125 Washington Avenue, (Not staffed Full Time)
Po Box 267 Lavallette, NJ 08735
Phone 732-793-6900
(Non Emergency) Fax 732-830-7135
911
Emergency
Proudly Serving The Borough of Lavallette since 1923
Any person wishing to join the fire
Department and help your community can
call 732-793- 6900.
All training will be provided by the Lavallette Fire Co.
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2009 Line Officers |
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| Chief | Peter Scott |
| Assistant Chief | Joe Barraco |
| Captain | Peter Seggel |
| 1st Lieutenant | Mike Phillips |
| 2nd Lieutenant | Christian LaCicero |
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2009 Executive Officers |
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| President | Arthur Reese |
| Vice President | Coleman Brice |
| Treasurer | Don Goldenbaum |
| Assistant Treasurer | Justin Lamb |
| Secretary | Jim Borowski |
| Recording Secretary | Joseph Lord |
Fire Safety Information
Remember Do Not Block Fire Hydrants
“NO PARKING”
Upcoming Events
Coin Toss July 4th Weekend
Annual Oyster Dinner December 5, 2009
Memorial service for
Art Anderson
The Lavallette Fire Co.
Would like to thank everyone who turned out
for the Memorial Service for
Art Anderson.
Art was a long time resident, worked for the
Department of Public Works for 28 years before retiring in 1995,
Art was a 40 year member of the Lavallette Volunteer Fire Co.
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A Fireman's Prayer |
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When I am called to duty, God, |
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Help me embrace a little child Enable me to be alert |
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History of the Lavallette Volunteer Fire Company |
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In the early days of Lavallette, fire protection consisted
of a hand-powered chemical wagon'. It was housed in a building
situated on a lot located at Reese and Grand Central Avenues owned
by Mr. Charles Garibaldi. The rim of a huge locomotive wheel hung
suspended from railroad ties near this building, and, in case of
fire, an alarm was given by striking this rim with a sledge hammer
which hung nearby. Every able bodied male resident of Lavallette
within hearing distance would respond. The old locomotive rim was
moved in 1959 from the driveway property of Charles Garibaldi,
Jr., where it had been buried for many years, to its present
location in front of the firehouse. On |
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Much was accomplished during the months following the
first organizational meeting. In March the first bylaws of the
company were approved and the first slate of officers was elected. A
lot upon which to build a firehouse was purchased for $465.00. The
location of this lot is known now as In its formative
years, the Company was assisted by a ladies' auxiliary. The ladies
were a great help in the early development of the Company. When the present Borough Hall was erected in 1928, the
Fire Company was allotted space in the new building for a meeting
room and engine room. The Company sold its lot on |
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Also in 1928, steps were taken to have members within
proper age limits join the State Fireman's Association. This
required that the Company be placed under the control of the
Borough Council in regard to approval of new members and elected
officers and disposition of certain equipment. Since that time the
Company has been financed partially through budget appropriations of
the Borough Council. The steady progress of the Company during its early years slowed to a struggle for survival with the advent of the Great Depression in the 1930's. In 1932, an Ahrens Fox fire truck that had been bought in 1930 was returned to the company from which it had been purchased. The Fire Company was unable to meet the required payments. |
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During the depression years, when funds were hard to come
by, the Company operated a miniature golf course on the corner of
Brown and Grand Central Avenues. Funds also were raised through
dues, donations, suppers, raffles, carnivals and benefits. The
Company even pumped holes for bulkheads to raise money.
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Despite the difficult times, the company managed to
survive the depression and the affairs of the Company were
uneventful until the advent of World War II in 1941. The ranks of
the Company were depleted when its younger members entered military
service. During the war years, to help fill the gap, the acceptance
of junior members was authorized and the junior members served with
distinction. The Company was shocked and grieved to learn of the
loss of member Harry Bloom who was killed in action while fighting
in
France. |
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The end of World War II in 1945 brought resurgence in the
Company. The membership was enlarged vastly when many returning
veterans became firefighters. A larger membership in the Company and
the expansion of the Borough soon resulted in the need for larger
quarters. The Borough Council recognized this need and, in 1958, the
present firehouse was erected. In 1962 the organization of a Junior Fire Company was authorized. The junior members, under supervision of the Fire Company, elect their own officers and conduct their own affairs. The juniors have made significant contributions to the overall effectiveness of the Fire Company. A major project has been the restoration of the 1935 Ford Fire Truck. |
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| In 1990 the Ladies Auxiliary of the Lavallette Volunteer Fire Company was organized as a support group of the Company. It assists in any fire emergency by providing food and beverages to the firefighters either at the scene or at the firehouse. It conducts several fund-raisers each year including taking pictures of people on the 1935 Ford apparatus during the Heritage Day festivities. It organizes the visits from Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. The Auxiliary places a wreath at the Veterans' Memorial each year during the Memorial Day services and makes an annual donation to the Fire Company at its annual Installation Dinner. | |
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The firehouse meeting room, besides being used for Fire
Company business and as a polling place for elections, is used five
days a week as a site for the Ocean County Nutrition Project. The Lavallette Fire Company is a well equipped, well-trained fire and rescue operation. Its growth and progress have kept pace with the growth and progress of the Borough. Its officers and members, along with constant in-service training, regularly attend training courses to keep abreast of the latest firefighting techniques. All new members must attend approved fire fighting schools as a condition of membership. A plectron and pager system provides instant communication, unaffected by power failures, to each firefighter. |
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| In 1996 the company was equipped with three fire engine pumpers, an emergency truck, a Ford pick-up truck for Fire Police, a Ford Expedition for use by the Chief and a jet ski. It has a boat rescue squad, and a scuba rescue team. In 1997 the Company received a new 1500 gallon E-One pumper. Its members stand ready twenty-four hours a day, year round, to provide service and protection whenever called upon. |
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Propane Gas Grill and Range Safety Tips
Propane
Grill Do's:
Always use the grill outdoors in a well-ventilated area. Do not bring propane cylinders indoors or into an enclosed space such as a garage or basement.
Always follow all of the manufacturer's instructions and keep written materials and manuals in a safe, accessible place.
Make sure the grill burner controls are turned off. Keep the cylinder valve closed when not in use.
Make sure the gas grill is shut off and cooled off before covering your grill after use.
Always use or store cylinders in an upright, vertical position. Store them outdoors away from sources of ignition.
When you have your cylinder refilled, have your supplier check for dents, damage, rust or leaks.
After filling, take your cylinder home immediately. Keep your vehicle ventilated with the cylinder valve closed and plugged or capped. Do not leave the cylinder in your car.
When your grill is not in use, cover disconnected hose-end fittings and burner air intakes with small plastic bags, or obtain protective fitting caps from your propane supplier to keep out dirt, insects and moisture.
Before lighting your propane gas grill burner, use a leak-detection solution to check all connections for tightness. Contact your local propane gas supplier to obtain the leak-detection solution and instructions on how to use it.
Never use matches or lighters to check for leaks.
If there is a significant and uncontrollable release of gas or a fire, call the fire department immediately and move all people and pets away from the unit.
Propane Grill Don'ts:
Do not smoke while handling the propane cylinder.
Do not leave the cylinder in your vehicle.
Do not use matches or lighters to check for leaks.
Do not allow children to tamper or play with the cylinder or grill.
Do not use, store or transport your cylinder where it would be exposed to high temperatures. (This includes storing spare cylinders under or near the grill.)
Propane Gas Range Do's:
Follow the manufacturer's installation and operating instructions.
Have your unit serviced if the burner flame is not blue. The blue flame indicates complete combustion. A yellow flame means air inlets are clogged or burners need to be adjusted.
Keep pot handles turned inward.
Schedule regular preventive maintenance checks for your appliances.
Keep the range surface clean.
Propane Gas Range Don'ts:
Do not cover the oven bottom with foil - it can restrict air circulation.
Never use gas ranges for space heating.
Never allow children to turn the burner control knobs on your propane gas range.
Do not leave food simmering unattended.
Keep flammable materials away from burner flames.
For more safety information, read the latest CPSC fact sheet on safe grilling. Also, the Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association's Web page on grill safety and trivia provides safety information about all types of grills.
You can also download the latest grill safety booklet from the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC). (Adobe PDF)
Users of small propane tanks can download this safety pamphlet from PERC. This booklet describes the care and maintenance of small propane tanks, especially those used for outdoor grills.
Kitchen Fire Safety
With all that goes on in our lives, it's very easy to forget that you
placed that pan on the stove. It's a very common mistake. You put something
on the stove to cook. Then you get sidetracked. You forget about it until
the fire starts and the smoke alarm goes off. If you're still home, you may
have time to react. But if you've left the house and the pan is still on the
stove, you may not find out about it until you return. By then, if you're
lucky, your neighbors have noticed your house is on fire and called the fire
department!
The following information describes the types of fires you might expect in
the kitchen ... and what to do about them.
Dry Cooking Fires
The most common type of cooking fire is the dry cooking fire. The water or
moisture boils out of the pan and the food left in the pan scorches,
producing smoke. This usually doesn't cause a great deal of damage. The heat
may sometimes damage the surrounding area. The smoke may leave a residue and
an odor. Hopefully a little cleaning up is all it takes.
Grease Fires
The grease fire occurs when oil or grease type foods are heated and ignite.
A grease fire can do significant damage. Open flames can extend to
surrounding cabinets or other combustible items. If unnoticed, a grease fire
can extend to a major house fire, engulfing the entire kitchen, adjacent
rooms or even the attic. This becomes a dangerous life-threatening fire.
Oven Fires
Most of the time an oven fire is not serious. The fire is usually contained in the oven, which is designed for high heat anyway. The oven fire usually suffocates or is easily extinguished.
What to do if there is a kitchen fire.
- In all cases, make sure everyone evacuates the house.
- Call 911 and report the fire.
- If the fire is still very small, you can use a fire extinguisher to try and put it out. But if the fire gets out of control, get out of the house and wait for the fire department to arrive.
Get out and call 911
Family gatherings, entertaining, holiday decorations -- these are but a few of the activities that make the winter holidays so special and memorable. But each of these activities brings with it an element of fire risk. Each year during the winter holiday season, fires occur, often with tragic results. According to statistics available from the National Fire Protection Association, an average of 11 deaths, 93 injuries, and $19.6 million in direct property damage occur each year from Christmas trees that catch fire.
The leading causes of Christmas tree fires and property damage are short circuiting, ground faults, or other electrical failures.
As the holiday season again draws near, following these simple but effective fire prevention tips, both at work and at home, can minimize the possibility of a fire:
Fire Prevention Tips
- Use electrical items (such as Christmas lights or other holiday decorations) that are UL listed and in good condition. At work, check with your building manager to ensure electrical circuits will not be overloaded.
- Never place lights on a metallic tree or metal furniture such as a file cabinet.
- Always unplug the lights before leaving home or going to sleep.
- Never use candles to decorate a tree.
- Open flames such as candles or lanterns are not permitted in in any work location on the Hanford Site.
- At home, use extreme caution when burning candles. Be sure they are placed in sturdy, non-combustible holders, and are kept well away from decorations and other combustible materials. Check candles frequently to make sure they don't burn down too far or drip hot wax. Don't leave children unattended in a room with lit candles.
- Holiday decorations should be made with flame-retardant or non-combustible materials.
- Make sure your holiday tree is at least 3 feet from any heat source and placed so that it doesn't block an exit.
- If purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as fire-retardant.
- Should your workplace decide on a Christmas tree, check with fire or safety representatives to determine if it's permissible. If so, an artificial tree with a fire retardant/flame resistive certification by the manufacturer is recommended.
Holiday Tree Safety
If you choose to use a natural cut trees in your work location, remember these critical points:
- Make sure it is fresh.
- Natural cut trees should be end-cut at an angle to help absorb water, placed in a suitable stand with adequate water. The water level should be checked daily and the tree removed upon evidence of dryness.
- Natural cut trees should not be permitted in assembly occupancies unless the building is fully covered by a sprinkler system.
- They should not obstruct any corridor, exit way, or other means of egress.
- They should not be located near heating vents or other fixed or portable heating devices that could cause the tree to dry out prematurely or to be ignited.
- Be aware that a dry tree is a serious fire hazard. If ignited, it will burn very quickly and with intense heat. Spraying or "flocking" a tree doe snot make it fire-resistive, so be careful. If your tree begins dropping needles, be sure to dispose of it safely. Dried-out trees are very dangerous.
Be Safe Not Sorry
- Holiday wrappings should be removed from the immediate area and discarded in a safe manner.
- As you are cleaning in preparation for your holiday decorating, take the opportunity to vacuum out the interior of your smoke detector. And don't forget to test your smoke detector monthly and make sure it has fresh batteries.
- How old is your smoke detector? The National Fire Protection Association recommends that smoke detectors be replaced every 10 years.
- Use care when disposing of smoking materials. Cigarette butts can smolder if not completely doused in water before disposal. The same is true of fireplace ashes, which can smolder for up to two weeks after a fire.
By considering these simple rules, you can minimize the possibility of a fire at work or at home.
Living in a home without smoke detectors is risky business!
When fire occurs in your home, your chances for survival are two times
better when smoke detectors are present than when they are not.
Smoke detectors, when properly installed and maintained (following the
manufacturer's directions), provide early warning when fires occur. Early
warning increases your chances for survival and allows the fire department
to save more of your property.
In support of smoke detector effectiveness, many cities and states have
laws requiring the installation of smoke detectors in dwellings. Check
with your local fire department or State Fire Marshal for further
information.
Time is crucial. Most fatal fires occur between midnight and 8 a.m. Many
fire victims die in their sleep from breathing smoke and toxic fire gases.
When your smoke detector sounds, you may have 2-1/2 minutes or less to
escape. Develop and Practice a Home Escape Plan.
Installation of smoke detectors
- Electric smoke detectors should be connected to a lighting circuit with no intervening switches. For this, you may need an electrician. Connections using extension-type cords are not permitted.
- Battery-operated models should sound an alert or beeping sound when batteries need replacing. A smoke detector with dead batteries or whose batteries have been removed is no protection at all.
- Dual-power models are available which are electrically powered but contain a battery back-up should there be a power failure.
- Use only those detectors bearing the label of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM). The ceiling is the best mounting location at least six inches away from any walls. If detectors are mounted on the wall, keep them away from corners and at least 6 inches, but no more than 12 inches, from the ceiling to the bottom of the detector.
Help save your life and property from fire
- For minimum protection, install a smoke detector outside each bedroom or sleeping area in your home and keep your bedroom doors closed while you are asleep.
- Keep your smoke detectors properly maintained. Test them at least once each month to insure that the detectors are working properly. Batteries in battery-operated detectors should be changed at least once yearly. Use only the type of batteries recommended on the detector.
- If your smoke detector sounds an alarm when no smoke is present, consult with the manufacturer or with your local fire department. If smoke from cooking materials causes the detector to alarm, do not remove the batteries or disconnect the power source. Simply fan the smoke away from the detector until the alarm stops. If this happens frequently, it may be necessary to relocate the detector or to install a different type of detector.
- Develop an escape plan and review the plan with all members of the family frequently. Be aware that children and elderly people may need special assistance should fire occur. Establish a meeting place outside the house for all members of the family to ensure that everyone gets out of the house. Use a neighbor's telephone to notify the fire department.
Additional tips
- If your smoke detector doesn't work properly, the silence could be deadly.
- Test your smoke detector at least once a month. Push the test button or use smoke.
- Clean your detector at least once a year. Dust with a vacuum cleaner.
- Replace the battery each year. Use the battery type listed on the detector.
Fire Extinguishers
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Even though extinguishers come in a number of shapes and sizes, they all operate in a similar manner. Here's an easy acronym for fire extinguisher use: |
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| Class A Extinguishers will put out fires in ordinary combustibles, such as wood and paper. The numerical rating for this class of fire extinguisher refers to the amount of water the fire extinguisher holds and the amount of fire it will extinguish. |
| Class B Extinguishers should be used on fires involving flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, oil, etc. The numerical rating for this class of fire extinguisher states the approximate number of square feet of a flammable liquid fire that a non-expert person can expect to extinguish. |
| Class C Extinguishers are suitable for use on electrically energized fires. This class of fire extinguishers does not have a numerical rating. The presence of the letter “C” indicates that the extinguishing agent is non-conductive. |
| Class D Extinguishers are designed for use on flammable metals and are often specific for the type of metal in question. There is no picture designator for Class D extinguishers. These extinguishers generally have no rating nor are they given a multi-purpose rating for use on other types of fires. |
Turkey Fryers Safety Tips From Underwriters Laboratories
A longtime food favorite in the southern United States, the delicious deep-fried turkey has quickly grown in popularity thanks to celebrity chefs such as Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse. While some people rave about this tasty creation, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.'s (UL) safety experts are concerned that backyard chefs may be sacrificing safety for good taste.
"We're worried by the increasing reports of fires related with turkey fryer use," says John Drengenberg, UL consumer affairs manager. "Based on our test findings, the fryers used to produce those great-tasting birds are not worth the risks. And, as a result of these tests, UL has decided not to certify any turkey fryers with our trusted UL Mark."
Here's why using a deep-fryer can be dangerous:
- Many units easily tip over, spilling the hot oil within the cooking pot.
- If the cooking pot is overfilled with oil, the oil may spill out of the unit when the turkey is placed into the cooking pot. Oil may hit the burner/flames causing a fire to engulf the entire unit.
- Partially frozen turkeys placed into the fryer can cause a spillover effect. This too, may result in an extensive fire.
- With no thermostat controls, the units also have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion.
- The sides of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles get dangerously hot, posing severe burn hazards.
If you absolutely must use a turkey fryer, here are some tips for safer use:
- Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other material that can burn.
- Never use turkey fryers on wooden decks or in garages.
- Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
- Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you don't watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
- Never let children or pets near the fryer when in use. Even after use, never allow children or pets near the turkey fryer. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot, hours after use.
- To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
- Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
- Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water don't mix, and water causes oil to spill over, causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.
- The National Turkey Federation recommends refrigerator thawing and to allow approximately 24 hours for every five pounds of bird thawed in the refrigerator.
- Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. Remember to use your best judgment when attempting to fight a fire. If the fire is manageable, use an all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call 9-1-1 for help.
