Drew (L) and Alex Cascais

The Mendham Fire Department is pleased to announce this year’s Scholarship Winner is Firefighter Alex Cascais. Alex, a member since November of 2011, was awarded $2,500.00 by the Mendham Independent Hook & Ladder Company on April 29, 2012.

After his graduation from Mendham High School this June, Alex will study medicine at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

About the Scholarship

The Mendham Fire Department is a non-profit organization that provides Fire and Rescue services to the Borough of Mendham. The Department was formed in 1905 and has operated as a total volunteer effort since its inception. Due to recent waning volunteerism, the Mendham Fire Department has recognized the need to recruit members to assist in the operations of the Department. The Department is seeking to award those individuals that have exhibited strong leadership qualities, those recognizing the need for volunteerism in society, those dedicated to teamwork and those dedicated to the pursuit of a higher education.

Junior Membership Program

Since its inception in 1972, the Department’s Junior Firefighters program has let numerous young men and women participate in various firefighting and rescue activities. for more information please visit mendhamfd.org/juniors/.

William H. Conover died peacefully at home surrounded by family on April 5, 2013. He was 78.

Born in Morristown, NJ he was a lifelong resident of the Mendhams. He was a 1954 graduate of Morristown High School.
He worked for the Mendham Borough DPW for17 years before retiring in 2000. He also worked for PSE&G for 19 years. Mr. Conover was a member of the Mendham Fire Department and was a past Director of the Mendham First Aid Rescue Squad. He also served as a Senior Corpsman at Morristown Memorial Hospital.

He was predeceased by a granddaughter Anne Perrault Conover.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years Gayle Finlay Conover; two daughters Debbie Burnet and her partner Chris Martin of Budd Lake and Faythe Martin of Richmond, Va.; two sons Glen Conover of Monmouth Junction and Darrell Conover of Mendham; he is also survived by his 10 grandchildren Rich and Lindsay Burnet, Candace and Alex Martin and Kayla, Ashly, Kyle, Brendon, Bryan and Ben Conover.

The family will receive friends on Friday April 12th from 6-8pm at the Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Rd., Mendham. A celebration of life will be held Saturday April 13th at 5:30 pm at the Church of the Messiah, Rt. 24, Chester. Interment will be private.

Arrangements were made by the Bailey Funeral Home of Mendham—www.baileyfuneralhomes.com.

Emergency Services Day

The Mendham Fire Department, Mendham First Aid Squad, and Mendham Police Department will host “Emergency Services Day” on Sunday, April 28, from 9AM to 2PM.

Open House

The Fire Department and First Aid Squad will host an Open House at the firehouse, 24 East Main Street. Firefighters and EMT’s will walk the public through presentations, demonstrations, and safety tips. In addition, the Police Department will host an Open House at the Police Headquarters, Cold Hill Road, Mendham.

Volunteer sign ups will be available as well. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and learn about the services offered by our Fire Department, Police Department and First Aid Squad.

If possible, please clear the snow a few feet in all directions and clear the access from the street to make it possible for firefighters to attach hose-lines to the hydrant. Seconds count during an emergency and the time it takes a firefighter to dig out a buried hydrant could make all the difference in the outcome at a fire.

Safety First

Residents should only shovel around the hydrant if:

• They can safely shovel around the area, leaving about three feet around the hydrant for fire personnel to gain access.
• They are not on a major road, where there is a danger of being hit by a vehicle.
• They are physically capable of shoveling without posing a health risk.

Not sure where the hydrant closest to your home is? View our (beta) Hydrant Map.

The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) would like you to know that there are simple steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and property resulting from improper use of portable generators.

To Avoid Carbon Monoxide Hazards:

• Always use generators outdoors, away from doors, windows and vents.
• NEVER use generators in homes, garages, basements, crawl spaces, or other enclosed or partially enclosed areas, even with ventilation.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions.
• Install battery-operated or plug-in (with battery backup) carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home, following manufacturer’s instructions.
• Test CO alarms often and replace batteries when needed.

To Avoid Electrical Hazards:

• Keep the generator dry. Operate on a dry surface under an open, canopy- like structure.
• Dry your hands before touching the generator.
• Plug appliances directly into generator or use a heavy-duty outdoor- rated extension cord. Make sure the entire extension cord is free of cuts or tears and the plug has all 3 prongs, especially a grounding pin.
• NEVER plug the generator into a wall outlet. This practice, known as backfeeding, can cause an electrocution risk to utility workers and others served by the same utility transformer.
• If necessary to connect generator to house wiring to power appliances, have a qualified electrician install appropriate equipment. Or, your utility company may be able to install an appropriate transfer switch.

To Avoid Fire Hazards:

• Before refueling the generator, turn it off and let it cool. Fuel spilled on hot engine parts could ignite.
• Always store fuel outside of living areas in properly labeled, non-glass containers.
• Store fuel away from any fuel-burning appliance.

If you use a space heater, please take a minute to brush up on these safety tips from UL:

• Keep all space heaters at least 3 feet away from household combustibles.
• Use space heaters only as a supplementary source of heat. These devices are not intended to replace the home’s heating system.
• Do not use extension cords with space heaters unless absolutely necessary.
• Inspect the heater’s cord periodically to look for frayed wire or damaged insulation. Do not use a space heater with a damaged cord.
• Check periodically for a secure plug/outlet fit. If the plug becomes very hot, the outlet may need to be replaced by a qualified technician. This could be the sign of a potential home wiring issue.
• Heaters should be placed on a flat, level surface. Do not place heaters on furniture since they may fall and become damaged or break parts in the heater.
• Unless the heater is designed for use outdoors or in bathrooms, do not use in damp, wet areas.
• Look for the UL Mark on your electric heater. This means representative samples of the appliance have met UL’s stringent safety standards.
• If you have a liquid-fueled space heater, use only the fuel recommended by the manufacturer. The wrong fuel could burn hotter than the equipment was designed for and cause a serious fire.
• When refueling, turn off the heater and let it cool down completely before adding fuel. Wipe away any spills promptly.
• Before you buy a kerosene heater, check with your local fire department to ensure that it is legal.

Home Heating Safety

CERT teams have become an integral part of local emergency management across the country. All training and equipment is provided, all that you need to do is provide a weekend of time.

When

• Friday January 25, 2013 – 7pm to 10pm
• Saturday January 26, 2013 – 9am to 5pm
• Sunday January 27, 2013 – 9am to 5pm

Location: Mendham Township Emergency Services Building; 1 Cherry Lane Brookside.

To Register

Call Tom Berenbak: (201) 572-1308

About CERT

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

For more information, please visit citizencorps.gov/cert/

To “gear up” for winter driving, below is a list of general winter weather preparedness tips:

Travel Items to Include: All cars should be equipped with road maps, a cell phone, a blanket (especially if traveling with small children and infants), a shovel, a windshield scraper, a towrope, booster cables, and a brightly colored cloth to use as a distress signal. A bag of sand or non-clumping cat litter to spread under tires if stuck in snow is also recommended.

Proper Travel Notification: Drivers should inform someone that they are taking a trip, where they are going, the routes that will be traveled and when they are expected to return. Upon reaching their destination, drivers should call to report arrival. If traveling a long distance, please remember to fill up on fuel prior to making your trip. While traveling, stop frequently to refill the fuel tank. The breaks will help drivers stay alert.

Dress for Success: It is recommended that all drivers and their passengers wear warm clothing such as winter coats, wool hats and gloves when traveling to avoid exposure to extremely cold temperatures in the event that your vehicle breaks down or gets stuck.

On the Road: Always follow the rules of the road and adhere to the following guidelines>

• Always buckle your seat belt.
• Brake properly to avoid skidding. If driving on snow or ice, start slowly and brake gently. Begin braking early when approaching an intersection.
• If the vehicle starts to slide, ease off the gas pedal or brakes. Steer into the direction of the skid until regaining traction, and then straighten the vehicle.
• For vehicles with anti-lock brakes, apply steady pressure.
• Visibility and speed:
  • In fog, drive with headlights set on dim or use fog lights.
  • In rain, fog, snow or sleet, stay within the limits of your vision. If it is too difficult to see, pull off the road and stop.
  • Drive slowly and increase following distance. Vehicle speed should adjust for conditions and match the flow of traffic.
  • Watch for slick spots. Be physically and mentally prepared to react.

Clear all ice and snow off of your vehicle prior to departure.

For more information regarding winter safety, visit: www.ready.nj.gov.

Photo credit: jigpu
 

UL considers turkey fryers to be dangerous to use presenting numerous safety hazards to consumers. “We’re worried by the increasing reports of fires related with turkey fryer use,” says John Drengenberg, consumer affairs manager of UL. “Based on our test findings, the fryers used to produce those great-tasting birds are not worth the risks. And, as a result of these tests, UL has decided not to certify any turkey fryers with our trusted UL Mark.”

Turkey fryer hazards

• Many units easily tip over, spilling the hot oil from the cooking pot.
• If the cooking pot is overfilled with oil, the oil may spill out of the unit when the turkey is placed into the cooking pot. Oil may hit the burner or flames, causing a fire to engulf the entire unit.
• Partially frozen turkeys placed into the fryer can cause a spillover effect. This too may result in an extensive fire.
• With no thermostat controls, the units also have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion.
• The lid and handles on the sides of the cooking pot get dangerously hot, posing severe burn hazards.

Important safety information

If you absolutely must use a turkey fryer, please use the following tips.

• Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other flammable materials.
• Never use turkey fryers in a garage or on a wooden deck.
• Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
• Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you do not watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
• Never let children or pets near the fryer even if it is not in use. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot hours after use.
• To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
• Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water do not mix, and water causes oil to spill over causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.
• The National Turkey Federation (NTF) recommends thawing the turkey in the refrigerator approximately 24 hours for every five pounds in weight.
• Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. If the fire is manageable, use your all-purpose fire extinguisher.
• If the fire increases, immediately call the fire department for help.

The Nixle Community Information Service allows us to create and publish messages to be delivered to subscribed residents instantly via cell phone text message and/or email. Notifications can also be accessed online at Nixle’s web site at www.nixle.com.

Messages may include information regarding storm response, emergency operations information as well as other relevant safety and community event information.

“The public is turning to social media and their smart devices more and more often during a disaster, and we as an emergency service agency need to adapt accordingly.” says, Ex-Chief Joe Eible, Mendham Fire Department’s CTO.

The service is secure, reliable and easy to use for our group.

The messages can be sent specifically to residents registered within a ¼ mile radius, giving them the opportunity to receive trustworthy information relevant only to their neighborhood. Residents decide from which local agencies they want to receive information. Subscribers can also choose the way in which alerts are received, whether it is by email, text message, or over the web—there are even apps from your iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad.

Nixle builds on the foundations of other public-to-public communication services, such as Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace, but adds a key component: security. When citizens receive information from our agency via Nixle, they know it can be trusted.

Residents of Mendham and those in neighboring communities can immediately begin receiving pertinent information via text message, email, and web by registering at www.nixle.com.

We are very excited to have you experience it for yourself.

Signing up is Quick, Easy and Free!

Simply follow the instructions below to sign up for the service.

1. Go to www.nixle.com – Click on “Sign Up Free!”
2. Create an Account – Follow the prompts on the screen and complete the requested information to create a Nixle account.
3. Subscribe to Mendham Fire Department – After the registration process is complete, you will be logged into the Nixle system. Click the Settings tab at the top right of the website and click the check box next to Mendham Fire Department. You may choose how you want messages delivered to you. You can choose to receive all messages to your email account and/or choose to receive specific types of messages to your mobile phone. Once you have made your selections, click Save.

Note: If you already receive Nixle alerts from other agencies and would like to subscribe to Mendham Fire Department alerts, simply login to your existing account and choose Mendham Fire Department on the Settings tab.

About Nixle

Nixle is a community information service provider built exclusively to provide secure and reliable communications. It is the first authenticated and secure service that connects municipal agencies and community organizations to residents in real time, delivering information to geographically targeted consumers over their cell phones (via text messages), through e-mails and via Web access. Nixle has secured a partnership with Nlets (the International Justice and Public Safety Network), allowing local police departments nationwide to send immediate alerts and advisories. For more information, visit www.nixle.com.