Some future firefighters received hands-on training and experience as part of Wissahickon Fire Company’s annual Firefighter Camp. In the photo above, Chief George Wilmot is joined by Deputy Chief Mike Frye with three of the camp graduates, from left to right, Lexi Wilmot, Mitchell Seltzer and Jake Frye.

The popular Firefighter Camp is a supervised 4-evening camp designed to give participants a taste of firefighting. The 2011 Firefighter Camp was held July 5, 12, 19 and 26 – 6:30 to 9:30 pm. At camp, participants learned:

• Protective gear
• Basic fire behavior/tactics
• Use of Extinguishers
• SCBAs, supply lines & attack lines
• Live fire (vehicle car prop) training
• Search and rescue
• How to use tools, ladders, ropes and knots

Under close supervision, participants will don protective gear and utilize fire apparatus/equipment to extinguish actual training fires. This experience will incorporate the same basic principles that the volunteer and career firefighters of Montgomery County follow every day as they protect our community. Flourtown Fire Company would like to thank Wissahickon Fire Company for hosting the camp and its sponsors Schneider Plumbing, Ambler Savings & Loan, Feast & Fancy catering, and B&Z Cabinets. The camp is hosted by the Wissahickon Fire Company, and assisted by the North Penn, Flourtown and Centre Square Fire Companies.

The Secret List www.FireFighterCloseCalls.com

Flourtown Fire Company has a unique connection with the Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company, as former Flourtown Firefighter Dave Wilmot runs with them, and was present at this fire and at the hospital where Firefighter Mark Falkenhan was taken. Dave is the son of former Flourtown Chief and Life Active Member Bob Wilmot, Jr. who is still quite active with our fire company and often supplies us with the photographs users see throughout this website. The members of Flourtown Fire Company join all our fellow firefighters in Balitmore County, the Wilmots and the Falkenhan family in our condolences at this most difficult time. The following is the announcement from The Secret List www.FirefighterCloseCalls.com

It is with deep regret that we advise you of the Line of Duty Death of Baltimore County FF Mark Falkenhan, 43. Mark was killed [the evening of 1/19/11] after becoming trapped and calling a mayday in a multi-family dwelling fire and suffering massive burns. FF Falkenhan had recently left as a career Baltimore County FF to take a position with the United States Secret Service. However, he was an active member of Baltimore County’s Lutherville Volunteer Fire Company (Station 30), a part of the Baltimore County FD. Mark was also an Instructor with MFRI, the Maryland Fire & Rescue Institute. He leaves his wife and 2 children, ages 10 & 13 behind. More to follow.

As always, our most sincere condolences to all affected.

More on this tragedy.

Each October, the Foundation sponsors the official national tribute to all firefighters who died in the line of duty during the previous year.  Thousands attend the weekend activities held at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.  The Weekend features special programs for survivors and coworkers along with moving public ceremonies.

The Memorial Weekend will be held October 1 – 3, 2010.

- Include: This Tribute Box on Your Website
- Ways You Can Honor America’s Fallen Bravest

- Share a Memory: Sign the Remembrance Banner
- For More Information Visit: Weekend.FireHero.org

This year’s fire prevention messsage is
“Stay Fire Smart – Don’t Get Burned”

It is not enough to have a home fire escape plan in order to escape a burning home safely. You must ensure that everyone in your home knows the plan, and and has practiced the plan.

According to a recent NFPA poll, the majority of American homes have a fire escape plan, but most have not practiced it.

PRACTICE OF YOUR FIRE ESCAPE PLAN IS THE KEY!!!

Fire Prevention Night

This event is scheduled each October during Fire Safety Week, and includes tours of the firehouse, Engine 6, Squad 6, Ladder 6 and Utility 6. Our antique truck is also on display. Demonstrations about kitchen safety, firefighting and rescue equipment, and the importance of smoke detectors and home escape plans are also discussed. Fire prevention literature is displayed for adults and educational coloring books are available for children. Smoke detectors are also available to families in need. This successful event has raised community awareness of the importance of fire safety and we invite you to check back here for the date of this year’s event.

Fire Prevention Night 2008 (06-Oct-08) – Images

Annual Visits to Local Schools and Day Care Centers

During Fire Safety Week each October, firefighters visit local schools and day care centers where children can see firsthand firefighters arriving at their school on fire trucks! Through presentations and demonstrations of equipment and videos, children learn about fire safety and become comfortable with seeing firefighters dressed in their full protective gear.

Fire Safety Night at the Firehouse

As a reminder of the importance of practicing fire safety every day, fire safety night is scheduled at the firehouse during the spring. Visitors can tour the firehouse and trucks, view demonstrations of firefighting equipment and fire safety videos, and discuss home escape plans.

FIRE FACTS
In an emergency dial 9-1-1

Fire Deaths:

• Home fires cause a fatality roughly every 170 minutes.
• Smoking materials such as cigarettes, cigars and pipes are the leading cause of fire deaths. The majority of residential fires associated with smoking materials start as a result of careless or improper disposal.

Smoke Alarms:

• Having an operationing smoke alarms in your home reduces your chance of dying in a fire nearly in half.
• In three of every ten reported fires in homes equipped with smoke alarms, the devices did not work most often because of missing, dead or disconnected batteries.

Home Escape Planning:

• According to the National Fire Protection Association survey, only 66% of Americans have a home fire escape plan. Thirty-four percent have never practiced it.

Heating:

• During the months of December, January and February, heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires.
• Have heating equipment inspected and cleaned annually.
• Turn off portable heaters when not in use.
• Maintain appropriate clearance (check warning labels) between space heaters and anything that can burn.

Candles:

• Over the last decade, candle fires have almost tripled. Remember that a candle is an open flame. It can easily ignite anything combustible nearby.
• Approximately 16,000 home fires started by candle are reported to fire departments annually and approximately 130 people die annually from fires started as a result of candles.

Cooking:

• More fires start in the kitchen than any other place in the home.
• Cooking fires are the #1 cause of home fires and home fire injuries.
• Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires.

Electrical:

• Electrical fires and shocks kill hundreds of people and injure thousands each year. Ensure wiring, switches, receptacles and outlets are properly installed and extension cords are used properly.
• Remember downed wires should always be deemed live and please keep your distance from them.

From left: Wyndmoor Chief Fran DePaul, Wyndmoor Captain Pete Bistline, Wyndmoor Camper Patrick Dolan, Flourtown Camper Dave Brierly, Flourtown Camper Greg Fasold, Flourtown Lieutenant Chris Manning, Flourtown Assistant Chief Chris Buckley.