Fire Safety Tip of the Week

Week of March 15, 2010 - Fire Safety Tip of the Week – Volunteer Spotlight!

The End of an Era

Upper Merion Township is served by 3,100% volunteer fire companies and over 150 volunteers.  One of those volunteers is the respected and admired Fire Chief of the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company, William C. Daywalt Jr., CFO who has spent over half his life helping others.  Bill, “Billy”, “Perm-A-Grin”, “Taco”, “Hollywood”….these are just some of the nicknames used to refer to the man who has lead KPVFC with honor and dignity for the last 8 years.  Not just a Chief but a family member and friend to those who have served under him.  Chief Daywalt has spent the last 24 years holding every position in the company.  Starting as a firefighter and vehicle rescue technician, he has also been an engineer, lieutenant, trustee, assistant chief, vice chairman of the board, deputy chief and finally chief.  At one time or another, he has held them all!

  

Regrettably for the fire company, Chief Daywalt has retired from his position to take on a new position with Upper Merion Township and as much as it is with mixed emotion, the company wishes him well in the future. Upper Merion Township has gained a great asset as he takes the position of Deputy Fire Marshall/ Deputy Emergency Coordinator. 

For the years that the fire company has been blessed to have Bill amongst its ranks and especially the past 8 years as chief, he has been an outstanding leader and teacher.  Bill has treated his volunteers with the utmost of respect.  He is always there to listen objectively, stand up for what is right, fight against what is wrong and courageously stand in front of the men and women who serve under him.  Great Leaders always lead by example, and Bill has lived that for his family and his company.  One of his famous phrases has always been “family first” and he lives this daily.  His wife Jen serves as the company Secretary and his daughters Kalie and Caitlyn are seen often at the fire house.  Billy makes no qualms about “daddy duty” and spends as much time as he can with his daughters, even bringing them to the firehouse when he has to give a report at a meeting, never have you seen 2 little girls who look up to their father with the deepest of love and respect as they are so included in every aspect of his world. 

As a leader Bill has every quality that constitutes a GREAT leader and Upper Merion Township could not be in better hands. 

Bill’s dedication to the fire company, his loyalty, respect for himself, his family and his fellow members, are just some of the traits that have made him a great chief. He has always been a magnanimous chief, giving credit where credit is due, always the first to recognize those under him for their hard work and accomplishments, while humbly avoiding the spotlight himself.  Conversely, being a great leader, he has been the first to take responsibility if anything were to go wrong - spread the fame and take the blame, a hallmark of a great leader.  Bill’s open-mindedness has lead to allowing the company to branch out into various avenues that would not have been possible without his support and creativity.  For example, if it were not for Bill’s openness to new ideas, this column would not exist.

As a chief, Bill has always been fair and just, dealing with people consistently and professionally.  His assertiveness as a leader has taken the fire company to new heights.  His optimism and sense of humor exude and are contagious to the members of his company, to the citizens he serves, to the children he teaches fire prevention to throughout the year, his friends and family.

Bill has lead the fire company into the 21st century with a passion for excellence, never power. It is obvious to say that he will be sorely missed as our chief; however we are continually blessed that he will always remain as a great mentor and friend.

As our Volunteer Spotlight this week, read on to find out what Bill’s favorite fire safety tip is for his community:

What is your occupation?  Deputy Fire Marshall/Deputy Emergency Coordinator

How long have you been a volunteer firefighter? Since 1986

What is your favorite fire safety tip and why?  Bill has always loved teaching the kids all the fire safety rules... stop/drop and roll, don’t playing with matches, know 2 ways out, firefighter’s are your friends.... He knows that if we teach children when they are young, they have the basic skills and knowledge and then they can go home and share what they have learned with their parents!

The members of the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Company will miss Bill as their Chief, however it is with love, admiration and respect that we stand proudly behind him as he moves into this new chapter of his life.  Your fire house family will always stand proudly behind you! 

Good Luck Billy and Stay Safe, Robin Kelsh - Fire Prevention Director / Safety Officer, KPVFC

Fire Safety Tip Archives

Week of February 22, 2010 - Keeping Children from Playing With Fire 

- Keep all lighters and matches away from children, preferably in high, locked cabinets.

- If your child expresses curiosity about fire, calmly but firmly explain the dangers and that lighters and matches are for adult use only.

- Use only lighters designed with child-resistant features.

- Teach young children to alert an adult if they see matches or lighters.

- Never leave matches or lighters in a bedroom or any place children may go to play or hide unsupervised.

- If you suspect your child is fascinated with fire or setting fires, get help immediately.

Stay Safe, Robin Kelsh - Fire Prevention Director / Safety Officer, KPVFC

 

Week of February 16, 2010 - NATURAL GAS SAFETY

If you have natural gas in your home, always be alert for any leaks.  If you smell gas or hear a leaky gas connection, immediately leave the house, then call 9-1-1 from a neighbor’s phone or a cell phone.  Keep all doors and windows closed when you leave the house; this will allow the fire company to better locate the source of the leak. Never strike a match or use a lighter; any spark or flame can create an explosion.  Have the gas system repaired and checked by a professional representative from the utility company before turning the gas back on.

Stay Safe, Robin Kelsh - Fire Prevention Director / Safety Officer, KPVFC

 

 

Week of February 8, 2010 - Burn Awareness Week

Feb. 7-13 is Burn Awareness Week, and during this week, Shriners Hospitals for Children® will kick-off a campaign focused on preventing gasoline-related and scald burn injuries. Burn injuries are among the most disfiguring and potentially serious bodily injuries.  Scald burns, which are caused by hot liquids, steam or foods, are the most common burn injury among young children and the leading cause of accidental death in the home for children under age 4. Many people do not fully understand the dangers of gasoline. Gasoline is highly volatile – the fumes are capable of ignition from several feet away. Reckless use and improper storage of gasoline lead to thousands of young children and teens being burned every year. The highest at-risk group for gasoline and other flammable substance burns are kids age 13 and older. A Web site has been developed for the campaign at www.burnawarenessweek.org.

Stay Safe, Robin Kelsh - Fire Prevention Director / Safety Officer, KPVFC

 

 

Week of February 1, 2010 - Help Us, Help You

It’s imperative that you keep house numbers visible from the street so that in the event of an emergency, Fire, EMS and Police personnel can find your residence quickly and easily.  This winter, make sure snow and ice do not block the numbers from view. Please give us a hand if there is a hydrant in front of your house and take a moment to clear out the snow.  Saving us those precious minutes in the event of an emergency could save lives.

Stay Safe, Robin Kelsh - Fire Prevention Director / Safety Officer, KPVFC

 

 

Week of January 25, 2010 - Home Heating Fires

As a leading cause of home fires, heating is a concern for every community each winter. Again this year, with the possible increase in use of alternative heating equipment, families need to be especially vigilant to use all heating appliances properly.  Alternative heating sources can be used safely. If you are using pellet stoves, wood stoves, space heaters or any other non-traditional home heating equipment this winter to follow this advice: 

- Turn heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.

- Use and purchase portable space heaters with an auto shut off so if they’re tipped over they will shut off.

- Place portable heaters on solid, flat surface at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn.

- Always use the proper fuel as specified by the manufacturer. When refueling, allow the appliance to cool and refuel outside or in a well-ventilated area.

- If the pilot light of your gas heater goes out, allow 5 minutes or more for the gas to go away before trying again, do not allow gas to accumulate, and light the match before you turn on the gas to the pilot to avoid risk of flashback.

- Heaters should bear the label of a recognized testing laboratory.

- In wood stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood. In pellet stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood pellets. Keep the doors of your wood stove closed unless loading or stoking the live fire.

Stay Safe, Robin Kelsh - Fire Prevention Director / Safety Officer, KPVFC

Look for the Fire Safety Tip of the Week in the King of Prussia Courier.