Remembering When ~

Senior Fire and Fall Prevention Program

In December of 2007, the North Shore Fire Department partnered with the North Shore Health Department to attend specialized senior fire and fall prevention training offered by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA.) The NSFD, in partnership with the North Shore Health Department, now offers the NPFA’s Remembering When: Senior Fire and Fall Prevention Program in a variety of settings to North Shore residents. This program is also available to care givers who work with seniors as a “train-the-trainer” course.

National Fire Protection Association statistics show that people age 65 and older are twice as likely to die in a home fire as the population at large. But this high risk can be greatly reduced by following simple fire prevention rules. These Remembering When tips can help protect you and your loved ones.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics show that falls are the leading cause of death from unintentional injury in the home. But you don’t have to be a victim. Following Remembering When program tips can keep you safely on your feet.

Utilizing eight (8) fire safety tips and eight (8) fall prevention tips, Remembering When program presenters share life-saving information participants can use in their daily lives.

This dynamic program utilizes a variety of props to help participants better understand and visualize the concepts being introduced.

Remembering When Program presentations range in duration from 45 minutes to 1-1/2 hours.

We are happy to bring this comprehensive program to you free of charge and present at your location.

To learn more about the Remembering When Senior Fire and Fall Safety Prevention Program, or to schedule a presentation, please contact Public Education Specialist Jill Glanz at 414-228-0292 or jglanz@nsfire.org

 

- Prevent Devastating Burn Injuries -

Burns are recognized among the most painful and devastating injuries an individual can sustain and survive.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2001, an estimated 99,400 children ages 14 and under were treated in hospital emergency rooms for burn related injuries.

The latest data available from the National SAFE KIDS Campaign and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recognize the following statistics:

• Accidental, or unintentional, injury is the leading cause of death among children ages 14 and younger.
• Leading causes of accidental injury at home are burns, drowning, suffocation, choking, poisonings, falls, and firearms.
• Burns and fires are the tenth most common cause of accidental death in children and adults, and account for nearly 3,400 adult and child deaths per year.
• Nearly 75 percent of all scalding burns in children are preventable.
• Toddlers and children are more often burned by a scalding or flames.

Taking the following precautions can help prevent burn injuries:

• Keep children and pets away from stoves and grills when cooking. Establish a 3-foot “Kid Danger Zone” around your stove and grill.
• When cooking, make sure pot handles are turned away from the front of the stove. Adults can bump pot handles causing spillage of hot contents. Toddlers and children can grab pot handles and spill contents onto themselves.
• Never wear loose fitting clothing while cooking. Shirtsleeves and other loose fitting clothing can easily catch on fire from stove burners.
• Use caution when removing foods from the microwave. Let food sit for a few minutes before handling. Carefully remove container lids or plastic wrap to avoid steam burns.
• Teach children that matches and lighters are tools for adults, not toys for children. Keep matches and lighters locked away in a safe place. Teach children the dangers of playing with fire.
• Keep your water heater at 120 degrees to prevent hot water related burns.
• Test bath water with a bath thermometer or your hand before getting in – especially for children.
• Teach children to let the faucet run for a few seconds before touching the water; it may still be very hot from previous use.
• Keep hot liquids and food away from the edge of counters where they can easily be pulled off by children.
• Make sure coffee pots and coffee machines are not accessible to children. Be mindful that cups containing hot liquids such as coffee, tea or hot chocolate are placed out of reach of children.
• Use glass or wire guards in front of fireplace hearths.
• Put out pan fires by sliding a lid over the pan, turning off the heat source and moving the pan to a burner not in use.
• To prevent chemical burns and poisoning in children, keep household cleaning products and other chemicals out of reach of children. Lock cleaners and other chemicals away in a cabinet if possible, children can gain access to items placed on shelves with the use of a chair.
• Make sure all members of your family know how to Stop, Drop, & Roll if their clothes catch on fire. Practice this procedure with children.
• Have a fire escape plan and practice it at least twice each year.
• Make sure you have one smoke detector on each level of your home, outside your sleeping area, as well as inside each bedroom.
• Change the batteries in your smoke detectors twice each year. Doing this when the time change takes place during the spring and fall seasons may be easier to remember.
• Test your smoke detectors monthly by pressing the “test” button.
• Replace any smoke detector that is 10 years old or unknown.

Please remember a few precautions can save a lifetime of pain and devastation!

Please contact our Public Education Office at 414-228-0292 or jglanz@nsfire.org with any questions or to arrange a Burn Prevention Program presentation for any age group.

Visit our website at www.nsfire.org for further fire and life safety tips, as well as information regarding the many free programs offered by the North Shore Fire Department.

 

Community Programs

Project Reassurance

Project Reassurance began in 1997 as a cooperative effort between the North Shore Fire Department and the Laurel Oaks Retirement Community. Project Reassurance is open to North Shore residents who are at least 65 years old or have a qualifying medical condition.

Each day, Project Reassurance participants check in by phone and leave a voice mail message stating everything is okay. If the participant does not check in by 10:00 am, Project Reassurance staff will attempt to make phone contact. If phone contact is unsuccessful, the North Shore Fire Department is notified, and an NSFD rig is sent non-emergency to check on the patient. If contact cannot be made with the participant by ringing the doorbell, NSFD personnel can enter the home using a residential knox box (a secure box with a house key inside). Care for the participant is then rendered, or, if not at home, the knox box is re-secured, and a note left that the fire department entered the home.

In 2004, Milwaukee County’s Interfaith Telephone Reassurance replaced Laurel Oaks as the check-in contact. There are currently 21 North Shore residents who participate in Project Reassurance. For further information, contact Public Education Specialist Jill Glanz (414-228-0292) or by email. She will contact you to complete a simple enrollment form.

Through generous financial support, we strive to provide Project Reassurance at little or no cost to the resident.

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Fire Safety House

In September 2005, the J. Luty Family Charitable Foundation provided the funding to have the North Shore Fire Department's Fire safety house re-lettered and new graphics applied.  Over time, the original lettering and graphics had become faded and worn. 

This Foundation was the major sponsor in purchasing the NSFD fire safety house in June of 1998. On behalf of the entire North Shore Fire Department, we would like to thank the J. Luty Family Charitable Foundation for their generosity and continued support of the North Shore Fire Department.

The mobile NSFD Fire Safety House has been used to educate thousands of North Shore children on the importance of knowing how to get safely out of a smoke-filled room or home.

 

 

The trailer, which includes a small kitchen area and an upstairs and downstairs bedroom, gives kids a chance to practice a safe exit from their homes in the event of a fire. Non-toxic smoke is released into a room, the smoke alarms go off, the children get low to the ground, crawl under the smoke and feel the door to see if it is warm, and then are guided by a department member to a safe escape. Children are also encouraged to work with their parents to develop an escape plan, practice it with their family, and have a meeting place outside their house. In the kitchen area, various fire hazards are set up to help kids learn to identify potential dangers present in the home.

The NSFD Fire Safety House gets the most use during Fire Prevention Month in October. The Fire Safety House also makes appearances at area health and safety events throughout the North Shore. We try to target children between 6 and 11 years old to learn about fire safety through the Safety House. At events that are open to the public, parents are encouraged to go through the house with their children and learn about fire safety as well.

To find out more about the Safety House and/or if it can be available for your safety event, contact Public Education Specialist Jill Glanz (414-228-0292).

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Child Safety Seats

If you would like to schedule an apointment with one of our technicians, please click here. Below is a list of additional Car Seat Fitting Stations in Southeast Wisconsin. Additionally, you may wish to contact Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Car Seat Clinic - central scheduling at 877-607-5280.

Milwaukee County:

• AAA Insurance – Glendale - Contact: Jeribeth Jones, 414.963.3060, x211
• Cudahy Health Department -Contact: Ed Wrench, 414.769.2239, x306
• City of Milwaukee Police Department (North Side) -Contact: Rebecca Babich, 414.935.7234
• City of Milwaukee Police Department (South Side) - Contact: Kevin Obremski, 414.935.7228
• City of Milwaukee Police Department Safety Division - Contact: Lishunda Patterson, 414.935.7990
• Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office - Contact: Sgt. Sylvia Rodriguez; 414.278.3076
• South Milwaukee Police Department - Contact: Jill Kallay, 414.768.8060
• United Community Center - Contact: Maricela Castillo, 414.384.3100, 243
• YMCA of Greater Milwaukee (North Side Branch) - Contact: Stacie Molina; 414.374.9450

Ozaukee County:

• AAA Insurance – Cedarburg - Contact: Tom Schleifer; 262.376.8700, x202
• Cedarburg Police Department - Contact: Brian Emmrich, 262.375.7620
• Grafton Police Department - Contact: Off. Rick Aamodt, 262.375.5320

 

W.H.A.L.E. Program

The North Shore Fire Department is proud to partner with Bayshore Pediatrics to bring North Shore residents the W.H.A.L.E. (We Have A Little Emergency) Program.   Bayshore Pediatric's has kindly donated W.H.A.L.E. Program packets to our department for use in this very worthwhile program.

The W.H.A.L.E. Program is an identification and information package that is used on child car safety seats.  Originally created by Connie Day, a caregiver from Richamond, VA, who wondered what would happen to the children in her care in the event of an automobile accident.  It is a wonderful idea whose time has come of age!  W.H.A.L.E. is currently used in at least 32 states, and is the first program of its kind here in the United States!  It requires the use of fourself-adhesive stickers and one 4" x 4" information label.

Our Car Seat Technicians have W.H.A.L.E. Program packets available for application during your car seat installation.  However, it is not necessary for a resident to have their car seat installed/checked by us in order to receive the W.H.A.L.E. Program packet, simply stop by one of our five stations to obtain a packet, free of charge, at any time.

Each W.H.A.L.E. packet consists of:

• A brochure regarding the program.
• Four (4) small stickers which include the word "WHALE" and a blue check mark.
• One (1) emergency information sticker form.

The packet is utilized  as follows: 

• The vehicle owner should apply two (2) of the small WHALE/check mark stickers to the rear side windows of the vehicle.
• The other two (2) small WHALE/check mark stickes should be applied one to each side of the car seat or infant carrier.
• The parent should fill out the emergency form (sticker) and this should be applied to the back of the car seat.

For further infromation on the W.H.A.L.E. Program, please contact Public Eductaion Specilist Jill Glanz @ jglanz@nsfire.org or 414-228-0292.

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First Night is On Us

After the fire, what now?

House fires, flooding, and other natural disasters are a major upset in life and traumatizing for all involved. Granted , there is no replacement for a home, but the assurance of a secure place to stay can go a long way to recovery from any disaster that may occur.

The North Shore Fire Department and several local hotels and motels are offering The First Night is on Us! Arrangements have been made to provide complimentary lodging to any North Shore resident that is temporarily displaced due to fire, flood, natural disaster, carbon monoxide, etc. NSFD can also assist those with pets. Some of the hotels will take pets, or we can call to get your pet boarded. We can also make contact with a veterinarian or 24-hour emergency veterinary service if needed.

NSFD can also provide pamphlets and contact information to guide you and your family through the process of rebuilding and returning to normal. For more information, call Public Education Specialist Jill Glanz (414-228 0292).

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Smoke Detectors in the House

The North Shore Fire Department will install a smoke detector in any owner-occupied home that does not presently have one. The home must be located in one of our seven North Shore communities. Since the program began in 1996, over 100 detectors have been installed.

If you are in need of a smoke detector, please call the station closest to your home (stations locations) and arrangements will be made for the installation.

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Juvenile Fire Setter Program

The Juvenile Fire Starter program is a confidential program available to help kids who have displayed a fire starting behavior. This behavior can range from the curious fire starter to the problem fire starter. The Juvenile Fire Starter program focuses on evaluation, awareness, and fire safety issues. Referral to the program can either be voluntary, court ordered or by the police or fire departments. Unfortunately, the majority of referrals come only after Fire or Police Department intervention. In the event of a referral, the child and parent meet with a trained Fire Department member for an initial interview and video. Before leaving the child is given an assignment to complete and is also referred to a therapist. A follow-up visit is scheduled for a month later. All visits are confidential.

If you need to schedule an appointment with a qualified fire setter counselor, please contact Jill Glanz at 414-228-0292.

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Health Department Referral Program

On occasion, the North Shore Fire Department discovers that a resident has serious health problems or is no longer able to care for him or her self. The firefighters will make a referral to the local Health Department who will send out a nurse to assess the situation.

If you have any concerns, or know of someone who might have needs that the Health Department should address, please contact your local health department.

If you live in:

• Shorewood or Whitefish Bay - call 414-963-6986.
• Glendale, Brown Deer, Fox Point, Bayside, River Hills - call 414-371-2980.

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Station Tours

Group tours of any North Shore Fire Department stations are open to the public. These can be for your family, school group or general interest. Kids of all ages can check out the equipment and get demonstrations of some of the tools we use for our job. Emphasis is also placed on spreading a fire and life safety message. The North Shore Fire Department has a number of publications and brochures available to hand out during these tours. Drop-in tours are also welcome when the station personnel are present. If you’re walking by… feel free to stop and say ‘hi’! For a more formal tour and presentation, please call the individual station to schedule an appointment. Contact information is available on our home page. So that we may provide an age-appropriate tour, please let us know the number of individuals and their ages.

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Babysitting Tips

Plan your escape:

• Be familiar with the family’s home. Learn all exits and how to unlock doors and windows.
• All households should have a meeting lace outside where everyone gathers after escaping afire. Have the adults show you a meeting place and don’t confuse the children with a different plan.
• Talk about the escape plan and meeting place with the kids. Make sure every child knows where to meet once they are outside.

In the kitchen:

• Cook only if you have permission from the adults of the household. Set a time to remind you to turn everything off.
• Turn in pot handles so they’re not sticking over the edge of the stove where they can be bumped or pulled.
• Don’t wear clothes with loose-fitting sleeves while cooking.

Important things to remember:

• If you find matches, lighters or other smoking material in the house put them up high where children can’t see or reach them.
• Keep books, paper and clothing at lest three feet away from space heaters. Keep children away from portable or space heaters too.

Calling 911:

• Make sure you’re calling from a safe place.
• Describe to the dispatcher the emergency, the patient’s condition and your location.
• If it’s nighttime, turn on outside lights.

Stay calm!

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Adopt-A-Hydrant

In the event of a fire emergency during the winter, could firefighters find the hydrant near your home?

The North Shore Fire Department encourages residents to 'adopt a fire hydrant' near their home and keep snow shoveled away from it during the winter season.

Please make it a point to uncover your fire hydrant after every snowfall. Clear a path approximately 3 feet around the hydrant. This gives the fire department room to work with this hydrant should the need arise.

Please consider helping a neighbor who is elderly or has a medical condition by shoveling out a hydrant in front of their home. This act of kindness will benefit the entire neighborhood.

Water is the principle agent used by the Fire Department to control and extinguish fires. Delays in locating and hooking-up to a fire hydrant can seriously hamper a fire suppression operation, raising the risk of injury and possibly resulting in additional property damage.

The 'Adopt A Hydrant' program is an informal program; therefore it is not necessary to advise the fire department about which hydrants you will be keeping clear of snow.

On behalf of the entire North Shore Fire Department, thank you for keeping the North Shore community’s fire hydrants clear of snow and keeping our communities safe!

Please contact the North Shore Fire Department Public Education Department at 414-228-0292, should you have any questions.

Household Hazardous Waste Disposal

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District announced that Milwaukee County residents will be able to bring household hazardous waste to the City of Milwaukee's Self Help Center, 3879 W. Lincoln Ave. The site will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Friday and Saturday.

The other two permanent drop-off sites are at W124 N9451 Boundary Road, Menomonee Falls, and 10518 S. 124th St., Franklin. The site in Menomonee Falls is open on Monday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Franklin site is open on Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For more inforamtion, please call 414.225.2066 or visit www.mmsd.com.

 

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