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Fire Department

Smoking Materials Start Another Fire

On Monday, August 27, 2018 at 3:37, units responded to the 4700 block of 20TH RD N, for an activated fire alarm. Upon arrival the building was being evacuated and the fire alarm was sounding.  On investigation, Engine 108 found an activated sprinkler head and light smoke and steam in an apartment on the second floor.  The sprinkler head had extinguished a fire in the living room area. Crews shut off the sprinkler, and assisted residents below the affected apartment with protecting their property from water damage. The Fire Marshal determined the fire was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials.

Safety takeaways:

  1. If you’re going to smoke, do so carefully.
  2. Fully extinguish smoking materials when discarding.
  3. Clean out ash trays regularly to avoid a build up of combustible materials and possible re-ignition.
  4. Keep combustible materials away from and out from under ash trays as they may ignite if the ash tray get’s hot.

Smoking Materials Cause Small Fire and Patient Burns

On Wednesday, August 22, 2018 at 07:14, units responded to 4300 block of Lee Highway for a possible structure fire. Upon arrival Engine 102 found a moderate smoke condition in the involved apartment from a small fire that had been extinguished by the resident. The resident had received burns while putting the fire out, and was treated and transported to the hospital in “Fair” condition for further care. Units ventilated the structure and the fire was deemed to have been started by smoking materials.

Safety takeaways:

  1. If you’re going to smoke, do so carefully, and be sure to fully extinguish and properly discard of smoking materials.
  2. If you’re clothes catch fire, stop drop and roll until the flames are extinguished. Running/walking allows the fire on your clothing to grow and risks spreading the fire to other combustible materials you walk on or by.
  3. When there is a fire in your home, leave your residence closing (unlocked) doors behind you on the way out. When we arrive, we are equipped to safely take care of the situation, it it makes it more difficult if we have to worry about getting occupants out to safety.

 

Fire Chief Retires

Retired Fire Chief James Bonzano and Acting Fire Chief Joseph Reshetar

Fire Chief James Bonzano worked his last day on Friday August 24th. Chief Bonzano closed out a 34 year career serving the county where he was born.

He joined the Arlington County Fire Department (ACFD) in 1984, and has worked in numerous positions in his three decades with the department, eventually being name Fire Chief in May of 2016. He served and led in nearly every section of the department. Bonzano served as Acting Assistant Chief, South Deputy Chief, Personnel Services Section Chief, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Battalion Chief. Following the terrorist attack on the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, he served as the EMS branch director for the emergency response. 

Assistant Chief Joseph Reshetar will serve as the Acting Fire Chief while Arlington County continues it’s search for the new Fire Chief.

Smoke Alarms Alert Neighbors to Ballston Kitchen Fire

On May 15, 2018 at 8:45 a.m. Arlington County Fire Department units were dispatched to the 4800 blk of Fairfax Drive for a structure fire in a townhouse. Working smoke alarms in the home alerted neighbors to the fire, and they called 911.  The home owner was not home when the fire was discovered, but was outside the residence upon arrival of the responding units. EMS112 arrived on scene and reported flames coming from the kitchen window. Enginge 110 stretched their hose line through the front door and knocked the fire down and contained it to the first floor. There was varied smoke damage in the remainder of the residence. The was no extension into the adjacent unit.  No civilian or fire department injuries were reported. The Fire Marshal determined the cause to be accidental, and estimated damages at $160,000.

Arlington County Fire Department wants to remind everyone of the importance of working smoke alarms. This fire could’ve been much worse had the neighbors not heard the early warning from the smoke alarms. Operation Fire Safe puts Arlington County firefighters out in neighborhoods offering home safety checks and installing smoke alarms for residents. If you need us to come and check your smoke alarms or aren’t able to purchase them, give us a call (703-228-4644) and we’ll send some firefighters to your house to assist you.

Please see our website for further information on smoke alarms or home safety checks or give us a call at 703-228-4644.

Smoking Materials Cause Fire Apartment Fire

ACFD units were dispatched at 6:37 a.m. this morning to 820 N. Pollard St. for an activated fire alarm. Engine 102 arrived on scene with smoke showing and a sprinkler activation on the 6th floor. Engine 102 requested an upgraded response for a high rise structure fire. When crews got to the apartment, the fire had been controlled by the sprinkler system. They finished extinguishing the fire and ensured there was no extension. Smoke was then removed from the structure. The apartment resident was transported to the Emergency Room for evaluation for smoke inhalation. No other civilian or firefighter injuries were reported. Residents were allowed to reoccupy the building around 7:30. The response was 15 units including an Engine from Fairfax County. The Fire Marshal determined the cause to be improperly discarded smoking materials. An estimated cost of damages is still being determined.

The Arlington County Fire Department reminds residents to fully extinguish smoking materials and discard them in an appropriate container void of any combustible materials. In this instance, the sprinkler system may have prevented this from becoming much more serious outcome.

Smoking Material Fire Facts

  • The risk of dying in a home structure fire caused by smoking materials rises with age.
  • One out of four fatal victims of smoking-material fires is not the smoker whose cigarette started the fire.

Smoking Safety Tips

Most structure fires, deaths, and injuries occur related to smoking materials occur in the home. Smoking materials are the leading
cause of fire deaths.

Smoking Safety

  • If you smoke, use only fire-safe cigarettes.
  • If you smoke, smoke outside. Most deaths result
    from fires that started in living rooms, family rooms
    and dens or in bedrooms.
  • Keep cigarettes, lighters, matches, and other
    smoking materials up high out of the reach of
    children, in a locked cabinet.

Put It Out.

  • Use a deep, sturdy ashtray. Place it away from
    anything that can burn.
  • Do not discard cigarettes in vegetation such as
    mulch, potted plants or landscaping, peat moss,
    dried grasses, leaves or other things that could
    ignite easily.
  • Before you throw away butts and ashes, make sure
    they are out, and dousing in water or sand is the
    best way to do that.

Recruit Class 75 Graduation

Arlington, VA. – The Arlington County fire Department will hold a graduation ceremony for Fire/EMS Recruit Class 75 on Friday, April 27, 2018 at 6:00 p.m. at Founders Hall Auditorium, George Mason University, 3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22201.

At 30 members strong, Recruit Class 75 is the largest recruit school in Arlington County Fire Department history, and is expected to have a large impact on our currently short staffed operations division. This ceremony will recognize the members of Recruit Class 75 for their hard work and dedication over the past 28 weeks of Fire and EMS instruction. Recruits were challenged both physically and mentally as they earned certifications for Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Hazmat Operations, Emergency Vehicle Operations, Firefighter Rescue, Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) as well as instruction in numerous other applicable topics.

Members of Recruit Class 75, selected by the Fire Training Academy Instructor Cadre, will receive special recognition for:

  • Leadership: Awarded to a recruit who showed exceptional leadership among their peers during the recruit school.
  • Physical Fitness: Awarded to the recruit who ranked highest in the physical fitness assessments conducted during recruit school.
  • Most Improved Physical Fitness: Awarded to the recruit who showed the most improvement in their physical fitness between the initial fitness test conducted at the beginning of school, and the final test held at the end of school.
  • Class Valedictorian: Awarded to the member who achieves the highest academic score in the class.

All class members will be sworn in and receive their badges and helmets to mark their transition into the next phase of their career, Probationary Firefighter.

For those who can’t make it, the  event will be live streamed on YouTube.

 

Winter Fire Safety

Keeping your family safe from fires starts by ensuring you have working smoke alarms and a home fire escape plan. Below are some additional safety tips to keep you safe this winter.

Heating

Heating is the second leading cause of home fires, deaths, and injuries in the United States.

  • Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from any heat source including fireplaces, wood stoves, space heaters, and radiators.
  • Never use an oven to heat your home.
  • Always use a metal or heat-tempered glass screen when using your fireplace.
  • Have your furnace and chimney serviced annually by a qualified professional.
  • Choose space heaters that turn off automatically if they tip over.
  • Turn space heaters off when you leave the room or go to bed.
  • Plug space heaters directly into wall outlets.
Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless and odorless gas. CO poisoning can occur when a fuel-burning appliance or machine, such as a furnace, heater or generator, is not working or vented properly. Breathing in CO at high levels can be fatal.

  • Install at least one CO alarm on every level of your home.
  • Test your CO alarms once a month.

  • Make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove and replace are clear of snow and other debris.

Generators

Portable generators are useful during winter storms, but if not used safely, they can cause injuries and death.

  • Use portable generators outdoors in well-vented areas, away from doors, windows, and vents.
  • Connect appliances to the generator with heavy-duty extension cords.
  • Do not fuel your generator when it is running.
Candles

Remember, a candle is an open flame, which means that it can easily ignite anything that can burn.

  • Consider using flameless candles in your home.
  • Keep candles at least 1 foot from anything that can burn.
  • Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
  • Use candle holders that are sturdy, and won’t tip over easily.
  • Never leave a child alone in a room with a burning candle. Keep matches and lighters up high and out of children’s reach, in a locked cabinet. 
Electrical
  • Electrical work should only be done by a qualified electrician.
  • Inspect and replace damaged cords, broken outlets or loose connections.
  • Don’t overload extension cords or wall outlets.
  • Never use extension cords with appliances. Plug them directly into wall outlets.
  • Do not run electrical cords under rugs or furniture.
  • Do not use extension cords as permanent wiring.

Fireworks

people watching fireworks Photo by Amarnath Tade on Unsplash

On average, 180 people go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday.  [CPSC] The Arlington County Fire Prevention Office wants everyone to enjoy the 4th of July holiday this year by keeping it safe. Fireworks are dangerous and the lighting of fireworks should be left to the experts. We encourage everyone to safely enjoy the public firework displays, this year we must be especially careful at large gatherings. See this guidance from Arlington county – Viewing fireworks safely.

If you plan to use fireworks outside your home, follow these legal and safety tips:

Limitations & Prohibitions

  • Illegal Fireworks include:
    • Fireworks that explode, emit flames or sparks to a distance greater than 12 feet, have a burning fuse less than one and one half (1.5) inches long with a burning rate of less than 4 seconds which emit projectiles.
    • Fireworks that explode in any form, such as firecrackers, mortars and cherry bombs.
    • Fireworks that leave the ground or rise in the air (other than a fountain), such as bottle rockets, mortars or roman candles.
  • The sale of fireworks to minors (less than 18 years of age) is prohibited, unless a parent or legal guardian accompanies the minor.
  • Usage of permissible fireworks by minors (less than 18 years of age) must be under adult supervision.
  • Permissible fireworks shall be used on private property with the permission of the property owner. Use of any fireworks on County, State of Federal property, such as streets, schools and parks, or any public right of way, is prohibited.
  • The penalty for possession, distribution, use or sale of illegal fireworks is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 or 12 months in jail, or both, and confiscation of the fireworks. Parties are subject to additional charges for use of illegal fireworks, such as failure to obtain a Fireworks Permit Application and not being a Virginia State licensed Pyro technician.

Fireworks Safety Tips

  • Keep a minimum clearance of 25 feet from people and buildings.
  • Wet down the area before shooting fireworks.
  • Follow the label directions carefully and use good sense.
  • Buy fireworks only from established retail outlets displaying a valid permit issued by the Arlington County Fire Department Fire Prevention Office.
  • A responsible adult, whom is not under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, must supervise fireworks activities at all times.
  • Never allow young children to handle fireworks.
  • Use fireworks outdoors only, in a clear area, away from buildings and vehicles.
  • Light only one a time and then move away.
  • Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
  • Keep a garden hose nearby or a bucket of water to place used fireworks in. Let them soak to ensure extinguishment before placing in regular trash for pickup.

Conditions for the storage and handling of permissible fireworks

  1. Application for fireworks permit application shall be filed with the Fire Prevention Office, accompanied with a certificate of liability insurance, with minimum limits as defined in Section 3308.1 Arlington County Fire Prevention Code.
  2. All fireworks shall have prior approval by the Fire Prevention Division before they can be stored or sold.
  3. All fuses of individual fireworks shall be taped to prevent their easy ignition while being displayed for sale. If the fireworks are displayed under glass; in sealed containers or bags; in box lots, or in some similar manner, the fuses need not be taped. The fuses shall be hard-coated or slow burning and in compliance with code. Quick match fuses are prohibited.
  4. Projectile type fireworks, fireworks which explode, or fireworks emitting sparks or flames for a distance greater than 12 feet are prohibited. All illegal fireworks shall be confiscated and the person responsible will be charged with violation of County law, maximum $2,500.00 fine and one year in jail.
  5. There shall be a competent person, at least 18 years of age, in charge of and working in each location at all times.
  6. “No Smoking” signs shall be placed every 10 feet of sales area (minimum of 3 signs) and located where they are visible to persons approaching the stand. Smoking will be prohibited in a radius of twenty-five (25) feet of the fireworks display. Signs must depict the International No Smoking logo.
  7. One Class 2-A water type extinguisher or an approved ABC multi-purpose type extinguisher must be provided for every 100 square feet of sales area. Extinguishers shall be identified by a sign and mounted in a visible and accessible location.
  8. Stands containing 1000 lbs or less of fireworks shall not be less than 30 feet from any structure or within 20 feet of any right-of-way line or street. Stands located within 100 feet of any building or structure, shall have the side or sides enclosed, which face the exposed structure. Enclosure shall be of approved substantial material that will satisfactorily deflect the discharge of any fireworks. Space underneath open display tables or counters shall be kept free of storage of any kind. Distances for quantities greater than 1000 lbs shall be approved by the Fire Marshal on a case by case basis.
  9. No stand shall be located on property where Class I or II flammable liquids are stored or within 100 feet of where dispensed.
  10. A distance of at least 25 feet from the stand or building shall be kept clear of any brush, undergrowth or combustible material, capable of spreading fire.
  11. No fireworks permit application will be issued until final approval from the Building and Electrical inspectors have been received. It shall be the responsibility of the stand operator to call for an inspection from the Fire Prevention Office (703-228-4644).
  12. No sale of fireworks to minors (less than 18 years of age).

For More Information

Fire Prevention Office
1020 N. Hudson St., Arlington, VA 22201
703-228-4644
703-228-4655 (fax)

 

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Contact Us

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703-558-2222 (Non-emergency requests)
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