Dozer and Transport training

Joint Fire District 3&8 memo to all 3&8 fire fighters.

Hello all, here with a few items I need to address before this year’s wildland fire season.

1). Thanks to all who have completed this year’s online refresher course, for those who have not completed, please take the time a do so.

2) Dozer operations and transport.

a. Transport, we need to define who has the capability to operate 3898 (lowboy tractor trailer) and document a road test on this vehicle.

b. Dozer Operators, we need to define who has the capability and skill to operate the dozer and provide seat time before wild land season. I would like utilize the property on Carson road for dozer line construction.

C. Dozer boss, I know only a hand full of our fire fighters at one point in time completed dozer boss training. I would like to offer this class to those willing to take this task on. Keep in mind that a dozer boss needs to be arduous. (walk long distances)

May 27th 18:00 here at the Training Center will be a transport class, this will involve the operation of 3898, vehicle review and inspection, loading and unloading procedures and basic dozer operation for loading and unloading. Here is your chance to show us your skills as a transport operator, see you here.

June 1st 18:00 here at the training center, Basic dozer operations for operators. This will also be a station captains meeting date. We will transport the dozer to the training site and evaluate dozer operators. So if you think you have the skill and talent as an operator here is your chance, attend this meeting. Everyone one to meet here at the T.C. first.

With the Covid 19 pandemic, we need to practice social distancing. Please do not attend if your feel sick or have a temperature above 100°. Face mask will be required if you are at high risk.

 I would rather cut fire line with a dozer than hand tools, we need to start utilizing our equipment. Please provide me with any feed back or questions and thank you for your services.

Yes, Bottled Water Expires—Here’s Why It Matters

Originally published by Readers Digest

You probably always have some water bottles on hand, and now, as the COVID-19 quarantine continues with no end in sight, many people are stocking up on big packs of bottled water to make sure that they don’t run out. But it turns out that bottled water actually won’t last forever. When’s the last time you checked the expiration date on your bottled water? Plus, here are our tips for stocking up smart—whether or not there’s a global crisis.

That’s right! Bottled water DOES expire. And while the reason why meat or dairy products have a sell-by date is pretty self-explanatory, you might be surprised that bottled water comes with a time stamp, too.

As it turns out, it isn’t the water quality you should be worried about. It’s the plastic that the water comes packaged in: usually polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for retail bottles and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) for water cooler jugs. These plastics “will leach into the liquid the bottle once expired or especially when exposed to heat, including sunlight, and hot cars or storage trucks,” according to Amy Leigh Mercee, holistic health expert and bestselling author. “The toxicity contained in the plastic material enters the water.” Also, you’d be surprised by how often you should be washing your refillable water bottle, too.

And not only does this affect the taste of the water, it could create a serious health hazard. “It is disruptive to the endocrine system, causing reproductive symptoms, various cancers, [and] neurological problems, and damaging the immune system.” The porous plastic can also cause the water to accumulate odors and other nasty accompaniments from outside.

So how do those expiration dates keep you safe from this? “Many bottled water companies print a standard two-year expiration date,” Mercree says, but admits that this is a rather arbitrary number. There’s no precise way to predict exactly when the water in the bottle is no longer good to drink, but “it stands to reason that the longer the bottle has been in circulation, the more likely it was exposed to heat or has started to generally degrade,” Mercree says, hence the “standard” two years.

But she warns that the quality of the water can depend on several different factors. “Even a brand new plastic bottle that sat in a hot delivery truck for hours or more can already have adverse and toxic compounds present in the water even when first delivered to the grocery store,” she says. But, as a general rule, as long as you drink it reasonably soon after you buy it, don’t expose it long-term to intense heat or keep it too close to any household chemicals, and refrigerate it once it’s open, your bottled water should be perfectly safe. You should also be keeping an eye out for these other non-food items you didn’t know had expiration dates.

Swift water rescue

Joint Fire Protection District 3&8 is pleased to announce our new to us (2010) 1100cc wave runner for swift water rescue. Thanks to John Kearney and Robert Lee’s talents, this wave runner was restored to like new condition. This year past year alone we had three situations where this type of vessel could have been used. Now we have the equipment, it’s time to get into the water and do some training.


Clarification of Burn Rules

There has been some confusion among the public as to what exactly are the rules for burning. Below is a pfd which explains what you can burn, how to burn, and whether or not you need a permit.

It’s an easy read. Only two pages long. Read it over so you don’t get a ticket for unpermitted burning.

Remember, large forest fires start from a small spark.

Fire Season is here Are you Ready for it?

It seems like Winter would never end.  The snow, the cold, the high heating bills!  And yet, time marches on and Spring has finally come.  In a few short weeks, the weather is going to dry up and summer will descend upon Kettle Falls with its BBQ, sailing on the Columbia River, swimming, and the hot and dry weather.

The area we live in is beautiful, there’s no argument there.  But that beauty comes with a danger.  We live in an area prone to wildfires.  Look around, there’s an awful lot to burn out there.  A stray lightning strike, a trash pile burn that gets out of control, even a dead tree that falls on a power line can translate into disaster in a matter of minutes.  (Did you know that the Boyd’s wildfire from a couple years ago was caused by a tree falling on a powerline?)

As residents, we have to do our part to protect our property from these disasters that can strike literally with no notice.  Your fire department will do its very best to respond to emergencies, but in a rural district, it takes time to respond, to gather resources, and to get those resources to you.  And in a major disaster like during a wildfire, resources may be stretched beyond capacity.  Sometimes — often — it will be what we do to prepare our houses and properties that will make the difference between saving our homes and losing them completely.

How prepared is your property?  Are you ready for a fire?

The National Fire Protection Association has put together a flyer titled How To Prepare Your Home For Wildfires.  You’ll find it a handy reference and we include it for you in this newsletter.

What is important is to make your home fire proof.  Barring that, make your home defensible.  When firefighters are faced with a wildfire that threatens multiple homes, sometimes painful decisions must be made as to which home can be saved and which home is unsalvageable.  If you have dead trees up against your home, tall dead grass surrounding it, and a narrow, one-way road onto your property, there may be nothing that can be done to save it.  That is why it is important, now, to make ready for a disaster that hopefully will never come.

Firefighter Fred Says…

REMOVE dead vegetation and other flammable material, especially from withing the first 5 feet of the home!

Better to be prepared and not need it than need it and be unprepared.

Be vigilant with your landscaping. You don’t want this happening on your property!

Update to burn restrictions

At midnight tonight we will be removing some of the restrictions on burning in NE Region with the exception of the Valley Fire Danger Rating Area. Due to the lack of precipitation that fell in the Okanogan Valley and the resulting delay in spring green-up we will be maintaining that restriction until further notice. We are evaluating the amount of precipitation and the resulting fuel moistures and will return to seasonal norms as soon as possible.

Thank you all for your feedback, patience and support as we weighed the effects of our decision and tried to provide the most common sense direction with the tools at hand.

Please share with your email lists to spread the word as much as possible, our only request is that our partners and stakeholders share the website on burn restrictions with the public to keep the messaging as consistent as possible. https://www.dnr.wa.gov/burn-restrictions

Below is the link that you can share with your customers if they would like to get a burn permit.

https://www.dnr.wa.gov/programs-and-services/wildfire/outdoor-burning/burn-permits

Rumor control – no Forest shut down ’til Sept 30

Trails and undeveloped areas remain open on the Colville National Forest. Rumors have been circulating that National Forest lands are completely shut down through Sept. 30 — that’s not true!

What is Open: Trails, dispersed camping, most roads, and firewood cutting is still open. Be aware that many areas may not be accessible due to wet, muddy, and snowy conditions.

What is Closed: Developed recreation sites, like pay-to-stay campgrounds, trailheads, ranger stations, and restrooms are closed while the governor’s stay-at-home order is in place. Closures are temporary, but are in effect until further notice.

To access trails or undeveloped forest areas, park in turnouts or along roadsides where it is safe to do so and do not block roads. Then walk to the trail or forest area you’d like to enjoy.

• We closed our developed recreation sites in alignment with the Governors’ Stay Home orders and will work with state and local authorities to align reopening with the lifting of state ‘stay home’ orders.

• Even though the official closure notice runs through Sept. 30, they can be rescinded early when conditions permit.

• Some developed recreation sites such as campgrounds and Snow Peak Cabin may take longer to reopen due to pre-season work that will need to be rescheduled as we continue to prioritize the safety and health of staff and communities.

2020 Wildland self-study refresher course

Please complete all modules listed below, don’t put yourself at risk, take the time to complete all modules. You will need one sheet of paper and a pen. Place your name at the top of the paper and date completed. Once completed turn your paper into your station captain. Test questions listed below. Your Captain should have issued the purple IRPG to help complete this course. If not contact your station captain.

Module #1 = LCES: https://youtu.be/46kiCPcfUyg

Module #2 Watch out situation: https://youtu.be/NW69njY0CJY

Module #3 Standard Fire Fighter orders: https://youtu.be/9WhKKSGl9K0

Module #4 PPE: https://youtu.be/MCv4e_gP5f

Module #5 Beyond Your Limits: https://youtu.be/HWdkFbF6DUs

Module #6 Bass River Fire: https://youtu.be/ulSPTC6QuoM

Module #7 Is your LCES adequate? https://youtu.be/pQACcXe_2Gg

Module #8 Fire Shelter: https://youtu.be/QJsY6foLh8o

Number your paper in sequence with the questions below. Allow plenty of room for the next question.

1) Bass River Fire list the 10/18 that did not occur.

2) When should you deploy your shelter? This is not a one word answer!

3) Where are the 10/18s located in the IRPG?

4) Where is the size up report in the IRPG?

5) What is the purpose of the AAR?

6) When should you do a size up and what should be transmitted via radio to incoming crews?

7) Power line safety, what should you do when you find a down power line? Hint Page 24.

8) Hazard Trees, list situation awareness.

9) Watch out situations, list 5 situations and how would you mitigate them.

10) What was the best module you watched and why?

11) What would you have done different as a crew member on the bass river fire?

12) The IC on the Bass river fire, what should they have done different?

Any question please contact Ken Ker 425-501-6675

Temporary burn ban

There is a temporary burn ban in place for Eastern Washington.

CoronaVirus

Watch for symptoms

Reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death for confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases.

The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.*

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

Call your doctor:  If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion or inability to arouse
  • Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

Steps to protect yourself

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.

  • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
  • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. alert icon

Older adults and people who have severe underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness. Please consult with your health care provider about additional steps you may be able to take to protect yourself.

Clean your hands often

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick
  • Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Take steps to protect others

Stay home if you’re sick

  • Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Learn what to do if you are sick.

Cover coughs and sneezes

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
  • Throw used tissues in the trash.
  • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Wear a facemask if you are sick

  • If you are sick:  You should wear a facemask when you are around other people (e.g., sharing a room or vehicle) and before you enter a healthcare provider’s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask (for example, because it causes trouble breathing), then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room. Learn what to do if you are sick.
  • If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.

Clean and disinfect

  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  • If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

The information contained here comes from the Center for Disease Control




JFPD 3&8
25266 Hwy 395 N
Kettle Falls, WA 99141
(509)738-4591

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The Joint Fire Protection District 3 and 8
Stevens and Ferry Counties, WA
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Website Last Updated: April 15, 2024



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