Cartersville Volunteer Fire Department

07/03/2024

The Electric Vehicle and Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Safety Awareness course has been released ahead of schedule.

HB2451 directed VDFP to develop the training and mandates every person engaged in firefighting activities, including volunteer firefighters, to complete the training program by December 1, 2025.

The training must be taken individually in Cornerstone OnDemand.

If you have trouble logging in to CSOD, do NOT attempt to create another CSOD account – this will create a problem for you in the future when you try to take another VDFP course. Please try to reset your password and if you are still having trouble accessing the system, contact your Division Office for assistance.

Before starting the training, review these Keys to Online Training Success: https://bit.ly/45P3a03.

Use this link to access the training: https://bit.ly/3zjlLW5.

07/03/2024

With July 4 celebrations beginning tomorrow, the State Fire Marshal's Office reminds everyone to keep children away from sparklers. Sparklers can be dangerous burning up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Many localities prohibit the sale, possession or use of all fireworks.

In order to have a safe July 4, view fireworks at public and professionally organized shows.

READ MORE: https://bit.ly/45NtxUd

07/03/2024

06/24/2024

Never leave a child in a vehicle unattended for any length of time. Rolling windows down or parking in the shade does little to change the interior temperature of the vehicle.

Studies show that the temperature of your car can increase between 10 and 20 degrees within just 10 minutes.

Even on a beautiful 75-degree day, the temperature after 90 minutes will be over 120 degrees inside.

If the outside temperature is 110, expect a car interior to be around 160 degrees inside.

If you leave your car for 30 minutes on a 90-degree day, you’ll return to a vehicle over 120 degrees inside.

After 90 minutes, this equates to 138 degrees – higher than the hottest outdoor temperature ever recorded on earth.

*A child's body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult's. When a child is left in a vehicle, that child's temperature can rise quickly — and the situation can quickly become dangerous.
*Heatstroke begins when the core body temperature reaches about 104 degrees.
*A child can die when their body temperature reaches 107 degrees.
*In 2023, 29 children died of heatstroke in vehicles.
*In 2018 and 2019, we saw a record number of hot car deaths — 53 children died each year — the most in at least 25 years, according to NoHeatstroke.org.

The majority of child hot car deaths happen at HOME. Always check the back seat 👶 — no matter where you are.

06/24/2024

Every year, about 13,000 people are treated for injuries in hospital emergency departments due to the mishandling of live, misfired and waste consumer fireworks. In addition, fires resulting from fireworks cause over $20 million in direct property damage. Please check out these Do's and Don'ts!

06/23/2024

Take the time to become a good firefighter first before rushing to promote.

The best officers I’ve had over the years were good firefighters first, who earned the respect of their brothers and sisters by doing the job right over time, resulting in credibility

Credibility is earned through experience, hard work, and dedication to the craft.

Some of the worst officers I’ve had skipped becoming a good firefighter, always in a rush to be promoted to the next level, never becoming good at any one position along the way, ultimately leaving them confused when no one took them seriously.

They thought all that mattered was that they were promoted and they would now magically have credibility.

Take the time to become a good firefighter first before rushing to promote.

Art by

06/23/2024

06/23/2024

Today is going to be exceptionally hot. If you are going to work outside stay hydrated and wear sunscreen. Be aware of heat related illnesses such as heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Symptoms of heat stroke include:
*Confusion, altered mental status, slurred speech
*Loss of consciousness (coma)
*Hot, dry skin or profuse sweating
*Seizures
*Very high body temperature
*Fatal if treatment delayed

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
*Headache
*Nausea
*Dizziness
*Weakness
*Irritability
*Thirst
*Heavy sweating
*Elevated body temperature
*Decreased urine output

If you encounter someone with these symptoms, bring them inside and call 911.

Cumberland County, VA Fire & EMS

06/23/2024

No excuses now! Share this with someone who always forgets to hydrate. 😪

REMEMBER, extreme heat often results in the highest number of annual deaths among all weather-related hazards. It’s defined as a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days. In extreme heat, evaporation is slowed and the body must work extra hard to maintain a normal temperature. This can lead to death by overworking the human body.

RECOGNIZE AND RESPOND

Know the signs of heat-related illness and the ways to respond to it:

HEAT CRAMPS

Signs: Muscle pains or spasms in the stomach, arms, or legs

Actions: Go to a cooler location. Remove excess clothing. Take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar. Get medical help if cramps last more than an hour.

HEAT EXHAUSTION

Signs: Heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, or fainting

Actions: Go to an air-conditioned place and lie down. Loosen or remove clothing. Take a cool bath. Take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar. Get medical help if symptoms get worse or last more than an hour.

HEAT STROKE

Signs: Extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees) taken orally; red, hot, and dry skin with no sweat; rapid, strong pulse; dizziness; confusion; or unconsciousness

Actions: Call 911 or get the person to a hospital immediately. Cool down with whatever methods are available until medical help arrives.

06/23/2024

Due to the heat and increased drought conditions, Cumberland County has instituted a ban on burning beginning at midnight tonight (June 23, 2024) until further notice.