CHILDREN DROWN WITHOUT A SOUND!

California leads the nation in drownings. These needless tragedies are the leading cause of accidental injury and death in children under the age of five and the second leading cause of death in children under the age of 14. In Southern California, drowning prevention and water safety should be practiced on a year-round basis with special emphasis during the summer months. Below are the ABC’s of water safety. By learning these water safety tips you and your child will learn how to prevent drownings.

 

A –Adult Supervision –Assign a “Water Watcher”

•Assign an adult “water watcher” who can swim to specifically watch the water.•Designate an adult to supervise the children in and around the pool/spa area especially during social gatherings. •Never leave children in or around a pool unattended –not even for one second.•Remove children from swimming pool/spa area for any distractions such as a telephone call or use of restroom. •Do not rely on flotation devices. They should not be used as a substitute for adult supervision. •Post pool address and emergency number.

 

B –Barriers

•Install and maintain proper fencing around the pool to isolate your swimming area from the home and play area.•Use multiple layers of protection such as safety covers, gate alarms, door alarms and motion-detection devices. Inspect them monthly.•Make sure all gates are self-closing, self-latching and open outward away from the pool.•All objects that allow a child to climb up to reach the gate latch or climb over the fence should be removed or kept inside the fenced area.

 

C –Classes –“CPR”
•Learn CPR, first aid and rescue techniques. •Attain swim skills through on-going qualified instruction. •Keep rescue equipment such as a shepherd’s hook, life-saving ring and CPR sign mounted by the pool to instruct others. •Learn proper behavior in and around the water.
 
Nationwide Drowning Statistics
•In 2005, there were 3,582 fatal unintentional drownings in the United States, averaging ten deaths per day.•In 2005, males were four times more likely than females to die from unintentional drownings.•More than one in four fatal drowning victims are children 14 and under. For every child who dies from drowning, another four received emergency department care for non fatal submersion injuries. •Although drowning rates have declined nationwide, fatal drowning remains the second leading cause of unintentional injury related death for children ages 1 to 14 years.* Stats from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Swimming and Recreational Water Safety. 2005-2006.
 
For more infromation on how to keep your family safe please visit  http://www.abcpoolsafety.org/

MDA Summer Camp

Firefighters from CAL FIRE had the opportunity to participate in the annual Muscular Dystrophy Associations summer camp located at Camp Cuyamaca. 55 kids from all over San Diego attended a week long fun filled excursion. Firefighters from local CAL FIRE stations showed up with their engines to participate in a day of activities with the children. Campers were broken up into teams and given the task to build a boat out of card board and see which boat would make it across the pool. Firefighters were assigned to each team to help build the winning water craft. The boats were launched and the campers cheered their favorite boat on until it made it across the water. CAL FIRE and the MDA have been working together for the past 3 years and have raised over 400,000 dollars to support the much needed research to combat this disease. Along with the research this money helps send kids to summer camp which makes a major difference in their lives.

Pala Fire burns 106 Acres

June 23rd 2010-Firefighters spent the afternoon extinguishing several wildfires in the Northern part of San Diego County today. The first was a small one acre vegetation fire in the City of Escondido near Orange Glen High School. The second in Bonsal burning approximately 4 acres.

Just after 3pm firefighters received a report of a third fire on Highway 76 East of the Pala Casino. The first arriving Chief Officer reported five acres heavy fuel with a rapid rate of spread. The fire quickly grew to 25,50,75 then 100 acres. Battalion Chief Ernie Marugg arrived at scene and assumed unified command with the United States Forest Service and the Pala Reservation Fire Department. Ten homes were given precautionary evacuation warnings. Fortunately no homes were damaged or destroyed.

Approximately two hours after the fire had started 106 acres had burn along Highway 76. Due to an aggressive fire attack the fire was 100% contained three hours after the fire had started. Firefighters will work throughout the night extinguishing hotspots and give nearby residents a better sense of security as they return home for the evening.

A special thanks to several agencies who assisted on the incident; California Highway Partol, San Diego County Sheriff's Department, Cal Trans, North County Fire Department, Pauma Reservation Fire Department, Pala Fire Department, United States Forest Service, and the Rincon Reservation Fire Department.

Above photo provided by Jeff Hall-Action Photography

Brush Fire Burns 100 acres

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On June 16th 2010, CAL FIRE received a report of a vegetation fire on Highway 78, north west of the community of Shelter Valley. Air attack 330 was the first to arrive on scene, the fire was approximately 1 acre in the bottom of a drainage. Within minutes the fire has quickly grew to 50 acres with a rapid rate of spread burning in what firefighters consider light flashy fuels. The first arriving engine assumed command and requested additional airtankers, helicopters, engines, handcrews, and water tenders. As of midnight the fire was 100 acres, but fortunately the winds had calmed and due to an aggressive fire attack firefighters were making excellent progress. By morning the fire was 70% contained with full containment expected by noon today.

5.7 Earthquake felt throughout San Diego County

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What to Do During an Earthquake
Stay as safe as possible during an earthquake. Be aware that some earthquakes are actually foreshocks and a larger earthquake might occur. Minimize your movements to a few steps to a nearby safe place and if you are indoors, stay there until the shaking has stopped and you are sure exiting is safe.

If indoors
DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building. Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall, such as lighting fixtures or furniture. Stay in bed if you are there when the earthquake strikes. Hold on and protect your head with a pillow, unless you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall. In that case, move to the nearest safe place. Use a doorway for shelter only if it is in close proximity to you and if you know it is a strongly supported, loadbearing doorway. Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Research has shown that most injuries occur when people inside buildings attempt to move to a different location inside the building or try to leave. Be aware that the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on. DO NOT use the elevators.

If outdoors
Stay there. Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires. Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops. The greatest danger exists directly outside buildings, at exits and alongside exterior walls. Many of the 120 fatalities from the 1933 Long Beach earthquake occurred when people ran outside of buildings only to be killed by falling debris from collapsing walls. Ground movement during an earthquake is seldom the direct cause of death or injury. Most earthquake-related casualties result from collapsing walls, flying glass, and falling objects.

If in a moving vehicle
Stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires. Proceed cautiously once the earthquake has stopped. Avoid roads, bridges, or ramps that might have been damaged by the earthquake.

If trapped under debris
Do not light a match. Do not move about or kick up dust. Cover your mouth with a handkerchief or clothing. Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Use a whistle if one is available. Shout only as a last resort. Shouting can cause you to inhale dangerous amounts of dust.

Controlled Burn in Jamul

Over the next few weeks CAL FIRE/San Diego will be conducting controlled burns along Highway 94 near the community of Jamul. Multiple times a year CAL FIRE conducts controlled burns across San Diego County to minimize fire threats or create fire breaks in strategic locations. The burn project along the 94 allows for a defensible space that can prevent wildfires if a vehicle should catch fire or a cigarette is carelessly thrown from a vehicle. During these types of operations it is vital to slow down and obey all posted warnings in the area for your safety and the safety of the crews working in the area.



As we enter peak fire season you as a homeowner and family need to plan ahead if wildfire should strike in your neighborhood. Fire agencies across the state have introduced the "Ready, Set, Go" program to assist with a plan for you and your family during a fire. The following web site http://www.readyforwildfire.org/is a great resource for you to develop your plan and have it ready to go in a moments notice. San Diego has experienced some of the most devastating fires in the state and you must be ready. For further information on CAL FIRE and additional safety tips you can also visit http://www.fire.ca.gov/.

CAL FIRE is using Skype!

From the fire lines to online: Cal Fire using Skype - San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.com

Board Approves 2010 California Strategic Fire Plan

The Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Board) today voted unanimously to approve the “2010 Strategic Fire Plan.” The plan is the result of a cooperative effort by both the Board and the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) to establish the levels of statewide fire protection services for California’s State Responsibility Area (SRA) lands.

“This collaborative effort ultimately benefits the residents of this state,” said Board Chairman Stan Dixon. “It is incumbent upon state government to take constructive action on significant issues of concern that affect the property and livelihoods of Californians.” “The importance of developing a single, comprehensive strategic fire plan in concert with the Board was clear to me from the beginning,” said Chief Del Walter, director of CAL FIRE. “That is why I requested three seats on the steering committee to represent Fire Protection, Resource Management Programs and the Office of the State Fire Marshal. I am very pleased with the effort and accomplishments of all who participated in producing this document.” This is the first statewide fire plan developed in concert between the Board and CAL FIRE. This new plan recognizes that fire will occur in California and works to answer the question of “how do we utilize and live with that risk of wildfire?”

To view the Fire Plan -
http://www.bof.fire.ca.gov/board_committees/resource_protection_committee/current_projects/r esources/strategicfireplan_june2010_06-04_photos.pdf

FDNNTV.COM Interviews Public Information Officer Mike Mohler