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Bookmark & ShareRural Residential Home Fire - 2812 45 Ave SE - December 19, 2009
Rochester firefighters responded to a residential house fire in Marion Township at 2812 45th Ave SE at 7:37 PM. While in route heavy smoke and an orange glow was seen from approximately one mile away. A second alarm was requested by Battalion Chief Tim Bangert. On arrival firefighters found a multi-level single family dwelling with an attached garage that was completely engulfed in fire. Two vehicles, one inside the other outside the garage, were also on fire. The fire was beginning to spread to the house.
Firefighters battled the blaze for nearly 4 hours, using water trucked in by tanker in order to stop the fire from completely destroying the home. The Fire Department was on the scene for nearly six hours total. Twelve off duty firefighters were called in to staff reserve engines at the fire stations and cover the city during that time. The fire is believed to have started in the garage, which was a total loss including the two vehicles. A dormer above the kitchen area of the house was also severely damaged. Fire damage to the structure and contents loss is estimated in excess of $200,000.
Battalion Chief Tim Bangert said the actual cause has not yet been determined and it remains under investigation.The couple and their son were outside when firefighters arrived and there were no injuries to the residents or firefighters. The family will not be able to stay in the home until repairs are made. The Red Cross is assisting the family until they are able to find temporary accommodations.
Firefighters Sworn in - December 16, 2009
Three recently hired firefighters have completed recruit training and were sworn in by City Clerk Judy Sherr at Fire Station One Wednesday morning, December 16. Mayor Ardel Brede and Fire Chief Greg Martin addressed the gathering of firefighters, family and friends who were on hand to mark the occasion and see them receive their badges. The three are now assigned to their respective station crews and will begin serving regular shift duties.
Pictured are Chief Martin, Firefighters Kris Clark, Brandon Hageman, Nick Wiese and Recruit Training Captain, David Worstman.
Cold Weather and Water Pipes
The Rochester Fire Department wants to remind building owners to keep temperatures above 50 degrees in areas containing water pipes. This past week we read about a local apartment building that received heavy water damage when a fire sprinkler pipe frozen and burst in an elevator shaft.
When cold weather hits, ambient interior room temperatures may drop around exterior doorways, above ceiling areas or crawl spaces amd water pipes in these areas can easily freeze. When the weather warms up the pipes thaw out and significant water damage can result. It is especially important to keep building areas that are protected with automatic fire sprinklers well heated, possibly with supplimental heat during below zero weather. These lines do not normally flow water and a frozen pipe may go undetected initially and has the potential to cause more water damage when a break occurs.
The old addage "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is very much in play on this subject. Easy remidies include:
- Leave a door adjar or other opening into heated areas.
- Suspend automatic thermostatic temperature set backs on weekends and nighttimes.
- Add a area space heater during severe cold periods.
- DO NOT US Heat tape to wrap Sprinkler pipes!
- Vacant buildings protected by fire sprinklers must be kept heated.
- Insure someone is checking the temperature at regular intervals in areas sussptable to freezing
Fire Department Needs Your Help!
With the recent major snow fall, the Rochester Fire Department would like to remind citizens to shovel out fire hydrants when clearing their sidewalks and driveways of snow. When shoveling hydrants firefighters ask that you provide at least 3 feet clear space around the hydrant and provide a clear path from the roadway to the hydrants.
- There are approximately 7,000 fire hydrants within the city limits of Rochester and many are easily covered by drifted and plowed snow.
- Precious minutes can be lost at a fire when firefighters have to locate and dig out fire hydrants before they can connect to it.
- Covering a hydrant with snow piles or allowing hydrants to be obstructed by snow is a violation of the Fire Code and the property owner can be liable.
By doing your part, you could be helping to save your property and that of your neighbors as well as helping to protect loved ones.
“Be a neighborhood hero, shovel your neighborhood hydrants.” Your firefighters appreciate your help!
New Promotions - November 24, 2009
Pictured is Chief Martin with BC Kerska and BC Bangert at the promotional Ceremony on November 11.
Captain Tim Bangert was promoted to Battalion Chief, filling a vacancy resulting from the retirement of Battalion Chief Rick Lovett. Bangert joined the Department June 1989, was promoted to Lieutenant/Inspector November 1993 and promoted to Captain in November 1998.
Captain Eric Kerska was promoted to Battalion Chief and assigned to the Training Division. Kerska joined the Department May 1994 and was promoted to Captain January 2000.
Other Promotions
Firefighter David Fitzgerald was promoted to Captain, filling the vacancy left by Chief Bangert's promotion. Motor Operator Gary Kittleson will be promoted to Captain following the upcoming retirement of Captain Mark Keefe at the end of November and Firefighter Craig Connelly will then be promoted to Motor Operator replacing Kittleson.
Battalion Chief Richard Lovett Retirement
Battalion Chief Richard (Rick) Lovett retired October 31, 2009 after 30 years of service with the Rochester Fire Department. Following in the steps his father Captain Robert Lovett, Rick joined the department in 1979 at age 23. His son Tom also is a Rochester Firefighter making three generations of firefighting Lovetts.
Lovett said “It was time to retire. It really is a young person's job but it's been a really rewarding career." "It’s about helping people on the worst day of their lives." Much has changed over the years. “In 1979, there were no cell phones and no computers." Today, there are computers in every vehicle that allow firefighters to get information about a building before they arrive. Today the Rochester Fire Department is a regional hazardous materials response team, does technical rescue and every member is an Emergency Medical Technician. Lovett was closely involved and largely responsible to the development of the fire department EMS program.
When asked, Lovett says he has no immediate plans for the future but simply says “I’m retiring.”
National Fire Prevention Week
National Fire Prevention Week occurrs each year during the week of October 9th to conincide with the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and is intended to promote fire prevention and home fire safety. The Great Chicago fire was a conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres.
This year Rochester Fire Fighters will be conducting an open house at Fire Station 4, 1875 41 St NW on Saturday, October 10, 2009 from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. There will be fire equipment demonstrations, fire extingusiher training, Sparky's Fire Safety House, fire hats for the kids and refreshments provided by local businesses.
Please come and meet your fire fighters and learn more about how to "Stay Fire Smart! Don't Get Burned!".
Click on this link for more information about National Fire Prevention Week 2009.
/departments/fire/FirePrevention/FirePreventionWeek.asp
Good Samaritans Extinguish Fire
A passerby, Mitch Olson discovered and reported a fire on an apartment building at about 9:40 am Monday morning. He was driving in the area of Easthaven Apartments at 1532 10 St. SE, when he saw the smoke from a fire. He drove to the building and called 911 to report the fire which was on the exterior of the building about 10 feet above the ground on a small section of roof over an entranceway.
At about the same time two employees for Himec Company were working nearby and also saw the fire. Dean Bauer and Darin Breza came a running. They did not have a fire extinguisher available so they asked a nearby waste hauler Ted Lange, to use the extinguisher from his truck. With the fire high up on the wall, Darin Breza crawled up a ladder to reach the fire and discharged the fire extinguisher. Roofing workers who had gone for water returned and Dean Bauer used the water to cool the area around the window of an apartment above the fire, to keep it from extending inside.
On arrival fire fighters determined that the fire had been extinguished and they made certain that there was no extension into the interior of the building. There was smoke inside one of the apartments but fire damage was limited to an estimated $5000. The cause of the fire was determined to be due to heat from a propane torch used by the roofing contractor igniting roofing tar.
All of these good Samaritans Mitch Olson, Daren Breza, Dean Bauer, and Ted Lange are to be commended for stepping up and taking the extra effort to report the fire and work together to extinguish it before it could get a chance to grow. Their actions prevented further damage to the building and increased risk of injury to the residents
Fire Safety Tip - Use of open flames around combustible materials such as wood framing, siding and insulation materials must be done with great care, taking precautions to have a portable fire extinguisher or a water hose nearby. Also it is important to keep a "fire watch" for 4 to 6 hours following any work involving an open flame to insure any sparks or embers do not smolder and ignite combustible material.
Fire Marshal Swisher - EFO Graduation
Rochester Fire Marshal Vance Swisher recently completed the Excutive Fire Officer program at the National Fire Academy, in Emmitsburg, MD and has been confered the title of Executive Fire Officer from the United States Fire Administration, Department of Homeland Security. This high level of achievement is only awarded to fire service officers following completion of the Executive Fire Officer program course of studies and applied research projects at the National Fire Academy. Fire Chief Greg Martin made the certificate presentation today before the Fire Civil Service Commission, at their regular meeting.
Fire Marshal Swisher is a 10 year veteran of the Rochester Fire Department serving first in the Fire Prevention Bureau as a Fire Protection Specialist and the past 3 years as Fire Marshal. He is a graduate of Oklahoma State University with a degree in Fire Protection Engineering and a Masters Degree in Emergency Management Administration.
His colleagues, family and the members of the Rochester Fire Department wish to extend our congratulations to Fire Marshal Swisher on this great achievement.
Falls Prevention Coalition Receives Award – August 18, 2009
The Rochester/Olmsted Falls Prevention Coalition received the Age and Disabilities Odyssey Community Award at the 2009 conference, Tuesday, in Rochester. The coalition was recognized for its multi-agency program to reduce falls by seniors and others at risk for falls in Rochester and Olmsted County. The coalition is currently made up of representatives from Rochester Fire Department, Olmsted County Community Services and Public Health Services, Elder Care Network, Golden Living Center, Mayo Clinic, Olmsted Medical Group, Senior Center, SE MN Area Agency on Aging and Volunteers in Public Safety (VIPS).
The program sprung from a 2005 National Fire Academy research paper on unintentional deaths in Olmsted County by Jeff Leland, then Administrative Services Manager for the Fire Department. His research found Olmsted County to have the greatest incidence of fall related deaths than any other county in the state. The coaltion began meeting in fall of 2005 with a common goal to reduce the number of accidental deaths and injuries to seniors by falls in Olmsted County using three initiatives.
- Work to assist seniors to remain living independently through falls prevention.
- Improve individual quality of life through reduced accidental injury.
- Reduce demand to emergency and medical services through falls prevention.
The Rochester Fire Department hopes to reduce the number of fall injury calls by working with the coalition through early identification of people at risk for falls in their homes. Through this program of public education, information and free Home Fire Safety Surveys of senior’s homes by VIPS volunteers, we hope to help seniors preserve their independence and remain in their homes longer.
For more information on the Rochester/Olmsted Falls Prevention Coalition you can contact Deputy Fire Chief Lyle Felsch. To request a copy of a free DVD, “Slips, Trips and Broken Hips” you can call Olmsted County Community Services at 507-328-7500.
Rochester Fire Department Awards Ceremony
Rochester Fire Chief Greg Martin assisted by Mayor Ardell Brede, presented citizens awards and department commendations Tuesday in the City Hall Atrium. Pictured are Captain Jeff Berning, Fire Fighter Mike Rybarczyk, Chief Martin and Battalion Chief Chuck Hermann. Berning and Rybarczyk were awarded the department Unit Commendation for their rescue of Keith Nelson from his home during a fire on April 26, 2009. Mr Nelson is recuperating from his burns was able to attend the ceremony and meet his rescuers for the first time.
Captain Chris Bailey was awarded the Chief's Commendation Award for his actions as officer in charge of the mutual aid response to St. Charles, MN for the North Star Foods fire on April 17, 2009. He is recognized for his leadership, exemplary performance and "highly creditable accomplishment bringing credit to himself and the Rochester Fire Department as a result of training and devotion to duty and service to the public."
A Citizen Life Saver Award was presented to Rosemary Thomas for her actions giving the alarm and alerting occupants of her apartment house about a fire in a first floor apartment, on May 28, 2009. Despite heavy smoke in the building she ran through the halls on all three levels giving the alarm and when forced out by smoke continued to knock on windows and shout to occupants of the upper floors, while fire fighters were enroute to the fire.
Jeff Gursky and Jamie Hodenfield were awarded the department Good Citizen Award for their actions at a exterior deck fire that occurred on May 20, 2009. Gursky discovered the fire and Jamie Hodenfield extinguished the fire with a garden hose prior to the arrival of the Fire Department. Their early discovery and prompt actions prevented the fire from spreading into the house and undoubtedly prevented significant property damage to their neighbor's home.
Unattended Cooking Fire - August 14, 2009
Rochester Fire fighters responded to a report of a fire in a two story, fourplex residential building at 715 32 Court NE, at 5:20 pm on Thursday, August 13th. On arrival they found the residents of the building already outside and smoke inside of a second floor apartment. The fire was located in the kitchen on the stovetop and was extending up the wall and cupboards above.
Fire fighters extinguished the fire and ventilated the smoke from the apartment. The fire damage was limited to the stove, wall, exhaust hood and cupboards above. There was smoke damage to ceilings and walls of the kitchen and appartment. Smoke detectors had activated.
The resident said "I had put grease in a pan on the stove and turned the burner on low to warm up. Then I left it unattended for about 10 minutes to go and pick up my wife from work." Neither the occupant or his wife were injured and both refused medical treatment.
Fire Safety Tip -The Minnesota State Fire Marshal's office reports that "unattended cooking" is one of the leading causes of accidental fires in the home. Rochester Fire Department reminds everyone to stay in the kitchen when cooking. If you need to leave or take a phone call, turn off burners and remove cooking pans from the stove until you can return and give full attention to the cooking task at hand.
Blood Pressure Awareness Month - “Stop, Drop and Control”
Mayor Brede declares August “Blood Pressure Awareness Month”. Rochester fire fighters IAFF Local 520 members Tim Bangert, Josh Peterson and Mike Schultz join Mayor Ardell Brede on the steps of City Hall following the Mayor’s proclamation ceremony.
Rochester fire fighters and the MN Professional Fire Fighters have joined with Novartis Pharmaceuticals in partnership with CardioVision 2020 to raise awareness of the risks of high blood pressure with an educational program called “Stop, Drop and Control”.
Fire fighting is a high stress physical occupation and we recognize the importance of staying fit and identifying and managing high blood pressure. We encourage all Minnesotans to get screened and take action to manage their blood pressure.
Seven Hour Natural Gas Leak - August 4, 2009
Tuesday August 8th, Fire units responded to a natural gas leak in the area of 600 NW 11 Avenue at 2:35 pm. On arrival, fire fighters found a road construction grader had struck a steel gas main in an area of 11 Ave NW which was under construction, south of 7 St. NW. A loud hissing sound could be heard, indicated a significant leak.
Fire Incident Command established a perimeter, blocking vehicle and pedestrian traffic in and out of the area. Police assisted fire fighters in the evacuation of nearby businesses within the established perimeter area at risk for accidental ignition and explosion. The Public Safety Command Van was brought to the scene and set up as a command center to coordinate the multi-agency effort to mitigate the emergency.
Minnesota Energy was notified and requested to respond. All road work construction equipment was shut down. Gas company workers determined the line was a six-inch gas main operating at 72 psi with significant damage to the steel pipe. At about 4:00 pm repair workers felt the leak had been controlled by closing off three shutoff valves. However they learned gas was still flowing from a fourth line. Workers were forced to install special valving which took an additional 4 hours of digging and repair work to accomplish.
"It was such a large line, and of such high pressure, there was a tremendous amount of gas coming out." said Rochester Fire Marshal Vance Swisher. Businesses evacuated included the Northgate Health Club, Subway, Taco John's Northgate Shopping Center, Hunan Garden restaurant and Super America convenience store shut off its gas pumps, though the business was allowed to stay open.
The natural gas leak was finally shut down by 9:35 pm however fire crews remained were on the scene until 10:17 pm. Twelve off duty fire fighters were called in to staff the fire stations and respond to other calls. There were eight other calls for service during the time this call was going on, including two other smaller gas leaks, a building fire and 4 emergency medical calls.
Fire Sprinklers Save Lives, Property and Jobs
Fire fighters were summoned to the Jampachi Japanese Restaurant at 3160 NE Wellner Dr. on Tuesday July 7th by an automatic fire sprinkler alarm. On arrival no smoke or flames were showing externally but smoke was evident inside the kitchen area of the restaurant and fire fighters found stacks of smoldering linens on a storage rack. A fire had been controlled by the automatic sprinkler system. Fire fighters removed the smoldering debris and assisted the restaurant staff by ventilating the smoke and clean up. The owners were instructed to contact their sprinkler contractor to replace the fused sprinkler head and restore the automatic sprinkler system.
The smoke and fire were a result of spontaneous combustion. Restaurant employees had folded and stacked freshly laundered cotton towels for storage while they were still warm from the dryer. Though laundered, the linens still contained residue of the natural cooking oils. This combination of folded and stacked cotton towels with the natural oil residue provided a perfect condition for spontaneous combustion by decomposition of the natural fibers
Fire Sprinklers Save Lives, Property and Jobs! ~ This fire, which occurred inside a business and building valued at more than a million dollars, was controlled by a single fire sprinkler head and automatic alarm. There was minimal water discharge, limiting damage to a few thousand dollars of replaceable contents and clean up. As a result this restaurant was able to reopen for business within days, saving jobs and money, instead of closing down for weeks or months while the damaged building was rebuilt.
Preventing Spontaneous Combustion ~ Cotton or natural fibers cloths containing any type of natural oils (vegetable, mineral oil, etc.) should be either allowed to air out by hanging on a rack or be placed inside of an air tight metal container with a tight fitting lid. In the case of laundering these type of cloths, they should be laid out and allowed to cool after removal from the dryer before folding or storage.
June 15, 2009 - New Air Packs Place Into Service
The Rochester Fire Department recently placed 48 new Scott Air Packs into service, one for each of the seated positions of all front line fire trucks. This new equipment was purchased with funds provided through the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, Assistance to Fire Fighters Grant program. The total amount of the Federal portion of the grant was for $186,240 and the City of Rochester is required to contribute 20% of the total in matching funds or $46,560. This came at a very critical time, since the department had included $275,000 in the 2009 annual budget for this expenditure. The approval of this grant allowed the Fire Department to trim $228,440 from its 2009 approved budget, to aid in the needed budget cuts.
The new air packs will bring the Rochester Fire Department into full compliance with the latest National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1981on Self-contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). This is a very important investment in firefighter safety. The new units have the universal rapid intervention team (RIT) connection, accountability (PASS) system, and improved clarity voice communication devices. Further the manufacturer was able to provide 3 spare air bottles for each of the 48 air packs within their bid.
Congratulations to Rochester Fire Administrative Manager, Curt Pronk who authored the AFG grant request and administered the bid process and delivery of this very important addition to our fire fighter's tool box.
March 17, 2009 - Citizen Award
RFD presented a Citizen Life Saver Award at a brief ceremony prior to the School Board Meeting on March 17, 2009.
Allison Benike, a sixth grade Social Studies teacher at John Adams Middle School, was awarded the Citizen Life Saver Award "for life saving actions in the successful performance of the Heimlich Maneuver" on one of her students February 27, 2009.
In making the nomination, William MacMonegle, the student's father and a Rochester Fire Captain, noted that "Ms. Benike performed a flawless Heimlich Maneuver", dislodging the jaw breaker and allowing him to breath".
In giving the award, RFD applauds Ms. Benike for acting quickly and effectively using first aid training she had received, likely saving the child's life and removing the need for further emergency medical response.