minutes and (3) families were displaced as a result of the fire.  Fire Investigators determined the fire began in a rear bedroom and was caused by a juvenile playing with matches.

Fire officials would like to remind parents and caregivers to:

·      Keep matches and lighters out of a child's reach – locked in cabinets are the best    storage locations

·      Teach children to treat matches and lighters as they would a gun – if you find one, tell a grown-up

·      Matches and lighters are great tools, for adults; not toys for kids!

Mark Basnight | Captain
Charlotte Fire Department
Office of Public Affairs

Incident #10-0030398

RE: Structure Fire/ 2^nd Alarm Apartment Fire, 4921 Central Ave  

Incident Synopsis  

On September 12th at , (11) units from the Charlotte Fire Department responded to a reported apartment on fire at 4921 Central Ave. Firefighters from nearby station 15 and 23 arrived quickly at 4:27 am and reported heavy smoke coming from the 2-story apartment building. Firefighters were able to use water form a nearby fire hydrant to supply hoselines they deployed to fight this fire which caused extensive damage to at least two apartment units. A 2nd alarm was transmitted at 4:28 am bringing additional personnel and equipment to the scene. It took forty-eight (48) firefighters just thirty-five (35) minutes to bring this fire under control, but not before the fire caused extensive damage estimated at $150,000. Firefighters and Police were able to safely evacuate over a dozen occupants out of harm’s way. The American Red Cross responded to provide assistance for the two families who were displaced as a result of this fire. No injuries were reported and the investigation continues into the cause of the fire.

Rob Brisley | Captain

Charlotte Fire Department

Office of Public Affairs

Incident #10-0029815

On Thursday evening September 10, 2009 (16) units from the Charlotte Fire
Department including (7) Engine Companies, (2) Ladder Companies, (1) Heavy
Rescue Company, (4) Battalion Chiefs, and (2) Fire Investigators responded to
reports of a building fire at the National Welders Corporation, 5429 Old Dowd
Road in west Charlotte. Initial CFD companies were dispatched at 9:34 pm; while
en route, Fire Communications advised fire companies that they were upgrading
the call to a working fire based on the information they were receiving.
Shortly thereafter, Fire Communications advised responding units that there was
a tractor-trailer tanker on fire.

Firefighters from nearby station 17 were first to arrive at 9:38 pm and
reported a large fire blowing out of the top of a 3000-gallon Hydrogen
compressed gas trailer, and established Command. Upon further recon, it was
determined that there were 5 tractor-trailer compressed gas trailers at the
filling station, all parked beside one another. Starting from the left end, it
was trailer #2 that was involved in fire. Firefighter's quickly deployed
hoselines supplied by a nearby fire hydrant to cool the adjacent tankers while
the Haz-Mat crews made their way to the rear of the involved trailer and
controlled the fire by closing the 10 valves located at the rear. (31)
Firefighters were needed to bring this incident under control in 19 minutes.
Fire Investigators said that the fire was caused by a mechanical failure and was
ruled accidental. There were no injuries reported.

Submitted by:
Mark Basnight
Charlotte Fire Department
Office of Public Affairs

Incident #10-0028734

On Tuesday September 8^th, 2009, (17) units from the Charlotte Fire Department including (7) Engines, (2) Ladders, (1) Heavy Rescue, (3) Battalion Chiefs, (1) Deputy Chief, and (3) Fire Investigators responded to a reported structure fire at 6812 Rea Croft Drive in south Charlotte. First alarm companies were dispatched at 1:03 pm: Firefighters from nearby station 24 were first to arrive at 1:09 pm and reported heavy fire and smoke showing from the `B' division (left side) of an approximately 3000 – 4000 square foot 2-Story home. Firefighters found the homeowner who was attempting to extinguish the blaze with a garden hose with burns to his upper extremities and face. In addition to being burned, firefighters and EMS personnel (Medic) treated the homeowner for smoke inhalation; he was later transported to Carolinas Medical Center. Firefighters used water from a nearby fire hydrant to supply hoselines they deployed to fight this fire which started in the garage and extended to the living space above. Teams of firefighters searched the home while other firefighters used an aerial device to get to the roof where they cut holes using power saws to allow heat, smoke, and super-heated gases to escape. A 2^nd second alarm was transmitted at 1:15 pm bringing additional personnel to the scene. Firefighters worked hard to extinguish this persistent fire which was entrenched in the garage and attic space using hoselines, hooks, and other firefighter specific tools. (45) Firefighters were needed to bring this fire under control in 59 minutes, but not before the fire caused extensive damage estimated at $250,000. Firefighters remained on scene for several hours to insure the fire was completely extinguished. Fire Investigators determined the fire was accidental and caused by a soldering iron left unattended. A family of 4 was displaced.

Mark Basnight | Captain
Charlotte Fire Department
Office of Public Affairs