Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label Fire CC Depts 03 Westminster PIO. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fire CC Depts 03 Westminster PIO. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

‘Social Media in the fire service – A double edge sword.’ Presented by Dave Stater


A great class on 'Social Media in the fire service – A double edge sword.' Presented by Dave Stater, STATter911 Communications; at the Md. State Firemen's Association convention. 19Je2018. "Today PIOs are reporters." "Building reputation equity through social media." "Become a trusted and valued source of information in your community."

Give PIOs flexibility and help.
Use all tools and platforms.
Don't wait to send out timely info.
Monitor social media
Train
Provide info or someone else will.
Accuracy versus speed. "This is the best information we have at the time."
Streamline approval process.

"Be a trusted and valued source of instant information at a time of crisis in your community."

Tuesday, May 01, 2018

PIO & Public Educator Engagement

PIO & Public Educator Engagement

At our Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association PIO Committee meeting Monday evening, April 30, 2018, Westminster Fire Department PIO Bob Cumberland called to our attention some information resources that may be found on the ResponderSafety.com website: 


“Every day across America, distracted and uninformed drivers pose a major threat to the safety and wellbeing of first responders who risk their own lives on roads and highways to assist those involved in traffic incidents. Please join us to reach the traveling public with roadway incident response messages that will help keep them and your personnel safe.

“On this page, we have compiled the resources of most value to Public Information Officers (PIOs) who communicate with media outlets, as well as to fire and life safety educators and others within your department who communicate with the public. We encourage you to explore the full ResponderSafety.com web site.”

The page has a wealth of information on it that is informative, insightful, thoughtful, and presented well.

Be safe out there.

30April2018 Westminster Fire Dept. Chaplain and PIO Kevin Dayhoff


Maryland Public Information Officers Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/MDPIO/


*****

Monday, February 27, 2017

Westminster Fire Dept. and Md. State Police respond to single vehicle accident west of Westminster


Westminster Fire Dept. and Md. State Police respond to single vehicle accident west of Westminster. Feb. 27, 2017 Chaplain/PIO3

Monday evening, Feb. 27, 2017, at approx. 8:36 p.m., units from Westminster Vol. Fire Dept. were alerted to respond to an accident at Rte. 140 and Rte. 97 north - Littlestown Pike. Upon arrival they found a single vehicle accident into the guard rail in the eastbound lane of Rte. 140.

After exracation a single patient was transported by Medic 39 to Shock Trauma. Accident remains under investigation by the Md State Police. No first responders were hurt in the response.

[Sta 3 EMS] 20:36 CT:VEHICLE COLLISION RT 140 / RT 97-LITTLESTOWN  BOX:0331 DUE: X39 E31 Chief3

Chaplain/PIO3 Feb. 27, 2017

On Feb. 27, 2017 the Westminster Fire Dept. and Md. State Police responded to single vehicle accident west of Westminster.  http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2017/02/westminster-fire-dept-and-md-state.html 

Monday, May 23, 2016

Link for the Hynes Family Firefighter Fund at the Community Foundation of Carroll County


Link for the Hynes Family Firefighter Fund at the Community Foundation of Carroll County. http://www.carrollcommunityfoundation.org/funds.asp?fund_id=313

By Westminster Vol. Fire Dept. Chaplain Kevin E. Dayhoff Monday, May 23, 2016 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207803775385914&set=a.10203968656950350.1073741840.1040426835&type=3&theater
Once you click on the link for the fund at the Community Foundation, http://www.carrollcommunityfoundation.org/funds.asp?fund_id=313, look for a donate button just under the Community Foundation logo…

On Monday, May 23, 2016, a link was set up on the Foundation's web site: www.carrollcommunityfoundation.org for electronic financial donations. Find that link here: http://www.carrollcommunityfoundation.org/funds.asp?fund_id=313

Last Saturday afternoon, May 21, 2016 - A fund was established at the Community Foundation to assist the Hynes Family. See: http://www.westminstervfd.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/20160521-K-Hynes-Fund.pdf

The Westminster Volunteer Fire Dept. is collecting money to help a member of the fire department and her family get back on their feet after a fire destroyed their home Friday night, May 20, 2016

The Westminster Volunteer Fire Dept. has partnered with the Community Foundation of Carroll County to help raise funds for the Hynes family. All donations to the Hynes Family Firefighter Fund at the Community Foundation of Carroll County are tax deductible.

If you would rather write a check, donations may be sent to
Community Foundation of Carroll County
% Hynes Family
255 Clifton Boulevard
Westminster Md. 21157

Be sure to note on your check that the donation is for the Hynes family

For more information, call the Community Foundation of Carroll County at 410-876-5505 or contact the Westminster Fire Dept. at 410-848-1800 Ext. 381 and leave a message if necessary.

The Mission of the Community Foundation of Carroll County is to maintain and enhance the quality of life in the community of Carroll County through philanthropic means. The Foundation will receive, invest, and distribute funds for charitable, cultural, and educational purposes for the benefit of the citizens of Carroll County.

Further evaluation is needed to determine precisely the Hynes family needs at the moment. Friends, neighbors, the first responder and firefighter community, and the American Red Cross has been very helpful with many of their immediate needs.

Financial donations for the Hynes family are not being accepted at the Westminster Fire Dept. Our partner, the Community Foundation of Carroll County is handling that for the department - to free-up the department to continue to respond to approximately 6,000 fire and EMS calls a year. .

Please do not drop off any donations at the Westminster Fire Dept. as the department is unable to store or manage any food, furniture, clothing, or housewares. The Hynes family is being helped with donations of food, furniture, clothing, or housewares by other partners in the community.

For those who have asked to also make a donation to the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department, visit our website at http://www.westminstervfd.org/ or make a check payable to the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. #1 and mail it to: 28 John Street, Westminster, MD 21157

On Friday evening, May 20, 2016 the home of the family of Hugh and Carla Hynes was destroyed by a tragic accidental fire due to a mechanical failure of their neighbor’s air conditioning unit.

According to the Maryland State Fire Marshall’s office, “Investigators determined a mechanical failure lead to the A/C unit exploding, causing the fire. Both the owner and the neighbor attempted to extinguish the fire with a garden hose to no avail. The fire spread rapidly upwards into the roof of the home causing extensive damage to the home and both adjoining units.” 

Over 80 firefighters from Carroll and Baltimore Co, and the Westminster Police Dept. responded with 20 pieces of equipment to a two–alarm fire in the 200 block of Gallatin Court, north of Westminster off Cranberry Rd. The first call came into the county emergency communications center at 9:39. A second alarm was quickly sounded at 9:55.

Several family pets were saved by quick action by the firefighters on the scene of a two – alarm fire late Friday night in Westminster. The cats and dogs were attended to by emergency medical personnel, including vet tech Tanya Andrews who assisted Manchester EMS personnel to provide emergency oxygen to save the life of a family pet cat stricken by smoke inhalation late Friday night

Three families were displaced and two townhouses were destroyed in the blaze, but the fire did not spread farther thanks to the prompt and well-coordinated response by firefighters. Fire was declared under control at 1024 pm, but wrap-up and clean-up operations lasted until approximately 3 am, Sat. morning

For more information or clarifications about this press release contact the Westminster Fire Dept. at 410-848-1800 Ext. 381 and leave a message if necessary or contact Westminster Fire Department Chaplain and PIO Kevin E. Dayhoff at kdayhoff@westminstervfd.org








+++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++
Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: 
Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:
Baltimore Sun - Carroll County Times - The Carroll Eagle: www.explorecarroll.com: http://www.explorecarroll.com/search/?s=Dayhoff&action=GO

Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com

My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/


See also - Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art www.kevindayhoff.com: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, music, culture, opera... Ad maiorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem. “Deadline U.S.A.” 1952. Ed Hutcheson: “That's the press, baby. The press! And there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing!” - See more at: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/#sthash.4HNLwtfd.dpuf
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Saturday, May 21, 2016

The Hynes Family Firefighter Fund at the Community Foundation of Carroll County.


The Hynes Family Firefighter Fund at the Community Foundation of Carroll County. http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2016/05/the-hynes-family-firefighter-fund-at.html

Saturday afternoon, May 21, 2016 - A fund has been established at the Community Foundation to assist the Hynes Family.

The Westminster Volunteer Fire Dept. is collecting money to help a member of the fire department and her family get back on their feet after a fire destroyed their home Friday night, May 20, 2016

The Westminster Volunteer Fire Dept. has partnered with the Community Foundation of Carroll County to help raise funds for the Hynes family. All donations to the Hynes Family Firefighter Fund at the Community Foundation of Carroll County are tax deductible.

Donations may be sent to
Community Foundation of Carroll County
% Hynes Family
255 Clifton Boulevard
Westminster Md. 21157

Be sure to note on your check that the donation is for the Hynes family

On Monday, May 23, 2016, a link will be set up on the Foundation's web site: www.carrollcommunityfoundation.org for electronic financial donations.

For more information, call the Community Foundation of Carroll County at 410-876-5505 or contact the Westminster Fire Dept. at 410-848-1800 Ext. 381 and leave a message if necessary.

The Mission of the Community Foundation of Carroll County is to maintain and enhance the quality of life in the community of Carroll County through philanthropic means. The Foundation will receive, invest, and distribute funds for charitable, cultural, and educational purposes for the benefit of the citizens of Carroll County.

Further evaluation is needed to determine precisely the Hynes family needs at the moment. Friends, neighbors, the first responder and firefighter community, and the American Red Cross has been very helpful with many of their immediate needs.

Financial donations for the Hynes family are not being accepted at the Westminster Fire Dept. Our partner, the Community Foundation of Carroll County is handling that for the department - to free-up the department to continue to respond to approximately 6,000 fire and EMS calls a year. .

Please do not drop off any donations at the Westminster Fire Dept. as the department is unable to store or manage any food, furniture, clothing, or housewares. The Hynes family is being helped with donations of food, furniture, clothing, or housewares by other partners in the community.

For those who have asked to also make a donation to the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department, visit our website at http://www.westminstervfd.org/ or make a check payable to the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. #1 and mail it to: 28 John Street, Westminster, MD 21157

On Friday evening, May 20, 2016 the home of the family of Hugh and Carla Hynes was destroyed by a tragic accidental fire due to a mechanical failure of their neighbor’s air conditioning unit.

According to the Maryland State Fire Marshall’s office, “Investigators determined a mechanical failure lead to the A/C unit exploding, causing the fire. Both the owner and the neighbor attempted to extinguish the fire with a garden hose to no avail. The fire spread rapidly upwards into the roof of the home causing extensive damage to the home and both adjoining units.” 

Over 80 firefighters from Carroll and Baltimore Co, and the Westminster Police Dept. responded with 20 pieces of equipment to a two–alarm fire in the 200 block of Gallatin Court, north of Westminster off Cranberry Rd. The first call came into the county emergency communications center at 9:39. A second alarm was quickly sounded at 9:55.

Several family pets were saved by quick action by the firefighters on the scene of a two – alarm fire late Friday night in Westminster. The cats and dogs were attended to by emergency medical personnel, including vet tech Tanya Andrews who assisted Manchester EMS personnel to provide emergency oxygen to save the life of a family pet cat stricken by smoke inhalation late Friday night

Three families were displaced and two townhouses were destroyed in the blaze, but the fire did not spread farther thanks to the prompt and well-coordinated response by firefighters. Fire was declared under control at 1024 pm, but wrap-up and clean-up operations lasted until approximately 3 am, Sat. morning


For more information or clarifications about this press release contact the Westminster Fire Dept. at 410-848-1800 Ext. 381 and leave a message if necessary or contact Westminster Fire Department Chaplain and PIO Kevin E. Dayhoff at kdayhoff@westminstervfd.org


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Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: 
Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:
Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com

My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/


See also - Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art www.kevindayhoff.com: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, music, culture, opera... Ad maiorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem. “Deadline U.S.A.” 1952. Ed Hutcheson: “That's the press, baby. The press! And there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing!” - See more at: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/#sthash.4HNLwtfd.dpuf
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Over 80 firefighters responded with 20 pieces of equipment to a two–alarm fire in Westminster


Over 80 firefighters responded with 20 pieces of equipment to a two–alarm fire in Westminster

Friday – Saturday, May 20-21, 2016. Over 80 firefighters from Carroll and Baltimore Co, and the Westminster Police Dept. responded with 20 pieces of equipment to a two–alarm fire in the 200 block of Gallatin Court, north of Westminster off Cranberry Rd.

The first call came into the county emergency communications center at 9:39. A second alarm was quickly sounded at 9:55.

Three families were displaced and two townhouses were destroyed in the blaze, but the fire did not spread farther thanks to the prompt and well-coordinated response by firefighters. Fire was declared under control at 1024 pm, but wrap-up and clean-up operations lasted until approximately 3 am, Sat. morning

Vet tech Tanya Andrews assists Manchester EMS personnel to provide emergency oxygen to save the life of a family pet cat stricken by smoke inhalation late Friday night.


Vet tech Tanya Andrews assists Manchester EMS personnel to provide emergency oxygen to save the life of a family pet cat stricken by smoke inhalation late Friday night. Photo by Westminster Fire Dept. Chaplain Kevin Dayhoff Friday – Saturday, May 20-21, 2016

Several family pets were saved by quick action by the firefighters on the scene of a two – alarm fire late Friday night in Westminster. The cats and dogs were attended to by emergency medical personnel, including vet tech Tanya Andrews who assisted Manchester EMS personnel to provide emergency oxygen to save the life of a family pet cat stricken by smoke inhalation late Friday night

Over 80 firefighters from Carroll and Baltimore Co, and the Westminster Police Dept. responded with 20 pieces of equipment to a two–alarm fire in the 200 block of Gallatin Court, north of Westminster off Cranberry Rd.

The first call came into the county emergency communications center at 9:39. A second alarm was quickly sounded at 9:55.

Three families were displaced and two townhouses were destroyed in the blaze, but the fire did not spread farther thanks to the prompt and well-coordinated response by firefighters. Fire was declared under control at 1024 pm, but wrap-up and clean-up operations lasted until approximately 3 am, Sat. morning

Sunday, April 24, 2016

October 20, 2013: Carroll County firefighters respond to fire at Vetville in Westminster

 


October 20, 2013: Carroll County firefighters respond to fire at Vetville in Westminster http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2013/10/october-20-2013-carroll-county.html 

By Kevin E. Dayhoff, kevindayhoff@gmail.com Sunday, October 20, 2013

 
Carroll County volunteer firefighters from throughout the county responded Sunday afternoon to a laundry room fire at “Vetville” in the 100 unit block of Wimert Avenue, near Sullivan Avenue and Route 140 in northwest Westminster.

The complex, known locally as “Vetville,” dates back to 1946, when the housing units were built “by the government for the GIs who are attending or will attend Western Maryland College under the GI Bill of Rights,” according to a newspaper account in the now-defunct Democratic Advocate.

“A one-story construction, set up on cement blocks, with a brick-like celetex finish, they will fill the hopes of many GIs who plan to finish their education with their families. The apartments are made up of living room, two bedrooms, two closets and a kitchen, to be fully equipped with sink, stove and refrigerator…”

It is believed that the last fire occurred in Vetville on November 2, 2003, when, “A two-alarm fire … destroyed a four-unit apartment building in Westminster, but its eight residents, including two children, escaped without injuries,” according to an article in the Baltimore Sun.


Carroll County volunteer firefighters from throughout the county responded Sunday afternoon to a laundry room fire at “Vetville” in the 100 unit block of Wimert Avenue. Photo 2(b) by Kevin E. Dayhoff October 20, 2013

Firefighters and equipment from Pleasant Valley, Lineboro, Reese, and New Windsor quickly joined Westminster firefighters at “Vetville.” Photo 3(b) by Kevin E. Dayhoff October 20, 2013

On Sunday, two additional apartment units were damaged at “Vetville” in the 100 unit block of Wimert Avenue. Photo 12(b) by Kevin E. Dayhoff October 20, 2013.



In the wee hours of the morning, Sat. morning, April 23, 2016: The paperwork never stops these days for fire companies. http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-paperwork-never-stops-these-days.html 

Updated April 23, 2016
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Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: 
Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:
Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com

My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/


See also - Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art www.kevindayhoff.com: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, music, culture, opera... Ad maiorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem. “Deadline U.S.A.” 1952. Ed Hutcheson: “That's the press, baby. The press! And there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing!” - See more at: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/#sthash.4HNLwtfd.dpuf
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Friday, April 01, 2016

40 firefighters from Carroll and Baltimore Counties respond to Westminster house fire

40 firefighters from Carroll and Baltimore Counties respond to #Westminster house #fire http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/2016/04/40-firefighters-from-carroll-and.html

Dry conditions at the end of winter and early spring only heighten the fire danger out there. Please have a safe spring.

Firefighters and first responders see a little too much of each other in the spring. The fire marshal’s office and the Carroll County fire departments take this opportunity to remind you to not have first responders over to your house this spring as uninvited guests.

“Although we are very friendly, this time of the year, we are way too serious to attend your spring get-together in the event of a fire. Ensure your guests are aware of all available exits if a fire would occur… The leading cause of fires in the kitchen are unattended cooking and carelessly discarded cigarette.

Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food. And if you are going to be careless, have extra food available in case 40 firefighters need to stop by in the middle of the day to come tromping through your house. Happy spring from your local Carroll County fire department of the fire marshal’s office.

Westminster fire department chaplain and public information officer Kevin E. Dayhoff



40 firefighters from Carroll and Baltimore Counties responded to a house fire on West George Street in Westminster Thursday

After fire, Westminster home ruled uninhabitable


A house on West George Street is uninhabitable after a fire Thursday afternoon.

A two-story wood dwelling caught on fire because of discarded smoking material, according to a news release from the State Fire Marshal's Office.

The Fire Marshal's Office ruled that the fire's cause was accidental. No injuries were reported, but the fire caused about $10,000 worth of damage to the structure, according to the release.

The Westminster Volunteer Fire Company was called to a fire in the unit block of West George Street at about 2:11 p.m., with a call for rapid intervention coming nine minutes later, said Kevin Dayhoff, spokesman for the fire company.



40 firefighters from Carroll and Baltimore Counties responded to a house fire on West George Street in Westminster Thursday, March 31, 2016. Pictures courtesy of the Westminster Vol. Fire Dept – PIO Kevin Dayhoff
*****

Thursday, March 03, 2016

Jon Kelvey Carroll County Times: EMS technology extends careers


Carroll County Times: EMS technology extends careers at the Westminster Md Vol Fire Co

EMS technology extends careers at the Westminster Md Vol Fire Co http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/2016/03/carroll-county-times-ems-technology.html


Retrieved Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Volunteers at our local fire companies sometimes put their lives on the line battling blazes, but a majority of the calls these departments receive are to respond to medical emergencies. While — for the volunteer responders at least — they aren't facing a life or death situation for these calls, they are often putting wear and tear on their bodies, which shortens careers.

So we were happy to see the Westminster Volunteer Fire Department demonstrate last week the latest technology to be deployed by the department, Stryker Power Load System stretcher, which allows patients to be loaded and easily put into ambulances, saving the stress on volunteers' limbs and spines.

Fire Department Lt. Brett Pearce told us that about half of the department's line-of-duty retirements for emergency medical service workers each year are due to back injuries, which occur when lifting and carrying people out of their homes on a stretcher.


[…]

Yet, that's exactly the situation volunteers at some of these companies are facing. Westminster Volunteer Fire Department alone responded to 5,743 EMS calls last year, making it one of the busiest volunteer agencies in the state, according to the department's Public Information Officer Kevin Dayhoff. For almost every EMS call, a paramedic is lifting a stretcher four times — in and out at the scene and again at the hospital. While we'd like to think they follow proper form every time, we know that isn't realistic, especially when time is of the essence for the patient.



+++++++++++++++
Baltimore Sun Carroll Eagle: 
Tumblr: Kevin Dayhoff Banana Stems www.kevindayhoff.tumblr.com/
Kevin Dayhoff is an artist - and a columnist for:
Smurfs: http://babylonfluckjudd.blogspot.com/
Google profile: https://profiles.google.com/kevindayhoff/

E-mail: kevindayhoff(at)gmail.com

My http://www.explorecarroll.com/ columns appear in the copy of the Baltimore Sunday Sun that is distributed in Carroll County: https://subscribe.baltsun.com/Circulation/


See also - Kevin Earl Dayhoff Art www.kevindayhoff.com: Travel, art, artists, authors, books, newspapers, media, writers and writing, journalists and journalism, reporters and reporting, music, culture, opera... Ad maiorem Dei gloriam inque hominum salutem. “Deadline U.S.A.” 1952. Ed Hutcheson: “That's the press, baby. The press! And there's nothing you can do about it. Nothing!” - See more at: http://kevindayhoffart.blogspot.com/#sthash.4HNLwtfd.dpuf
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Thursday, December 24, 2015

Incredible Speed of a Live Christmas Tree Fire - PSA Video


Incredible Speed of a Live Christmas tree Fire

Uploaded on Dec 15, 2007 - Incredible Speed of a Live
Christmas tree Fire - PSA Video. PSA showing the incredible speed of a live
Christmas tree fire. Fire spreads up the tree and gushes across the ceiling,
setting the rest of the room ablaze. Smoke engulfs the frame from the top down
until all is black. It's a real eye-opener as to the dangers of a short in a
string of Christmas lights. Creative Commons license: Public Domain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2dNN2waoSw

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Update - Home damaged in early morning Westminster fire, no one injured




November 25, 2015 S. Wayne Carter Jr. Carroll County Times

More than 50 firefighters from 10 companies in four counties were needed to get an early Wednesday morning fire under control in Westminster.

No injuries were reported, and it's unclear if anyone was home at the time of the blaze, according to an emailed report from Westminster Vol. Fire Company spokesman Kevin Dayhoff…


The Office of the State Fire Marshal is investigating the cause of the fire, which appears to have originated in the carport of the one-story, single family home in the 500 block of Old Baltimore Road off Malcolm Drive, according to Dayhoff. The fire quickly spread to the adjacent house and a nearby vehicle and equipment trailer.

Firefighters received the call around 1:33 a.m., were on the scene by 1:37 a.m. and had the fire under control within an hour, according to Dayhoff.

About 50 firefighters from Westminster, Reese, Pleasant Valley, Gamber, Hampstead and Sykesville companies were dispatched in addition to firefighters from Reisterstown and Glyndon in Baltimore County, a unit from York County and an air support unit from Howard County, according to Dayhoff.

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Please be fire-safe out there for the holidays. As we were wrapping-up operations from the Old Baltimore Road fire, many of us exchanged our goodbyes and “Happy Holidays,” and in the dry dark humor of firefighters, many folks remarked how much it is a drag to see each other in the middle of the night.

After-all, face it, when we see each other in the middle of the night it is often as a result of a fire, traffic accident, illness or family tragedy. One firefighter told the truth, “Oh this is the season when we will see a lot of each other.” Sadly it is true. Although more research is needed, it always seems that fires and accidents increase in number during the holiday season. Be safe out there.

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Update: 3:25 p.m., Nov. 25, 2015

No injuries were reported. There were “two individuals at home when the fire started,” according to DSFM Bruce D. Bouch, director of public education and media affairs with the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

According to a recent release by the fire marshal’s office, the cause of the fire was “Accidental due to ashes being placed in a plastic bag and put next to the shed.”

“During the winter months and the holiday season, it is especially important to dispose of all fireplace, cooking grill and wood stove ashes safely in a fireproof container away from the house and certainly away from anything combustible. Pour some water on the ashes – be fire safe to protect your property and your family,” said Dayhoff

“It is important to note that the folks who were home at the time of this fire got out safely because they had a working smoke alarm and the alarm alerted them that there was a fire... Take this opportunity to check your smoke alarm before friends and family visit for the holidays,” said Dayhoff

Firefighters and first responders see a little too much of each other during the holiday season. The fire marshal’s office and the Westminster fire department take this opportunity to remind you to not have first responders over to your house this holiday season as uninvited guests.

“Although we are very friendly, this time of the year, we are way too serious to attend your holiday get-together in the event of a fire. Ensure your guests are aware of all available exits if a fire would occur… The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food. And if you are going to be careless, have extra food available in case 50 firefighters need to stop by in the middle of the night to come tromping through your house. Happy holidays from your local Carroll County fire department of the fire marshal’s office.

Westminster fire department chaplain and public information officer Kevin E. Dayhoff