LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

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Since 2004

Tag: Loveland-Symmes firefighters

  • 2 Loveland, Ohio residents and dog saved because of working smoke alarms

    2 Loveland, Ohio residents and dog saved because of working smoke alarms

    Loveland-Symmes firefighters had recently replaced the home’s smoke alarm batteries 

     

    Loveland, Ohio – A senior couple and their pet were saved Saturday morning when their home ignited in fire, filling it with toxic smoke. They were alerted and were able to escape due to a working smoke alarm.

    At 6:45 AM on Saturday, June 14, a 1st alarm was transmitted for a dwelling fire on Marbea Drive in the City of Loveland, Ohio. The Loveland-Symmes Fire Department (LSFD) responded with regional automatic mutual aid partners from Deerfield Township, Miami Township-Clermont, and the cities of Montgomery, Sharonville, and Blue Ash.

    Smoke alarms woke the couple and when they opened their bedroom door they faced heavy smoke. First responders arrived at 6:48 AM and faced intense fire conditions. The occupants were found in the rear yard as they had escaped safely.

    A passerby stayed with the couple, and paramedic crews checked them out as they were shaken but physically uninjured.

    Firefighters were able to save some of the couple’s personal paperwork, prescriptions, and other important items, according to the Department.

    Investigators are working on determining the cause. LSFD, in coordination with the family and the Red Cross, made sure the couple had a place to stay and were taken care of.

    Message from LSFD Deputy Chief Billy Goldfeder

    ONCE AGAIN WE ARE REMINDED: WORKING SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES!

    This morning’s fire could have had a much more tragic outcome, and the community could be mourning several losses. Thankfully, the home had working smoke alarms. 
     
    Firefighters from LSFD, through our regular community-wide smoke alarm canvassing program, had recently replaced the home’s smoke alarm with new batteries.

    Roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. More than one-third (38 percent) of home fire deaths result from fires in which no smoke alarms are present. The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in more than half in homes with working smoke alarms!  

    LIFE SAVING TIPS FOR HOMEOWNERS, RENTERS, SLEEP-OVERS  & FOR DORMITORIES 

    Working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms save lives by quickly giving you and your loved ones an early warning signal that something is wrong. Fire spreads fast, and carbon monoxide is a silent killer. Working alarms are the most critical component of your escape plan.

    • Be sure to have the right type of alarm. Alarms must be approved by Underwriters Laboratories (look for a UL mark) and have an audible end-of-life warning. All new and replacement smoke alarms should have a sealed 10-year battery that is non-replaceable and non-removable.
    • Have both smoke alarms and a CO alarm (or a combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarm). One type of alarm is not a substitute for the other.
    • If your alarm still uses removable batteries, be sure to change them twice a year. A great reminder is changing batteries on days when clocks are changed for daylight saving time. Replace these alarms with ones that contain sealed 10-year batteries as soon as possible.
    • Have a smoke and CO alarm installed on every floor in your home.
    • Make sure to install smoke alarms outside of individual sleeping areas.
    • Be aware that CO alarms don’t substitute for smoke alarms.
    • Know the sound differences between your smoke and CO alarms.

    If you are unable to purchase a smoke alarm, the Loveland-Symmes FD will provide one and install it for you at no cost. This service is also available from other area fire departments in each community.

    The Loveland-Symmes Fire Department in conjunction with the American Red Cross will come out and test your smoke detectors, inspect their location, and or replace defective batteries and detectors. We will also install a new detector on each door of your home if needed. Please submit your information to the Fire Prevention Request Form and the best time to come out to your home. Please email  web-fireprevention@lsfd.org to get more information and schedule a time to check/change your smoke detectors.

  • Symmes Township Fire Department Achieves ISO 1 Classification

    Symmes Township Fire Department Achieves ISO 1 Classification

    Phil Beck, Jodie Leis, and Ken Bryant

    Symmes Township, Ohio – The Symmes Township Trustees (pictured above placing the new ISO classification placard on their 100’ Sutphen platform) announced to residents the improved ISO 1 classification for their community.

    Symmes Township provides fire, rescue, and emergency medical services through a joint fire service agreement with the neighboring City of Loveland. The Loveland-Symmes Fire Department (LSFD) provides this service as a career fire and EMS department operating from four (4) stations strategically located throughout the township and the city.

    Symmes Township Trustee President Ken Bryant (Provided Photo)

    The LSFD is dual accredited nationally through the Center for Public Safety Excellence (CPSE) and the Commission on Ambulance Accreditation (CAAS).

    Symmes Township Trustee President Ken Bryant stated, “We are incredibly proud of the LSFD for working so hard over many years to accomplish this goal. Our Loveland-Symmes firefighters and paramedics work tirelessly to save lives and property and to keep our residents, businesses, and visitors safe and are an integral part of our township.

    Mrs. Jodi Leis said, “It is our firefighters’ proactive involvement in nearly every aspect of our community that helps make Symmes Township a great place to live, work and play.”

    Symmes Township Trustee Jodi Leis (Provided Photo)

    “This accomplishment was only possible because of the work of our dedicated staff, the support and guidance of our elected officials, and the continued support of our residents.” stated Fire Chief Otto J. Huber. “The mission of the LSFD is to provide the most technologically advanced fire and EMS with the highest trained professionals, and to deliver that service to our residents with loyalty and compassion. Our members live that mission every day” the Chief added.

    Trustee Phil Beck said “As elected officials, we take the responsibility of providing emergency services to the residents as our highest priority. This improvement in our fire department’s rating brings added value to our residents which is the benchmark we try to achieve when making decisions on our residents’ safety and spending their tax dollars.”

    ISO is an independent organization that evaluates fire protection efforts in communities across the country. The organization collects information on communities and analyzes the data using its Fire Suppression Rating Schedule.

    This Fire Suppression Rating Schedule evaluates four primary categories of fire suppression – fire department, emergency communications, water supply, and community risk reduction. Fire services are ranked between 1 and 10.

    The Class 1 ISO rating will rank the Loveland-Symmes Fire Department as one of only 383 Fire Departments in the U.S. that are ISO 1 classified. To ensure the best is serving their community, LSFD’s chief fire officers and captains also hold credentials in their capacities through the Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPSE), the Ohio Fire Chiefs Foundation Executive Leadership Program, the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program, as well as, related professional leadership training and fire command certification programs.

    Township Administrator Kim Lapensee stated, “Building strong relationships with our neighbors along with our township’s strong efforts to manage with strategic planning while maintaining fiscal reasonability to the taxpayers shows how grassroots township government can and does work for the people.”

    Story from the Symmes Township monthly newsletter