With the return to school over the next few days, the increase of children on and near the roadways can cause increased danger for pedestrians and drivers.  Please observe the following safety rules and tips on how to drive near school buses:

• Be aware of the peak school commuting hours in your town and pay extra attention while driving.
• Drive carefully and at reduced speeds in neighborhoods where children congregate at bus stops and especially in school zones.
• Slow down when driving behind a school bus as they may make frequent and sudden stops.
• Learn the flashing light signal system used in your state. This generally consists of slowing down when the bus is flashing yellow lights and coming to a complete stop while the bus is flashing red lights.

 

The responsibility of the safety of our children does not rest solely with drivers, so it is imperative that we teach our kids bus safety rule and strategies, such as the following:

• Arrive at the bus stop early to avoid a situation where you would need to chase after the bus or enter the road for any reason.
• Stand at least two large steps away from the street at all times while waiting for the bus.
• Line up on the sidewalk rather than in the roadway.
• Wait until the bus has come to a complete stop before attempting to board.
• Notify the driver if you have dropped and item or need to pick something up off the street to ensure they can see you and know where you are at all times.

Good luck to all returning students for a successful year!
 

Interested in learning what it takes to be a volunteer firefighter? Stop by the fire station this coming Sunday for a recruitment open house from 10am-4pm. Personnel will be conducting tours, orientations and speaking to prospective members about what we offer and expect. This is an excellent opportunity see what it takes to be a volunteer firefighter in your community. email: info@dewittfire.org for more information.

A PUBLIC HEARING will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the DeWitt Fire Station, 4500 E. Genesee St. DeWitt, New York 13214, in the Town of DeWitt, State of New York on Tuesday the 20th day of October, 2015. Pursuant to Town Law #105, the Board of Fire Commissioners must hold a public hearing on the budget, make the budget available to the public prior to the public hearing, and allow the public to comment on the proposed budget at the public hearing. This public hearing must be held to allow maximum public participation in the hearing. The purpose of the public hearing is to allow any person to be heard in favor of or against the proposed budget as it is submitted, or for or against any item or items contained in the proposed budget, and hearing all persons interested in the subject concerning same. That a copy of the proposed budget is available at the Office of the Town Clerk of the Town of DeWitt, 5400 Butternut Drive, East Syracuse, New York 13057, and the Fire District Secretary at 4500 E. Genesee St. DeWitt, New York 13214 where it may be inspected by any interested person during office hours (Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)

Fire Prevention is a year-round effort.  During Fire Prevention Week, when we get to share important fire prevention and safety tips with our community.

This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is “hear the beep where you sleep.” What does this mean? We want to make sure our residents have installed smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of their homes, including the basement. Larger homes may need more alarms.

Here are a few key bits of information that you might not know about the importance of smoke detectors and escape plans.

• Roughly half of home fire deaths result from fires reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when most people are asleep.
• One-quarter of home fire deaths were caused by fires that started in the bedroom. Another quarter resulted from fires in the living room, family room or den.
• Three out of five home fire deaths happen from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
• Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half.
• When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected, or dead.
• Almost three-quarters of Americans do have an escape plan; however, more than half never practiced it.

It’s important to have plenty of working smoke detectors, and it’s crucial to develop – and practice – a fire escape plan at your home.

 

October 4-10 is National Fire Prevention Week! While fire safety is a year-round priority, each year we take time during the first week in October to emphasize the importance of fire safety and prevention. Join us at the fire station on Sunday, October 4 between 1 and 4 pm for some fire prevention activities. Stay tuned to our page for more news and for fire prevention tips for the entire community!

During extremely hot and humid weather, your body's ability to cool itself is challenged. When the body heats too rapidly to cool itself properly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating, body temperature rises and you or someone you care about may experience a heat-related illness. It is important to know the symptoms of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a list of warning signs and symptoms of heat illness, and recommended first aid steps. Some of these symptoms and steps are listed at http://www.cdc.gov/extremeheat/warning.html.

The DeWitt Fire District announced the successful sale by the Fire District of $6,605,000 Fire District Refunding (Serial) Bonds, 2015 on June 25, 2015. The Bonds were issued to refinance the outstanding principal balance of Fire District bonds that were issued in 2007 in order to build a new fire station for the Fire District. As a result of the refinancing, the Fire District will realize present value debt service savings in the amount of $416,925.06 over the life of the Bonds, which mature in 2032. This furthers our mission of providing the best fire protection services to the District, while being mindful of the costs to our residents.

Friday may turn out to be another very active day across our region with severe thunderstorms and flash flooding concerns from the mid afternoon well into the evening hours. A Tornado Watch has been issued many Central New York counties, including Onondaga, until 3 am. A tornado watch is issued when weather conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms that are capable of producing tornadoes. A tornado watch therefore implies that it is also a severe thunderstorm watch. Keep tuned in to weather and news outlets for changing conditions and updates.

We often see the image of Smokey Bear and quickly relate it to our national parks. Outdoor fire safety is not only important in remote forested areas but in our suburban areas as well. A small mulch or brush fire can easily spread out of control and expose structures. A red flag WARNING is in effect for Onondaga, Oneida, Seneca, Madison, Cortland, Tompkins, Chenango, Schuyler, Otsego, and southern Cayuga counties between 1pm and 7pm today, May 4. A red flag WARNING means critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, very low relative humidity, and warm temperatures will create explosive fire growth potential. Any fires that develop will likely spread rapidly. Therefore, outdoor burning is strongly discouraged. Here are some precautions you can take: -- Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged as fires could very quickly become out of control. -- Do not discard cigarettes or matches outside. These can also quickly start a fire. -- If you see a fire, please report it to the proper authorities and stay a safe distance away It may quickly spread due to gusty winds.

As the weather changes and our thoughts turn towards lawn clean-up and landscaping. we'd like to remind all residents that open burning is not permitted. Be careful of ignition sources near combustible materials outdoors and use approved outdoor cooking devices safely. http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/58519.html

With the start of our typical CNY winter weather, plenty of fire hydrants are buried in snow. While DFD crews are out trying to clear all the fire hydrants in the fire district, we are asking for your help. Please do your part to keep the closest fire hydrant to your home unobstructed to ensure crews can access it for you or your neighbor in an emergency situation. We thank you for your assistance!

For many years in the past, we brought Santa through the community on a fire truck to greet children during the holiday season. For the second year we will be inviting all to the fire station on Sunday December 14 between 11 am and 2 pm. Stop by, have some cookies with Santa and see the fire trucks and firefighters!

As we approach the holiday season, let's make sure safety is on our minds. The holidays bring various traditions and observances which can turn disastrous if we aren't careful. Be sure to stop in or give us a call if you have any questions about holiday safety.

Join us at Wegmans on East Genesee Street this Saturday for a hands-on safety event. We will discuss the importance of exit drills in the home, smoke detectors and of course the kids can see the fire truck.

On Monday, October 27th 6 new volunteer candidates graduated from the Fayetteville Fire Department Academy. The candidates spent 2 nights a week, and several saturdays, over the past 2 1/2 months obtaining their Firefighter 1 training. The following Candidates received certifications for Firefighter 1, Firefighter Survival and Firefighter Assist and Search Team: FF JP Gardner, FF Scott Alperin, FF Jon VanValkenburg, FF Eric Barnes, FF James Sutherland. FF Evan Simmons received a certification in Scene Support Operations. Congratulations and strong work to the new members! Welcome aboard