Tag Archive for: #hendersonfiredepartment

Henderson Fire Department Wrapping Up Annual Smoke Detector Campaign

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Captain Lee Edmonds was the guest of honor on WIZS’ Tuesday edition of Town Talk to discuss the Henderson Fire Department’s annual smoke detector and battery inspection program.

Started in 2009 after a Vance County family lost several of their children to a house fire, Edmonds said the door-to-door home inspection program is “a good opportunity to check houses and check smoke detectors to make sure everything is working properly.”

The inspection, which begins anew each November following Fire Prevention Month in October, is free of charge to City of Henderson residents. “We put new batteries in smoke detectors, replace old smoke detectors and install smoke detectors in places that did not previously have them,” said Edmonds.

Edmonds estimated that the department has visited approximately seventy-five percent of homes in Henderson and hopes to wrap up the 2018 campaign by September. “Every year we visit approximately 6,000 homes and are allowed into approximately 1,500.”

Two fire trucks consisting of a team of 8-10 fire department personnel go door-to-door every Friday in an effort to reach as many homes as possible. “If you see our fire truck on your street or nearby on a Friday, chances are we’re just inspecting and installing smoke detectors,” Edmonds said.

Last year, fire department personnel were able to replace 97 smoke detectors and 119 batteries. This year, Edmonds reported 127 smoke detectors have already been replaced during the campaign.

“We aren’t able to get into all of the homes we visit because either people aren’t home or they say they regularly check their batteries and smoke detectors,” said Edmonds. “If they aren’t home, we leave a note on their door asking them to call us so we can come back out.”

Knowing that residents are often at work during the weekday, Edmonds said the fire department will come back after 5 p.m., on weekends or “whatever is best for the homeowner.”

In addition to being free of charge to homeowners, the smoke detectors and batteries are often free of charge to the fire department as well. According to Edmonds, many of the items have been donated over the years from various organizations, although 2018 has proven to be a challenge. “This year has been a bit of a tough year for donations. We had to spend some of our department funds on smoke detectors.”

Another challenge this year is the sky-rocketing number of fire-related deaths in North Carolina. Edmonds reported that 2018 has already been the deadliest year in recently recorded history. “In 2017, there were 79 fire-related deaths total in NC,” said Edmonds. “There have already been 94 fire-related deaths so far in 2018.”

Fire-related deaths are often attributed to a family’s unawareness of danger due to non-functioning or non-existent smoke detectors.

“Most deaths are the result of not having a working smoke detector in the home to alert the homeowner to a fire,” said Edmonds. “Many fires, especially in Henderson, are cooking-related – someone starts to cook something and then walks into another room and gets distracted or falls asleep.”

With the number of fire-related deaths climbing and the number of smoke detectors that either need new batteries or complete replacement, the Henderson Fire Department urges residents to check their detectors regularly and to allow fire department personnel inside their home during the annual door-to-door campaign.

With questions regarding your smoke detector, fire safety or to schedule a time for an inspection, please call the Henderson Fire Department at (252) 430-1877.

HFD Hosts Child Safety Seat Class

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If you noticed a lot of extra cars near the Henderson Fire Department, Central Station 1 on Dabney Drive today, it’s because they were hosting a child safety seat class.

Chief Steve Cordell of the City of Henderson Fire Department told WIZS News, “The class is being taught by the North Carolina Safe Kids organization.  We have 20 students representing five departments — City of Henderson FD, Vance County Fire Department, Oxford Fire Department, Fuquay-Varina Fire Department and Norfolk, VA Fire Department.”

He said the training will allow the City of Henderson Fire Department to have more certified technicians on duty.

The course is 32 hours.

Local Police, Fire and EMS team up to save life

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Earlier today, I witnessed an incredible series of events in Downtown Henderson. I was walking out of a meeting at the Henderson Police Department, when a call came out for local police, fire and EMS to respond to the intersection of Breckenridge and Chestnut Street for a medical emergency. When I heard that, I turned around and was able to witness Corey Adams of the Henderson Fire Department, and Chief Williams of the Vance County Fire Department begin the process of resuscitating a man that had apparently overdosed. The man was unconscious at the wheel of his vehicle (with the car still in drive and his foot on the brake) when Adams noticed that something was wrong. Adams turned around and placed the call in to other area agencies. Adams, Williams and representatives from the Henderson Police Department and EMS were able to resuscitate the man before placing him inside of an ambulance.

It was hard for me to believe what I saw.

I asked for a description of what had happened from Adams, and his response is below.

“Kevin I really appreciate the gratitude, but I really didn’t do nothing special. Just like you have gone to school for broadcasting and marketing, I went to school for situations like that. I did nothing else that any police, fire or ems person would have done, I was just the one in the right place at the right time. I just happen to notice a person that seemed in distress, when I checked on him I knew he was having a medical emergency. At that moment all of my  EMS training kick in to help the patient the best of my abilities. I was lucky enough to have Chief Williams from Vance County Fire Department around the corner to assist me in helping the patient. I removed the patient from the vehicle  so me and Chief Williams could better assist the patient until the arrival Of EMS. The Public Safety services  here in Vance County And the City as you saw firsthand work very well together. The citizens of this city are very lucky to have the service they have here, because you won’t find no better.”

Henderson and Vance County may have its fair share of problems. Everywhere does. However, Adams’ last sentence is quite correct. We are lucky to have that type of service and expertise right here in our hometown.

West Creek, West Hills, 158 Bypass Community Watch

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Thursday night in the Maria Parham Health auditorium, Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell spoke at the West Creek, West Hills, 158 By Pass Community Watch meeting. Community watch president Susan Adcock told WIZS News how much the organization appreciated Cordell presenting the program.

Adcock said, “Chief Cordell said proper smoke/fire alarms in our homes could save our lives. He talked about fire safety measures in the home: smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. He talked about the Reading a Book with a Fireman Program for Kindergarten Students conducted at Rollins, Vance Charter School and Henderson Collegiate. He spoke of the work of a fireman and the programs they conduct for the city residents, such as going door to door to inspect smoke alarms, and other assistance to city residents.”

Amazingly, the fire alarm sounded in the auditorium during the presentation.  Adcock said, “Community Watch members filed out of the auditorium and onto the back parking lot. Shortly thereafter, all were able to return to the auditorium.”

She said, “The Chief presented a very informative program!”

If your community watch organization would like to publish information about guest speakers and other community news, please email johncharles@wizs.com or fill out the form on the PSAs page of wizs.com.

October is Fire Prevention Month

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October is Fire Prevention Month – Schedule an appointment, and the Henderson Fire Department will conduct a free home inspection for you.  Contact information is below.

You may have seen the following announcement from Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell.  It arrived in the mail and reads as follows:

“The City of Henderson Fire Department will once again be offering our free home inspections.  These inspections include checking your smoke detectors and your residence for any fire hazards.  This year we will not be going door to door.  We are only offering inspections by appointment only.  We strongly encourage you to make an appointment with us.

“If you do not make an appointment, please do the following things to make your home a safer place.”

  • Make sure smoke detectors in the house are working properly
  • Make sure to change the battery every 6 months in your smoke detector
  • Test smoke detectors monthly
  • Make escape plans in case of a fire
  • Don’t overload drop cords
  • Keep 3 feet of clearance around all space and kerosene heaters

The information sheet from Chief Cordell continues as follows:

“To make an appointment, call us at 252-430-1877.  Please leave a name and number so we can get back in touch with you!”

 

Citizens Fire Academy

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Henderson Fire Chief Steve Cordell says a few spots are still available for the Citizens Fire Academy.  “I would like a few more folks to attend,” he said, adding that you can now simply sign up at the Fire Department on Dabney Drive at the time of the class.

It’s a dynamic, 8-week program designed to provide participants with an inside view of the operations at the HFD.  The 2016 session begins Thursday, March 3 — That’s right about now!! — and continues each Thursday night for 8 weeks.  Each class will be from 6 P.M. until 8 P.M. at Henderson Fire Station 1, located at 211 Dabney Drive.

In promoting the classes the City of Henderson website says, “The curriculum  will include live demonstrations, classroom training, and hands-on experiences – all of which are designed to give the participant a true feel for HFD. The entire program is free and open to anyone 18 years of age or older who lives or works in the City of Henderson or Vance County.”

The intent is to “teach citizens about the many jobs HFD does on a daily basis and promote citizen interaction with firefighters,” according to the web site.