Thursday, August 19, 2010

Fire Prevention and Home Fire Safety for Children

About 3,500 Americans die each year in fires and about 20,000 are injured. You can stop the fire before it starts. Use this fact sheet to learn how to prevent a fire in your home and know what to do if you have a fire.

Stop children from starting a fire, before it starts:

  • Keep matches and lighters in a locked drawer or cabinet out of the reach of children. This should be a location where a child is least likely to explore.
  • Teach your children to tell you when they find matches and lighters.
  • Check under beds and in closets for burnt matches or other clues your child is playing with fire.

Be prepared for a fire:

  • One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to have a working smoke alarm that can sound fast for both a fire that has flames, and a smoky fire that has fumes without flames. It is called a "Dual Sensor Smoke Alarm." A smoke alarm greatly reduces your chances of dying in a fire.
  • Let children know what a smoke alarm sounds like and what to do when they hear it.
  • Always dress children in pajamas that meet federal flammability standards, which means if the pajamas are exposed to a small open flame, the flame will go out. Avoid dressing children for sleep in loose-fitting, 100 percent cotton clothes, such as oversized T-shirts.
  • Teach children not to hide from firefighters, but to get out of the house quickly and call for help from somewhere else.
  • Show children how to crawl low on the floor, below the smoke, to get out of the house.
  • Show them how to stop, drop to the ground, and roll if their clothes catch fire.
  • Make and practice a home fire escape plan and set a meeting place outside. Make sure everyone in your family knows at least two (2) escape routes from their bedrooms.
WWW.USFA.GOV

Friday, August 13, 2010

News Release - August 13, 2010

RELEASE DATE: August 13, 2010

MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Kopicko (313) 224-3758

DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Chief Katrina Butler (313) 596-2957


DETROIT FIREFIGHTERS CRITICALLY INJURED IN JEFFERSON/DICKERSON FIRE


In the early morning hours of August 13, at approximately 0527 the Detroit Fire Department responded and extinguished a box alarm fire, located at Jefferson and Dickerson. Shortly after 7 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to the same location for a rekindle. As the firefighters were entering the two-story building, a wall collapsed, trapping fire personnel.

There are three firefighters listed in critical condition: Fire Fighter Brian Baulch of E-41, 9 year veteran, 31 years of age; Fire Fighter Eric Jurmo of E-23, 11 year veteran, 42 years of age; Fire Fighter Brendan Milewksi of L-30, 11 year veteran, 31 years of age. One firefighter is listed in fair condition: Lieutenant Gerald Rutkowski of E-41, 23 year veteran, 46 years of age. Three firefighters were treated and released: Fire Fighter Jeron Whitehorn of L-14, 8 year veteran, 30 years of age; Fire Fighter Shayne Raxter of L-6, 9 year veteran, 37 years of age; and Lieutenant Robert Puckett of E-38, a 23 year veteran, 50 years of age.

The fire is still under investigation to determine its point of origin and probable cause. When Arson investigators complete their investigation, Executive Fire Commissioner James W. Mack Jr. will communicate their finding to the media.

For more information, please call Katrina Butler, Chief of Community Relations Division at (313) 596-2957.

PR-10-119

2nd Alarm Fire Dickerson And East Jefferson - Injured Fire Fighter Update

  1. Brian Baulch - 9 Years Service - Critical Condition
  2. Eric Jurmo - 11 Years Service - Critical Condition
  3. Brendan Milewski - 11 Years Service - Critical Condition
  4. Gerald Rutkowski - 23 Years Service - Fair Condition
  5. Jeron Whitehorn - 8 Years Service - Treated and Released
  6. Shayne Raxter - 9 Years Service - Treated and Released

2nd Alarm Fire Dickerson And East Jefferson - Injured Fire Fighter Update



  1. Brandon Milewski - 11 Years Service - Critical Condition
  2. Eric Jurmo - 11 Years Service - Critical Condition
  3. Brian Baluch - 9 Years Service - Critical Condition
  4. Jeron Whitehorn - 8 Years Service - Treated and Released
  5. Shayne Raxter - 9 Years Service - Fair Condition
  6. Brian Rutowski - 23 Years Service - Fair Condition