Gordonville Fire Protection District

What are you up to on this Monday? Our members are hard at work doing small engine maintenance, truck checks, and repairs! Such a dedicated group of individuals we have serving and protecting our district.

Oil-based paints, stains, and varnishes are often used for home improvement projects. It is common to use rags to wipe up spills or clean brushes. But wet rags can ignite on their own. They can start a fire if not handled carefully. The same is true of the liquids themselves.

A child left in a hot car--or who gets into an unlocked vehicle unnoticed--can die of heat stroke very quickly. Dozens of U.S. children lose their lives this way each year. But these tragedies can be prevented. Here is what parents need to know about the danger of hot cars, and steps they can take to help keep their children safe. Facts about hot cars & heat stroke... Heat stroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths in children under 15. Heat stroke happens when the body is not able to cool itself quickly enough. A child's body heats up three to five times faster than an adult's does. When left in a hot car, a child's major organs begin to shut down when his temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit (F). A child can die when his temperature reaches 107 degrees F. Cars heat up quickly! In just 10 minutes, a car can heat up 20 degrees F. Cracking a window and/or air conditioning does little to keep it cool once the car is turned off. Heat stroke can happen when the outside temperature is as low as 57 degrees F. Because of climate change, we can expect more days to be hotter. Also, hotter days can happen throughout the year.

It was great seeing all the Cape County Firefighters yesterday evening at the Assocstion meeting. We would like to give a huge shoutout to Straight Line Swine BBQ, LLC for catering a delicious meal! Check them out for your catering needs.

Did you know it only takes 1/12th an inch of rain and 35 mph to hydroplane? The roads are more dangerous when rain comes after a dry spell. (Rain slicks the road with accumulated oil and dirt). But, you just need water. Even though most of the oil washes off after one day’s rain, wet roads are dangerousrainy weather or not. Limited visibility adds to the danger. Drive smart.

Earlier today our department was dispatched to Highway F for a report of a grain bin fire. Due to the nature of the call, automatic aid was in use where Millersville Fire and Jackson Fire Rescue was also dispatched out to assist.

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours. Here are a. few holiday safety tips to keep you and your family safe. Make sure you have smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area, and in every bedroom. Test smoke alarms monthly and replace them if they are 10 years old or older.... Keep a close watch on your cooking. You should never leave cooking food unattended. Keep oven food packaging and other combustibles away from burners and heat sources. Heat cooking oil slowly and watch it closely; it can ignite quickly. Don't wear loose sleeves while working over hot stove burners - they can melt, ignite or catch on handles of pots and pans spilling hot oil and other liquids. Have a "kid-free zone" of at least three-feet around the stove and areas where hot foods or drinks are prepared or carried. Keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cool. Never fry a turkey indoors, always take advantage of outdoor space away from vehicles and structures.

With the high winds today, expected to be around 30 - 40 mpr, we ask the community to participate in NO BURNING today. Those strong and gusty winds, the relative humidity, and the drying fuel conditions will promote rapid fire growth.

Just a reminder as many in the county are out in the woods and farms enjoying deer camp and creating lasting memories, to please be safe and courteous. Please k...eep the following in mind while out enjoying rifle deer season. 1. Wear hunter orange when in the woods. Use hunter orange to identify your hunting location. 2. Know the effective range of your firearm. 3. Always identify your target before putting your finger on the trigger. 4. Never shoot at sound or movement. Assume it is another hunter until you can clearly see the animal. 5. Stay aware of other hunters. 6. Be sure of your target and what lies beyond it. 7. Make sure your equipment is in good working condition and your firearm is properly sighted in. 8. If you hunt on private land, know where the boundaries, houses, roads, fences and livestock are located on the property. 9. Report observed violations of the law to a conservation agent or local sheriff. 10. Know and obey all wildlife laws and gun safety. 11. When using a camouflage blind, other hunters cannot see you even if you are wearing hunter orange. Its a good idea to tie hunter orange on each side of the blind so it can be seen from all sides. 12. If you are an inexperienced hunter, seek out experienced hunters that you can learn from. 13. If you are involved in a firearms-related hunting incident, identify yourself and render assistance. Failure to do so is a Class A misdemeanor. The Sheriff's Office wishes all who participate a safe and successful season.

Gordonville Fire Protection District responded to a Combine fire in the area of County Road 324 this evening.