Open Burning

Open burning restrictions are in effect throughout Delaware from May 1-Sept. 30, with Sussex County now included in the statewide ban. This five-month timeframe is considered the Ozone Season.

Open burning is restricted in Delaware for any refuse, including but not limited to old lumber, trash or garbage, grass and tree stumps. The burning of leaves is banned year round. Burning of cut or fallen branches, limbs or shrubbery trim from a residence is allowed throughout the state from October to April, except when the State Fire Marshal issues a ban on all outdoor burning.

Delawares Air Quality Management Regulation 1113 defines open burning as:

Any outdoor fire or outdoor smoke producing process from which the products of combustion are emitted directly into the ambient air. This does not include incinerators, boilers, or heaters used in process operations.

Five types of open burning activities are covered by Delawares Open Burning Regulation:
1.Domestic burning of small amounts yard/garden debris by a homeowner.
2.Recreational burning such as cooking fires (BBQs), campfires
(patio fire pits) or ceremonial bonfires (by organized groups).
2.Demolition of structures by intentional burning according to
firefighting instruction.
3.Prescribed burns for forest and land management, and
Agricultural burns for crop residue, field maintenance and land
clearing.

For more information please contact Kristoffer Gontkovsky at 302-739-9402 or kristoffer.gontkovsk@state.de.us

On 4/29/2008 at 1719hrs, the Odessa Fire Company, along with NCC Medic 5D and DSP Trooper 4, were dispatched to the Grandview Farms neighborhood for an MVC with a vehicle into a house and a report of a subject not alert. This was soon upgraded to a cardiac arrest upon the arrival of 248C (Boseman). B4 arrived simultaneously and began CPR. The AutoPulse automated CPR device, that OFC is in the process of a trial study, was placed into service. Engine 4-6 arrived with 4-8B(Schulze) in command and hand stretched a line for protection while crews from B4, M5D, Trooper 4, Rescue 24 performed patient care and structure evaluation. Deputy 24(McCanney) was passed command upon his arrival and Assistant Chief Schulze handled operations. The patient was transported to CER via B4 and M5D and while en-route the patients condition improved. A29(Port Penn) was requested for two additional patients that were not initially on scene. Code enforcement was requested and declared the structure unsafe for occupancy. All units were clear by 1850hrs. Also a special thanks to NCC Structural/Collapse Technician Eric Haley for his assistance on scene.

Stations 4/24 and Station 15 (Delaware City) were dispatched for a L2 Tractor Trailer Fire on Route 1 NB near the C and D Canal. Engine 4-5 arrived to find an overheated vehicle hauling onions. The scene was placed under control and all units went avaliable. Units Responding: Engine 4-5, Tanker 24, Engine 15-5, Engine 15-4, OFC Fire Police and DSP.

Members of the OFC took in some hybrid vehicle training taught by I-CAR and State Farm Insurance. I-CAR is an international non profit organization that teaches body shops how to safely install and handle vehicle supplemental restraint systems. 2nd VP Morsberger, who works for State Farm Insurance, provided a Toyota Prius for a hands on demonstration of the hybrids SRS and electrical systems. Members were given an illustrated lecture and shown various live air bag deployments. We hope to have this class again in the future.

The OFC was dispatched for an L1 Residential Fire at 18:47hrs in the area of Belts Road. Units arrived on scene to find an operating 2-1/2 story wood frame lights house. Firefighters investigated an automatic alarm in the basement. 4-8-B(Schulze) placed the scene under control at 19:10hrs returning Engine 24-3, Engine 4-5 and Tanker 24.

On April 9th, 2008 the Odessa Fire Company held an in-service on Zoll’s AutoPulse automated CPR device. These types of devices have been approved by the Delaware OEMS on a trial basis. 20+ members attended this in-service and valuable information was gained. The units will be placed into service next week. We hope that these devices provide positive feedback and become part of both patient care and provider safety. Please stop any of our members if you see the AutoPulse in use, or contact our station for more information on the device and its’ uses.

Auto Design and Extrication Forum
Hosted by the Odessa Fire Company, Station 24

Recent advancements in automotive manufacturing technology and design of hybrid vehicles are posing new challenges to rescue personnel. As part of a regional awareness effort, The Odessa Fire Company is hosting an educational forum to addresses these challenges.

We would like to invite you and members of your respective department to a special informational forum on Saturday, April 19th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at The Odessa Fire Company, Station 24.

Please reply by as soon as you can if you or any members of your department are interested in attending this forum so that we may reserve space for your group. Contact Chief Tim Lynch at (302) 293-9090 or via e-mail at www.TLynch@ofc424.com

This workshop will include valuable information on advanced automotive technology. These include hybrid vehicles, air bag systems, exotic metals and materials used in vehicle construction, and other high-tech concerns facing your department.

This will be a forum that is designed to share and provide information, it will not teach extrication. You will learn tips on what steps are needed to ensure the personal safety of EMS crews, rescue extrication crews, and crash victims associated with these new advanced vehicle technologies.

1. Precautionary measures when approaching hybrid vehicles involved in crashes in order to avoid injury and unnecessarily delay the rescue
2. Restraint systems including accidental deployment of air bags, seatbelt canisters, and other advance vehicle restraints
3. High-tech vehicle construction materials and exotic metals such as Boron and newly developed high strength steels.

We will also have props/examples of air bags, restraint systems and exotic metals on display and available to examine and discuss. In addition, there will be a demonstration were live frontal and side impact air bags will be deployed.

On behalf of the Officers and Members of the Odessa Fire Company, we look forward to seeing you and hosting this as the first of many forums to exchange valuable information. We strongly encourage representation from you and members of your Fire Company.

Tim Lynch, Chief and Training Officer- Odessa Fire Company

Location 1 is Sta.24, Location 2,3,4 is "Gateway"

Today in the News Journal an article on the new complex that has started being built on Middletown Odessa Road and Brick Mill known as "Gateway" will bring the a large apartment complex to the Odessa fire district. The complex will have 22 - Three story apartment buildings, each consisting of 24 units that will have integral automobile garages. The chief’s office is working on receiving the plans and a copy will be available for all to view. The project according to the News Journal will also have a 180,000 square feet commercial / retail center that will include a day care and retail stores for your shopping needs. This land is over 108 acres and starts at Delaware Route 1 and continues for over 1/2 a mile to Brick Mill Road. The builder for this project is Rick Woodin of Wilmington, Delaware who is also the same builder for "Parkside" (a very large residential neighborhood) off of Marl Pit Road and Cedar Lane Road in the Volunteer Hose district.

0743hrs, The OFC was alerted to a Motor Vehicle Crash with injuries at the intersection of Hyetts Corner Road and DuPont Parkway. (29-8) Chief Schoeffler of the Port Penn Fire Company was on scene moments after the crash and found a two vehicle MVC with one person pinned by the drivers door. BLS B-4 arrived within two minutes after dispatched and requested a second BLS. Rescue 24 under the command of Captain Rogers arrived and removed the driver’s side door of the pinned driver. Captain Rogers placed the scene under control at 0843hrs. OFC Units on scene: Ambulance B-4 and A-24, Rescue 24 and OFC Fire Police.

1413hrs, The OFC, Engine Co 29(PPVFC), Ladder Co. 15(DCFC), Engine Co. 1/27(VHC), and Tanker Co. 2(Chesapeake City) were dispatched to Pheasant Drive for a residential fire. Ambulance A27 arrived on scene prior to any fire apparatus and reported New Castle County Police had extinguished a stove fire using a dry chemical extinguisher. Lieutenant 24(Lynch) had the Mount Hope command and held to Engine 24-3, Engine 4-5 and Engine 29-4.
Units that responded: Engine 24-3, Engine 4-5, Rescue 24, Engine 29-4, Engine 27-5, Ladder 15 and Tanker 2(due to Tanker 24, 26 and 29 being O.O.S.)

The OFC was dispatched at 11:28am for a Motor Vehicle Crash with injuries in the area of Middletown Odessa Road and Route 1. Units arrived on scene to find a two vehicle crash. One patient was transported to Christiana Hospital by B.L.S. A-24. Captain 24 (Rogers) had command and placed the scene under control at 11:40am.
Units on scene, Rescue 24, Engine 4-6, B.L.S. A-24, Deputy 24, 24-8 and OFC Fire Police

On Thursday April 3, 2008 members of the OFC traveled to Washington, DC to take part in the Congressional Fire Service Institute (CFSI) National fire service and emergency services dinner. CFSI is designed to educate members of Congress about the needs and challenges of our nation’s fire and emergency services so that the federal government provides the types of training and funding needed by our first responders.
During this great night numerous fire and emergency services workers were recognized by congress for their out standing dedication to the fire service. At the end of the evening a special painting was preformed by Michael Israel that was auctioned off for $15,000 dollars. The cash received from the painting benefited CFSI.
"HERO" video attached

Information coutesty of DSP- The Delaware State Police Aviation Section has placed a new Bell 412 EP Helicopter in service this week. The 412 EP is a twin engine aircraft with a larger frame. The ship will allow for increased lifting and patient transport capabilities.

As the aircraft is larger and has increased rotor wash, larger landing zones will be required as compared to the current 407’s flown by the Section. Fire companies will be contacted by the Aviation Section soon regarding hands on training with this new aircraft.

The radio designation for the new ship will be the same as is currently used, but with the suffix "heavy". For example, if the 412 is stationed in Georgetown, the radio designation will be Trooper - 2 heavy. If it is station in Middletown, the designator will be Trooper - 4 heavy.

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The officers and members of the OFC look forward to participating with DSP Aviation in our area. Look for more pictures coming soon as we work with DSP.

Below are some links attached on the information of the Bell 412 EP, and here is a link to the youtube video of DSP’s Bell 412 at the Heli Expo 2008 - http://youtube.com/watch?v=EzqzBZm_1sM (All photos courtesy of www.rotorwingflight.com at the Heli Expo 2008)

Over the past week, 8 members from the OFC spent a few days in Baltimore, Maryland. This trip was possible due to EMS Supervisor Aber notifying the active crew of the educational possibilities and continuing emergency medical training. Members were able to attend numerous seminars and speeches on today’s EMS topics and procedures. They were also able to attend the JEMS Games and "cheer on" Delaware’s Advance Life Support teams from New Castle County and Sussex Paramedics Divisions.
Special thanks to the EMS Supervisor David Aber for setting up the opportunity.

0924hrs, The OFC was alerted to Station 1 (Cecilton, Maryland) for a Tanker Cover Up. Tanker 24 responded under the command of Captain Hensley. The Tanker was in service for over 3 hours while crews from Cecilton assisted Elkton Fire Company on a structure fire.