Franklin, TN – Carbon monoxide poisoning sent one person to the hospital Thursday. The injuries did not appear to be life threatening.

Franklin Firefighters responded to a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm activation at a residence Thursday afternoon and detected CO in the home. The home was evacuated and Atmos Energy was notified. Franklin Fire Captain Chris Brown said that the source of CO was potentially the ventless gas logs.

The carbon monoxide alarm that alerted the resident was installed by the Franklin Fire Department in 2008. It was one of 200 CO alarms that were donated to the department by the Kidde fire safety company that same year.

On average the Franklin Fire Department responds to about one carbon monoxide call per month, and around 12 fires per month, in addition to other incidents, according to Assistant Fire Chief Todd Horton.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home. At lower levels of exposure, CO causes mild effects that are often mistaken for the flu. These symptoms include headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. The effects of CO exposure can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, each year in America, more than 150 people die from accidental non-fire related CO poisoning associated with consumer products. These products include faulty, improperly-used or incorrectly-vented fuel-burning appliances such as furnaces, stoves, water heaters and fireplaces.

Protect Yourself and Your Family from CO Poisoning

• Install at least one carbon monoxide alarm with an audible warning signal near the sleeping areas and outside individual bedrooms. Make sure the alarm has been evaluated by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Carbon monoxide alarms measure levels of CO over time and are designed to sound an alarm before an average, healthy adult would experience symptoms. It is very possible that you may not be experiencing symptoms when you hear the alarm. This does not mean that CO is not present.
• Have a qualified professional check all fuel burning appliances, furnaces, venting and chimney systems at regular intervals.
• Never use your gas range or oven to help heat your home and never use a charcoal grill or hibachi in your home or garage.
• Never keep a car running in a garage. Even if the garage doors are open, normal circulation will not provide enough fresh air to reliably prevent a dangerous buildup of CO.
• When purchasing an existing home, have a qualified technician evaluate the integrity of the heating and cooking systems, as well as the sealed spaces between the garage and house. The presence of a carbon monoxide alarm in your home can save your life in the event of CO buildup.

If you have questions about CO or CO alarms, please contact the Franklin Fire Department at (615) 791-3270 or visit our website at www.franklintn.gov/fire.

Turkey Fryers

NFPA statistics show that deep fryer fires cause an average of five deaths, 60 injuries, and more than $15 million in property damage each year.

• Never use turkey fryers on wooden decks or in garages. Operate them outside, away from the house and anything that can burn.
• Look for sturdy fryers with a long hose to keep the hot oil farther away from the propane tank.
• 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 don't watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
• Never let children or pets near the fryer when in use or after 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 don't mix, and water causes oil to spill over, causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.
• Never use water to extinguish a grease fire.
• If you have a fire, call 9-1-1 immediately. Use a fire extinguisher only after calling 9-1-1.

General kitchen fire safety

• Keep anything that can catch fire such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains away from the stovetop.
• Always stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you have to leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• When simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Stay alert. If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.

If you have a cooking fire...

• Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
• Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number after you leave.
• If you try to fight the fire, be sure others are getting out and you have a clear path to your exit.
• Keep a lid nearby when cooking to smother small grease fires. Smother the fire by sliding the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

Franklin, TN - This Christmas season when you’re making a list and checking it twice, Franklin Firefighters are hoping you’ll consider adding a gift for a child in need.

Their efforts are part of the yearly Franklin Firefighters Toy and Clothing Drive, which benefits Williamson County children identified by the Boys and Girls Club. The fourth annual event got underway last week.

To contribute, stop by any Franklin Fire Station, City Hall or Avenue Bank in Cool Springs, and select a card from the Christmas fire hydrant toy drive display with a child’s specific gift request on it. New, unwrapped gifts should be returned with request cards to the collection stations by December 9th.

Monetary donations are accepted as well and all contributions are tax deductible. Additionally, firefighters are selling the t-shirts pictured below to help raise funds for the event. Long sleeve brown shirts ($20) and short sleeve navy shirts ($15) are available in adult sizes at the Franklin Fire Department’s administrative offices in City Hall, and at Avenue Bank.

Since 2008, the toy and clothing drive has benefitted more than 800 children throughout Williamson County. “Every year the outpouring from the community has been phenomenal and it just continues to grow. We’re so thankful for the generosity everyone has shown us,” said Captain Clay Mackey, who is one of the event organizers. He added, “And all of the gifts stay here in our community to help Williamson County children.”

Firefighters and volunteers will wrap the gifts and prepare them for distribution at two Christmas parties, which will take place December 21st.

For more information please contact the Franklin Fire Department at (615) 791-3270 or visit www.FranklinFirefightersCharities.org.

Collection stations:

• Avenue Bank – 101 International Dr.
• City Hall – Franklin Fire Administration, 109 3rd Ave. South
• Station 1- 500 New Highway 96 West
• Station 2 - 907 Murfreesboro Rd.
• Station 3 - 298 Mallory Station Rd.
• Station 4 - 2039 Fieldstone Pkwy.
• Station 5 - 215 Noah Dr.
• Station 6 - 1061 Cool Springs Blvd.

Volunteer Melissa Stewart with Franklin Firefighters (Left to Right) Firefighter-Paramedic Jason Webb, Engineer Jon Krawcyk and Captain Clay Mackey.

Fire hydrant toy drive displays are out at every fire station, City Hall, and Avenue Bank.

The Franklin Fire Department is teaming up with Famous Dave’s Cool Springs this Saturday, October 22 for a fire safety day.

Firefighters will be at Famous Dave’s, 7086 Bakers Bridge Avenue, Franklin, from noon to 4 p.m. with apparatus demonstrations and information for both children and adults on how to prevent fires and how to stay safe when a fire occurs. The event is part of the department’s October Fire Prevention Month activities.

Firefighters will also sell Franklin Fire pink ribbon t-shirts during the event. Funds raised will benefit patients of the Breast Health Center at Williamson Medical Center.

In addition to pink t-shirts, there are brown, navy and purple shirts with pink lettering available. The cost is $15. Shirts are on sale now at all six Franklin fire stations and City Hall.

Firefighters will wear the pink Franklin Fire Department t-shirts while working on shift October 25-27 in honor of women who battle breast cancer. This year’s slogan is “Passionately pink for the cure!”

The Franklin Firefighters Association purchased the t-shirts for the department to wear and sell. Franklin Fire Engineer Nathan Goodin, who is the Association president, said the initiative is part of the “Cares enough to wear pink” national campaign organized by the Guardians of the Ribbon, a non-profit organization.

For more information contact the Franklin Fire Department at (615) 791-3270 or visit www.franklintn.gov/fire.

Courtesy www.franklintn.gov

Franklin Firefighters are once again selling Franklin Fire Department pink ribbon t-shirts to raise money for women battling breast cancer.

Shirts are on sale now at all six Franklin fire stations and City Hall. In addition to pink t-shirts, this year there are also brown, navy and purple shirts with pink lettering to choose from. The shirts are $15.

Firefighters will wear the pink Franklin Fire Department t-shirts while working on shift October 25-27 in honor of women who battle breast cancer. This year’s slogan is “Passionately pink for the cure!”

The Franklin Firefighters Association purchased the t-shirts for the department to wear and sell. Franklin Fire Engineer Nathan Goodin, who is the Association president, said the initiative is part of the “Cares enough to wear pink” national campaign organized by the Guardians of the Ribbon, a non-profit organization.

Goodin said the funds raised will benefit patients of the Breast Health Center at Williamson Medical Center.

For more information contact the Franklin Fire Department at (615) 791-3270 or visit www.franklintn.gov/fire.

Learn how to prepare for emergencies at a Disaster Preparedness Fair on Saturday, August 27, from 1 to 4 p.m. This free event will take place at Sodium, 1725 Columbia Avenue, Suite 100, Franklin, TN 37064, and is being organized by the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency and the Franklin Fire Department.

Outside activities include a “Bubble Bonanza” courtesy of the Franklin Fire Department. A fire truck will spray bubbles for kids of all ages to play in (see photo below), from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – swim suits and goggles are recommended! Also outside will be an emergency services “Touch-a-Truck” event, as well as child car seat checks. Educational booths will be located inside with information and classes showing how to assemble a 72-hour emergency kit for you and your family.

This event will serve as a local kick-off event for National Preparedness Month which is observed in September. National Preparedness Month is the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) annual campaign to encourage Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, schools, organizations, businesses, and communities.

The goal for this September’s National Preparedness Month is to turn awareness into action by motivating all Americans to make and practice an emergency plan.

FEMA officials stress that you may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take several days depending on the severity of the event, your location, and other factors. In addition, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, a week, or even longer.

Williamson County Emergency Management Agency Director Mac Purdy said that with the ten year anniversary of the terrorist attacks occurring this year on September 11th, as well as all of the recent natural disasters that have occurred in both the U.S. and worldwide, citizens realize now more than ever the necessity of preparing for emergencies.

“Emergencies and disasters affect all aspects of a community when they occur. It takes all of us to prepare for the hazards we face; from emergency response organizations and volunteer groups, to each of us as individuals,” said Purdy. “This is a wonderful opportunity for each of us to better prepare ourselves and our community should disaster strike.”

Participants include Atmos Energy (providing complimentary food and drinks), Franklin Fire and Police Departments, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Williamson County Animal Control, Williamson County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Williamson County Emergency Management Agency, Williamson County Sheriff’s Department, Williamson Medical Center EMS, and others.

For more information about this event, or if you are interested in being involved as an exhibitor, please contact the Franklin Fire Department at (615) 791-3270, or visit our website at www.franklintn.gov/fire.

For more information about creating an emergency kit visit www.ready.gov.

Courtesy www.franklintn.gov

Learn how to prepare for emergencies at a Disaster Preparedness Fair on Saturday, August 27, from 1 to 4 p.m. This free event will take place at Sodium, 1725 Columbia Avenue, Suite 100, Franklin, TN 37064, and is being organized by the Williamson County Emergency Management Agency and the Franklin Fire Department.

Outside activities include a “Bubble Bonanza” courtesy of the Franklin Fire Department. A fire truck will spray bubbles for kids of all ages to play in (see photo below), from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. – swim suits and goggles are recommended! Also outside will be an emergency services “Touch-a-Truck” event, as well as child car seat checks. Educational booths will be located inside with information and classes showing how to assemble a 72-hour emergency kit for you and your family.

This event will serve as a local kick-off event for National Preparedness Month which is observed in September. National Preparedness Month is the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) annual campaign to encourage Americans to take steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, schools, organizations, businesses, and communities.

The goal for this September’s National Preparedness Month is to turn awareness into action by motivating all Americans to make and practice an emergency plan.

FEMA officials stress that you may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least three days. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster, but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours, or it might take several days depending on the severity of the event, your location, and other factors. In addition, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days, a week, or even longer.

Williamson County Emergency Management Agency Director Mac Purdy said that with the ten year anniversary of the terrorist attacks occurring this year on September 11th, as well as all of the recent natural disasters that have occurred in both the U.S. and worldwide, citizens realize now more than ever the necessity of preparing for emergencies.

“Emergencies and disasters affect all aspects of a community when they occur. It takes all of us to prepare for the hazards we face; from emergency response organizations and volunteer groups, to each of us as individuals,” said Purdy. “This is a wonderful opportunity for each of us to better prepare ourselves and our community should disaster strike.”

Participants include Atmos Energy (providing complimentary food and drinks), Franklin Fire and Police Departments, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, Williamson County Animal Control, Williamson County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Williamson County Emergency Management Agency, Williamson County Sheriff’s Department, Williamson Medical Center EMS, and others.

For more information about this event, or if you are interested in being involved as an exhibitor, please contact the Franklin Fire Department at (615) 791-3270, or visit our website at www.franklintn.gov/fire.

For more information about creating an emergency kit visit www.ready.gov.

While the concept of mutual aid is a long standing practice in fire service, the fire departments of Franklin and Brentwood have demonstrated exemplary cooperation and innovation through an Automatic Aid agreement that has resulted in added resources and greater security for the residents of both communities.

The cities of Brentwood and Franklin were recognized by The Tennessee City Management Association (TCMA) with an award for Excellence in Municipal Government,  presented this morning at the 72nd Annual Conference of the Tennessee Municipal League in Murfreesboro.

The award is presented by TCMA each year to cities that operate with professional management and have increased the effectiveness of local government through the development of unique and creative programs.

In 2008, the cities of Brentwood and Franklin completed a feasibility study on the formation of an Automatic Aid Agreement between the two cities. Both departments had long provided mutual aid to one another under both state and interlocal agreements which offered assistance with equipment and personnel from one jurisdiction to another during a significant incident, such as a structure fire, when requested. Automatic aid takes this level of cooperation one step further. Under this agreement, targeted areas or zones within each city deemed as "significant risk" are designated for simultaneous dispatch and response from both Brentwood and Franklin fire units, regardless of whose jurisdiction the incident falls within.

A study was conducted to determine the most significant fire risk areas that could be responded to in each city by both fire departments considering factors such as population density, type of construction, required fire flow (water supply), and historical response data. Significant areas of concern covered in Brentwood include the commercial area north of Cool Springs Mall, the Heritage senior living community and Ravenwood High School.

Significant areas of concern covered in Franklin include the entire Cool Springs Mall and adjoining commercial and office development areas.

These areas were agreed upon by both parties and mapped as "Automatic Aid Response Zones". The automatic response does not apply to all emergency calls received by each fire department. Automatic Aid response into the neighboring department's jurisdiction within the designated zones is limited to confirmed or "probable" structure fires as determined by the dispatcher based on information obtained from the reporting party.

The original automatic aid agreement was approved by both cities in June 2009.  Both departments have continued to improve operations between jurisdictions through inter-agency training, simultaneous dispatch, and enhanced radio communications.

Among the numerous mutual benefits to such an agreement are:

• Simultaneous dispatch of both departments within the designated area, thus providing a higher concentration of resources to an incident more quickly.

• Provides better service to both communities by increasing available first-alarm fire protection at no additional cost.

• Facilitates an opportunity to communicate, work, and train with the neighboring department which helps satisfy interoperability requirements set forth by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

• Enables both departments to count the other's resources toward their available firefighting force, which can translate into additional ISO rating points with no additional investment from either community.

The agreement requires "annual" and "as-needed" reviews of the document in order to ensure continued relevance and recommend modifications as needed. This was done in July of 2010 and again in March of 2011.

During a recent meeting, the Franklin Fire Department requested an amendment to the agreement to incorporate additional high-density commercial area within their jurisdiction. As a result, both cities recently approved an amendment to the automatic aid agreement to expand the existing coverage area to incorporate most of the Cool Springs commercial area located south of the Mall.

In the 22 months since the agreement was authorized, Brentwood has responded into Franklin on automatic aid calls 19 times.  Franklin has responded into Brentwood on automatic aid 10 times. In addition, Franklin has provided a traditional mutual aid response into Brentwood 12 times, whereas Brentwood has responded into Franklin on mutual aid 5 times. "It just makes sense," the chiefs of both fire departments told Tennessee Town & City in a 2009 interview.  "It's working well," said Franklin Fire Chief Rocky Garzarek. "I've had at least four cities contact me recently for information about the agreement to see if it would work in their communities." "In a fire, every second counts," agrees Brentwood Fire Chief Kenny Lane. "Our goal is to reduce response times and ultimately improve safety in both cities."

The Tennessee City Management Association is an organization of administrators and managers dedicated to professionalism in the management of local government in Tennessee. Its membership is 120 members strong