South Burlington Student Wins VT Fire Prevention Calendar Contest

South Burlington Student Wins Vermont State Fire Prevention Calendar Contest

Bradley W.M. Dattilio

Senior Fire Fighter/Paramedic
Fire Prevention Education Coordinator - SBFD

The VERMONT FIRE SAFETY CALENDAR program is a yearly program that features the art work of 3^rd grade students from around the state. The Fire Safety Calendar program provides a focused learning experience when children prepare fire safety posters for the calendar. Posters from students from all over the state are received each year. The posters are initially sorted into 13 categories with approximately 15-20 posters selected from each category to be included in the final judging. After this initial sorting by division staff, the posters for the calendar are voted on by a team of judges. The judges are not aware of the student’s name or school at the time of the selection.

A team of judges representing educators, parents, and fire fighters selected 13 winners for the State Fire Safety Calendar. Without the participation of the schools this project would not be such a success. Teachers and local fire departments play a vital role in educating our youngsters on the importance of fire safety.  The 13 posters selected for the calendar portray key fire safety messages from the eyes of young children. Each month of the year is represented by a fire safety message coinciding with the time of year.

South Burlington's Rick Marcotte Central School was well represented this year. Nashita Yusuf, a student in Jackie Bailey’s 3^rd grade class was selected as the July 2015 winner.  Nashita used the theme of “fireworks safety” to design her fire safety poster.  Leo Rosowsky, another 3^rd grade student from RMCS was selected this year as a runner-up.  Congratulations Nashita and Leo!!!

Sparky the Fire Dog with Nashita Yusuf, SBFD Division of Fire Prevention Coordinator Senior Fire Medic Brad Dattilio, and Teacher Jackie Bailey.

Nashita's poster on Fireworks Safety will be displayed in the Vermont Fire Safety Calendar in July 2015.

L-R: SBFD Fire Medic Bradley Dattilio, Nashitas Dad Dr. Yusuf, Vermont Department of Public Safety Commissioner Keith Flynn, and Nashita.

Construction Worker Injured in Trench Collapse

South Burlington Fire Department

Office of the City Fire Marshal

575 Dorset St.

South Burlington, VT  05403

846-4134

 For Immediate Release

 December 8, 2014 

Construction Worker Injured in Trench Collapse: 

This morning at 08:41 hrs., South Burlington Fire Department responded to the Orchard School at 2 Baldwin Ave.,  for a report of an injured worker.  Fire fighters arrived on scene in less than two minutes, and were directed to the rear of the school. There, firefighters found an 3 foot wide by 5-6 foot deep by 30 foot long trench being excavated for a drainage project.  A twenty foot section of the trench’s walls had collapsed in on a worker.  Workers at the scene stated that when the trench walls collapsed,  their co-worker had been pinned against a drainage pipe he was helping to set.  As Firefighters were arriving on scene, the patient with the help of his coworkers,  was able to free himself from the wet dirt that had trapped him. His injuries prevented him from moving any further.  Firefighters conducted a site safety assessment, stabilized, then entered the trench. They were able to quickly treated the patient’s his injuries prior to removing from him the trench.   The patient was transported by South Burlington Firefighter/Paramedics to University of Vermont Medical Center for further evaluation and treatment.  The construction worker is employed by J. Hutchins Inc. of Richmond, VT.  The excavation contractor is hired by the South Burlington School District to improve a drainage behind the Orchard School, and where extending a drain pipe from an existing storm water catch basin,  at the time of the accident.   There were no other injuries.   The incident was concluded at 09:15 hrs.  For further information please contact DC Terry Francis @ 846-4134 or 363-4656                                                                        

END  

South Burlington Fire Department - Fire Prevention Day 10/04/2014

Fire Prevention Week – Help Us Sound The Alarm That Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives!!

Senior Fire Fighter/Paramedic Bradley Dattilio

Fire Prevention Education Coordinator – SBFD

            When was the last time you tested the smoke alarms in your home?  Was it last week?  Last month?  A year ago? 

            If you’re like many people, you may not even remember.  Smoke alarms have become such a common feature of U.S. households that they’re often taken for granted, and aren’t tested and maintained as they should.

Working smoke alarms are a critical fire safety tool that can mean the difference between life and death in a home fire. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), smoke alarms can cut the chance of dying in a home fire in half. Meanwhile, NFPA data shows that home fires killed more than 2,300 people in 2012; many of these deaths could have been prevented with the proper smoke alarm protection.

            Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless and destroyed more than 17,400 structures.  In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation, and since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls.  Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record.

            This year’s campaign, “Smoke Alarms Save Lives:  Test Yours Every Month,” aims to better educate the public about the true value of working smoke alarms.  In support of these efforts, the South Burlington Fire Department will be hosting our annual Fire Prevention Day campaign on Saturday, October 4^th at Station 1 across from the South Burlington High School.  This event will kick-off a busy week as we will be providing fire safety education in all of the community elementary schools.  Please join us for a fun afternoon of Fire & EMS education, live kitchen fire demonstrations, free hot dogs, and many more fun activities for the whole family.  We look forward to seeing you on October 4^th!  Please follow our regular safety tips, activities, and incident log on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/SouthBurlingtonFireDepartment) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/soburlfireL3671).

Spontaneous Combustion: The Dangers of Linseed Oil

One of three recent structure fires in South Burlington caused by improperly disposed rags. 

- Photo: WCAX

Spontaneous Combustion:  Dangers of Linseed Oil

            One of the worst high rise fires in U.S. history happened in Philadelphia in 1991.  Meridian Plaza burned for 19 hours, killing three fire fighters.  Investigators found the fire started after workers left behind rags stained with linseed oil in a vacant office. The term “spontaneous combustion” strikes many as one that deals more with magic and fantasy than real life and real tragedies.  Under certain circumstances, a common household product can combust -- or catch fire -- without any outside flame or spark. 

That product is linseed oil, including other oils used in stains which so many people use to treat their wood furniture, fence, or deck this time of year. It's a natural product extracted from flaxseed. Liquid linseed oil in the can is no more hazardous than any other oil. But leftover linseed oil on rags, paper towels and so on has the unique ability to generate its own heat as it dries.  Often times getting so hot that it bursts into flames.

            The name is a little misleading, though.  Spontaneous combustion does not occur out of the blue.  All fires, including those ignited “spontaneously,” require three elements:  fuel, oxygen and a source of heat.  Normally, we think of a source of heat as something with a flame.  There is no flaming ignition with spontaneous combustion.  When linseed oil is exposed to air, it combines with the oxygen molecules causing an exothermic chemical reaction that generates heat.  If the linseed oil is on something like a cotton rag, it can catch fire at as low as 120 degrees -- with no outside spark.  When these same rags are bunched up and piled on top of each other, heat can build up rapidly leading to a fast-moving fire.   

Preventing spontaneous combustion from occurring is as simple as practicing a little routine housekeeping:

·      DO NOT pile oily rags on top of each other

·      Spread oil/finish rags in a single layer on flat ground so the heat dissipates while the material cures

·      Hang oily rags up to dry, preferably outdoors

·      Safely dispose of your stained rags at a hazardous waste collection site

South Burlington Fire Department has responded to three significant structural fires in the last month alone.  Following a thorough investigation by the Fire Marshal, two of the three fires were ruled accidental due to improper discarding of rags stained with linseed oil.  The third fire was ruled accidental due to improper discarding of materials.

Senior Fire Fighter/Paramedic Bradley Dattilio

Fire Prevention Education Coordinator - SBFD

Fire Heavily Damages Birch St Home

South Burlington Fire Department

Office of the City Fire Marshal

575 Dorset St.

South Burlington, VT  05403

846-4134

For Immediate Release

August 5, 2014

Fire Heavily Damages Birch St Home

At 10:26 PM South Burlington Fire Department was dispatched to a reported house fire at 27 Birch St. Multiple 911 calls reported a house under construction had fire coming from the center of the house.  Firefighters arrived less than six minutes later and encounter a single story,  wood framed house at the rear of property at 27 Birch St.,  70% involved in fire.  Fire fighters were able to contain the fire to the building of origin in less than 15 minutes. South Burlington Fire fighters were assisted at the scene by Vermont Air National Guard – E-7, and Burlington Fire Department’s - Tower 1.  Medical coverage for firefighters was provided by UVM Rescue. Williston Fire Department provided Fire/EMS coverage to the City during the incident.

There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters during the incident. No residents were displaced as a result of the fire.There was moderate radiant heat damage to abutting property. A total of 18 firefighters were at the scene until 02:15 Hrs.

The single family home was under construction at the time of the fire. A neighbor was alerted to the fire by the sound of the new home’s smoke alarm. The property is owned by Robert Provost of South Burlington. Damage is estimated at $300,000.  The building is fully insured.

The South Burlington Fire Marshal’s Office completed the origin and cause investigation this afternoon. It was determined that the accidental fire was started when workers, who were staining a hardwood floor, had improperly disposed of the oil impregnated rags and towels in a plastic trash can inside the building.  These volatile oils are likely to combust spontaneously if improperly disposed,

This is the  third fire in the city in the past month that has been caused in this fashion.  Total property loss from these events arein excess of $500,000.

Fire fighters urge citizens to read and follow all directions on the products used for refinishing. Impregnated rags should be placed in a meatal container with a tight lid until they can  be disposed of properly.

For further information please contact :  Deputy Chief Terry Francis at 363-4656.

End

Fire Fighters Urge Caution for Independence Day

Fire Fighters Urge Caution for Independence Day

Bradley Dattilio

SBFD Senior Fire Fighter/Paramedic

Fire Prevention Education Coordinator

Fireworks are synonymous with our celebration of Independence Day. With warm weather and family events, this can be a fun time of year with great memories. The thrill of fireworks can also bring pain, causing thousands of burns and eye injuries each year. On average, 200 people are treated in emergency rooms every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday.

In Vermont All Fireworks (not including Sparklers and other novelty smoke devices) are illegal except for permitted, supervised public fireworks displays.

South Burlington Fire Department Fire Marshal's Office only issues fireworks permits to individuals licensed through the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Sparklers less than 14 inches long with no more than 20 grams of pyrotechnic mixture, and novelty sparkling items like snakes, party poppers, glow worms, smoke devices, string poppers, snappers, or drop pops with no more than 0.25 grains of explosive mixture, that are in compliance with United States Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations, are legal for sale and use in Vermont. However, even sparklers and smoke devices can be harmful if not used properly. 

Before your family celebrates, make sure everyone knows about fireworks safety. The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home. Attend public fireworks displays, and leave the lighting to the professionals. Take extra precautions this Fourth of July and your holiday will be a blast!

The National Fire Protection Association estimates that local fire departments respond to more than 50,000 fires caused by fireworks each year. You can help us prevent fireworks-related injuries and deaths by working with state and local organizations to promote fireworks safety in your community.

Fireworks are dangerous and unpredictable, especially in the hands of amateurs.

•          Kids should never play with or ignite fireworks. If you give kids sparklers, keep them outside and away from the face, clothing and hair.

·       Sparklers can reach 1,800 °F  – hot enough to melt gold.

•     Although local retailers may sell fireworks products, it is important to be aware of the laws specific to the use of fireworks, and their inherent danger.

•     Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water and a hose nearby.

•     Light one firework at a time (not in glass or metal containers), and never relight a dud.

•     Don’t hold fireworks in your hand or have any part of your body over them while lighting. Wear eye protection and avoid carrying fireworks in your pocket – the friction could set them off.

•     Steer clear of others – fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction. 

•     Point fireworks away from homes, and keep away from brush, leaves and flammable substances.

•     Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before discarding them in a trash can.

For more information regarding fireworks use in the City of South Burlington, please contact Station #1 at (802)846-4110.