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Community Risk Reduction Programs
The Dangers of Fire
According to the United States Fire Administration, every year, approximately 2,600 Americans die in home fires. Over half of these deaths (52%) occur between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., when residents are typically sleeping. Smoke and toxic gases from a home fire are as deadly as heat and flames. Just 2 or 3 breaths of toxic smoke can render you unconscious. The majority of fire victims die or are injured from exposure to smoke and toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide, not actual burns. In addition, smoke obscures vision, decreasing your ability to escape.
Smoke Alarms Installations
Smoke alarms save lives, prevent injuries, and minimize property damage by detecting fires early and alerting residents, allowing crucial time for you and your family to escape. The risk of dying from a fire in a home without working smoke alarms is twice as high as in a home that has working smoke alarms. Should you need assistance in obtaining, installing, or properly maintaining your smoke detectors, please call the Fire Department at 972-291-1011. Cedar Hill Fire Department offers Free Smoke Detectors to our citizens.
FREE SMOKE ALARMS
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Homes should also have carbon monoxide alarms and the batteries should be changed during the same time. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, invisible gas. Low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning cause symptoms similar to those of the flu or a cold. Higher levels of poisoning lead to dizziness, mental confusion, and severe headache among other issues. Carbon monoxide alarms are designed to sound an alert before the exposure to carbon monoxide can present a hazard to a healthy adult. Experts recommend that every home with natural gas appliances or an attached garage should have at least 1 working carbon monoxide alarm.
Technique
The proper way to use a fire extinguisher is by using the P.A.S.S. method.
- P- Pull the pin.
- A- Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the flames.
- S- Squeeze the trigger while holding the extinguisher upright.
- S- Sweep the extinguisher from side to side, covering the area of the fire with the extinguishing agent.
Identify the Proper Fire Extinguisher
All ratings are shows on the extinguisher faceplate. Some extinguishers are marked with multiple ratings such as AB, BC and ABC. These extinguishers are capable of putting out more than one class of fire.
Important Information
Multipurpose (ABC-rated) chemical extinguishers leave a residue that can harm sensitive equipment, such as computers and other electronic equipment. Because of this, carbon dioxide or halon extinguishers are preferred in these instances because they leave very little residue.
ABC dry powder residue is mildly corrosive to many metals. For example, residue left over from the use of an ABC dry powder extinguisher in the same room with a piano can seriously corrode piano wires.
Carbon dioxide or halon extinguishers are provided for most labs and computer areas.
Class B
Class A and B extinguishers carry a numerical rating that indicates how large a fire an experienced person can safely put out with that extinguisher. Extinguish flammable liquids, greases or gases by removing the oxygen, preventing the vapors from reaching the ignition source or inhibiting the chemical chain reaction.
Class A
Class A and B extinguishers carry a numerical rating that indicates how large a fire an experienced person can safely put out with that extinguisher. Extinguish ordinary combustibles by cooling the material below its ignition temperature and soaking the fibers to prevent re-ignition.
Use pressurized water, foam or multi-purpose (ABC-rated) dry chemical extinguishers. do not use carbon dioxide or ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical extinguishers on Class A fires.
Foam, carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical, multi-purpose dry chemical, and halon extinguishers may be used to fight Class B fires.
Class C
Class C extinguishers have only a letter rating to indicate that the extinguishing agent will not conduct electrical current. Class C extinguishers must also carry a Class A or B rating. Extinguish energized electrical equipment by using an extinguishing agent that is not capable of conducting electrical currents.
Carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical, multi-purpose dry chemical and halon* fire extinguishers may be used to fight Class C fires. Do not use water extinguishers on energized electrical equipment.
Class D
Class D extinguishers carry only a letter rating indicating their effectiveness on certain amounts of specific metals. Extinguish combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium with dry powder extinguishing agents specially designated for the material involved. In most cases, they absorb the heat from the material, cooling it below its ignition temperature.
CITIZEN FIRE ACADEMY
This annual 10 week program allows adults who live and work or go to school in Cedar Hill to experience what it is like to be a firefighter.
CITIZEN FIRE ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Achieved it's 501C3 nonprofit status in 2018! The group is comprised of CFA graduates who meet monthly to plan volunteer efforts to assist with fire department activities. CFAAA members coordinate the fire department's annual "Save A Life with Smoke Alarms" program in partnership with the American Red Cross organization installing 80 smoke detectors. They also assist the fire department with assembling thanksgiving baskets for needy families along with volunteering at Country Day on the hill, the Cedar Hill ISD Back to School Rally, Mission Cedar Hill Christmas Toy Drive, City Block Party, Taste of Cedar Hill, City U, and CFA classes.
Teen Fire Academy 2023
Teen Fire Academy June 12-16
Do you want to be a first responder?
This is a one-week program that covers basic information on the requirements to become a Community Emergency Response Team Member (CERT), EMT, firefighter, fire explorer, fire investigator and paramedic.
Some graduates will be eligible to join the Fire Explorer and CERT programs.
Only 18 participants will be selected.
Turn in application by June 8, 2023
Contact Chief Reggie Alexander, or Renee Black for more info @ 972-291-1011.