O’Fallon fire rescue promotes prevention — not just this week but all year

Just as it has since 1891, O’Fallon Fire Rescue has the public’s safety always in mind. Fire Chief Brad White said the volunteer firefighters make time for community outreach and dispensing information to help reduce damage.

That is why they will be on hand this week to mark the annual Fire Prevention Week with special demonstrations and citizen interaction as they do every October, White said. The final open house will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, at Fire House No. 4, 1215 Taylor Road. Additional open houses took place Tuesday, Oct. 11, and Wednesday, Oct. 12.

They will have demonstrations — using a Smoke House simulation and a live fire, to show how unattended, a fire can get out of control. The fire trucks will be present, including an antique vehicle, and a bounce house will be set up for kids to have fun.

People can often spot fire personnel on hand at community events, too — CityFest, Touch a Truck, and downtown festivals.

The department provides protection beyond the city to Shiloh and rural areas of the O’Fallon, Shiloh Valley, Caseyville, and St. Clair townships. It’s a 44-square mile district and services are handled by 45 dedicated volunteers and five full-time employees, including the chief.

White, who has been fire chief since December 2018, began as a firefighter in 2006, and was named the department’s Firefighter of the Year in 2009, 2011 and 2016. He spent 28 years working for the U.S. Department of Defense, retiring as an intelligence specialist with the Naval Criminal Investigation Services, and is a Marines Corp. veteran.

Going into the schools is very important, to teach students more about prevention, White noted. They will visit 15 local schools from September to November.

“We do fire drills and school assemblies,” he said. “The more we can go out and do things in the community, teach kids about the importance of fire safety, the better.”

Helping the elderly with smoke alarm installation, changing batteries, talk about chimney cleaning and inspections, and train about fire extinguishers are some services they offer.

Recruitment Efforts

“We’re looking for people with a passion to serve,” states the website.

To meet the needs of one of the fasted growing areas in southern Illinois, the department is focused on attracting volunteers so they can maintain a high level of rapid response. Firefighters go through an education and training process.

“We’re always looking for more people,” White said. “Because we are volunteer, we don’t have any paid career firefighters. Some only stay three to five years, and then they start having families, or get busier, or move.”

One of the newest marketing plans is to put QR code stickers on the fire vehicles, so people can scan it to find out more about the department. Applications can be found on the department website, www.ofallonfire.com.

“Our stickers are still being printed. We haven’t got them onto the trucks quite yet,” White said.

More about recruitment

White said they reach out to military personnel on Scott Air Force Base. Applicants must go through a background check and can’t have any felonies. Those interested are encouraged to watch and observe the department’s training sessions every Tuesday night.

“Recruits need to have 240 hours of training,” he said — in the classroom and hands-on. They work with the University of Illinois Fire Science Institute.

Firefighters also take classes in water rescue and help with disaster drills.

Keeping up with technology is important, White noted. Drones are now used in same cases, but the FAA requires that anyone operating a drone must have a pilot’s license.

“They have to go through air space training,” he said.

Burning Yard Waste

White said it is a good time to remind people that burning yard waste is not permitted within city limits.

“It’s that time of the year when people like to burn things,” he said. “O’Fallon’s Code of Ordinances prohibits the burning of leaves or yard waste within city limits (131.08 Burning Leaves & Other Yard Waste). We’ve had a un uptick in ‘smoke complaint’ type calls from several neighborhoods. All were a result of residents burning yard waste in the backyard,” he said Monday.

Helping Others

A year ago in September, White joined a group of four O’Fallon firefighters who traveled to Louisiana to help recovery from Hurricane Ida for two weeks.

“There was a second Engine and five additional firefighters from the county that went with us,” he said.

Whether it’s honoring a fallen comrade with a showing of support at a funeral – or helping another department when the call goes out, White said they are there to help.

As the temperature outside drops, the department wants to remind people that turning up the heat can increase the risk of home heating fires.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, half of all home-heating fires occur during the winter months. On average, NFPA research shows that heating equipment is involved in more than 56,000 reported U.S. home structure fires per year, with associated loss of more than 470 civilian deaths, more than 1,490 civilian injuries and roughly $1.0 billion in direct property damage per year.

“While these numbers are frightening, nearly all of these fires are preventable. We can take some simple precautions and using heating equipment properly.”

Safety tips

NFPA and O’Fallon Fire Rescue recommends some simple home heating safety tips:

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home. Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
• People should practice their home fire escape drill.
• People should have their chimney inspected each year by a qualified professional and cleaned if necessary.
• Use a sturdy fireplace screen.
• Allow ashes to cool before disposing. Dispose of ashes in a metal container.
• Space heaters need space. Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.
• Turn portable heaters off when going to bed or leaving the room.
• Plug power cords only into outlets with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord.
• Inspect for cracked or broken plugs or loose connections. Replace before using.
• Install and maintain a carbon monoxide alarm outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home.
• Never use an oven to heat the home.