Fire Safety Education from Virginia Department of Fire Programs :

http://www.vafire.com/fire_safety_education/index.htm

Fire Emergency Preparation and Prevention from Virginia Department of Emergency Management :

http://www.vaemergency.gov/readyvirginia/stayinformed/fires

Virginia’s winters can be cold, snowy, icy and dangerous. Protect yourself and your home with these tips:

• If you heat with a fireplace or wood stove: Have a professional check it, especially if it has been a long time since the last cleaning. Residue can build up and cause fires.
• Don’t use candles during power outages: Many home fires in winter are caused by candles. Flashlights are much safer. Be sure to have extra batteries on hand.
• Safe use of space heaters: Never plug them into extension cords; plug into wall outlets. Keep space heaters at least three feet from other objects, and turn off before going to bed.
• Using kerosene or propane heaters: These must be used with great caution. The room must be ventilated by opening a window. Keep heaters at least three feet away from flammable objects such as curtains, blankets and furniture. Place heaters on a hard surface, not on carpet. Refuel them outdoors after they have cooled. 
• Get where you need to be before the weather gets bad. It’s always best to stay off roads during winter storms. Most traffic crashes happen within the first two hours after a storm starts. Stay aware of winter storm watches and warnings. Get road conditions by calling 511 or visiting www.511Virginia.org.
• Stay informed during power outages. Be sure you have a battery-powered or hand-crank radio (and extra batteries). Get one with Weather Radio so you can hear local radio stations and reports directly from the National Weather Service. These are available at electronics and sporting goods stores, department stores, boat and marine accessory stores, through catalogues and online. Prices range from $20-100.
• Most importantly: You need a family emergency plan. If your family cannot return home because of severe weather or closed roads, you need to decide now on where you will meet to reunite. You also need an out-of-town relative or friend to be your family emergency contact. Learn more about making a plan for winter weather and all emergencies – and get a free family emergency plan worksheet – at www.ReadyVirginia.gov.

Destructive tornadoes, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake, Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee all hit Virginia in 2011. In the minutes and hours after these disasters, it was difficult to make calls on cell phones because the mobile networks were so busy. Follow these tips to make sure you can communicate during and after an emergency:

• If you have a traditional landline, keep a non-cordless phone in your home, because it will work even if you lose power.
• Keep a list of emergency phone numbers in your cell phone and near your home phone.
• Prepare a family contact sheet with at least one out-of-town person who can serve as your family’s emergency contact. Often it’s easier to make long distance rather than local calls during an emergency. Get a worksheet at www.ReadyVirginia.gov. Click on Make a Plan and look on the right side of the page for wallet cards.
• Have charged batteries and car phone chargers for back-up power.
• Subscribe to text alert services from local or state governments and schools to receive emergency alerts.
• Use text messaging, email or social media instead of making calls on your cell phone. Texts and emails are less likely to experience network congestion. You also can use social media to let family and friends know you are okay.
• Keep all phone calls brief to avoid tying up voice networks.
• Conserve your cell phone battery by reducing screen brightness and closing apps you are not losing.
• Limit streaming videos, downloading music or playing video games on cell phones after a disaster to help emergency calls get through to 9-1-1.
• If you have a life-threatening emergency only, call 9-1-1. At this time, 9-1-1 cannot receive texts.

For more tips and to download a tip sheet on communicating during disasters, go to http://www.vaemergency.gov/readyvirginia/stayinformed/how-to-communicate.

Butch Reed - Fireman of the Year

Jim Henegar - John and Irene Price Memorial Award (Volunteer)

Henry Barnett - John and Irene Price Memorial Award (Career)