Cold Tonight - Prevent Frozen Pipes

Cold weather poses a number of hazards.  Reduce the risk of damage to your home by protecting your water pipes.

Water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. No matter the "strength" of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break. Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.

Prevent Your Pipes From Freezing

• Disconnect all gardening hoses and install covers on all outside faucets.

• Keep your house temperature at 68 degrees or higher, even if you're leaving the house for an extended period of time.

• Open cabinet doors below sinks to allow heat from the home to circulate.

• Identify the location of the main water valve and the valve on your water heater. (Learning the location of these valves may come in handy during an emergency.)

• Wrap pipes nearest exterior walls and in crawl spaces with pipe insulation. This can prevent freezing, especially for interior pipes that run along outside walls.

• Close all windows near water pipes; cover or close open-air vents. Freezing temperatures combined with wind drafts can cause pipes to freeze more frequently.

• Heat your basement and consider weather sealing your windows.

• Insulate outside walls and unheated areas of your home.

• If you plan to be away from home for an extended period of time, shut off water supply valves to your washing machine.

ICFPD now accepting applications for volunteer firefighter, EMT and paramedic

ICFPD has opened the application process for volunteer firefighter, EMT and paramedic positions.  Call our non-emergency office number, 303-697-4413, to receive an application via email.  Applications must be received by ICFPD no later than January 29, 2016.

Skip Shirlaw Sworn In as First Full-Time ICFPD Fire Chief

Skip Shirlaw was sworn in as Fire Chief on Friday January 1 at ICFPD Station One by Board President Leslie Caimi.  Shirlaw is the first full-time Fire Chief at ICFPD.

Thanks to Retiring Fire Chief Randy Simpson

ICFPD would like to thank Fire Chief Randy Simpson for his service to the district and citizens. Randy Simpson has served as Chief for four years with honor, integrity and a clear sense of purpose. During his tenure as the last volunteer Fire Chief at ICFPD, the district has expanded volunteer training, opportunities for additional volunteers to serve the citizens of the district, and standards for certifications.

Enhancements to the district during his tenure as Fire Chief include:

1.  Increasing certification requirements for all firefighters to Colorado State Firefighter 1 and Hazardous Materials Operations level, improving both service quality and firefighter safety.
2.  All firefighters must now complete and maintain the Colorado State Emergency Medical Responder  certification.    Approximately 70% of ICFPD 911 responses are medical in nature, mirroring national statistics.  In addition, ICFPD has added additional EMTs and paramedics during this time.
3. Acceptance of the largest donation in ICFPD history - $220,000 for the purchase of a new ambulance to serve the eastern and southern areas of the district from the estate of Evelyne Nordheim.
4.  Increasing opportunities for volunteers who live outside the district.  This new program is building the base of volunteer responders.

Chief Simpson will retire December 31, 2015 as the first full-time Fire Chief for ICFPD, Skip Shirlaw, is sworn into office on January 1, 2016. Simpson plans to remain an active volunteer firefighter with ICFPD.

Thanks from all of the firefighters, EMTs and paramedics, the Board of Directors and staff of ICFPD.

Safety in Numbers - We Can't Help You If We Can't Find You

When ICFPD emergency responders respond to your home, it can be quite difficult to find your exact location if your house number is not clearly marked, especially at night or in bad weather conditions. An accurate and easily visible address is vital for rapidly locating a home or business in any emergency requiring law enforcement, fire or Emergency Medical Services.  

The picture shows a reflective address sign as highly visible at night.  As we approach your home or driveway this type of sign speeds response.  Is your address this visible at night from both directions?

WHERE TO PLACE SIGNS

Drive to your home after dark. Determine if your address would be IMMEDIATELY identifiable to an emergency responder approaching for the first time from either direction - on a dark and stormy night perhaps ...
If your mail box is not directly in front of your house, you should have a sign on the mail box and one at the entrance to your driveway or on any locked gate.
If the house numbers on your street or road are not sequential, it is especially important that each house is clearly marked.
If your mail box is one of a group of boxes, is it clear in which direction to go to get to your house? You may need an arrow or additional address marker in addition to a marker at your driveway.
If your property has several buildings or multiple dwellings, each entrance door should have a house marker sign next to it.
In most cases it is an additional safety factor to have a house marker sign directly on your house in a location that is visible from the street or road and that would not be hidden by landscaping.
You don't have to remove any current signs that you really like, but we hope that you see the need for uniform signage that all responders will be looking for as we approach your home
If you're not sure where a sign should be placed, contact us and we'll send a firefighter to your residence.

Reflective blue signs are available for purchase from ICFPD. Call our non-emergency office number 303-697-4413.

Thanks to our volunteers

A word of thanks to all firefighters and EMS responders 

Firefighters, EMTs and paramedics - Thank You

To all those who serve the citizens of ICFPD We thank you.

Sparing yourself for the sake of a stranger and placing yourself at risk.

All you need to hear is the tone awakening you in the middle of the night and you just do your job.

Your most important objective: to save those in need - to all firefighters, the community of ICFPD thanks you

You all have such a courageuos desire to serve, seeking neither compensation nor recognition.

There is a job to be done, no matter where or when, and there is great comfort, knowing you will be there.

So, once again,
To all who serve - and to their families -
we thank you.

Heavy Snow and Potential for Carbon Monoxide in Homes

Due to the heavy accumulation and drifting of snow experienced along the Front Range Tuesday December 15, 2015, citizens are reminded of a common problem found with furnaces and other heating systems in the storm's aftermath. The problem occurs when snow blocks furnace fresh air intakes and exhaust vents. This can cause improper combustion or venting within the furnace or, in some cases, can cause deadly Carbon Monoxide gas to accumulate inside the home. Newer heating systems are more vulnerable to these issues due to the location of these vents, which are often installed much lower on the side wall of a home. Homeowners can take the following precautions to ensure their safety;

• Have a properly operating Carbon Monoxide detector
• Keep the fresh air intake and exhaust vent area free from snow or ice build-up

Home owners can find the inlets and outlets of your furnace by looking at the heating equipment and following the intake back to where it penetrates the wall. They can then check this area outside to ensure no snow is blocking the vents.

ICFPD also reminds everyone to keep alert for symptoms of Carbon Monoxide exposure. Symptoms and effects vary between individuals, even at the same level of CO exposure, but people typically experience headaches, flu-like symptoms, including: dizziness, fatigue, weakness, headache or vomiting, trouble breathing, or confusion.  If you or your family suspects symptoms from Carbon Monoxide exposure they should evacuate the home and call 911.