Speakers on FIre Fighting

Rotary speakers at our weekly meeting March 10, 2015 were from the Jacobus Volunteer Fire Department.  Pictured are (left) Don McVay, York East President, and guests,  Nick Smolko (middle) and Mike Dowling (right).  Mike also works as a Lt.  full-time fire fighter and EMT at Prince George County.  Nick is the grandson of our York East member, Jim Smolko, MD and is a student in high school.

Our guests explained some history.  Fire service started in the US in the 1700s when insurance companies wanted to protect their investments.  There are currently over a million fire fighters in the U.S. and more than 90% of them are volunteers.

The fire departments have a broad base job and  do more than fight fires:  they help with missing people, water breaks, car accidents, HAZMAT investigations and investigate "funny" smells in a house. 

The training requirements of a fire fighter are rigorous.  They are given 100 hours just to operate outside a building and more than 64 hours to transition into a burning building.  Some of the training is done locally during once a week evening sessions and 1 or 2 weekends monthly as well as at the York County Fire School in Emigsville.  The cost is about $3100 to equip a fire fighter with personal safety equipment which has an expiration date in ten years.  The breathing apparatus costs $5500.00.  The equipment is very heavy:  40 pounds for the basic and another 40 pounds for the breathing apparatus plus whatever tools are carried (well over 100 pounds a person).

The costs for a fire truck, even if used, is very high and can run over a million dollars to fully equip.

They encouraged us to support our local fire company that provides such invaluable service, through outright donations and through rental of the fire hall facilities.

A few words of advice: 1.  check the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors and in your smoke detectors.  Carbon monoxide detectors are essential if you use gas appliances or if your garage is attached to your home.  Note:  all detectors have a life expectancy and an expiration date.  Replace your smoke detector every 10 years and your carbon monoxide detector every 7 years.    2.  Close your door while sleeping (it retards the spread of smoke)         3.  Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

Thank-you gentlemen for your service and dedication, making our community a safer place for all of us.