St. Charles County Emergency Services Association

Open Burning and Brush Fire information from the Emergency Services of St. Charles County.
            Easter is here and spring is around the corner. The long winter is winding down. Spring cleaning will soon be on everyone’s agenda, both inside the home and outside in the yard. Our yards are filled with debris from fallen leaves to tree limbs. But many people do not know what to do with this yard waste.    Most cities in St. Charles County have areas set aside for the collections of this waste to recycle it as mulch. But usually the first thought that comes to mind is, “Let’s pile it up and Burn it”. So far in 2008, firefighters and paramedics have responded to 34 Grass/Brush/Woods fires. Spring is usually the busiest time for these types of emergencies. In an effort to try keep a handle on these small fires, the State of Missouri came up with a State Statue which governs Open Burning state-wide.
            The Open Burning season in St. Charles County runs from September 16^th to April 14^th every year (10CSR 10-5.070(3) (B)). Open burning is prohibited from April 15^th to September 15^th by this statute. As St. Charles County is in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area it must adhere to the St. Louis Clean Air Policy. The State Statute dictates who can burn and where open burning may occur. It also, names the local Fire Departments and Districts as administers of the permits. All of the Municipalities in St. Charles County ban or bar open burning within their city limits (10CSR 10-5.070(1) (A)). The only places where open burning can occur are in unincorporated areas of St. Charles County. Even then the property owners there must obtain a burn permit from their local Fire Department or Fire District. These permits are required by the statute and have very specific rules that must be followed by the permit holder (10CSR 10-5.070(3) (c)).
            The firefighters and paramedics of the St. Charles County Emergency Services remind those with burn permits to follow the requirements of the permit. They also ask that anyone planning to have an open burn to come by and get a permit. The cost for these permits varies by district. Permit holders are asked to call the issuing Fire Agency prior to lighting the fire. Anyone burning without a permit can be assessed a fine by the St. Charles County Sheriff’s Department.
            When conducting a fire, the firefighters and paramedics ask that our customers follow the rules on the permits. Making sure you have a garden hose, rakes, shovels or fire extinguisher close by will allow for a safer fire. If the fire becomes uncontrollable, immediately call 9-1-1!
            For more information on open burning or other fire safety topics check out the St. Charles County Emergency Services Association web-site at www.sccesa.org/ for links to your local fire department or district.

Safety Tips for being Safe around, in and on the Water.
            Memorial Day has come and the summer fun is just around the corner. You will be seeing all the community pools and home pools ready for the summer swimming season.    There will be pool parties, swimming meets and Bar-B-Q’s. The lakes and rivers will be filled with boats, water craft of all shapes and sizes along with lots of swimmers. The St. Charles County Emergency Services Association firefighters and paramedics hope that our citizens and their families pack along some water safety tips to go along with their swimming suits, sun block, food and fun.
            According to National Safety Council Statistics, Drowning claims the lives of nearly 3,000 people every year. Although all age groups are included in this number, children age 4 and younger have the highest death rate due to drowning. Many of these drowning or near drowning incidents happen when the child falls into a pool or is left alone in the bathtub. A small child can drown in less than 2 gallons of water. Inexperienced swimmers are the next highest grouping.
            Here are some general water safety tips for the pool and the open water:
Never leave children alone near water: at the beach, poolside or in the bathtub. If you have to leave them, take them with you.
Enroll your children at an early age in swimming lessons taught by qualified instructors. Many area pools and the YMCA have programs that teach swimming to children as young as 3 to adults.
Always follow any posted Safety Rules or Precautions. At the pool, always keep an eye on your kids. The lifeguards are not there to baby sit.
If you teach your kids anything about safety around water, teach them these four keys swimming rules:
1)      Always swim with a buddy.
2)      Don’t dive into unknown bodies of water or the shallow end of a pool. Jump in feet first to avoid hitting your head on a shallow bottom and always look before you jump to avoid hitting other swimmers.
3)      Don’t push or jump on others around any bodies of water. Horse play has no business around water.
4)      Always be prepared for an emergency.
Never consume alcohol while operating a boat. This is illegal.
Always used approved personal flotation devices (life jackets) when in open water. Always use them if you are unable to swim.
Don’t underestimate the power of water. There can be undertows present not only at the beach, but in rivers and lakes as well. These will tire even good swimmers quickly.
Drowning isn’t the only danger. If you see storm clouds or hear thunder, get out of the pool immediately to avoid electrocution hazards.
The St. Charles County Emergency Services Association wishes everyone a fun and safe summer swimming season.

First Bids are Awarded

The St. Charles County Emergency Services Association has taken another step in streamlining the way fire agencies operate in the County. The chiefs have accepted bids for vehicle maintenance, emergency generator maintenance and fuel. The bids were awarded under the current St. Charles County Emergency Services Association’s bid policy. These bids will allow the county fire agencies to continue to be competitive in their purchasing of items while at the same time saving the taxpayers money. The long-term goal will be a plan, which can be changed with the ever-evolving needs of the communities, while meeting the primary goal of benefiting all of the residents.

Although awarding these bids is the next step in a long process, it is a gigantic step to have all the services on the same page working towards a common goal. Through these common goals the fire service will not only save money for the citizens but also improve service delivery in the process. By bringing the resources of all the services together to solve the common issues that are present across the county, the solutions will not only come sooner but will be implemented more readily.

As the emergency services move forward by taking the next step in this functional consolidation process the citizens will soon begin to notice the changes. The long road ahead will be ongoing. The needs of a community such as ours change on a daily basis and so the plan should evolve on a regular basis. If you have questions about the process or are in need of more information please contact your fire chief at your local service.

The Emergency Services are asking for Help in Reducing Fires along with Fire related Injuries and Fatalities.

Since the beginning of 2007, the Emergency Services in St. Charles County have responded to a large number of structure fires, including both residential and commercial buildings. Many of these fires were related to food cooking unattended, unsafe use of candles, and dirty or damaged fireplace flues. Unfortunately, these fires have caused a tremendous amount of property loss county wide as well as numerous injuries and at least one fatality. To date, injuries to both firefighters and civilians are higher than in years past. Since January 1^st of this year, 10 firefighters have suffered minor to severe injuries.

The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) reported that from February 1, 2007 to February 16, 2007, 59 people in the United States had perished in 31 house fires in 17 states. The IAFC said that a check of media stories from around the country showed that 25 fires involved single or double fatalities and 29 deaths resulted from just six fires.

These are not just numbers; these are personal tragedies. We are asking for your help in spreading the word about the importance of practicing fire safety every day. Here are some life-saving suggestions from the IAFC along with the Firefighters and Paramedics of the Emergency Services of St. Charles County:

Check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to be sure they are working properly.
Have an escape plan with a meeting place and PRACTICE it regularly.
Once you exit your home, DO NOT return. Too many people lose their lives going back into a burning home.
Stoves are not made to heat homes.
Supplemental heating devices should be used and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Always keep combustibles clear of heaters. DO NOT leave supplemental heating devices unattended.
If you burn wood in your fireplace, make sure your chimneys are properly maintained.
If candles are necessary, use them in a safe environment, in a fireproof container and away from children. DO NOT leave candles unattended.
Consider getting a residential fire sprinkler. According to statistics, the risk of death by fire is reduced by 82 percent when smoke detectors are accompanied with residential fire sprinklers.

For more information regarding Fire Safety and General Safety, please contact your local Fire Department or Fire District.

Severe Weather Safety Release

            The old saying “April showers bring May flowers” may sound nice, but the reality is that over the last several years April showers have actually manifested as severe storms that smash the May flowers. Spring is upon and so is the beginning of our severe weather season. The Firefighters and Paramedics of St. Charles County want our citizens to plan for their safety.
Thunderstorms can form at any time during the year. Quite often they are accompanied by hail, high winds and torrential rains. In addition, many of these storms are capable of and do produce tornadoes. Storms can strike with little or no warning and can be disastrous for those without a plan.
            This is why the Emergency Services of St. Charles County want every family to put together and practice a “Disaster Plan” for their homes and businesses.    Having a Disaster plan for severe weather will better prepare you and your family for any disaster, big or small. Your plan should include where family members go if they are at home, school, work, outdoors or in a car when a flood, severe thunderstorm, or tornado warning is issued. Along with the “Disaster Plan”, every household should put together a “Disaster Kit”. There are numerous web-sites and articles on what should be included in a kit.
Example Disaster Kit: (Do not include candles, which can cause fires)
-          Battery Operated Radio, Flashlight, Extra Batteries
-          Drinking Water – 3 gallons/person - Additional water for sanitation
-          A good First Aid Kit
-          Food – Min. 3-day supply of non-perishable food. Examples: Dry Cereal, Canned Fruits and Juices, Energy Snacks, Ready-to-eat soups and canned meats.
-          Toilet Paper, Disinfectants, Household Chlorine bleach, Garbage bags, Personal Hygiene supplies, soap and paper towels.
-          Make sure the Families Medical needs are addressed
-          Extra Clothing and Bedding
-          For Families with Babies or young children – Be sure to have extra formula, bottles, powdered milk, diapers and medication.
-          Family Pets will need food, leashes/harnesses and current I.D. tags
The items in this disaster kit are readily accessible at area retail outlets. In addition to the above listed items, it is highly recommended that you keep copies of important family documents in a safe place.
After the storms have passed and the weather settles, residents need to be aware of the dangers that lurk hidden in the debris. These can include downed electrical power lines (possibly energized), nails or other sharp debris.

Other dangers during severe weather include lightning and flash flooding. According to the National Weather Service, there are an estimated 25 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes each year. While some people are struck by lightning directly, others are struck as the current moves in and along the ground from a close strike. Remember if you here thunder, you are within striking distance of lightning and should go to a safe building immediately. Like Lightning, Flooding is often associated with severe weather. It can either occur in the form of flash flooding from sudden torrential rain or run-off flooding in low lying areas with poor drainage. Both of these can be deadly. Flash Flooding occurs over a short period of time, usually only several hours or less. During severe weather and heavy rains, people living in low areas prone to flooding should move to higher ground. Never drive in to areas or on flooded roads, two feet of water can float most vehicles.
For more information about how to locally prepare for your family’s safety during severe weather, please contact your local Fire District or Department. The National Weather Service and the Weather Channel are also good sources for general information on all types of weather.