Butler County Fire Chiefs Association

Message from State Fire Commissioner Bruce Trego about the COVID-19 Crisis Fire, Rescue, and EMS Grant: "Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, our off...ice has remained open to provide the necessary resources we know that you, our fire service, and EMS personnel need to fulfill your critical public safety role in the commonwealth. This work has taken many forms, including the administration of the one-time COVID-19 Crisis Fire, Rescue, and EMS Grant Program. Because the program is funded exclusively by the federal CARES Act, federal guidance and requirements surrounding the administration and eligible uses of CARES Act funds were updated several times. Unfortunately, these changes were out of our control and caused significant confusion and frustration not only for you, but also for OSFC staff who take tremendous pride in their work to support first responders in Pennsylvania. Please take the time to thoroughly review and understand the most recent guidance our office has received. Applicants should expect to receive grant agreements from our office over the next several weeks. Lastly, I want to thank you for your patience during this process, and your dedication to your lifesaving mission throughout the pandemic." Learn more about the update: https://bit.ly/33vwt9F

We have had many people ask about what mask should I wear, should I clean my mask and if so how do I clean it, etc. etc. Here are the most recent guidance iss...ued by the CDC: How to Select, Wear, and Clean Your Mask Wear a mask correctly and consistently for the best protection. Be sure to wash your hands before putting on a mask and do not touch the mask when wearing it. Make sure the mask covers your nose and mouth and fits securely under your chin and against the sides of your face. COVID-19 in Children and Teens While fewer children have been sick with COVID-19 compared to adults, children can be infected and get sick with COVID-19. Children can spread the virus that causes COVID-19 to others. The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar in adults and children and can look like other common illnesses, like colds, strep throat, or allergies. The most common symptoms of COVID-19 in children are fever and cough. Monitor your child daily for symptoms, keep track of who your child comes into close contact with. If your child gets sick, keep them home and call their healthcare provider. DO choose masks that Have two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric Completely cover your nose and mouth Fit snugly against the sides of your face and don't have gaps Resources for Children and Teens, and Other Populations According to a new CDC MMWR, since March, 277,285 COVID-19 cases in children have been reported. The rate of COVID-19 among adolescents aged 1217 years was approximately twice that in children aged 511 years. Underlying health conditions were more common among school-aged children who experienced severe outcomes related to COVID-19. In addition to K-12 schools and people age 15 to 21, CDC has developed one-stop shop toolkits for different populations with web resources, FAQs, posters, and other information. Help Protect Yourself and Others from COVID-19 Stay 6 feet from others Wear a mask Wash your hands often Data on COVID-19 during Pregnancy Based on current information, pregnant people might be at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 compared to non-pregnant people. If you’re pregnant, you should still visit your healthcare provider for all recommended appointments. While at your appointment, talk to your healthcare provider about how to stay healthy and take care of yourself and your baby. People at Increased Risk While people at increased risk for COVID-19 include older people and people with certain medical conditions, others may need to take extra precautions. People who need extra precautions include certain racial and ethnic minority groups, people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, people with disabilities, and people living in certain environments such as homeless shelters.

National Preparedness Month topic for the day......Seniors Know what disasters could affect your area, which could call for an evacuation and when to shelter i...n place. Keep a NOAA Weather Radio tuned to your local emergency station and monitor TV, radio and follow mobile alert and mobile warnings about severe weather in your area. Download the FEMA app and get weather alerts from the National Weather Service for up to five different locations anywhere in the United States. Make a Plan Determine any special assistance you may need and include in your emergency plan. Create a support network of family, friends and others who can assist you during an emergency and share your disaster plans with them. Practice your plan with them. Make sure they have an extra key to your home, know where you keep your emergency supplies and how to use lifesaving equipment or administer medicine. If you undergo routine treatments administered by a clinic or hospital, find out their emergency plans and work with them to identify back-up service providers. If you have a communication-related disability, note the best way to communicate with you. Don’t forget your pets or service animals. Not all shelters accept pets so plan for alternatives. Consider loved ones or friends outside of your immediate area. Prepare an emergency kit for your pet. For related information visit our page on individuals with disabilities. Get Your Benefits Electronically A disaster can disrupt mail service for days or weeks. If you depend on Social Security or other regular benefits switching to electronic payments is a simple, important way to protect yourself financially before disaster strikes. It also eliminates the risk of stolen checks. The U.S. Department of the Treasury recommends two safer ways to get federal benefits: Direct deposit to a checking or savings account. If you get federal benefits you can sign up by calling 800-333-1795 or sign up online. The Direct Express prepaid debit card is designed as a safe and easy alternative to paper. https://www.ready.gov/seniors

As part of National Preparedness Month let's talk about today....Pet Safety in Emergencies Emergencies come in many forms: fires, hurricanes, earthquakes, torna...does, floods, violent storms and even terrorism. In the event of extreme weather or a disaster, would you know what to do to protect your pet? Leaving pets out of evacuation plans can put pets, pet owners, and first responders in danger. Even if you try to create a safe place for them, pets left behind during a disaster are likely to be injured, lost, or worse. Be prepared: make a plan and prepare a disaster kit for your pet. For more information and check off list go to https://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/emergencies/index.html

National Preparedness Month tip of the day! We talk about time and time again about what to do "before" a disaster happens but what do you "after" a disaster es...pecially when children are involved! Children Need Attention After an Emergency Encourage children to talk about their fears. Let them ask questions and tell you how they’re feeling. Listen to what they say, as a family when possible. Reassure them with love. Reassure them that they are safe and answer their questions honestly. Tell them, in simple language, what is happening. Tell them that they are not responsible for what happened. Limit the amount of news they hear on the radio or see on the TV. Hold and hug them often. When they go back to school, encourage them to also talk about their problems with teachers or school counselors and to play games, ride bikes, and do all of the other things they did before the disaster. For more information please visit https://www.ready.pa.gov/AfterAnEmergency/Pages/default.aspx

National Preparedness Month disaster topic of the day.................Snowstorms & Extreme Cold Even though we don't want to think about the cold and snow etc.... NOW is the time to get prepared! Winter storms create a higher risk of car accidents, hypothermia, frostbite, carbon monoxide poisoning, and heart attacks from overexertion. Winter storms and blizzards can bring extreme cold, freezing rain, snow, ice, and high winds. A winter storm can: Last a few hours or several days; Knock out heat, power, and communication services; and Place older adults, young children, and sick individuals at greater risk. IF YOU ARE UNDER A WINTER STORM WARNING, FIND SHELTER RIGHT AWAY Stay off roads. Stay indoors and dress warmly. Prepare for power outages. Use generators outside only and away from windows. Listen for emergency information and alerts. Look for signs of hypothermia and frostbite. Check on neighbors. HOW TO STAY SAFE WHEN A WINTER STORM THREATENS: Prepare NOW Know your area’s risk for winter storms. Extreme winter weather can leave communities without utilities or other services for long periods of time. Prepare your home to keep out the cold with insulation, caulking, and weather stripping. Learn how to keep pipes from freezing. Install and test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups. Pay attention to weather reports and warnings of freezing weather and winter storms. Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts. Gather supplies in case you need to stay home for several days without power. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including medication. Do not forget the needs of pets. Have extra batteries for radios and flashlights. Create an emergency supply kit for your car. Include jumper cables, sand, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water, and non-perishable snacks. Keep the gas tank full. Learn the signs of, and basic treatments for, frostbite and hypothermia.

Today's National Preparedness Topic is...SEVERE WEATHER Severe weather can happen anytime, in any part of the country. Severe weather can include hazardous cond...itions produced by thunderstorms, including damaging winds, tornadoes, large hail, flooding and flash flooding, and winter storms associated with freezing rain, sleet, snow and strong winds. Severe weather refers to any dangerous meteorological phenomena with the potential to cause damage, serious social disruption, or loss of human life. Types of severe weather phenomena vary, depending on the latitude, altitude, topography, and atmospheric conditions. High winds, hail, excessive precipitation, and wildfires are forms and effects of severe weather, as are thunderstorms, downbursts, tornadoes, waterspouts, tropical cyclones, and extratropical cyclones. Regional and seasonal severe weather phenomena include blizzards (snowstorms), ice storms, and dust storms. For more information on how to be prepared, go to www. readypa.gov

Today’s disaster awareness topic is Home Fires In just two minutes a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes a residence can be engulfed in flames.... Learn About Fires Fire is FAST! In less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house or for it to be engulfed in flames. Fire is HOT! Heat is more threatening than flames. Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super-hot air will scorch your lungs and melt clothes to your skin. Fire is DARK! Fire starts bright, but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness. Fire is DEADLY! Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths, exceeding burns by a 3-to-1 Before a Fire Create and Practice a Fire Escape Plan In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts. Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly. Twice each year, practice your home fire escape plan. Some tips to consider when preparing this plan include: Find two ways to get out of each room in the event the primary way is blocked by fire or smoke. A secondary route might be a window onto a neighboring roof or a collapsible ladder for escape from upper story windows. Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly and that security bars can be properly opened. Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed. Teach children not to hide from firefighters. Smoke Alarms A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire. Install both ionization AND photoelectric smoke alarms, OR dual sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors. Test batteries monthly. Replace batteries in battery-powered and hard-wired smoke alarms at least once a year (except non-replaceable 10-year lithium batteries). Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, both inside and outside of sleeping areas. Replace the entire smoke alarm unit every 8-10 years or according to manufacturer’s instructions. Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking it can be a deadly mistake. Smoke Alarm Safety for People with Access or Functional Needs Audible alarms for visually impaired people should pause with a small window of silence between each successive cycle so that they can listen to the instructions or voices of others. Smoke alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing light are available for the hearing impaired. Contact your local fire department for information about obtaining a flashing or vibrating smoke alarm. Smoke alarms with a strobe light outside the home to catch the attention of neighbors and emergency call systems for summoning help are also available.