SE Thurston Fire Authority and East Olympia Fire District #6 are hiring 2-3 positions between Entry-Level and Lateral Firefighters in 2024. If you are interested in testing and applying for one of these positions, please visit our careers page HERE or find the testing and application details at www.publicsafetyteseting.com
Thank you for your interest in serving your community!
We officially leave winter behind and enter spring next Tuesday, the 19th! With this change in season also often comes changes in weather and activities, and as such there are a few things you should check before diving into your spring endeavors! Add these simple tasks to your spring cleaning list and enjoy the new season!
When we plan for emergencies or build emergency kits, it’s easy to overlook certain key components that are important for kids and young adults. Younger individuals may have needs that adults don’t share, and as such it is important to remember to pack, grab, or plan for them. Always go over your family’s emergency plan with your children, and detail their specific tasks and the steps needed to complete them, such as grabbing their emergency bag, using a specific door, or potentially showing them how to use a fire escape.
Depending on the age of the children, also remember to pack the following items in your emergency kit:
Despite most homes now being built or refit with electric heating systems and appliances, many still utilize natural gas or other gas-fueled systems. Knowing how to safely operate a gas furnace, stove, or other appliance is crucial, as gas can become a problem both quickly and quietly.
Gas-powered heating and appliances pose a few additional risks than their electric counterparts. First, gas leaks can become a health risk through breathing and other forms of exposure, and are also a major fire hazard. If a furnace or stove has a loose connection or faulty valve, you may end up venting gas into your home without realizing it. Always make sure to turn off the gas to appliances when they’re not in use.
Carbon Monoxide is a dangerous byproduct of combustion systems, particularly ones using gas as their fuel. Some Carbon Monoxide detectors can also detect other gasses or hazards, so it’s always a good idea to have them around your house. Make sure to have one near any potential source of gas, such as in your kitchen or near your furnace, and at least one on every floor, then test them regularly.
It is very important to know both where and how to turn off the gas to your house. In the event of a leak, turning the gas off at the source can help prevent fires and health risks, though you should always remain outside of your home after a leak is detected until all of the gas has vented outside of the structure. If you have a gas leak, no matter how small you may think it is, immediately go outside and call 911. Do not re-enter the structure until you are told it is safe to do so.
Gas is a silent killer, and can quickly get to dangerous or even lethal levels before you even notice an odd smell. If you feel dizzy, nauseous, or are feeling drowsy with gas appliances in your home, ensure they are all shut off and leave the house for some fresh air.
While it is common knowledge that every home and building should have fire extinguishers on hand, it’s reported that only a fraction of business or homeowners know how many they need and where they should be placed.
While the requirements for homeowners are more loose than business owners, it is still recommended that you follow these guides. Fire extinguishers vary in type based on the assumed fire risk, mainly by the material which could cause the fire, such as wood, oil, etc. In general, a fire extinguisher should be within 50-75 feet of any given place in the home, and that extinguisher should be rated for the fire source materials that are present. (You can read our article about the different types of fire extinguishers by clicking here!) With this in mind, the square footage and floor plan of your home or building plays a big role in determining how many extinguishers you need.
For a home, do a walk through and identify any areas that are at risk of fire, and find a spot nearby where you can mount a fire extinguisher, preferably in an area that is not isolated and can be safely accessed from many directions in case of a fire. Do this for each area of your home, making sure you mark a space for a fire extinguisher wherever one may be needed. Also, if an area of your home is isolated, it should have a fire extinguisher present, even if the risk of fire is low. Once you’ve marked all of these locations, that is the number of fire extinguishers you should get and keep on hand.
For a building, especially one in which a business operates, there are more requirements to ensure the safety of everybody inside. A properly rated fire extinguisher needs to be no more than 50-75 feet away from any given location, depending on the type of extinguisher needed. In areas with the risk of kitchen fires, type K fire extinguishers should be present at all cook sites and no more than 30 feet away. (These requirements may vary based on local regulations.) In areas that are harder to navigate, or in isolated/closed off areas, additional fire extinguishers are recommended. Remember, you should never have to run into a fire to grab an extinguisher. Keeping an extinguisher near your building’s exits can allow you to grab it in an emergency while still having a safe exit in case the fire can’t be controlled.
While fire extinguishers can help you stop fires before they become too large, never stick around to try and fight a fire that can’t be controlled. Fire extinguishers are useful for small fires, but if a fire has grown too large, or has possibly spread to areas you can’t access, your best bet is to get out of the area and call 911.
Carbon monoxide, also known as “the invisible killer”, has a sinister reputation among households. Many people are told to have carbon monoxide detectors in their homes alongside their smoke detectors, but they may not be told other important information, such as why we need these detectors, why carbon monoxide is dangerous, and where it comes from.
What is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless, and nearly odorless gas that can come from several sources, though often is a result of incomplete oxidation of carbon during combustion. Carbon monoxide can be dangerous at low levels, and lethal at higher concentrations.
How Dangerous is Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide is incredibly dangerous, largely due to the fact that it is nearly undetectable without the proper tools.
Low amounts of carbon monoxide can cause fatigue, chest pain, and other symptoms, while higher amounts can cause headaches, dizziness, confusion, nausea, and vision impairments. While most symptoms can clear up after leaving the home for a period of time, prolonged exposure or very high concentrations can cause serious illness and damage, and potentially event be fatal.
What Causes Carbon Monoxide?
Carbon monoxide can come from many sources, though usually is a byproduct of combustion sources, such as a faulty furnace, a running vehicle, or a gas stove.
Carbon monoxide can come from:
How Can We Protect Ourselves?
The best way to prevent illness or death from carbon monoxide is to be ready to detect it. Many smoke detectors nowadays also have a carbon monoxide detecting function, but not all do. Never assume that your smoke detectors are ready for carbon monoxide, always double check, and if they don’t (or even if they might, but you’re not certain) get a dedicated carbon monoxide detector for your home. It’s best to place these near potential sources of the gas, such as near the entrance from an attached garage, in the kitchen, etc.
In this digital age, we tend to see hundreds, if not thousands of pages, articles, and graphics showing fire statistics, niche ways to prevent fires, and highly detailed emergency plans. There is no such thing as too much good information, but sometimes it helps to just return to the basics and make sure the public is still learning the essentials when it comes to preventing fires in the home. Here are 5 easy steps you can take at home to help reduce your risk of fire!
Whether it be a candle, gas stove, or fireplace, always make sure there is nothing flammable near an open flame and that nothing flammable can accidentally fall into or on the flame source. Candles should be kept far from the edges of tables and counters, and ideally in a holder with a heavy base to prevent tipping over. Fireplaces should have a metal screen in front of them to catch embers, and wood burning stoves should never be left with the door open. Gas stoves may be less common nowadays, but that means fewer people know how to safely operate them, so always make sure to inform anyone who may be using your gas stove of the safe methods of operation, such as to move all flammable items away from the stove during operation, never set a flammable object on the stove (even if it’s turned off), and always have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your kitchen.
It’s the rule of the universe that the second you become comfortable leaving something alone, that’s when the worst can happen. When it comes to open flames, especially fireplaces or wood burning stoves, leaving them unattended can be catastrophic. You should never leave an active fire in your home for any amount of time, as simply driving to the store at the end of the street could be enough time for disaster to strike. Rogue embers, sudden flare ups, or even a cat knocking something over into the fireplace can become disastrous remarkably fast, so always either put your fires out before leaving or have someone stay and keep an eye on them.
It takes very little time to go around your house once a month or so and test all of your smoke detectors. Most of them have a test button now, or an easy way to test them and make sure they will sound off if anything is detected. It may seem tedious and unimportant, but when you’re asleep or in another room, or if carbon monoxide is present, a functioning detector can not only be the difference between stopping a fire, but also saving your life.
Fire extinguishers can be what keeps a small fire flare up from turning into an entire house fire. Whether you have a fireplace, space heaters, or even if you have no sources of open flame in your house, you should always keep at least one fire extinguisher in a safe and easy to reach location. The type of fire extinguisher you get is important, too, as there are several different types for several different fires. Most fire extinguishers for home use will cover the majority of fire causes, but always make sure you have a fire extinguisher rated for kitchen use near your cook surfaces to be safe. Also, make sure your extinguisher isn’t expired. It may seem odd that a fire extinguisher can “expire”, but it’s true, and you don’t want to risk having a faulty extinguisher when you really need one.
Nobody wants to watch their belongings or home burn, but it’s never worth risking your life to save them. If a fire does start and it can’t be easily contained, don’t put your life on the line for it. Build an emergency escape plan with your family, do a couple test drills each year, and ensure that everybody knows that a house fire is an incredibly dangerous hazard that shouldn’t be taken lightly. If you do ever experience a fire in your home, call 911 immediately and evacuate. Your escape plan should include getting everyone possible outside safely, then prioritize pets. Whatever you do, do not enter a burning building to try and save personal belongings.
Washington State has a severe weather warning in place from now, January 16th, until around 1 AM, January 17th, with heavy snow in some areas, as well as heavy rainfall and ice predictions. This weather will affect Thurston County, among other locations within the state. While Thurston County is not expected to get as much snow as other regions, it’s still important to be cautious and prepared for the possible snow accumulation, as well as the likely ice buildup.
If possible, it is best to avoid driving during the weather tonight and to exercise extreme caution on the roads tomorrow due to the ice. We’ve seen some intense lows in the last few days which has already caused some ice hazards intermittently, so expect more of the same in the days to come. Luckily, the temperature predictions for the coming days aren’t as low as the ones we’ve seen recently, so the ice and snow shouldn’t linger for long, though with the rain that is predicted to follow drivers should still be cautious of slick roads and possible refreezing.
Stay tuned to social media and weather pages, as these winter weather predictions can change suddenly, and you don’t want to become stranded because of an unexpected snow storm or freezing rain.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
