The Goffstown Fire Department will host an open house and Sept. 11 remembrance on Sunday, September 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The schedule includes:
10-11am, World Trade Center steel display and remembrance ceremony.
11am-4pm, World Trade Center artifact public viewing and personal reflection.
11am-4pm, Tours and displays open to the public.
Refreshments will also be available.
For details, call 497-3619
The Goffstown Fire Department is hosting a 9/11 Remembrance and Open House on September 11 (10am to 4pm).
Event to be held at Station 18 (Village Fire Station) – 18 Church Street
Event Schedule:
· 10am – 11am World Trade Center Steel display and ceremony
· 11am – 4pm public viewing or the World Trade Center Artifact and personal reflection
· 11am -4pm Tours and displays open to the public
o Tours of fire station
o Fire safety trailer tours and live demonstrations
o Fire apparatus displays
Although half a million people called NH’s 911 system in 2010, many more are unaware of how the system works and when to make the call. If you smell smoke or see a fire, if you witness or are the victim of a crime or serious accident, if there is an emergency illness or suspected poisoning, when a vulnerable person is lost or needs special assistance, and when there is a potentially dangerous situation and you are unsure who to call. Remain calm, speak clearly and briefly state the reason for the call, then be ready to give your name and the exact location of the emergency, with special landmarks or any information that will help the team find you faster. Let the dispatcher lead the conversation, because they are trained to get as much information as quickly as possible.The Goffstown 911 call will go to one of 2 call centers in NH, typically Concord. Your operator will ask the type of emergency and then determine if the event is police, fire, or medical, which is characterized as an EMD, Emergency Medical Dispatching. The dispatcher will ask six key questions, including is the patient with you, are they awake, and are they having difficulty breathing. Your answers are keyed into their system and the severity of the call is determined, which will then prompt the dispatcher to ask more specific questions. The call is then passed along to the local dispatcher, but your 911 operator will stay on the line until help arrives.
Calls are divided into 5 categories, with A being minor and E being life threatening. Goffstown Fire Department will decide how many people to send, and the ambulance may be followed by a fire truck with a medically trained fire fighter who can leave his truck at the scene to accompany the ambulance if necessary.
Goffstown responders are all trained to make life-saving decisions, and often have to do so for neighbors and friends. “The majority of our personnel live in town and recognize the patients. I think it helps because if the situation is critical, they are able to make a phone call for the family, or stay as a resource to help the family understand what’s going on,” said Goffstown Fire Chief Richard O’Brien. “They love their job and they love serving their community.”
New Hampshire State Fire Marshal J. William Degnan, urges everyone to be safety conscious throughout the holiday season. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, the increased cooking activity, the use of holiday lighting, candles and other decorations pose an even greater potential for fires and fire deaths. In a recent report released by the US Fire Administration, the average number of reported residential building fires on Thanksgiving Day almost doubled (49 percent) from the average number of fires in residential buildings on all days other than Thanksgiving (26 percent). As of October 31, seventeen people have already died in New Hampshire fires.
The New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office joins the National Association of State Fire Marshals in suggesting the following safety tips to ensure a safe and happy holiday season:
COOKING SAFETY
Pay particular attention while cooking, especially when using oils and grease. Cooking appliances should be kept clean of grease build-up, which can easily ignite. Applying a lid to a small grease fire is usually the most effective and safest method of controlling it. Trying to carry a pan that’s on fire is extremely dangerous because it can ignite clothes or spill, causing severe burns. If the fire is inside your oven, turn off the heat and leave the door closed to cut off the fire’s air supply. Young children should be kept away from cooking appliances to prevent any mishaps. It’s always a good idea to use back burners when possible and keep pot handles turned to the inside so they won’t be pulled or knocked over. Check stoves and other appliances before going to bed or leaving your home to make sure that the units are left in the “off” position. With the increased popularity of frying turkey, NFPA and the National Burn Foundation warn consumers and discourage the use of turkey fryers. Tests have shown that many of the fryers have a risk of tipping over, overheating, or spilling hot oil, leading to fires and burns. The suggested alternative is to have a commercial professional prepare the turkey.
HOLIDAY LIGHTS
Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets. To avoid overloading electrical outlets, do not link more than three light strands unless the directions indicate it is safe. However tempting, it is not recommended to leave your lights burning overnight or while you are away from home.
CANDLE SAFETY
If you choose to use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave lit candles unattended. Lit candles should not be placed on or near your Christmas tree or near anything that can burn. Young children can be fascinated with a burning flame, so be sure candles are not in reach of curious hands.
Now is a great time to make sure your smoke alarms are in working order and to review your home escape plan so that if in the event of a fire, everyone in your household knows how to get out quickly and safely. For even greater protection, consider installing a residential fire sprinkler system, which actually stops the spread of fire, protecting lives and property.
Neil Funke, over at Goffstown Town Hall, sent me this fantastic web site to monitor the river levels. Check it out.
http://www.goffstown.com/notices.shtml
Thanks, Neil!
Brandon Rush FF2, Bryan Foster FF1
