Get Educated! Get Prepared!


Local School or Community Group Visits:
Troutville Rescue and Fire Dept is open to local Community groups and schools who want to visit. call (540) 966-8661 to schedule your visit today!


Fire Education and Prevention:
 In 2007, there were 1,557,500 fires reported in the United States (down 5% from 2006). These fires caused 3,430 civilian deaths, 17,675 civilian injuries, and $14.6 billion in property damage. We strive to educate the public on Health Safety and Fire Prevention. Here are some links to learn more about Fire Safety!

How To Survive A Fire Video!
 

Health Safety and Injury Prevention: 
Each year Troutville Rescue Squad hosts an "Open House" during EMS week. During the open house you can learn about injury prevention, CPR/ First Aid classes get a free Blood Pressure check, and much more! Information on how to become a volunteer is also avaiable during this time. EMS Week is scheduled May 17-23... The Open House date is to be announced!

For information on CPR and First Aid Classes contact:
Botetourt County Emergency Services at (540)473-8329

Disaster Preparedness:
Emergencies and disasters can strike anyone, anytime and anywhere. They can happen quickly and without warning and can force you to evacuate your neighborhood or confine you to your home.

It is vital that you understand what a disaster could mean for you and your family. Here are 6 Key elements to Disaster Preparedness:

1. Understand What Could Happen
Virginians experience hurricanes, winter storms, thunderstorms, toxic spills, earthquakes, tornadoes, terrorism, flooding and fires. Look around where you live. Do you live near a highway where a hazardous material spill could occur? Are you in a flood-prone area? Ask yourself what emergencies or disasters could occur in your area.

 2. Create a Disaster Plan
Discuss with your family, friends and neighbors the types of disasters and emergencies that are most likely to happen and what to do in each case. Take a first aid, CPR or other class so that you have the knowledge to help yourself and others if needed. If you do not own a vehicle or drive, learn in advance what your community’s arrangements are for those without private transportation.

3. Make an Emergency Supplies Kit
When a disaster strikes, you might not be able to buy essential items. If businesses close, fallen trees block roads and power goes out in your area, you will need an emergency supplies kit.

Have enough supplies on hand to last at least three days for each member of your household:

• Three gallons of water per person
• Foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking, such as canned goods. Include a manual can opener.
• Emergency tools such as a battery-powered radio, flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit that includes a list of any family members’ allergies and contact lenses or an extra pair of glasses
• A week’s supply of prescription medications
• Sanitation supplies, including toilet paper, soap, plastic garbage bags and personal hygiene supplies
• A change of clothing, footwear and blanket or sleeping bag
• Extra set of car keys; cash in small denominations or traveler’s checks
• Special items for infant, elderly or disabled members of the household

4. Listen for Local Instructions
Before, during and after a disaster, it is critical that you listen for the most local, up-to-date information from emergency officials. Local media will convey instructions from local, state and federal government partners, such as:

• Orders to evacuate

• Details about evacuation routes

• Locations of evacuation shelters

• How to safely stay where you are

• Where to find assistance

• Weather warnings and watches

5. When the Disaster is Over
Once the immediate danger has passed, it might take weeks or even months for you and your community to recover.

If you evacuated, be careful when you return home. Structural damage and mold from flooding can cause health risks. Be alert for snakes and other wild animals that could have taken refuge in your home during the disaster.

Contact your insurance company if your home is damaged.

If your area is declared a federal disaster area, you might be eligible for assistance such as temporary housing, help with uninsured home repairs, etc. Listen to local news for instructions about how to apply for assistance.


 6. Important Preparedness Tips

If You Lose Electricity

• Notify the power company immediately if you and your neighbors have lost power.
• Keep a traditional, non-cordless telephone available — it doesn’t require household electricity to operate. However, if you have fiber-optic telephone service, you might lose the ability to use the telephone when your home loses power, whether you use a non-cordless telephone or not. Check with your telephone service provider to see if they provide battery backup and consider purchasing an uninterruptible power source for your telephone. Be sure to keep your cell phone charged in case you need to make an emergency phone call.
• Turn off all major appliances. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
• If you have a portable generator, only use it outside in a well-ventilated area, away from doors and windows.
• In cold weather, be prepared to drain water lines, pumps, supply lines and boilers because they can freeze and burst when power is lost.
• Traditional analog telephone service carries voice information along a copper line, which also provides power to a non-cordless phone. When you switch to a digital telephone service, one that travels over fiber-optic lines, you lose Currently, Verizon is the only digital service provider that has a four-hour battery backup during an electrical outage. However, after four hours, you will have no telephone service, this applies to you.

Emergency Numbers

Post emergency numbers near or program them into all your phones (fire, police, ambulance, utilities, your physician, etc.). Teach your children how to call these numbers and when it is appropriate to do so. Include emergency numbers for water/sewer, electricity and the National Poison Control Center, (800) 222-1222.

Utilities

Know how, where and when to turn off water, gas and electricity in your home. Only turn off utilities if authorities instruct you to do so or if you suspect damaged lines. If you do turn off your utilities, do not turn them on again by yourself. You will need a professional to turn them back on.

Fire Extinguisher

Keep a fire extinguisher where you can get to it easily and quickly. Have one on each level of your home, if possible. Be sure everyone knows how to use it, what types of fire it puts out and where it is kept.

Smoke Alarms

Install smoke alarms on each level of your home, especially near the bedroom. Follow local codes and manufacturer’s instructions about installation requirements. Test them monthly and change the batteries once a year.

Escape Routes and Safe Spots

Determine the best escape routes out of your home. Find two ways out of each room. Also, find the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster. For example, if a tornado approaches, an interior room without windows on the lowest level is your best safe spot.

For more information visit: