Serving the cities of Yelm, Rainier, and surrounding unincorporated areas.
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S.E. THURSTON FIRE AUTHORITY FIRE COMMISSIONER VACANCY

S.E. Thurston Fire Authority seeks applicants for Fire Commissioner vacancy in Sub Region 3, Position 1. (see map)

The Board of Commissioners oversees the Fire Authority’s long-term vision and guides the staff in achieving the goals of the Fire Authority.  Fire Commissioners attend board meetings once a month and as needed.

 Individuals interested in applying should submit a letter of interest to Fire Chief Mark King by 5 December.  Letters may be submitted electronically by email to Chief1@setfa.org or hand delivered to the main station located at 709 Mill Road SE in Yelm. First review of applications is 7 December 2022.

 Individual who have submitted letters of interest should also plan to attend the December 7, 2022 Board of Fire Commissioners meeting on December 7, 2022 at 1700 for interviews.

 Whomever is appointed to this position will serve until 2023 and will have to run for re-election then.

Are you frying a turkey for this Thanksgiving?

 We want you to have a happy and safe thanksgiving.
  • Keep outdoor fryers off decks, out of garages and a safe distance away from trees and other structures.
  • Make sure the turkey is thawed and dry before cooking. Ice or water that mixes into the hot oil can cause flare-ups.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid overfilling. Oil can ignite when it makes contact with the burner.

Coats For Kids!

Knights of Columbus will be distributing jackets on Saturday, November 26th at St Columban Catholic Church, 9am-1pm. Jackets will be distributed on a first come first serve basis (Sizes and style may vary.)

For more information on the distribution or sizes of jackets available please contact Darren Johnson at 253-709-4588 or email darrenjohnson61@gmail.com

Jacket distribution is hosted by the St Columban Council 17152 Yelm, WA

 

Flyer

SAFETY TIPS FOR FALL

Home Heating Tips

No matter what you use to heat your home, ensuring your heating devices and systems are in good working order is essential to learning some fall-fire safety tips. Many things can go wrong with heating equipment during spring and summer; verify that everything you need to keep your home warm throughout fall and winter is in good working order before you experience the season’s first cold snap.

Central Heating System Safety Tips

  • Get your central heating system cleaned, inspected, and serviced by a certified HVAC (heating, venting, and air conditioning) contractor every year before using it.
  • If you have a gas heater, ensure that you have a sufficient quantity of fully functioning carbon monoxide detectors installed in your home.

Fireplace Safety Tips

  • Get your chimney inspected each year to make sure it is safe.
  • Hire a chimney sweep to clean out your chimney every fall.
  • Repair any cracks in fireplaces.
  • Use fireplace screens to keep sparks and fire debris inside the fireplace.
  • Do not ever use gasoline to start a fire in the fireplace.
  • Never leave a fire unattended.
  •  Do not store combustible materials within three feet of your fireplace.
  • Inspect all connections and lines before use each season for natural gas fireplaces.
  • Remember that outdoor fireplaces can be just as dangerous as indoor units, and observe all safety precautions when using them.

Space Heater Safety Tips

  • Make sure that any space heaters have at least three feet of space around them.
  • Never place clothing or any other objects on a space heater to dry.
  • Do not place space heaters near furniture or drapery.
  • Turn space heaters off when you leave the house or go to bed.
  • Avoid storing any combustible items near heaters.

Time Changes Mean Battery Changes

  • Change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors every fall and spring when changing the clocks for Daylight Savings Time. It is also a good idea to check all fire extinguishers to ensure they are fully charged and in working order when you adjust the clocks each season.
  • Family Fire Safety Tips
  • Make sure that there are sufficient smoke detectors in your home.
  • Teach your kids how to respond in the event of a fire.
  • Make sure young children know how to dial 911.
  • Establish and practice a fire escape plan with your family that includes a designated meeting area outside the home.
  • Practice stop, drop, and roll with your children, so they learn how to escape beneath a fire.
  • Teach everyone in your family multiple ways to escape from every room in the event of a fire.
  • Make sure everyone in your family knows how to use a fire extinguisher.
  • Do not place lit candles where children can reach them.
  • Never leave burning candles unattended.
  • Don’t leave cooking food unattended on the stove.
  • Keep everything that might be flammable away from your stove.
  • Ensure all flammable substances are stored correctly in safe containers and out of reach of youngsters.

Outdoor Fall Fire Safety Tips

  • Clear your roof and gutters of the unnecessary build-up of debris, such as pine needles and leaves.
  • Learn the outdoor burning regulations in your area, and do not engage in the illegal burning of leaves and other outdoor debris.

Safety Matters

There is nothing more important than the safety of your family. Everyone in your home needs to know how to behave responsibly to reduce the likelihood of experiencing a fire. Fires can start anytime without warning, and members of your household must know how to react in the event of a fire. It’s a good idea to review fire prevention and safety tips with your family every fall and several other times throughout the year.

Heat Safety for Excessive Temperature

Seattle has been issued an Excessive Heat Warning from the National Weather Service. Temperatures are predicted to be above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Starting on July 26th, temperatures will begin in the low to mid-90s and increase throughout the week. Here are some tips to avoid illness caused by extreme weather. 

Protecting Your Skin From the Sun

Clothes

When possible, wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, and skirts. This can provide UV protection; darker clothes made from tightly woven fabric can offer more protection. Wet material can provide less protection along with light-colored fabrics. Some clothes also offer UV protection and are certified under international standards. 

Shade 

Staying in the shade can prevent sun damage and skin cancer. Shade can be provided by an umbrella, tree, or cover. However, protective clothing and sunscreen are the best protection even when in the shade. 

Hats

A hat with a brim covering your face, ears, and the back of your neck will provide the most protection for you—tightly woven fabrics such as canvas work the best to protect against UV rays. Avoid woven hats with holes that allow for sunlight to shine through. If you wear a baseball cap wearing clothing and sunscreen will help protect the areas that the hat does not cover. 

Sunscreen

SPF or sun protection factor is a number assigned to sunscreens rating how effective they are in blocking UV rays. The general recommendation for sunscreen is to use a broad spectrum with an SPF of 15 or higher. A broad spectrum sunscreen will block both UVA and UVB rays. For maximum protection, a thick layer of sunscreen needs to be applied to all exposed skin, including hard-to-reach areas. Make sure to check if the sunscreen has expired. Most sunscreens have a shelf life of three years, which can be shorter if the product is exposed to high temperatures.

Sunscreen is not recommended for babies who are six months or younger. Instead, they should not be in the sun during midday and wear protective clothing when they are in the sun. 

Reapplication of sunscreen should happen every two hours when you are outside and after swimming, sweating, and toweling off. 

Learn more about sun exposure at Skin Cancer, CDC.

Heat Safety

Here is a list of things you can do to prevent heat-related illness. 

  • Stay hydrated and drink water before you feel thirsty.
  • Use air conditioners or shut blinds to keep your house cooler. 
  • Avoid outdoor activities during the hotter periods of the day. This is usually around 11 AM to 6 PM.
  • Never leave children and pets inside a vehicle as temperatures can rise quickly during hot weather. 

Home Fire Escape Planning

In the event of a fire, your ability to escape depends on an advance warning from your fire alarms and planning in advance.

Once a fire starts it can rapidly spread, leaving only a minute or two for escape after the alarm sounds. You’ll want to gather everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your house and examine exit and escape routes, looking at all possibilities. If you have children consider making a drawing of each room and marking at least two different exits.  Mark the windows and doors along with the location of each smoke alarm. Click here for more information on how to create your home fire escape plan.