Station five moving forward

At the last board meeting it was approved to get bids to start some clearing and building/brush removal off our new property. This process will hopefully start around the first of the year.

Draining pumps

It’s the time of year that we need to think about draining the pumps on our apparatus. This needs to be done when the temperature drops below 35 degrees Fahrenheit. This includes all engines, tankers, brush trucks and ladder 54. To drain the pump, first make sure the booster tank is full and the tank-to-pump and tank-fill line are completely closed. The second thing to do is to remove all intake and discharge caps and open all valves, especially the deckgun. This should drain out twenty to fifty gallons—so don’t stand in front of a discharge or intake when you open it. While this is draining, open the Master Drain, normally below the running board at the pump panel. After all draining stops close all valves and replace all caps. The Master Drain will take the longest time to drain, but should stop eventually, then close it also. If the Master Drain does not stop, there is a leaky valve between the pump and the tank, which needs to be repaired. If you have a leaky valve you can’t drain the pump. If you leave the Master Drain open it will drain the booster tank completely. When you want to use the pump after it has been drained, use your primer to remove the air out of the pump.

It’s Christmas

It’s only a few days until Christmas, this means even the procrastinators have to start thinking about shopping for a present. The Christmas season is fun, especially if you have kids and you can see them enjoy the decorations and presents. For some of us this can also be a very depressing time of the year, especially if you did not get what you hoped for or you could not afford something for someone else that you had hoped for. It can also be a very lonely time, everyone is busy with their affairs and sometimes people get overseen and sit home alone when we all should be together. If any of the not so pleasant things happen to you, don’t think for a second that it is just you. It happens to millions of people and that is why depression and suicide is the highest during the Christmas season. We all need to look out for our friends and college’s, we need to look for their signs of depression or other problems and if you know of people that have to spend the holidays alone, invite them and have them be part of the festivities. If we all look out for each other, this Christmas time, as much as we account for each other on a fire scene, we can make sure all of us have a wonderful Christmas season.

District Calendars

We didn’t get the 2005 District calendars back in time to hand out at the Christmas Party. They should be done sometime during the week of Christmas and we will get them to everyone somehow. Do to the cost, I am not sure we will mail them. We may give them to the station officer and ask them to get them to every firefighter.

Training Division

Assistant Chief Aumiller

The 2005 training calendar is complete and will be out soon. This includes all special team trainings, D/O, Rookie School, Fire Officer 1, Vehicle Rescue Tech, Haz-Mat Technician, FF1, FF2 and more…. Look for it in your mailbox soon!!

We are currently preparing for our Navigation training this winter. We will start on our regular training night, January 11^th. The next session will be February 26^th, which will be our practical exercises in the field. I need know who is planning to attend so I can get books printed and other materials ordered. This will be a sign-up class due to the cost. Please call me and let me know if you plan to attend. We only have 5 signed-up at this time, if you want this training, please call. Thanks

Don’t forget about our annual New Years Day Dive. Time and location to be announced.

Award and Recognition Banquet

Your annual banquet is on January 24 2004 at the Keeter Center located at the entrance to the College of the Ozarks. Your invitation is this newsletter. Anyone who plans to attend MUST RSVP before Friday January 21 at 5:00 p.m. This year we will be having a plated dinner so when you RSVP we will need to know if you would like the herb stuffed roasted Chicken or the You can RSVP by calling the district office or e-mail Krista Hunt at: Krista_hunt@hotmail.com. We have a fun program and lost of great door prices—hope to see you there!

This year we will not have extra door prize entries so you will have to bring the one that you get in this newsletter with you. If you lose yours before the banquet you can pick on up at the district office.

If you are not up to date on your uniform contact Krista Hunt or Chief Aumiller.

Here are a few facts and life-saving tips on Holiday Fire Safety from the U.S. Fire Administration.

· During the holiday season there are over 1,200 fires and 190 fire injuries associated with improper holiday tree and candle care.

· Having a working smoke alarm more than doubles one’s chances of surviving a fire.

1. Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home. Test smoke alarm batteries every month and change them at least once a year. Consider installing a 1-year lithium battery-powered smoke alarm, which is sealed so it cannot be tampered with or opened.

2. Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree and cause it to more easily ignite by heat, flame, or sparks.

3. Never put holiday tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove.

4. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is to take it to a recycling center or have it collected by a community pick-up service.

5. Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wire, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets and excessive kinking or wear.

7. Do not overload outlets. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet.

The Auxiliary would like to Thank Captain Gonzalez and Station 5 for allowing us to use their station for our meetings.

Thank You Captain Chapman for the donation of the Santa Clause Fireman that was raffled off at the Christmas Party and Thank You to everyone who purchased a raffle ticket to help the Auxiliary.

The Firefighter’s Auxiliary meets at 7:00 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at Station 5 on Majors Road, just off BB Highway in Hollister. Adult family members of firefighters are always welcome to come express support and check out what their loved ones do.