CHIMNEY FIRES

The Smithtown Fire Department recently received its first call of the fall season for a chimney fire. With the price of heating oil on the rise the number of residents who will use their fireplaces to generate added warmth this season will also be on the increase.

Jeff Bressler, Smithtown FD Public Information Officer warns us to not take a chimney for granted, “Homeowners should schedule a yearly inspection and cleaning of their chimney with a professional chimney sweep before using it at the start of the season.”

Chimney fires are fueled by excess creosote, or soot.  Creosote is a product of incomplete combustion, it can take many forms; a sooty powder, a hard black glaze, a black tar-like substance or the appearance of burnt marshmallows. Creosote lines the chimney’s walls, this enables the heat venting in the chimney to ignite the creosote.

  Depending on the condition of your chimney the fire can spread through your home through cracks in the chimney, or missing or loose mortar.  A chimney fire is super-heated; the fire can spread through your house through radiant heat.  It can easily spread to your rooftop.

Bressler gives these safety tips to avoid a chimney fire, “You can enjoy a worry free winter by have your chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional chimney sweep who can  find blockages and cracks in your chimney that could result in poor venting, carbon monoxide poisoning or a chimney fire. Also burn well-seasoned hardwoods.  Green wood builds up creosote faster. And install a chimney cap to prevent things from falling into your chimney and reducing ventilation.” 

 

 

 

Victory! Residential Fire Sprinklers Proposal Approved

“This press release from the THE NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION OF FIRE CHIEFS regards the passing of a proposal to make sprinkler systems mandatory in all new one and two family homes.

Fairfax, Va., Sept. 21, 2008… A committed and united fire service accomplished a significant feat today in the fight to save lives and property. At the International Code Council (ICC) final action hearings in Minneapolis, the proposal to change the International Residential Code to require residential fire sprinklers in all new one- and two-family dwellings passed with a strong majority—73 percent—of the governmental members of the ICC present and voting. The vote was 1,282 for the code to 470 against.

Fire service personnel showed up in force as part of a unified effort with others from more than 100 public safety organizations, including the IAFC and IAFF. They came prepared with incontrovertible evidence that residential fire sprinklers save much more than property; they save the lives of the public and the lives of fire service personnel who protect them. 

Director Alan Perdue, the International Director of the IAFC’s Fire and Life Safety Section, expressed the tremendous sense of accomplishment felt by all after the long and arduous process to get this requirement into the codes. 

“For more than 30 years, the fire service community has worked toward the goal of saving lives and reducing fire loss by installing residential fire sprinklers,” he said. “By bringing all aspects of the fire service together for a common cause, today we have concluded the first monumental step of requiring residential fire sprinklers in the model codes. It is imperative, however, that we continue our collaborative efforts to protect both the public and our firefighters on the front line by working to make certain that these requirements are also adopted into state and local codes. I want to personally thank every individual and organization that was involved in making this a reality and know that your continued commitment to this initiative will save thousands of lives in the future.”

-end-

 

Smithtown Fire Department Legislative Honor

 

On Tuesday, September 16^th the Smithtown Fire Department was honored on the floor of the Suffolk County Legislature for 100 years of dedicated service to the community. A special proclamation was presented by Legislator Lynne Nowick from the 13^th Legislative District and Legislator John M. Kennedy Jr. from the 12th Legislative District.

 

In attendance at the presentation were (L-R) Jeff Bressler, Public Information Officer, First Assistant Chief Charles Duffy, Legislator Nowick, Legislator Kennedy and Third Assistant Chief Steve Sisino.

SMITHTOWN FIRE DEPARTMENT 100TH ANNIVERSAY CELEBRATION NOW SLATED FOR OCTOBER 25TH.

Saturday, October 25^th is the new date for the Smithtown Fire Department’s 100^th Anniversary Celebration. The community wide event, originally scheduled for September 6^th, was postponed due to the effects of tropical Storm HANNA. Jeff Bressler, Smithtown Fire Department Public Information Officer said that “ We regretted having to postpone such a significant event, but our primary concern during the bad weather was to provide the best fire, emergency and medical services to anyone who might have been affected by the storm. That is our primary mission.”

 

The new date will have the 100^th Anniversary Parade kicking off at 3:00pm followed by complimentary food, rides, entertainment and fireworks set for 7:00pm. “The Bay Fireworks show will be an extra special feature for the community” Bressler said. “It will undoubtedly be the last chance anyone on Long Island will have to view live fireworks before 2009.”

 

Chief of Department Thomas Duckham commented that “We were disappointed that so many residents of Smithtown were so supportive of this event and that it had to be postponed. The entire department is excited that the Smithtown School District, as well as Town and County officials were so cooperative in allowing us to come up with a new date.”

Smithtown Fire Department Tropical Storm Warning Advisory 1.

In anticipation of the tropical storm warning issued for Long Island the Smithtown Fire Department wants to make you aware of some important safety precautions to take immediately around your home -

Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed.

Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.

Bring items indoors that could cause damage to your home as a result of high winds such as lawn furniture, hanging plants, garbage cans etc.

100th Anniversary Event Postponed

The Smithtown Fire Department’s 100^th Anniversary Celebration scheduled for Saturday evening, September 6^th has been postponed. Due to the current path of Tropical Storm HANNA, (as of 11:45am, Friday), the Department feels this decision is the most prudent.

 

It is the primary responsibility of the Smithtown Fire Department to provide the finest fire, emergency and medical services to area residents. The main focus of the Department at this time is to prepare the logistics needed for any scenario that might develop as a result of the storm over the next 48 hours, and work hand in hand with Suffolk County Emergency Management if the need arises.

 

We will inform the community of a new 100^th Anniversary Celebration date as soon as it is determined.