Fire Rescue News - WINTER MONTHS CHALLENGING FOR SOUTH JERSEY FIREFIGHTERS

Wednesday, December 29 2010 @ 11:15 am EST

Contributed by: CBrining

 
             NBC40 Video
 
ATLANTIC CITY -- The winter season poses a whole new set of challenges for South Jersey's firefighters and first responders.

A number of issues make fighting fires during the cold winter months extra challenging. One area of focus is Christmas trees, but that's just a start.

"The second main issue is kerosene heaters. Number one, never fill that.......Continue Reading
 kerosene heater in the house or spill combustible materials on or near the kerosene heater and then light it. That's usually where most of the problems occur," said Atlantic City Fire Chief Dennis Brooks.

Once again, firefighters have responded to numerous fires this winter, but many of them could have been prevented by not leaving heaters or lights unattended.

"The cat could come in and knock it over, your family pet, never leave any flammable item or anything like that unattended. You don't cook, and leave your house it's just a common thing we're asking people to observe during the holiday and during the cold winter." Brooks said.

The chief also reminded the public that response times are going to be slower due to the recent snow storm.

"It's really dangerous operating on a fire ground, on roofs, and dragging lines in this weather. It's very time intensive, and that slows down response times and it actually slows the extinguishment process because it takes much longer to get water on a fire." Brooks said.

Tuesday morning Pleasantville firefighters were able to safely get all six family members out of a burning home, but the weather made the response challenging.

"A little bit, it did, but we managed to make it work. It's a little hard to lay a line in this deep snow, but my engine one driver did a great job with that. So, I'm very proud of my guys," said Pleasantville Fire Department Captain Pete Elias.

And as the region continues to cope with harsh winter conditions, Chief Brooks is asking the public to do what they can to make it easier for first responders to work.

"What people can do to help is stay off the roads as much as possible, shovel your sidewalk to keep pedestrians off the street so they don't get hit by emergency vehicles, and just use common sense, and if you have a question call the fire department before a problem really starts." Brooks said.

The chief also recommends installing carbon monoxide alarms inside your home. There have already been deaths in Atlantic County attributed to the odorless, tasteless, silent killer.




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