The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current, October 21, 2017, SATURDAY EDITION, Page 6, Image 26

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| FIRE PREVENTION WEEK | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2017
F IRE P REVENTION & P ROTECTION
M ESSAGE FROM F IRE M ARSHAL
S EAN B ARRETT
Happy fire prevention week! Another
great year working with our community has
passed and we at Siuslaw Valley Fire and
Rescue are still continuing our mission: “To
preserve and improve the quality of life for
all who live, work, visit and invest in the
community of Florence, Oregon and the
rural district that surrounds the city through
the efficient delivery of emergency services
supported by aggressive fire prevention and
public education.” This year we are continu-
ing to focus on three main goals,
Number one: “if we can’t find you we
can’t help you.” Can we see your address
from the road or street? SVFR has been
awarded a grant to make and place emer-
gency address signs to anyone who requests
one for free. Our goal is to have an address
sign all driveways where the house numbers are not visible from the street or road.
Number two: “if we can’t get to you we can’t help you” Over fifty percent of our fire
district is rural in nature. Many have long driveways. In most cases the occupants or owners
drive very small vehicles and do not realize that emergency vehicles cannot traverse the drive
way due to inadequate width and height. Due to the sheer size of the emergency vehicles to
include ambulances we need a very minimum of a 9 foot clear wide driveway with an un
obstructed height of 13 feet 6 inches. In most cases just clearing the brush will allow us
access. If you need an inspection to determine what needs to be done, do not hesitate to con-
tact the Fire Marshal.
Number three: “working smoke alarms save lives” Our highest priority is life safety,
period. Houses can be replaced; personal possessions can be replaced; however a life is not
replaceable. From the time a fire starts to the time the fire department may arrive can be up
to 10 minutes with a documented average of a 6 minute response time in the fire district and
when fire can double in size every 30 seconds, there needs to be an early warning device.
Smoke alarms save lives. It is a proven fact that your chances of survival with a smoke alarm
during a fire are 50% better than without one. It is and has been our goal to have at least one
working smoke alarm in every home no matter what that home is. We offer free inspections
of smoke alarms as well as free replacements to anyone that needs one. Once the alarm sound
what do you do? Have two ways out and get out and stay out!
Should have any questions, comments or concerns about this article, please do not
hesitate to contact Fire Marshal, Sean Barrett at:
Office: 541 997-3212 • Cell:541 999-0600
Email: sean@svfr.org
2017 Scholarship
Recipients
Jaidan Haley
S IUSLAW N EWS
148 Maple Street • Florence • 541-997-3441
Volunteer
Fire Fighters
Habana Ramos
Siuslaw Valley Firefighters
Assoc $1,000:
Jaidan Haley
Vern E. Passenger $1,000:
Habana Ramos
Way To Go!!
Saine Elsayed
brought to you by the following sponsor
Ted Martin
Oaren Wraye
Sean Campbell
Employees
Giving Back
to the
Florence
Community
S IUSLAW V ALLEY
F IRE & R ESCUE
541-997-3212
Congratulations &
Best Wishes!