Holiday Lighted ParadesPhotos by Battalion Chief Tom Aaker and Stefani Layman.

Harlem-Roscoe Firefighters participated in two lighted parades the weekend after Thanksgiving. First up was the Loves Park Lighted Holiday Parade where they decorated an engine in lights. For the Beloit Lighted Holiday Parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus were carried in the bucket of our Aerial 751.

THE FIREHOUSE SCENEis a publication of the

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District

The Firehouse Scene - Page 12www.harlemroscoefire.com

December 2017 Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost

HRFD Kids Christmas PartyPhotos by McKenna Donovan

After some delicious breakfast pizza from Caseys, Pickles the Clown entertained the children of our fire personnel at their annual Christmas Party on Sat. Dec. 2nd. Then Santa arrived in the bucket of Aerial 751 and brought a present for each child. Thank you Deb Alms for putting together another great party!

Chief tried to get a picture of his 7 grandkids with Santa.at the party, but I think it ended up with Santa calling 9-1-1!

From the Chief’s Desk By Fire Chief Don Shoevlin

Thank you to all the fire personnel and the Roscoe Lion’s Club for a successful senior turkey dinner. We served 360 meals and could not have

done it without all of your help.

As we enter the holiday season, I ask we take time to remember fire safety tips so that we may all have a safe and joyous holiday season. We will be placing a wreath in front of all of our stations that will be illuminated in red bulbs. I urge everyone to help us “Keep The Wreath Red”.

As we enter the last month of another year, I assure you it has been a busy one with a multitude of projects and call responses. In the month of November the firefighters responded to 271 calls. Our calls for 2017 up to the end of November are up 6% from the same time period last year and have risen 17% from 2015.

Oh yea, our full-color calendars are in; another action-packed year of photos. Stop by Staton #1 to get one.

I reached somewhat of a milestone the past month on my birthday. As I was reflecting back I realized how in all the hustle of my work I may have not always shown or said things to my bride and kids which are most deserving of hearing as they grew especially from the old man. I heard this song at a concert, so here goes;

If it weren’t for kids have you ever thoughtThere wouldn’t be no Santa ClauseLook what the stork just brought

Thank God for Kids.We’d all live in a quiet house

Without Big Bird or a Mickey MouseAnd Kool-aid on the couch

Thank God for Kids.Thank God for kids there’s magic for a while

A special kind of sunshine in a smileDo you ever stop to think? or wonder why?

The nearest thing to Heaven is a child.Daddy how does this thing fly?

A hundred other where’s and why’sYou really don’t know but we try

Thank God for Kids.When you look down in those trustin eyes

That look to you, you realizeIts love that you can’t buy

Thank God for Kids.Thank God for there’s magic for a while

A special kind of sunshine in a smileDo you ever stop to think? or wonder why?

The nearest thing to Heaven is a child.When you get down on your knees tonight

To thank the Lord for his guiding lightAnd pray they turn out right

Thank God for Kids.Thank God for Kids...

And a wonderful wife and grandkids too!

From Tammy and I, our children (in law kids too), and the grand kids, may the Christmas season fill your home with joy, your heart with love, & your life with laughter. Holiday joys and blessings to you all. Chief Shoevlin

The Firehouse Scene - Page 2 The Firehouse Scene - Page 11 www.harlemroscoefire.comwww.harlemroscoefire.com

The Firehouse Scene The Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Prot. Dist. #1

Editor-in-Chief - Don ShoevlinEditor & Layout - Sheryl Drost

The Firehouse Scene is available at Station One - 10544 Main Street in Roscoe and on the department’s website after the second Sunday each month: You can now sign up on the home page of our website to receive the newsletter by email.

www.harlemroscoefire.comE-mail submissions to Sheryl: hrfdsdrost@gmail.com

Birthdays!

December 2017

5th Kelly Hamill8th Bill Patterson ‘60th’11th Harold Danger ‘70th’26th Patrick Trollop

January 20185th Matt Bush David Leslie ‘40th’12th Michael Fritz13th Bill Gindhart17th John Presley Killian Shroeder22nd Everett Peterson25th Jerry Lund31st Mark Soppe ‘50th’

David Leslie ‘40th’ January 5th

Michael & Alison Powell

October 14, 2017

Station Tour

Firefighters Steve Rosander and Sam McNames gave a tour of Station One to a couple kids that stopped by with their parents.

The Firehouse Scene - Page 10 The Firehouse Scene - Page 3 www.harlemroscoefire.com www.harlemroscoefire.com

Training MinutesBy Battalion Chief Tom AakerTraining Officer

Through October the members of HRFD practiced different techniques using the 2.5” hose or the 2 ½” hose. The number refers to the hose diameter. We train on this hose

specifically because the larger the fire the more water and we need what the 2.5” hose carries. A normal attack line, or a line we use to initially put out the fire, carries about 6.25 gallons of water. A 2.5” hose, that we use typically to the outside of a structure, carries almost 13 gallons of water. This is almost twice the water depending on pressure and other influences during fire operations. Needless to say more water for larger fire is better.

Also in October we were working on a tactic that was founded out in Seattle Washington called “Nozzle forward”. This training helps use basic techniques to move fire hose more easily into position to fight fires. The skill set helps conserve energy or use energy more efficiently, and is a methodical approach to the basic concept behind moving fire hose when it needs to be positioned and repositioned. We reviewed and practiced these techniques for several weeks in hopes to get more familiar with the skill and potentially utilize it in future fire situations. We require our members to complete annual refresher training in certain subjects in order to be compliant with the regulations of the area and OSHA. Some training that we receive throughout the year is web-based. This helps streamline our training so everyone gets the same message. Not everyone need be present for the training they can do it online when they want. This helps us not have to teach the class multiple times for people who work and or have other obligations besides the department. We also can track the training easier online to make sure everyone gets through the program. This year if our members completed the training they could take the night off which just happened to fall on Halloween. This way our members had the opportunity to be with their kids, grandkids, friends, or dress up to scare the kids when they came to the door for candy. We are trying to incorporate more and more online training through national webcasts and also some in house training videos as we move forward to advance our skills as firefighters. In November, we asked some Instructors from the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office Training Division to come out and teach the members of the department some basic self defense skills. (Pictured to the right) The department members learned some quick basic skills to keep us safe in the event someone were to attack us while on a call or responding to an emergency. The key to the exercise was to defend ourselves and get away. We have always had great support from Law Enforcement on our calls. They have been there for us many times when we needed them. Hopefully, we will never have to use the skills we learned but for a lot of us at least now we have an idea. This may help to save us from future injury or aggression when a potential attacker or combative patient gets out of hand.

Mandatory Quarterly practical trainings. They may actually not be mandatory but, I call them mandatory based on a few factors. An organization known as ISO (International Organization for Standardization), determines as a group some standards that firefighters should follow. Many if not all fire departments carry an ISO rating. This is based upon equipment we have, training that we do, also hydrants in the area, as well as many other factors. This is important to you because it affects your home insurance and how much you pay. The fire service is not the only service affected by these standards and the fire service isn’t the only thing that affects your rates. HRFD this quarter, and every quarter, practices these drills in order to stay proficient with the subject matter.

Multi Company Operations is the drill that we will finish the year out on. This is basically simulating a real fire and what we would do responding to the fire. We go through the exercise, review our mistakes, then go out and do it again, hopefully improving in the process. SCBA (Self contained breathing apparatus), or our air tanks, we work on quarterly as well. We have a maze that tests the firefighter’s skills in maneuvering in through small spaces and openings. Once they have completed the maze we critique as needed. Lastly we complete a “specialty skill” or technical rescue training. This quarter we are reviewing extrication, specifically vehicle extrication. Erickson’s Metal has allowed us permission to use their property and do mock scenarios with their vehicles going in for scrap. We do basic initial contact evolutions to help sharpen our skills and work using tools that we don’t use every day. All of this to help us get ready for the winter season but also to keep us proficient in our skills.

We continue to strive to better ourselves as members. Structure fires don’t happen every day in the community. They don’t happen every day in the county either. We practice so that when they do come we are ready to handle the emergency as quickly, proficiently, professionally, and as safely as possible to give you the best level of care possible. They allow us to see our weaknesses and strengths and provide direction to where we should put our efforts in the future. So we are ready when these high risk, low occurrence calls happen.

Self Defense Class

KEEP THE WREATH RED

The “Keep the Wreath Red” program is used to raise fire safety awareness during the holiday season and has become an annual event. Each Harlem Roscoe Fire Station has a wreath that is wrapped with red lights. The wreaths remain lit twenty four hours a day during the holiday season. If a fire occurs that is determined to be the result of a holiday decoration, a white bulb replaces a red bulb on the wreath. The hope is the wreath will serve as a constant reminder to practice fire safety during the holiday season. Some suggestions for holiday fire safety are: • Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back

from the branches, and the needles should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch.

• Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks.

• Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood ‐ burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly.

• Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.

• Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet

• All decorations should be nonflammable or flame ‐ retardant and placed away from heat vents.

• Ensure that trees and other holiday decorations do not block an exit way. In the event of a fire, time is of the essence. A blocked entry/exit way puts you and your family at risk

• Wrapping paper in the fireplace can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers that may result in a chimney fire.

• If you do use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.

Senior Turkey DinnerPhotos by Carol Donovan and Everett Peterson

HRFD hosted the annual Lion’s Club’s Senior Turkey Dinner on Nov.16 at our Fire Station One. It was well attended with over 360 meals served. Here are some pictures from the dinner:

The Firehouse Scene - Page 4 The Firehouse Scene -Page 9 www.harlemroscoefire.com www.harlemroscoefire.com

Bugle AlarmBy Lt. Patrick Trollop

Donating After Disasters

2017 has been a very devastating year when talking about natural disasters. Just this year alone wildfires in North America have burned roughly 31

million acres. Those 31 million acres are from four significant fires, the fires of British Columbia, Colorado, Oregon, and California. North America has also been ravaged by three major hurricanes Maria, Irma, and of course Harvey. And finally Mexico was rocked by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake.

We see these situations unfold surrounded by the comforts of home, and try to wrap your head around the scale of the natural disaster and the suffering of strangers. We feel compelled to act. We want to help these people, but we don’t just want to go online and donate to the Red Cross. We want to send them something they need, right now. Little do you know that in your desire to make a difference, you aren’t really helping at all. In fact, you are contributing to what relief workers call the disaster after the disaster.

Here are ten of the worst things to donate:

10. Used ClothingWe know that clothing is a critical need for people who’ve lost everything, right? That’s the logic behind the clothing drives that spring up in the wake of a natural disaster, sometimes hundreds or thousands of miles from the scene of destruction. But boxes of used clothing can actually hinder, rather than help, the recovery effort.

The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) cautions that used clothing is “rarely a useful item” to collect and donate to disaster relief efforts. A better idea is to sell the used clothes at a yard sale and donate the funds to a disaster relief agency like the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army.

9. ShoesIn some cases, an organization will call for donations of a particular kind of footwear; flip-flops, for example, are lighter to ship and more useful in tropical climates. But in most cases, the best donation is cash. Relief organizations can use your money to buy bulk deliveries of sorted and sized shoes directly to the areas that need it most.

8. BlanketsWhile it’s true that blankets are often critical in recovery efforts, they are seldom in short supply. If a relief organization asks for blankets, by all means follow the instructions for packing and shipping the blankets to the right destination. But in most cases, the money and resources will be more efficiently spent if the organization buys blankets directly from suppliers or receives bulk donations from corporations and larger businesses.

7. Teddy BearsThere are some very generous and effective charities that collect new and used stuffed animals to give to children of troops deploying to war, hospitalized kids and children who have survived natural or man-made disasters. The unfortunate side effect of their good work is that many people instinctively feel that a gift of a teddy bear is the best way to provide comfort and healing to a community torn apart by tragedy.

The small community of Newtown, Conn., the site of the horrific 2012 school shooting that claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults. According to reports in the local newspaper, Newtown was flooded with tens of thousands of teddy bears. A 20,000-square-foot warehouse was rented to store the barrage of stuffed toys.

6. MedicineThere is really no reason for individuals to donate medicine or medical supplies to a disaster relief effort. And under no circumstances should you donate opened or unused medications from your personal supply, particularly prescription drugs. Not only is it a waste -- they will need to be thrown away -- but they could pose a danger to those handling the drugs.

Disaster relief agencies and first responder units are usually well-stocked with the provisions to manage a medical crisis. When there is a need, they will work directly with drug companies and medical suppliers get the right supplies to the right place.

5. Pet SuppliesIf you want to help animals during a disaster, don’t send heavy bags of pet food and litter. Donate to the American Humane Association or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which will ensure that animals receive the food, shelter and medical care that they need.

4. Mixed ItemsFEMA strongly encourages people to refrain from shipping mixed boxes of relief supplies to disaster areas. The effort required to sort unsolicited donations is a strain on volunteer resources and a waste of funds. If you coordinate with a relief agency to donate a specific item, make sure that your boxes are well-packed and sealed, and that the contents of the boxes are clearly labeled on the outside, saving the need to open them up.

3. Canned Food and Bottled WaterRemember that every box of donations has to be opened, inspected and sorted. Food requires much closer inspection that other donations, because cans could be expired or damaged, at which point they become a health risk to the survivors. Then the food needs to be organized by type, repackaged and distributed to the people who need it the most. As with other types of disaster relief, food is something best left to the professionals. They have the infrastructure and the resources to distribute hot meals directly to the hardest hit areas. And they work with food banks that can supply inexpensive bulk items -- both non perishable and fresh -- through established networks of local suppliers at low cost or free. The best way to supply food is to donate nonperishable items to local food banks so they are well-stocked for emergencies, and to donate money to disaster relief organizations.

The Firehouse Scene -Page 8 The Firehouse Scene - Page 5

Accidents Photos by Sheryl Drost, Carol Donovan, and Duty Officers

11/05/17 Swaonson Rd. Round-a-bout 11/12/17 Onyx Bar Parking Lot 11/15/17 Bridge & Hwy 251

11/20/17 Highstone Dr. 12/04/17 Hwy 173 & Hwy 251

12/01/17 Hwy 251 & Hononegah Rd. 12/04/17 Perryville Rd. & Vaughndale Dr.

www.harlemroscoefire.com www.harlemroscoefire.com 11/20/17 Prairie HIll Rd. East of Hwy 251

2. Your Unsolicited HelpHere are some reasons not to just show up: Disaster areas are often low on food and lodging. Diseases like malaria and cholera spread quickly during these times, particularly in developing countries, and the last thing anyone needs is another ill person. Finally, consider the tasks at hand: Do you have special skills or training that would be useful in a disaster situation? If not, leave it to the professionals.

If you want to donate your time and energy to disaster recovery, the best thing to do is affiliate with a national organization dedicated to disaster response. The Web site of the National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster has a list of relief organizations that offer training in advance of disasters so they’re ready to mobilize when the need arises. And you will be too.

1. Money to the Wrong PeopleWe’ve stressed the importance of donating cash rather than goods in times of disasters. But, beware of people who set up phony charitable organizations to scam generous donors. Be careful about responding to emails that solicit donations on behalf of people claiming to be victims of a natural disaster. The e-mail may not only be a front for a scam operation, it could contain computer viruses or worms. Also, pay close attention to the name of the organization soliciting donations. Scammers often use subtle misspellings of recognized international organizations to fool unsuspecting donors.

Texting is a simple and fast way to contribute to a cause. But again, watch out for phony organizations that will run up texting charges on your phone. This is known in fraud circles as “cramming”.

If you feel leery about donating cash because you don’t recognize the name of the organization, you can run a background check using sites like GuideStar and Charity Navigator. They’ll tell you how long the charity has been in business, what percentage of donations go to administrative costs and other useful information.

New CPR EquipmentPhotos by Capt. John Donovan

The Harlem Roscoe Fire Department took delivery of three new Zoll AutoPulse Resusciation Systems for our fire district. Our Firefighters were all trained on how to use them at our weekly Tuesday night training.

These units will allow us to deliver automated, consistent high-quality CPR during a cardiac arrest. This will allow us to provide the best care to the community when it is needed, and also will allow safety for our firefighters during transport because they will not need to stand up in the moving ambulance to do CPR.

Attic FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost & Carol Donovanj

Harlem-Roscoe Firefighters responded to a second fire on Nov. 21. This time it was for smoke showing on Bond Dr. Firefighters found smoke coming from the roof upon arrival. Crews entered the attic and were able to locate a fire in the insulation and quickly had it extinguished. Thank you to North Boone Fire District 3 for assisting on scene with an ambulance and crew.

Lt. Ryan Sarver connects the hose from the attack engine down the long driveway to the supply engine.

Firefighters Andrew Wiechman and Sam McNames head in to ladder the building.

Roadside FirePhoto by Sheryl Drost

Firefighter Killian Schroeder extinguishes a debris fire in the ditch off Hwy 251 on Dec. 5. Seems a fire started in some yard debris on a landscaping company’s trailer and they pushed it off the trailer into the ditch to save the trailer

Firefighters reload the supply hose after the fire was extinguished.

Oven FirePhotos by Battalion Chief Tom Aaker

Firefighters responded to Talon Tr. for a oven fire on Nov. 29. It seems something was left in the bottom drawer that was combustible and caught fire when they used the oven.

Garage FirePhotos by Battalion Chief Tom Aaker

Garage FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost

The Firehouse Scene - Page 6 The Firehouse Scene - Page 7 www.harlemroscoefire.comwww.harlemroscoefire.com

Firefighters responded to a possible structure fire on Nov. 19 at 1:45 am on Edgefield. Firefighters discovered an active fire in the garage. Quick work of the engine crew extinguished the fire in minutes avoiding any extension into the home, keeping fire damage contained only to the interior wall and ceiling.

Occupants were out of the home upon arrival. It seems improperly discarded ashes started the fire.

Firefighters responded to a report of smoke and fire showing from a garage on Grace Dr. on Nov. 21. Firefighters arrived to find flames on the outside wall and quickly had the fire knocked down. Improperly discarded smoking materials seems to be the cause of the fire.

Right, Firefighters knock down the fire.

Below, Lt. Patrick Trollop and Jason Street pull siding looking for any fire extension.

Right, Fire damage was contained to the outside wall of the garage.

Below, Firefighters Lt. Ryan Sarver and Keith Lincoln engineer the attack truck and the tender.

Riding Lawnmower FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost

Firefighters responded to Elevator Rd. on Nov. 28 for a riding lawnmower on fire. The fire destroyed the mower.

Firefighter Killian Shroeder and Lt. Ryan Sarver use foam and water to put the fire out.

Firefighter Steve Rosander empties buckets of burned insulation brought down from the attic.

Attic FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost & Carol Donovanj

Harlem-Roscoe Firefighters responded to a second fire on Nov. 21. This time it was for smoke showing on Bond Dr. Firefighters found smoke coming from the roof upon arrival. Crews entered the attic and were able to locate a fire in the insulation and quickly had it extinguished. Thank you to North Boone Fire District 3 for assisting on scene with an ambulance and crew.

Lt. Ryan Sarver connects the hose from the attack engine down the long driveway to the supply engine.

Firefighters Andrew Wiechman and Sam McNames head in to ladder the building.

Roadside FirePhoto by Sheryl Drost

Firefighter Killian Schroeder extinguishes a debris fire in the ditch off Hwy 251 on Dec. 5. Seems a fire started in some yard debris on a landscaping company’s trailer and they pushed it off the trailer into the ditch to save the trailer

Firefighters reload the supply hose after the fire was extinguished.

Oven FirePhotos by Battalion Chief Tom Aaker

Firefighters responded to Talon Tr. for a oven fire on Nov. 29. It seems something was left in the bottom drawer that was combustible and caught fire when they used the oven.

Garage FirePhotos by Battalion Chief Tom Aaker

Garage FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost

The Firehouse Scene - Page 6 The Firehouse Scene - Page 7 www.harlemroscoefire.comwww.harlemroscoefire.com

Firefighters responded to a possible structure fire on Nov. 19 at 1:45 am on Edgefield. Firefighters discovered an active fire in the garage. Quick work of the engine crew extinguished the fire in minutes avoiding any extension into the home, keeping fire damage contained only to the interior wall and ceiling.

Occupants were out of the home upon arrival. It seems improperly discarded ashes started the fire.

Firefighters responded to a report of smoke and fire showing from a garage on Grace Dr. on Nov. 21. Firefighters arrived to find flames on the outside wall and quickly had the fire knocked down. Improperly discarded smoking materials seems to be the cause of the fire.

Right, Firefighters knock down the fire.

Below, Lt. Patrick Trollop and Jason Street pull siding looking for any fire extension.

Right, Fire damage was contained to the outside wall of the garage.

Below, Firefighters Lt. Ryan Sarver and Keith Lincoln engineer the attack truck and the tender.

Riding Lawnmower FirePhotos by Sheryl Drost

Firefighters responded to Elevator Rd. on Nov. 28 for a riding lawnmower on fire. The fire destroyed the mower.

Firefighter Killian Shroeder and Lt. Ryan Sarver use foam and water to put the fire out.

Firefighter Steve Rosander empties buckets of burned insulation brought down from the attic.

The Firehouse Scene -Page 8 The Firehouse Scene - Page 5

Accidents Photos by Sheryl Drost, Carol Donovan, and Duty Officers

11/05/17 Swaonson Rd. Round-a-bout 11/12/17 Onyx Bar Parking Lot 11/15/17 Bridge & Hwy 251

11/20/17 Highstone Dr. 12/04/17 Hwy 173 & Hwy 251

12/01/17 Hwy 251 & Hononegah Rd. 12/04/17 Perryville Rd. & Vaughndale Dr.

www.harlemroscoefire.com www.harlemroscoefire.com 11/20/17 Prairie HIll Rd. East of Hwy 251

2. Your Unsolicited HelpHere are some reasons not to just show up: Disaster areas are often low on food and lodging. Diseases like malaria and cholera spread quickly during these times, particularly in developing countries, and the last thing anyone needs is another ill person. Finally, consider the tasks at hand: Do you have special skills or training that would be useful in a disaster situation? If not, leave it to the professionals.

If you want to donate your time and energy to disaster recovery, the best thing to do is affiliate with a national organization dedicated to disaster response. The Web site of the National Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster has a list of relief organizations that offer training in advance of disasters so they’re ready to mobilize when the need arises. And you will be too.

1. Money to the Wrong PeopleWe’ve stressed the importance of donating cash rather than goods in times of disasters. But, beware of people who set up phony charitable organizations to scam generous donors. Be careful about responding to emails that solicit donations on behalf of people claiming to be victims of a natural disaster. The e-mail may not only be a front for a scam operation, it could contain computer viruses or worms. Also, pay close attention to the name of the organization soliciting donations. Scammers often use subtle misspellings of recognized international organizations to fool unsuspecting donors.

Texting is a simple and fast way to contribute to a cause. But again, watch out for phony organizations that will run up texting charges on your phone. This is known in fraud circles as “cramming”.

If you feel leery about donating cash because you don’t recognize the name of the organization, you can run a background check using sites like GuideStar and Charity Navigator. They’ll tell you how long the charity has been in business, what percentage of donations go to administrative costs and other useful information.

New CPR EquipmentPhotos by Capt. John Donovan

The Harlem Roscoe Fire Department took delivery of three new Zoll AutoPulse Resusciation Systems for our fire district. Our Firefighters were all trained on how to use them at our weekly Tuesday night training.

These units will allow us to deliver automated, consistent high-quality CPR during a cardiac arrest. This will allow us to provide the best care to the community when it is needed, and also will allow safety for our firefighters during transport because they will not need to stand up in the moving ambulance to do CPR.

KEEP THE WREATH RED

The “Keep the Wreath Red” program is used to raise fire safety awareness during the holiday season and has become an annual event. Each Harlem Roscoe Fire Station has a wreath that is wrapped with red lights. The wreaths remain lit twenty four hours a day during the holiday season. If a fire occurs that is determined to be the result of a holiday decoration, a white bulb replaces a red bulb on the wreath. The hope is the wreath will serve as a constant reminder to practice fire safety during the holiday season. Some suggestions for holiday fire safety are: • Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back

from the branches, and the needles should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch.

• Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks.

• Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood ‐ burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly.

• Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.

• Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet

• All decorations should be nonflammable or flame ‐ retardant and placed away from heat vents.

• Ensure that trees and other holiday decorations do not block an exit way. In the event of a fire, time is of the essence. A blocked entry/exit way puts you and your family at risk

• Wrapping paper in the fireplace can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers that may result in a chimney fire.

• If you do use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.

Senior Turkey DinnerPhotos by Carol Donovan and Everett Peterson

HRFD hosted the annual Lion’s Club’s Senior Turkey Dinner on Nov.16 at our Fire Station One. It was well attended with over 360 meals served. Here are some pictures from the dinner:

The Firehouse Scene - Page 4 The Firehouse Scene -Page 9 www.harlemroscoefire.com www.harlemroscoefire.com

Bugle AlarmBy Lt. Patrick Trollop

Donating After Disasters

2017 has been a very devastating year when talking about natural disasters. Just this year alone wildfires in North America have burned roughly 31

million acres. Those 31 million acres are from four significant fires, the fires of British Columbia, Colorado, Oregon, and California. North America has also been ravaged by three major hurricanes Maria, Irma, and of course Harvey. And finally Mexico was rocked by a 7.1 magnitude earthquake.

We see these situations unfold surrounded by the comforts of home, and try to wrap your head around the scale of the natural disaster and the suffering of strangers. We feel compelled to act. We want to help these people, but we don’t just want to go online and donate to the Red Cross. We want to send them something they need, right now. Little do you know that in your desire to make a difference, you aren’t really helping at all. In fact, you are contributing to what relief workers call the disaster after the disaster.

Here are ten of the worst things to donate:

10. Used ClothingWe know that clothing is a critical need for people who’ve lost everything, right? That’s the logic behind the clothing drives that spring up in the wake of a natural disaster, sometimes hundreds or thousands of miles from the scene of destruction. But boxes of used clothing can actually hinder, rather than help, the recovery effort.

The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) cautions that used clothing is “rarely a useful item” to collect and donate to disaster relief efforts. A better idea is to sell the used clothes at a yard sale and donate the funds to a disaster relief agency like the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army.

9. ShoesIn some cases, an organization will call for donations of a particular kind of footwear; flip-flops, for example, are lighter to ship and more useful in tropical climates. But in most cases, the best donation is cash. Relief organizations can use your money to buy bulk deliveries of sorted and sized shoes directly to the areas that need it most.

8. BlanketsWhile it’s true that blankets are often critical in recovery efforts, they are seldom in short supply. If a relief organization asks for blankets, by all means follow the instructions for packing and shipping the blankets to the right destination. But in most cases, the money and resources will be more efficiently spent if the organization buys blankets directly from suppliers or receives bulk donations from corporations and larger businesses.

7. Teddy BearsThere are some very generous and effective charities that collect new and used stuffed animals to give to children of troops deploying to war, hospitalized kids and children who have survived natural or man-made disasters. The unfortunate side effect of their good work is that many people instinctively feel that a gift of a teddy bear is the best way to provide comfort and healing to a community torn apart by tragedy.

The small community of Newtown, Conn., the site of the horrific 2012 school shooting that claimed the lives of 20 children and six adults. According to reports in the local newspaper, Newtown was flooded with tens of thousands of teddy bears. A 20,000-square-foot warehouse was rented to store the barrage of stuffed toys.

6. MedicineThere is really no reason for individuals to donate medicine or medical supplies to a disaster relief effort. And under no circumstances should you donate opened or unused medications from your personal supply, particularly prescription drugs. Not only is it a waste -- they will need to be thrown away -- but they could pose a danger to those handling the drugs.

Disaster relief agencies and first responder units are usually well-stocked with the provisions to manage a medical crisis. When there is a need, they will work directly with drug companies and medical suppliers get the right supplies to the right place.

5. Pet SuppliesIf you want to help animals during a disaster, don’t send heavy bags of pet food and litter. Donate to the American Humane Association or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which will ensure that animals receive the food, shelter and medical care that they need.

4. Mixed ItemsFEMA strongly encourages people to refrain from shipping mixed boxes of relief supplies to disaster areas. The effort required to sort unsolicited donations is a strain on volunteer resources and a waste of funds. If you coordinate with a relief agency to donate a specific item, make sure that your boxes are well-packed and sealed, and that the contents of the boxes are clearly labeled on the outside, saving the need to open them up.

3. Canned Food and Bottled WaterRemember that every box of donations has to be opened, inspected and sorted. Food requires much closer inspection that other donations, because cans could be expired or damaged, at which point they become a health risk to the survivors. Then the food needs to be organized by type, repackaged and distributed to the people who need it the most. As with other types of disaster relief, food is something best left to the professionals. They have the infrastructure and the resources to distribute hot meals directly to the hardest hit areas. And they work with food banks that can supply inexpensive bulk items -- both non perishable and fresh -- through established networks of local suppliers at low cost or free. The best way to supply food is to donate nonperishable items to local food banks so they are well-stocked for emergencies, and to donate money to disaster relief organizations.

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Training MinutesBy Battalion Chief Tom AakerTraining Officer

Through October the members of HRFD practiced different techniques using the 2.5” hose or the 2 ½” hose. The number refers to the hose diameter. We train on this hose

specifically because the larger the fire the more water and we need what the 2.5” hose carries. A normal attack line, or a line we use to initially put out the fire, carries about 6.25 gallons of water. A 2.5” hose, that we use typically to the outside of a structure, carries almost 13 gallons of water. This is almost twice the water depending on pressure and other influences during fire operations. Needless to say more water for larger fire is better.

Also in October we were working on a tactic that was founded out in Seattle Washington called “Nozzle forward”. This training helps use basic techniques to move fire hose more easily into position to fight fires. The skill set helps conserve energy or use energy more efficiently, and is a methodical approach to the basic concept behind moving fire hose when it needs to be positioned and repositioned. We reviewed and practiced these techniques for several weeks in hopes to get more familiar with the skill and potentially utilize it in future fire situations. We require our members to complete annual refresher training in certain subjects in order to be compliant with the regulations of the area and OSHA. Some training that we receive throughout the year is web-based. This helps streamline our training so everyone gets the same message. Not everyone need be present for the training they can do it online when they want. This helps us not have to teach the class multiple times for people who work and or have other obligations besides the department. We also can track the training easier online to make sure everyone gets through the program. This year if our members completed the training they could take the night off which just happened to fall on Halloween. This way our members had the opportunity to be with their kids, grandkids, friends, or dress up to scare the kids when they came to the door for candy. We are trying to incorporate more and more online training through national webcasts and also some in house training videos as we move forward to advance our skills as firefighters. In November, we asked some Instructors from the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office Training Division to come out and teach the members of the department some basic self defense skills. (Pictured to the right) The department members learned some quick basic skills to keep us safe in the event someone were to attack us while on a call or responding to an emergency. The key to the exercise was to defend ourselves and get away. We have always had great support from Law Enforcement on our calls. They have been there for us many times when we needed them. Hopefully, we will never have to use the skills we learned but for a lot of us at least now we have an idea. This may help to save us from future injury or aggression when a potential attacker or combative patient gets out of hand.

Mandatory Quarterly practical trainings. They may actually not be mandatory but, I call them mandatory based on a few factors. An organization known as ISO (International Organization for Standardization), determines as a group some standards that firefighters should follow. Many if not all fire departments carry an ISO rating. This is based upon equipment we have, training that we do, also hydrants in the area, as well as many other factors. This is important to you because it affects your home insurance and how much you pay. The fire service is not the only service affected by these standards and the fire service isn’t the only thing that affects your rates. HRFD this quarter, and every quarter, practices these drills in order to stay proficient with the subject matter.

Multi Company Operations is the drill that we will finish the year out on. This is basically simulating a real fire and what we would do responding to the fire. We go through the exercise, review our mistakes, then go out and do it again, hopefully improving in the process. SCBA (Self contained breathing apparatus), or our air tanks, we work on quarterly as well. We have a maze that tests the firefighter’s skills in maneuvering in through small spaces and openings. Once they have completed the maze we critique as needed. Lastly we complete a “specialty skill” or technical rescue training. This quarter we are reviewing extrication, specifically vehicle extrication. Erickson’s Metal has allowed us permission to use their property and do mock scenarios with their vehicles going in for scrap. We do basic initial contact evolutions to help sharpen our skills and work using tools that we don’t use every day. All of this to help us get ready for the winter season but also to keep us proficient in our skills.

We continue to strive to better ourselves as members. Structure fires don’t happen every day in the community. They don’t happen every day in the county either. We practice so that when they do come we are ready to handle the emergency as quickly, proficiently, professionally, and as safely as possible to give you the best level of care possible. They allow us to see our weaknesses and strengths and provide direction to where we should put our efforts in the future. So we are ready when these high risk, low occurrence calls happen.

Self Defense Class

From the Chief’s Desk By Fire Chief Don Shoevlin

Thank you to all the fire personnel and the Roscoe Lion’s Club for a successful senior turkey dinner. We served 360 meals and could not have

done it without all of your help.

As we enter the holiday season, I ask we take time to remember fire safety tips so that we may all have a safe and joyous holiday season. We will be placing a wreath in front of all of our stations that will be illuminated in red bulbs. I urge everyone to help us “Keep The Wreath Red”.

As we enter the last month of another year, I assure you it has been a busy one with a multitude of projects and call responses. In the month of November the firefighters responded to 271 calls. Our calls for 2017 up to the end of November are up 6% from the same time period last year and have risen 17% from 2015.

Oh yea, our full-color calendars are in; another action-packed year of photos. Stop by Staton #1 to get one.

I reached somewhat of a milestone the past month on my birthday. As I was reflecting back I realized how in all the hustle of my work I may have not always shown or said things to my bride and kids which are most deserving of hearing as they grew especially from the old man. I heard this song at a concert, so here goes;

If it weren’t for kids have you ever thoughtThere wouldn’t be no Santa ClauseLook what the stork just brought

Thank God for Kids.We’d all live in a quiet house

Without Big Bird or a Mickey MouseAnd Kool-aid on the couch

Thank God for Kids.Thank God for kids there’s magic for a while

A special kind of sunshine in a smileDo you ever stop to think? or wonder why?

The nearest thing to Heaven is a child.Daddy how does this thing fly?

A hundred other where’s and why’sYou really don’t know but we try

Thank God for Kids.When you look down in those trustin eyes

That look to you, you realizeIts love that you can’t buy

Thank God for Kids.Thank God for there’s magic for a while

A special kind of sunshine in a smileDo you ever stop to think? or wonder why?

The nearest thing to Heaven is a child.When you get down on your knees tonight

To thank the Lord for his guiding lightAnd pray they turn out right

Thank God for Kids.Thank God for Kids...

And a wonderful wife and grandkids too!

From Tammy and I, our children (in law kids too), and the grand kids, may the Christmas season fill your home with joy, your heart with love, & your life with laughter. Holiday joys and blessings to you all. Chief Shoevlin

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The Firehouse Scene The Firehouse Scene is a monthly newsletter produced by the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Prot. Dist. #1

Editor-in-Chief - Don ShoevlinEditor & Layout - Sheryl Drost

The Firehouse Scene is available at Station One - 10544 Main Street in Roscoe and on the department’s website after the second Sunday each month: You can now sign up on the home page of our website to receive the newsletter by email.

www.harlemroscoefire.comE-mail submissions to Sheryl: hrfdsdrost@gmail.com

Birthdays!

December 2017

5th Kelly Hamill8th Bill Patterson ‘60th’11th Harold Danger ‘70th’26th Patrick Trollop

January 20185th Matt Bush David Leslie ‘40th’12th Michael Fritz13th Bill Gindhart17th John Presley Killian Shroeder22nd Everett Peterson25th Jerry Lund31st Mark Soppe ‘50th’

David Leslie ‘40th’ January 5th

Michael & Alison Powell

October 14, 2017

Station Tour

Firefighters Steve Rosander and Sam McNames gave a tour of Station One to a couple kids that stopped by with their parents.

Holiday Lighted ParadesPhotos by Battalion Chief Tom Aaker and Stefani Layman.

Harlem-Roscoe Firefighters participated in two lighted parades the weekend after Thanksgiving. First up was the Loves Park Lighted Holiday Parade where they decorated an engine in lights. For the Beloit Lighted Holiday Parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus were carried in the bucket of our Aerial 751.

THE FIREHOUSE SCENEis a publication of the

Harlem-Roscoe Fire Protection District

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December 2017 Chief Don Shoevlin Editor Sheryl Drost

HRFD Kids Christmas PartyPhotos by McKenna Donovan

After some delicious breakfast pizza from Caseys, Pickles the Clown entertained the children of our fire personnel at their annual Christmas Party on Sat. Dec. 2nd. Then Santa arrived in the bucket of Aerial 751 and brought a present for each child. Thank you Deb Alms for putting together another great party!

Chief tried to get a picture of his 7 grandkids with Santa.at the party, but I think it ended up with Santa calling 9-1-1!