THE MARYLAND STATE FIRE MARSHAL ISSUES WARNING ABOUT NEW SOCIAL MEDIA "CHALLENGE"

State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci would like to warn parents of a new viral teen video, which may result in fire incidents and cause serious injury. While the Office of the State Fire Marshal has received no reported incidents within Maryland thus far, the agency has been notified by authorities of two incidents in Massachusetts.

The "challenge" seen on the popular video app, TikTok, involves using the plug part of a phone charger, partially inserting it into the wall outlet, and then sliding a penny down the wall onto the exposed prongs. The result is sparks, electrical system damage, and in some cases, fire. These videos are a concern and similar to past viral videos that encourage unsafe behavior. State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci stated: "We are alerting parents to this challenge, and advise them to not only look for signs of fire play like scorched outlets but to have conversations about fire and electrical safety with tweens and teenagers."

As a reminder, please follow the electrical fire safety tips:

- Insert plugs fully into sockets

- If you have young children, install tamper-resistant electrical outlets

- Replace wall outlets if plugs do not fit tightly, or show signs of damage.

- Do not overload outlets

- Never force a three-pronged plug into a two-slot outlet.

In addition to electrical fire safety, the Office of the State Fire Marshal would like to remind parents and children to discuss the dangers of particular online "challenges" and recognizing the dangerous activity on the internet. ... See MoreSee Less

NR 1/23/20 STATE FIRE MARSHAL ISSUES WARNING ABOUT NEW SOCIAL MEDIA "CHALLENGE"

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STATEWIDE (January 23, 2020) - State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci would like to warn parents of a new viral teen video, which may result in fire incidents and cause serious injury. While the Office of...

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Morons

Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Co.

4 days ago

Shortly before 1300 hours today the FVFAC and the BAVFC were dispatched to a reported woods fire behind the homes in the 1200 block Bear Hollow Ct. Engine 1312 arrived and reported an active woods and brush fire extending south from the area of origin. Engine 315 and 316, Brush 345 and 1341 arrived, the Brush trucks were used to extinguish the fire along the north and south flanks, also a handline from Engine 1312 was stretched from a driveway to assist with fire attack and to refill the Brush unit water tanks for final extinguishment. Additional units including ATV's staged on arrival. Units were on scene approximately 1 hour.

photos courtesy FVFAC.... ... See MoreSee Less

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Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Co.

5 days ago

Saturday January 18th our neighbors at the Hereford Volunteer Fire Company (Baltimore County Station 44) held their annual banquet and installation of 2020 officers. The FVFAC assisted the membership of Station 44 by providing a crew to cover their calls for the evening, using Engine 442 and a driver/pump operator from Sta 44. Station 44 was dispatched, along with FVFAC on the first alarm dwelling fire assignment on Old York Rd in Jarrettsville at approximately 2200 hours. FVFAC members responding on Engine 442 and Engine 1312 arrived on scene as Jarrettsville VFC crews were initiating the fire attack. Our members immediately proceeded to their assigned tasks and together with all of the responding units continued fire extinguishment as well as salvage and overhaul assignments.
The officers and members of the FVFAC are pleased to have these excellent working relationships with our surrounding companies. There is not a day that goes by that we do not depend on the neighboring fire departments from Harford, Baltimore, and even York Counties to assist us, and we are glad to return the favor whenever needed.

FVFAC and Hereford Volunteer Fire Company crews, after the fire...
photo credit....FVFAC ... See MoreSee Less

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Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Co. shared a post.

5 days ago

Please take a moment to remember Mark today. So many lessons have been learned, and continue to be taught from this tragic event.Today we ask that you please take a moment to remember our friend Mark Falkenhan who sadly passed away on this day in 2011 while searching for trapped occupants on an apartment fire in Parkville. We also ask that you keep in mind Mark’s Family. Mark was a close friend to many and responsible for the training of thousands of firefighters across the country. Mark also served as a Firefighter with the Baltimore County Fire Department and The US Secret Service. ... See MoreSee Less

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RIP

A true hero

Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Co.

5 days ago

The cause and origin of last night's dwelling fire on Old York Rd in the Jarrettsville VFC district has been investigated by the Maryland Office of the State Fire Marshal and was determined to be accidental in nature, involving the use of a portable space heater.
The first alarm assignment brought fire suppression units from Jarrettsville, Hereford, Norrisville, Fawn Grove, Fallston, and Parkton to the scene. Fire department personnel are credited with making a quick stop of the progression of the fire, however, the actions of the occupants of the home were also extremely vital to limiting the spread of the fire prior to the fire department's arrival on the scene. The occupant determined there was a fire in the garage, and refrained from opening the interior garage access door thereby limiting the spread of fire, heat, smoke and other byproducts of combustion throughout the remainder of the home.
Portable space heaters, of any type, must be used with caution. Combustible items of any type must be kept away from the space heater. Electric space heaters must only be plugged into a wall outlet on a properly rated circuit for the existing electrical load and the space heater. Never use extension cords or multi outlet strip cords with space heaters. Liquid fueled space heaters must only be used in well ventilated areas, and never refuel a space heater when hot or indoors. Below is a link to NFPA. Space Heater Safety....

Photo credit....OSFM and JVFC

lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDAsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldG... ... See MoreSee Less

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Robert Ruth

🙏🙏🙏

Claire Hach

December 2019 Name	Calls
Asst. Chief Dan McKinney	341
Sgt. Jayden Edwards	146
Collin Zamerski	130
Capt. Bob Colaianni	121
Deputy Chief Scott Blankenship	116
Hoby Howell	113
Matt Barlow	107
Sgt. Ryan Massarelli, Sgt. Gary Zamerski	106
Chris Gibbons	102
Safety Officer Kevin Hartlove	99

December 2019 Name	Calls
Autumn Pafel	296
Sgt. Gary Zamerski & Chief Dave Williams	139
EMS Lt. Jon Acker	124
EMS Asst Chief Michael Kalck	104
EMS Sgt. Lauren Bull	94
Will Rosenberg	73
Allbrie Winkler	44
Mike Hayden Sr.	43
Austin Staab	41
Liam Crumbacker	38

2019	Fire & Fire/EMS	EMS Only
TTL	649	1241
Jan	47	92
Feb	60	99
Mar	44	108
Apr	52	107
May	50	119
Jun	54	110
Jul	60	115
Aug	65	125
Sep	39	75
Oct	46	92
Nov	72	83
Dec	60	116

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