August 2017- Prepare in a Year Focus- Fire Safety

Make a Plan

Fire Safety at Home

When it comes to fire, be smart!  If the fire is too big for you to handle, immediately get out of the house. Do not stop to gather anything or to do anything. Once you are outside, stay outside. Intense heat and toxic fumes can kill you. Once you have gotten safely out of the house call 911 with your location as soon as possible.

Fire is a very good reason to practice getting out of your home in a quick safe manner. We recommend having copes of all important documents in a fire proof box or stored elsewhere.

Plan and practice fire safety:

• Choose a reunion place outside your home, the same as your primary meeting place in the event of an earthquake, etc. Have a way to remind family members of this location.
• Draw the floor plan of your home and discuss two ways to exit each room.
• Hold a fire drill at least twice a year. If able, blindfold yourself and crawl to your exit routes, to simulate a smoke-filled house.

The National Fire Protection Association provides a downloadable template to plan your escape routes from your home.  Search for the escape plan grid template.
Source: National Fire Protection Association

ABC and P.A.S.S.

Fire Extinguishers

Follow these tips for types of extinguishers  to purchase and storing extinguishers

• Store your extinguisher in a quick to grab location
• Putting put out a small fire can prevent severe damage or injury. i.e. kitchen, garage, bedroom, on each floor for a multiple floor home
• Place or store several smaller extinguishers throughout the house for ease of use and quick access
• A-B-C extinguishers are recommended :  

• Check your extinguishers on a regular basis to ensure they are properly charged

How to use a fire extinguisher: PASS

• Citizen Emergency Response Team fire extinguisher training:    https://youtu.be/011521IBWIc
• Try to keep calm. It is vital to keep an escape route open between you and the small fire you attempting to extinguish
• Always point the extinguisher at the base of the fire rather than at the top of the flames.
• If the fire is too big for you to handle, immediately get yourself and your family out of the house, gathering nothing!!!  
• Contact your local Fire Station to inquire if they provide fire extinguisher training

Source: National Fire Protection Association

Gas, Electrical and Oil

Types of Fires

Fire safety in communities

Wild Land Fires and Neighborhoods

If your neighborhood is near, adjacent to, or bumping into any woodland areas your homes can be subject to wild land fires, a common acronym "WUI" (Wild-land Urban Interface) describes your neighborhood.  FIREWISE USA has been assisting residents in reducing wildfire risks for years. 

Watch this video to learn about the FIREWISE program: Firewise Video YouTube link.
If your neighborhood is not at risk, please pass this on to those you know are at risk.  You do not have to be living in the forest for wild fire to impact your home.

The Firewise USA™ program provides a number of proven tools and resources for homeowners and other community residents who work tirelessly to help prepare for and reduce the risk of wildfire damage and loss in their neighborhoods. The FIREWISE website  has a great Toolkit and FIREWISE principles for a homeowner/landlord to follow.

Washington State Department of Natural Resources has some great local information at this website: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/firewise

Preparedness Academy

Information and Registration HERE

A neighborhood or community can request a course, call for attendance requirements and dates available.  For details call Peggy 253-798-2209

Psychological First Aid 

September 12, Tuesday 6:00 PM, University Place Library
 
October 10, Tuesday 6:00 PM Gig Harbor
 
November 7, Tuesday 6:00 PM Graham Fire Station, Graham

Disaster First Aid

 
October 28, Saturday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Chapel Hill Presbyterian - Gig Harbor
 
November 4, Saturday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, East Pierce Fire Station - Bonney Lake
 
November 18, Saturday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM, Our Savior Lutheran- Tacoma/Puyallup

Radio Communications in Neighborhoods

October 26, Thursday 6:00 PM  Gig Harbor

Upcoming courses:

• Electrical hazards during accidents, storms and disasters will be addressed in presentations and demonstrations by Puget Sound Energy, sponsored by PSE and  Pierce County Emergency Management.
• An evening presentation by Pacific Northwest Seismic Network Scientist- Bill Steele on October 11.Impacts of subduction,deep and crustal fault earthquakes in Pierce County will be discussed. Preparedness strategies will also be shared.

Citizen Corps Council of Pierce County - Meeting

Are you interested in volunteering?    
More information at CCC-PC.

Meetings are held first Thursday every even-numbered month.  
Location Pierce County EOC 2501 South 35th St, Tacoma

Contact Us
Phone: 253-798-6595

Email: pcdemOUTREACH@co.pierce.wa.us