Morgantown Fire Dept.

We'd like to share some safety tips for pedestrians as they walk through the city:

- Ditch the distractions. Keep your eyes up and phone down, especially when crossing the street.
- Always use marked crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals.
- Make eye contact or nod/wave at drivers to confirm that you see each other.
- Be extra careful crossing streets at night when it is harder to see. Walk with a flashlight or wear a reflective vest so you are easier to spot.
- If you need to cross the street at any time, remember to look both ways for oncoming vehicles.

For more pedestrian safety knowledge, visit the link below.
https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety

*Attention*
Beginning today 7/23 and extending through 7/25, MFD will be conducting training scenarios off of Cliff Trail in the Core Arboretum. If you happen to be hiking this trail and see a rescue taking place, it is just a drill. We appreciate the kind genteleman this morning checking on us after he heard our mock patient yelling for help!

Flooding has cost U.S. taxpayers more than $850 billion since 2000 and is responsible for 2/3 of the cost from all natural disasters. Statistically, the U.S. has experienced an urban flooding every 2-3 days for the past 25 years.

In the event of a flood, use the following tips to keep yourself and others safe:

MFD responded overnight to Pennsylvania Ave for a reported structure fire at an unoccupied structure. Upon arrival, heavy smoke was showing from the first and second floors and flames began to show as handlines were deployed. Firefighters made an aggressive interior attack extinguishing fire and searching the structure. Glad to report no injuries. Great work by the personnel overnight.

**UPDATE**
*Roadway is now open*
Crews are still diligently working to get interstate 68 opened up after last night’s vehicle fire. At this time we cannot provide an estimated time for the roadway to be reopened.

It’s been a busy day so far for MFD out in the summer heat!☀️ Started the day off with crew-wide training on the new ladder truck. During training, Eng 2 and Ladder 3 were alerted to a vehicle rollover requiring partial roof removal. Then soon after, a vehicle fire, handled by Eng. 2 and Eng. 1. Glad to report no injuries involved in either accident.

Water helps regulate body temperature, maintain energy levels, and ensure proper functioning of vital organs. Lack of hydration can lead to serious health issues such as heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and kidney problems. The best defense against dehydration is prevention. Follow these six tips to stay safe and healthy, especially when temperatures — or your activity levels — increase.

On 7/7/2024, Engine 2 and Ladder 1 responded to Interstate 68, at the Exit 4 overpass, for a vehicle accident with rollover with one patient still inside. Members worked to extricate the patient to awaiting medical crews. Interstate 68 was shut down during the time of operation and was opened once all hazards were removed.

We'd like to wish everyone a safe, happy fourth of July! Fireworks are often associated with this holiday - but did you know that the use of consumer fireworks is illegal within the city limits of Morgantown? The city ordinance for fireworks can be found via the link below.

https://bit.ly/sec54510

If you'd like to watch a fireworks display within city limits, they will be available for your enjoyment at the Ruby Amphitheater on the 4th. More information can be found at rubyampwv.com 🎆

On Friday, June 28th at approximately 1845 the Morgantown Fire Department responded to a contractor stuck on a rooftop, suffering from an allergic reaction in the Sunnyside area of Downtown. Firefighter/paramedics made access to the patient using the department’s new Ladder 1 that was placed in service earlier in June. Personnel were able to administer care, stabilize the patient on the roof and make a safe decent to the ground for transport to a definitive care facility.

It was our honor to fly, with Granville Fire Department. CO.17, the Stars and Stripes in honor and memory of Officer Zane Breakiron. Zane is truly missed and will always be remembered.

It was great to see the Pauley family yesterday and see the incredible and rapid turnaround Jackson has taken over the last couple weeks. We were grateful to be reunited with the family and appreciated their kind words. The lifeguards at the pool that day did incredible work and we’re glad their training kicked in to provide the life saving efforts that Jackson needed. It’s not everyday that these life events have a positive outcome, so we’re glad to celebrate Jackson and those who had a role in his story.

June 23 - 29 is Lightning Safety Awareness Week, so we'd like to remind everyone that there is no safe place outside when thunderstorms are in the area. If you hear thunder, you are likely within striking distance of the storm. Just remember, "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!"

Too many people wait far too long to take shelter when thunderstorms approach. Unfortunately, these delayed actions lead to hundreds of injuries and deaths each year.

For more information, visit the link below.
https://www.weather.gov/safety/lightning-safety-overview

As the weather heats up, outdoor activities become increasingly popular. Statistics show that bicyclist fatalities are highest during the summer months, between June and September. Thus, we'd like to share some bicycle safety tips with you!

More information can be found at the link below. 🚴‍♂️

https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/bicycle-safety

We have a beautiful state, and there are many ways to enjoy it. For those that choose wilderness backpacking and/or camping, please make sure you are prepared so you can enjoy your adventure to the fullest. Novices and experts alike run into trouble when they’re not prepared, with far too many trips ending with someone lost or injured.

More information can be found via the link below.

https://www.backpacker.com/survival/8-rules-for-staying-safe-in-the-backcountry/

As the season starts heating up, we'd like to refresh everyone's memory on the burning laws in West Virginia! If you choose to burn, please abide by the following rules:

Happy EMS Week to our brothers and sisters at Mon EMS! We appreciate the service they provide to the community and enjoy the partnership we have with them!

As Memorial Day approaches, we'd like to share a few grilling safety tips:

1. Only use grills outside
2. Place your grill 10 feet away from your home
3. Make sure your grill is located on a flat, level surface
4. Check your grill for leaks
5. Always clean your grill after use
6. Never leave your barbecue grill unattended while in use
7. Wear appropriate clothing
8. Keep a spray bottle on hand
9. Always have a fire extinguisher close by

For more information, visit https://www.firstalert.com/ca/en/safety-corner/grilling-safety-tips/

💐 Wishing all the hardworking moms a very happy Mother’s Day! Thank you for all that you do! 💐

It's Arson Awareness Week! Here are a few tips you should keep in mind when it comes to protecting your home from arson, per the U.S. Fire Administration:

We'd like to take an opportunity to share information on regulations for food trucks. Vendors, vehicles, stands, trailers, and/or carts are subject to inspection by the Morgantown Fire Department and must pass that inspection to operate within the city limits. If the food truck is new, or new to this area, it must pass an initial inspection with Morgantown Fire Department and have the proper licenses with the City of Morgantown to conduct business. It is also the vendors' responsibility to ensure fire safety features (hood systems, fire extinguishers, etc.) are serviced and inspected every year to maintain operational compliance. The following checklist is provided as an aide to share with potential and existing vendors how to comply with the Fire Code:

As we begin cleaning up our outdoor spaces for spring, the Morgantown Fire Department would like to remind everyone that burn season is still in effect.

During burning season, burning is prohibited from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. If burning has occurred during permitted hours (5 p.m. to 7 a.m.), the fire must be completely extinguished by 7 a.m.

Burning season prohibitions exclude 1) small fires for the purpose of food preparation, warmth or light around which all grass, brush, stubble or debris has been removed for at least 10 feet from the fire and 2) burning which is conducted at any time when the ground surrounding the burning site is covered by one inch of snow or more.

DID YOU KNOW: You are at higher risk of having a clothes dryer fire if you don’t clean your lint filter and dryer vents.

Follow these simple safety tips to prevent a clothes dryer fire in your home:
1. Make sure your dryer is installed and serviced by a professional.
2. Do not use the dryer without a lint filter. Clean the lint filter before and after each cycle.
3. Do not forget to clean the back of the dryer where lint can build up.
4. Check the venting system behind the dryer regularly to make sure it has not been damaged or restricted in any way.
5. Make sure that the outdoor vent covering opens properly when the dryer is operating.

After today, we are one step closer to seeing this new rig running calls! Today, a select group from each crew received specialized training on this rig so they can then take that knowledge back to their crew. Thanks to Pierce for sending one of their experts down to train our guys!

Renovations are complete and Engine 2 is back to its home at the Norwood Station! We’d like to thank our friends at Morgantown Municipal Airport for accommodating us and giving company 2 personnel a temporary home while their firehouse was getting renovations and additions. Soon, we’ll post more about the renovations and what they mean for the MFD.

During your spring cleaning activities, do not forget about your bathroom exhaust fans. These fans are often overlooked, but play an important role reducing moisture in the bathroom. They will also collect lint and dust, which could become problematic if not maintained.

- Inspect and clean all bathroom fans regularly, and always follow manufacturers' recommendations for maintenance and care.
- Those that appear to have heat damage, or those in which the blades do not rotate freely, should be replaced.
- Bathroom exhaust fans should not be used for prolonged periods of time, and should be turned off when you leave the house. The optimal time to run your bathroom exhaust fan is for 15-20 minutes.

We'd like to take a moment to share a few electrical safety tips take from the NFPA:

- Make sure that all electrical work is performed by a qualified electrician.
- When buying or remodeling a home, have it inspected by a qualified private inspector or in accordance with local requirements.
- Only use one heat-producing appliance (such as a coffee maker, toaster, space heater, etc.) plugged into a receptacle outlet at a time.
- Major appliances (refrigerators, dryers, washers, stoves, etc.) should be plugged directly in a wall receptacle outlet. Extensions cords and plug strips should not be used.
- Check electrical cords to make sure they are not running across doorways or under carpets. Extension cords are intended for temporary use.

Call a qualified electrician or your landlord if you have: 1) frequent problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers, 2) a tingling feeling when you touch an electrical appliance, 3) discolored or warm wall outlets, 4) a burning or rubbery smell coming from an appliance, 5) flickering or dimming lights, and/or 6) sparks from an outlet.

NEXT WEEKEND! 🚨 If you're interested in becoming a Morgantown firefighter, you won't want to miss this opportunity!

The Morgantown Fire Department will host an Open House for prospective firefighter candidates on Saturday, April 6th, 2024, beginning at 10:00 am. This event will take place at Northside Fire Station, located at 1000 Van Voorhis Road, Morgantown, WV 26505. For those who wish to participate in the Open House, please contact Christine Wade at [email protected], or at 304-284-7434, so that arrival times can be set for each participant. Responses should be received by Thursday, April 4th, 2024.

Individuals will be notified by email of the time they are scheduled to arrive at the Open House. Arrival times will be set due to the large number of participants. Those participating should arrive at the Northside Fire Station for stretching and warm-up no earlier than their scheduled time.

Participants are expected to wear long pants and a work-type shirt (sweatpants and sweatshirts or t-shirts are acceptable). Participants are also expected to wear a work-type shoe that extends above the ankle area to ensure proper ankle support during the evolutions or may wear tennis shoes. Participants may bring their own leather work gloves, and gloves will be provided for those who do not bring their own. Helmets will also be provided and must be worn throughout the entire test.

The Open House will serve as an opportunity to practice using all the equipment used in the official agility test. This event will be an opportunity to ask questions and gain a stronger understanding of what it takes to successfully complete the agility test portion of the candidate test. Individuals with questions concerning this event can contact [email protected].

Follow the link below to watch a video on how to properly complete the MFD Agility Test.

https://youtu.be/oBxCWxs0FwY