Fallston Fire Company

Fallston, MD

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WINTER HOME HEATING SAFETY TIPS FROM THE FVFAC AND OSFM

 February 4, 2023

With the “Polar Vortex” that has gripped the area,  and the temperatures that have dropped to below freezing, you may be depending on multiple heating sources to stay warm inside your homes. The FVFAC along with State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci want to provide the following life safety and home saving heating safety tips. “Elements of heating resources continue to be a significant factor in home fires in Maryland,” according to the Fire Marshal. “Following these guidelines, we can work together to reduce the number of residential fires.”

  • Ensure that your chimneys are cleaned annually or even more frequently if used in conjunction with your primary heating equipment.
  • Use adequately sized fireplace screens or enclosures. Never use a flammable liquid to start a fire in a fireplace, wood stove or pellet stove.
  • When disposing of ashes, do not use paper or plastic containers to remove them, instead always use a metal container. Ashes will insulate hot embers long after the fire is considered out. You may consider the ashes as being cooled off, but the hidden embers retain heat for a long period of time.
  • Make sure fuel-burning stoves are installed according to local fire codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Have your furnace inspected and serviced annually.
  • Check portable electric heaters for frayed/damaged wires and ensure they are clean and placed on a flat level surface. Use only “listed” appliances by an approved testing laboratory and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Do not use extension cords with portable space heaters. The extension cord can overheat and cause a fire. Always plug heat producing devices directly into a wall outlet on a properly rated and protected circuit.
  • If you use kerosene fuel-fired heaters, use only “K-1” kerosene fuel. Never fill the unit inside; remove it to the exterior after it has cooled before refueling. Note: Portable kerosene heaters are banned for use in Baltimore City.
  • Open a window enough to provide proper ventilation when using fueled heaters.
  • Keep combustibles (furniture, curtains, clothing, paper goods, etc.) at least (3) three feet from all heat sources. Fuel-burning appliances produce a deadly, tasteless, and odorless gas known as carbon monoxide (CO). Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms inside your home to provide an early warning of carbon monoxide levels. Learn what the effects of CO are on the human body and be able to recognize the symptoms if they should occur.
  • Always turn off portable heating equipment when leaving the room for extended periods. Portable heaters should never be operated unattended.

Along with these heating tips, check to make sure your smoke alarms are in good working order. “Routine maintenance and safe operation of heating equipment, combined with properly installed and operating smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, are a life-saving combination for all Marylanders,” stated Geraci.

Use the links below for more info…..

NFPA Heating_Safety Tips

NFPA CO Safety Tips

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Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Co.
4 weeks ago
Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Co.

Two months into 2023, there have been 21 fire-related deaths, with one occurring in Bel Air last month. Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal has released the TOP 5 FIRE SAFETY ESSENTIALS. Monthly testing of your smoke and CO alarms, practicing a home escape plan, and closing your bedroom door before you doze could save you and your family's life in a fire emergency.Fire Marshal Geraci reminds us that we need these TOP 5 Fire Safety Essentials to surviving a residential fire. Today house fires burn faster and hotter and are more deadly. We must all take the time and ensure that our home is fire safe.

#1.... First off we ask that you have a home escape plan that will allow you and your family members understand how to escape your residence. Knowing the two(2) ways out and coming together to ensure that everyone has escaped. NEVER go back in for any items.

#2.... We ask that you have working smoke alarms in your residence, and we request that each floor has a working alarm and that each bedroom is equipped with an alarm for early detection. YOU must test your alarm monthly and make sure that your children here the beep and understand what the alarm sounds like. As you sound the alarm, and you hear the beep move your feet to safety.

We ask that you inspect the alarm and if you find they are more that 10 years old they MUST be replaced. This includes HARDWIRED ALARMS as well. INSTALL 10 year sealed alarms. This will save your life.

#3.... Carbon Monoxide Alarms are required for your residence if you have any product that produces fossil fuels. If your residence is all electric, you will not need to install one. BUT if you have a gas fed or wood/pellet burning stove or an attached garage or carport we ask that you install the alarms.

#4.... CLOSE BEFORE YOU DOZE is a very important action that you can take when sleeping. Keeping fire at bay and out of the room you are in helps to keeping you safe. Precious moments will help save your life.

#5.... We ask that when the alarm sounds and you are leaving your residence due to fire that you close all of the doors as you leave the building. This will help control the fire and allow you to safely exit to your family's safe place. Meet as a group and report to the firefighters who are there to help if someone is not out of the building.

AND please do not go back into the fire. ONCE OUT STAY OUT....

If you need a smoke alarm, please reach out to your local fire station.
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Two months into 2023, there have been 21 fire-related deaths, with one occurring in Bel Air last month. Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal has released the TOP 5 FIRE SAFETY ESSENTIALS. Monthly testing of your smoke and CO alarms, practicing a home escape plan, and closing your bedroom door before you doze could save you and your familys life in a fire emergency.
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Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Co.
4 weeks ago
Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Co.

Since you had a great time with your sweetheart last month at bingo, why not try your Irish luck for March. Gather your four-leaf clovers and head over to win the pot of gold at the rainbow's end. See you Sunday with your Irish luck. ... See MoreSee Less

Since you had a great time with your sweetheart last month at bingo, why not try your Irish luck for March.  Gather your four-leaf clovers and head over to win the pot of gold at the rainbows end. See you Sunday with your Irish luck.
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Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Co.
4 weeks ago
Fallston Volunteer Fire and Ambulance Co.

Fallston units are clearing the scene of reported dwelling fire. On arrival of Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company Chief Officer light smoke was found along the roof line. Upon crews investigating, it was determined that insulation had ignited during home improvement repairs. Thanks to the great work of responders the hazard was mitigated and homeowners are cleared to return to their home.

Fallston Units Operating: Chief 13 , Tanker 13 , Engine 1311 , Engine 1312

Incident Commander - Chief 8-1

The Bel Air Volunteer Fire CompanyAbingdon Fire Company - MD
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Fallston units are clearing the scene of reported dwelling fire. On arrival of Joppa Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company Chief Officer light smoke was found along the roof line. Upon crews investigating, it was determined that insulation had ignited during home improvement repairs. Thanks to the great work of responders the hazard was mitigated and homeowners are cleared to return to their home. 
Fallston Units Operating: Chief 13 , Tanker 13 , Engine 1311 , Engine 1312 
Incident Commander - Chief 8-1
The Bel Air Volunteer Fire CompanyAbingdon Fire Company - MDImage attachment
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Monthly Calls

2023Fire & Fire/EMSEMS
Jan52186
Feb44142
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
2023 Total96328

Fire Top Ten Responder

February 2023
Name
Calls
Deputy Chief Dan McKinney44
Sgt. Tom Pritchard33
Asst. Chief Bob Colaianni29
Angelou Karoupis,
Asst. Chief Kris Teal
23
Lt. Matt Garrity20
Will Friend,
Capt. Zach Karn
19
Matt Barlow,
Hoby Howell

18
Chief Scott Blankenship,
Sgt. Kyle Burns
16
EMS Asst. Chief Will Rosenberg15
Sgt. Alex Hilber14

EMS Top Ten Responder

February 2023
Name
Calls
EMS Asst. Chief Will Rosenberg22
Shelby Sahady17
Jenn Chenworth13
EMS Capt. Erick Mitchell12
Ryan Blosser, Darrin Ryan10
Autumn Pafel9
EMS Capt. Ed Steininger8
Chris Aycock,
Jason Cowger,
EMS Lt. Isabelle Staab
6
Lt. Matt Garrity,
Lacey Maheux
5
Cailey Etchison4

Contact Information

Fallston Fire Company
P.O. Box 141
Fallston, MD 21047

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Emergency: 911
Fax: 410.638.4889

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House 1: 410.638.4890

House 2: 410.692.7866

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