S.E. Thurston Fire Authority -
Serving the cities of Yelm, Rainier, and surrounding unincorporated areas. (360) 458-2799
Serving the cities of Yelm, Rainier, and surrounding unincorporated areas.
(360) 458-2799

Tag Archives: se thurston

Recent News

Perform a Care Safety Check NOW to Stay Safe LATER

We just saw some of our first snow this winter in Thurston County, and with it came frigid temperatures and icy roads. As much as we’d like to assume we won’t face any conflicts while driving, being prepared for them can make the difference between an emergency and a controlled situation. If you take the time now to do a safety check on your vehicle, you could avoid being stranded or injured later while driving in severe winter conditions.

Check these five things to make sure your vehicle is ready for the worst:

Check your vehicle’s fluids

It’s recommended that you check fluids like oil, coolant, and others in your vehicle regularly, especially right before a long trip or severe weather. This is because it is harder to find and change these fluids if you end up stranded in rural areas or in bad weather. You should also get an oil change if your vehicle hasn’t had one in a while.

Keep your vehicle’s fuel tank full

Even if you’re only driving short distances the majority of the time, it’s best to keep your vehicle’s fuel tank above the 3/4 mark in case you need to make an emergency long-distance drive or can’t find access to fuel for an extended period of time.

Check your vehicle’s tire pressures

Make sure you’re familiar with the suggested pressure for your vehicle’s tires, and ensure they are always kept at that level. Under pressured or overpressured tires can reduce the control you have over your vehicle during hazardous weather, as well as increasing the risk of getting a flat.

Clean your windshields and windows

Every so often you should thoroughly clean your front and back windshields, as well as your vehicle’s windows in order to keep a clear field of view while in bad road conditions. Grimy or foggy windows can significantly reduce your vision, especially in fog or at night, so keeping them clean can help you see potential dangers before it’s too late. You should also check your windshield wipers while you’re at this step, and make sure they don’t leave streaks on the glass.

Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle

No matter where you live or what you drive, you should always have an emergency kit in your vehicle. This kit should have some emergency food and water, spare clothing, heat packs, navigation gear, and repair tools, in case you end up lost or break down.

Recent News

Electric Heater Safety Tips

Not every home is equipped with a sufficient heating system, and as we drift into colder weather, maintaining a safe and comfortable temperature at home has become a high priority for many. One of the most common secondary heating methods for houses and apartments are electric space heaters, and while they are generally a safe and effective way of controlling your home’s temperature, there are still some safety measures that need to be taken to ensure no problems arise.

 

Do Not Use Extension Cords, Plug Heaters Directly Into an Outlet

Extension cords may be tempting when it comes to moveable heaters, as they allow you more freedom in where they can be placed, however extension cords also increase the risk of a fire or electrical short with these devices. Electric heaters use a large and steady amount of electricity, and most extension cords can’t handle that pull. As high amounts of electricity move through the extension cord, it can generate heat, melt the insulation, and cause a short or fire. It is far safer to plug electric heaters directly into an outlet, which is generally much more suited for the higher electrical pull.

Position Them Carefully

The location of your electric heater is often what decides if it is safe or not. Even though there is no open flame, there is still a fire risk when flammable objects come into contact with the heater. In general, it’s best to keep a 3-foot safety zone around your heater, with no walls, items, and especially bedding within this zone.

Turn the Heater Down or Off When Leaving or Sleeping

In an ideal world, we’d all be able to shut our heaters off when we’re leaving the house or going to sleep. This would completely avoid the risk of a fire or short while we’re not around to take care of it. However, if you’re using an electric heater, you might not have another form of heat to keep your home comfortable during these times. As such, the second most safe thing to do is to turn the heaters down and pull them to a wide open space when you’re not around to watch them. This reduces the amount of energy they use and the heat they put out, which in turn reduces the risk of a fire. This does NOT completely remove the risk, though so other safety measures should still be taken.

Stay safe and warm this winter, and remember to check social media and the news for any urgent weather updates!

Uncategorized

Freezing Fog Advisory

A freezing fog weather advisory was recently in effect in multiple places around Washington, such as Thurston and King counties. As it continues to get colder, conditions such as freezing fog may become more common, and it’s important to know what these conditions mean for road and general safety.

What is freezing fog?

Freezing fog is when tiny water droplets in fog are supercooled, causing them to freeze instantly on exposed surfaces if the surface temperature is at or below freezing. This presents a significant risk of ice on roads, sidewalks, etc., and can pose dangerous of falls or losing control of motor vehicles.

What should you do during freezing fog?

If at all possible, avoid travel, especially operating motorized vehicles. Rapidly developing ice can make driving quickly shift from safe to unsafe, so even if roads are in decent conditions when you begin driving they may become unsafe during your travel.

Recent News

The Danger of Downed Power Lines

With more rain and heavier winds in the Winter months, natural hazards such as tree fall become more common. When a natural hazard combines with an urban hazard, such as electricity, there can be disastrous results.

It is not uncommon for regions to lose power for short or long periods of time due to things such as downed power lines, but these events pose more danger than just a lack of electricity. When a tree is knocked over or has limbs broken loose by high winds, they can sometimes impact and even knock down power lines, which can create a severe electrical hazard. These power lines could still be charged after being knocked down, and contact with them could be lethal.

  • First, downed power lines can pose a serious electrocution and fire hazard. High amounts of power can arc from the lines to people or objects nearby, causing serious harm.
  • Second, downed power lines can sometimes be concealed by vegetation, sometimes even the very tree limbs that knocked them down in the first place. Especially at night, this makes the power lines very hard to see.
  • Third, if there is rain to accompany the harsh wind, a wet surface can conduct electricity from a downed power line. While many factors would have to line up perfectly for this to occur, the dangers of standing in electrified water are too great to take a chance on.

What should you do if you see a downed power line?

  • Do NOT approach the area. If there is standing water nearby, it could be electrified, and contacting it could be harmful or lethal.
  • Call 911 immediately and report the hazard.
  • Stay at least 30 feet away from the line, and warn others to do the same.
  • If you are in your vehicle, stay inside to avoid electrical contact.
  • Do not drive or walk over the downed power line.

What should you do if a power line falls on your vehicle?

As unlikely as this scenario is, it could happen in the right circumstances.

  • Call 911 right away.
  • If possible, slowly drive out from under the wire, but do not continue if the line is caught on your vehicle.
  • Stay inside your vehicle unless there is an immediate threat. If you must leave your vehicle, do so very carefully, by jumping from your vehicle to the ground. Do not touch the vehicle and the ground at the same time, as you may ground the wire if it is live.
  • Warn others to stay at least 30 feet away from the vehicle.
  • If you see a vehicle with a power line on it, do not approach it, as you may end up in danger of electrocution. Advise the person inside to follow these steps.

What should you do if you see a fire as a result of a downed power line?

  • Call 911 immediately to report the fire.
  • Do not approach to investigate or attempt to put out the fire, as the power line could still be live.
  • Stay far away from the power line and the fire.

While there are numerous safety measures taken to ensure the safety of everyone when it comes to power lines, they still pose a serious threat if electrified. Even a wire that looks inactive could be charged, so always treat every case with caution.

Recent News

Flash Flood Safety

With more rainfall coming as we near the end of the year, flash flooding becomes more of a risk. Flooded roads can cause vehicles to lose control, and flooded walkways risk sweeping people off their feet. Even as little as a few inches of rushing or standing water can be dangerous, so follow these simple tips to help stay safe!

1. Get to High Ground

Water flows from high ground to low ground, so when areas start to flood, it’s best to get to higher ground in order to avoid sudden surges of water.

2. Do Not Drive Into Water

If a section of the road is flooded, don’t drive into it. Water reduces the traction of your tires, and deeper pools can cause your vehicle to suddenly stop or veer out of control.

3. Do Not Walk Into Water

If you can, always try to walk around flooded areas. A few inches of standing water can affect your traction, but even worse, a few inches of rushing water can knock someone off their feet.

4. Stay Informed

Frequently check your local weather reports, television, radio, or social media for emergency updates. If you know there is risk, stay home or avoid dangerous areas.

Recent News

Congratulating Karl Barkley

At this week’s Board of Fire Commissioner meeting, we proudly acknowledged Firefighter Karl Barkley for completing his one-year probation on November 1. We’re beyond thrilled to have him as a valuable member of our team.
In the past year, Karl also successfully completed the South Sound Recruit Academy, showcasing his dedication and strive for the job. We take immense pride in his relentless work ethic and we look forward to witnessing his continued success.
blog

Fire Extinguisher Guide and Why You Need One

It’s important to understand that with proper training and education, fire extinguishers can save lives and property. Many adults might not know how or when to use fire extinguishers. Fire departments can help with fire extinguisher training and answer questions that community members may have.

Fire extinguishers contain different extinguishing agents such as water, carbon dioxide, dry chemical or wet chemical, depending on the kind of fire the extinguisher is intended for.

Did you know:

There are 5 primary types of fire extinguishers, each designed to put out different kinds of fires.

Fire Extinguisher Type A

For use with ordinary materials like cloth, wood and paper.

Often found in homes and businesses

 

Fire Extinguisher Type B

For use with combustible and flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, oil and oil-based paints.

Often found in homes and businesses

 

Fire Extinguisher Type C

For use with combustible and flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, oil and oil-based paints.

Often found in homes and businesses

 

Fire Extinguisher Type D

For use with flammable metals.

Often found in factories

 

Fire Extinguisher Type K

For use with vegetable oils, animal oils and fats in cooking appliances.

Often found in commercial kitchens (restaurants, cafeterias, catering businesses)

 

 

There are also multipurpose fire extinguishers that might be labeled “B-C” or “A-B-C” that can be used on most types of home fires. Most home improvement stores carry multipurpose fire extinguishers that cover Class A through Class C.

 

Messages to share

  • Always look for the “UL Listed” or “ULC Listed” label on a fire extinguisher to ensure it is certified for use by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
  • Fire extinguishers vary in size and weight, but it is recommended to select the largest fire extinguisher that a user can safely and comfortably operate.
  • How to read the classification label: The number before the “A” represents a multiple of 1.25 gallons of water whereas the number before the “B” represents a multiple of the area or size in square feet of fire to be extinguished. For example, a fire extinguisher classification of 1A:10B:C indicates that it provides the equivalent of 1.25 gallons of water applied on a Class A fire. The number 10 indicates it can extinguish Class B fires up to 10 square feet in size, and the C indicates that it can be used for Class C fires.

Encourage people to contact their fire department if they would like fire extinguisher training or have any questions. Help spread the word by sharing the following information and tips for using and maintaining fire extinguishers.

 

Help people decide when to use a fire extinguisher

Consider providing a checklist to help people prepare to use a fire extinguisher. For example:

  • Have I alerted others in the building that there is a fire?
  • Has someone called the fire department?
  • Am I physically able to use a fire extinguisher?
    Young children and older adults should not use fire extinguishers.
  • Is the fire small and contained in a single object or to a surface (like a pan or a wastebasket)?
  • Am I safe from the fire’s toxic smoke?
  • Do I have a clear escape route?

Use a fire extinguisher when all of these questions are answered “yes.” If you’re unsure about whether it is safe to use a fire extinguisher, and for all other situations, alert others, leave the building, and call 911 from a mobile or neighbor’s phone.

 

Teach people how to use a fire extinguisher

When operating a fire extinguisher, tell residents to remember the word PASS:

  • Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.
  • Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
  • Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
  • Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.

how to use a fire extinguisher PASS

 

Educate on the importance of fire extinguisher maintenance

Remind community residents to check fire extinguishers for:

Easy access in an emergency
Be sure nothing is blocking or limiting your ability to reach it.
The recommended pressure level
Many extinguishers have gauges that show when pressure is too high or too low.
Working parts
Make sure the can, hoses and nozzles are not damaged, dented or rusted.
Cleanliness
Remove any dust, oil or grease that might be on the outside of the extinguisher.
Guidelines and instructions
Some extinguishers need to be shaken monthly; others need to be pressure tested every few years. You can recharge some fire extinguishers while others will need to be replaced if the pressure is too low.

 

Original Post from FEMA and Additional Information (Click Here)

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