ICFPD Receives Donation of Oxygen Masks for Pets

Yesterday, ICFPD received its donation of 5 pet oxygen / CPR mask kits. Robert, from the Invisible Fence Company of Evergreen, delivered the kits and gave a hands on demonstration. ICFPD will use the kits in the event of a pet breathing smoke during a structure fire.

Fire Weather Zone Forecast

The National Weather Service establishes Fire Weather Zones based on local geography, topography, weather conditions and fuel types. The National Weather Service issues Red Flag Warnings & Fire Weather Watches to alert fire departments of the onset, or possible onset, of critical weather and dry conditions that could lead to rapid or dramatic increases in wildfire activity. Definitions of a Fire Weather Watch and a Red Flag Warning A fire weather watch or red flag warning is issued when the combination of dry fuels and weather conditions support extreme fire danger. These products are written for land and fire managers to highlight the increased fire danger. Each NWS office creates local criteria for fire weather watches and red flag warnings. Criteria may include: Sustained 20 foot winds of 20 mph or higher. Afternoon relative humidity less than 25%. 10 hour fuel moisture at 8% or less for one day. A fire weather watch is issued up to 72 hours before the above conditions are expected to occur. A red flag warning is issued when the conditions above are expected to occur or are occurring within the next 24 hours. A Red Flag Warning is issued for weather events which may result in extreme fire behavior that will occur within 24 hours. A Fire Weather Watch is issued when weather conditions could exist in the next 12-72 hours. A Red Flag Warning is the highest alert. During these times extreme caution is urged by all residents, because a simple spark can cause a major wildfire. A Fire Weather Watch is one level below a warning, but fire danger is still high. The type of weather patterns that can cause a watch or warning include low relative humidity, strong winds, dry fuels, the possibility of dry lightning strikes, or any combination of the above. During heightened fire danger, ICFPD will monitor conditions, respond with more fire engines and request additional mutual aid staff and equipment to respond to any new fires. ICFPD urges everyone to be extremely cautious, especially during periods of high fire danger. It's important all residents and visitors take steps to prevent wildfires. One less spark could mean one less wildfire.

Unofficial election results

Caimi 49; Marcus 48; Firor 45; Prielipp 39; Reddy 32

High Timber Times Article on ICFPD Board of Directors Election - Vote today at Station Three

From the High Timber Times: Inter-Canyon Fire election set for May 6, 2014 Polls to be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.; three board seats up for vote By Daniel Laverty Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 2:21 pm Polls for the election for three seats on the Inter-Canyon Fire District board will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 6 at Station 4, 8445 U.S. 285. “The best time to vote would be in the middle of the day,” said Dana Retterer, Inter-Canyon’s election official. “I imagine it would be busy at the beginning and end of the period, with everyone’s work schedules.” Retterer said unofficial results will be available May 6, but that final results won’t be official until eight days after the election. “We have to wait until we receive all the ballots from military personnel and from people out of town,” she said. Newcomer Kerry Prielipp joins incumbents Leslie Caimi, Mike Reddy and Karl Firor in vying for three four-year terms on the Inter-Canyon Board of Directors. Incumbent Joe Marcus was the only candidate to run for the two-year term and will remain on the board. Board member Ralph Dreher’s seat is up for election in 2016. Inter-Canyon has spent the last six months in turmoil after the theft of more than $647,000 from its reserve fund was revealed last October. Former fire chief David MacBean pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and one count of embezzlement April 7. MacBean is facing 27 years in jail, and his sentencing is scheduled for June. As part of his plea, he agreed to pay back the stolen funds. The next Inter-Canyon board meeting is at 7 p.m. May 14 at Station 1, 7939 S. Turkey Creek Road in Morrison. For more information, visit www.intercanyonfire.org

Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District Election Tuesday May 6, 2014

Don't forget to vote today at the Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District election. You can vote at station three, 8445 South Highway 285, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District to Receive Donated Pet Oxygen Masks

LOCAL PETS TO BREATHE EASIER Although the number of pets that die in fires is not an official statistic kept by the U.S. Fire Administration, industry web sites and sources have cited an estimated 40,000 to 150,000 pets each year that die in fires; most succumbing to smoke inhalation. In most states, emergency responders are unequipped to deal with the crisis. The donation of these specially designed and potentially lifesaving animal oxygen mask sets enable firefighters to efficiently administer oxygen to a stricken animal. First Responders of Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District are receiving five animal rescue oxygen mask kits through a donation from Invisible Fence® Brand. They will be equipped with masks after Tuesday’s training session and demonstrations. Department personnel will demonstrate how the masks are used on their canine friends. One complete set of the Pet Oxygen Systems is now carried on each ICFPD engine. This donation is part of a national effort called Project Breathe™ project to equip fire stations across the U.S. and Canada. Invisible Fence® Brand has a commitment to pet safety that extends beyond electronic pet containment by funding deserving projects that help to save the lives of pets. More information is available at: www.invisiblefence.com/O2.