Drexel Heights Fire District

Changes to public participation during the public meetings

IF YOU NEED HELP, AND CAN'T CALL, YOU CAN NOW TEXT 9-1-1!!!

PIMA COUNTY EMERGENCY RESPONDERS HAVE JOINED IN THE "TEXT 9-1-1" SYSTEM TO HELP YOU WHEN YOU CAN'T MAKE A VOICE PHONE CALL. WATCH THE VIDEO WITH KEVIN ADGER TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS VALUABLE FEATURE TO GET YOU THE HELP YOU NEED.

You might have noticed something going on at 5030 S. Camino Verde?

Drexel Heights Fire Station 401 located at Camino Verde and Ajo Highway, will be razed in order to allow for the construction of a new Fire Station on the same site. This construction project is being funded by the 2017 Capital Bond initiative. When completed, the apparatus area will be able to accommodate modern fire apparatus and the new facility will have enhanced safety and wellness features for the firefighters. Please bear with us during construction. Thank you.

Drexel Heights Fire Fighter is awarded the
"Life Saving Award"

On June 5th DHFD firefighters responded to a carport fire in the 2900 blk of W. Calle Canario. Three Engine crews, three medic units, 1 squad and several command officers battled the blaze for sometime in the excessive heat.
During the incident, Firefighter/Paramedic John Ford executed a heroic rescue when he learned one of the family members was trapped behind security bars with the smoke and flame approaching. FF Ford pulled the security bars from the home and pulled the man out of the window to safety.
On Friday, August 28, FF John Ford was presented with Life Saving Award by GVFD Fire Chief Chuck Wunder for his heroic actions in saving a man’s life during a house fire. A true DHFD Community Hero. Job well done!

MONTHLY TIPS HELPING YOU STAY SAFE

Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen!
October is Fire Prevention Month

Cooking is necessary and often relaxing and fun. People like to gather in the kitchen to talk and enjoy time with one another. But as you know, cooking is also the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Life is so busy, and people are accustomed to multitasking. But a minute away from a stove can easily turn into five, and a small flame or overheated oil can start a large fire in that time.

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries.

Keep an eye on what you fry. Most cooking fires start when someone is frying food.
Watch what you are cooking. Fires start when the heat is too high. If you see any smoke or the grease starts to boil, turn the burner off.
Make sure you are awake and alert. Alcohol and some drugs can make you sleepy.
Wear short sleeves or roll them up so they don’t catch on fire.
Make sure children and pets stay at least 3 feet away from a hot stove.
Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so no one can bump them or pull them over.
Move things that can burn away from the stove. This includes dishtowels, bags, boxes, paper and curtains.

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires.

Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking at high temperatures.
If you must leave, turn off the burner.
When simmering food on the stove or baking in the oven, set a timer to remind you that you are cooking. It is very easy to get distracted by electronics and lose track of time

Many home cooking fires happen on the kitchen range.

Before you turn on the heat, move dishtowels, bags, boxes, paper and curtains — anything that can burn — away from the stove.
When you are finished, wipe up any spills or food left on the stove.

Frying is the greatest risk for a home cooking fire.

Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking at high temperatures, like frying, boiling and grilling.
When oil gets too hot, it can easily start a fire. Keep a pot lid or a cookie sheet nearby when you are cooking at high temperatures.
If the pot starts to flame, put the lid or cookie sheet over the pot, turn off the heat and let it cool.

Cooking fire safety essentials

When cooking, stay in the kitchen and keep an eye on the stove.
Wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when cooking.
Keep towels, pot holders, curtains, and paper products away from the stove.

Keeping kids safe around cooking equipment

*** Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
*** Keep children and pets away from the grill area.
*** Have a 3-foot kid-free zone around the grill

With Fire, there is little time!

In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a home. In minutes, a home can be engulfed in flames. If you wake up to a fire, you won't have time to grab valuables because fire spreads too quickly and the smoke is too thick. There is only time to escape.

Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do.

Fire uses up the oxygen you need and produces smoke and poisonous gases that kill. Breathing even small amounts of smoke and toxic gases can make you drowsy, disoriented and short of breath. The odorless, colorless fumes can lull you into a deep sleep before the flames reach your door. You may not wake up in time to escape.

Click on the Picture below for more info

What if you were hurt, lost, or came up on a vehicle accident.
You call 9-1-1, but you do not know where you where?
Do you know “what3words” that would get help coming your way
or help you find your location?!?
Click on the picture to find out more “what3words” could save a life!

"911 - What is your emergency?"

" "what3words" has divided the world into 3m squares
and given each square a unique three word identifier.

Use a "what3words" address to find the exact location
to help us dispatch help to where it is needed, fast.
To learn more about this amazing app, check out what3words to learn more!

Here are some more helpful links to keep you informed

National Weather Service

Citizen Alert Notification Sign Up

Are you looking for a part-time position? We have PT Communication Specialist positions available!
Go to the top of the page, click on the "EMPLOYMENT" tab under "ABOUT DHFD".
Check it out!

You made it this far, check out what is happening regionally

A Regional Partnership collaborating to lead Pima County's Emergency Services

The Pima Fire Chiefs Association is made up of members, associate members, and regional partners who are working collaboratively to lead Pima County’s emergency services.
Following a recently completed strategic outline, the Association is focused on stronger leadership, increased engagement, better defined mission and purpose, increased collaboration amongst its membership, and improved mentoring opportunities within the Association.