March 19th through March 25th is Poison Prevention Week

(Brevard County, Fla) - Some poisonous products, such as household cleaners, are obvious; but the list doesn't end there.  The top five poisonous household products include hand sanitizers, button batteries, laundry detergent, e-cigarettes and medications.

Your Brevard County Professional Firefighters (Local 2969) warns that these items pose a bigger risk than you may think.  For example, just two to three squirts of certain hand sanitizers make children really sick - even to the point of alcohol poisoning.

"According to the CDC, poison control centers receive more than 17,000 calls each year in regards to hand sanitizer exposures in children under 12 years old," says Don Slayman, Public Information Officer for the Brevard County Professional Firefighters.

Children have a way of getting into everything, even household items that can be dangerous.  In fact, nine out of 10 poisonings occur in the home.

"It's important to know which items pose serious dangers and to take the rights steps to help protect your kids," says Don Slayman.

For more information about poison prevention, visit MakeSafeHappen

If you have any questions about poisoning, call 1-800-222-1222 or dial 911 for potentially life-threatening situations.

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By:  Donald Slayman

        Public Information Officer

        Brevard County Professional Firefighters

        Email: Donald.Slayman@IAFF2969.com

Don't Find Yourself in a "Pinch" on Saint Patrick's Day

(Brevard County, Fla.) - It's not just the Irish that celebrate Saint Patrick's Day here in Brevard County.  This Friday, March 17th, many people will celebrate by raising a pint of their favorite beverage, but too many people press their Luck by getting behind the wheel.  

Your Brevard County Professional Firefighters don't want you to find yourself in a "pinch," and encourage everyone to have a sober lad or lassie drive you home safely.

Here are some tips to help make this Saint Patrick's day fun and safe:

• Plan a safe way home BEFORE the fun begins (designated driver, taxi, ride-sharing, etc.)
• Buckle Up.  Seat belts can only save your life if you use them.
• Designate a sober lad or lassie BEFORE you begin drinking
• If you're that designated driver, do not drink.  One drink is one too many.
• If you see an impaired driver, don't hesitate to call your local law enforcement or dial *FHP (*347).  This simple call could save someone's life.
• If you know someone who's about to drive while impaired, take their keys and make arrangements for them to get home safely.
• And remember, possession of an open alcoholic beverage in a vehicle is a violation of Florida law (even if you're a passenger).

Enjoy your Saint Patrick's Day and Stay Safe !!!

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By: Donald Slayman

       Public Information Officer

       Brevard County Professional Firefighters

       Email: Donald.Slayman@IAFF2969.com

Brevard County will be the Site of a Multi-Agency Public Safety Drill

(Brevard County, Fla.) - Brevard County's Interstate-95 rest area south of Palm Bay will be the site of a multi-agency emergency response and public safety drill starting at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22.  The drill will involve a mass-contamination/exposure scenario.

WHO: Participating agencies include Brevard County Emergency Management, Brevard County Fire Rescue, Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Transportation, Salvation Army and Space Coast Area Transit.

 

WHAT: A public safety drill exercising reception center capabilities as part of a planned response by Brevard County organizations to an emergency situation at the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant.

 

WHERE:  Northbound rest area on Interstate 95, just south of the Malabar Road northbound exit at mile marker 168.  (It is the first rest area coming into the county from the south on I-95.)

 

WHY: Brevard County is within 50 miles of the St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant and would host and shelter evacuees from areas surrounding the plant, if necessary.  As part of our role in the Emergency Preparedness Planning Process, every other year Brevard County must demonstrate the ability to perform certain functions.  This year’s drill will demonstrate response capabilities involving traffic control, evacuee monitoring and decontamination.

 

The St. Lucie Nuclear Power Plant is located on Hutchinson Island, about 4 miles east-northeast of the City of Port St. Lucie. The facility is owned and operated by Florida Power & Light Co.

 

VISUALS: Hazmat teams in gear, radiological portal monitors, handheld radiological detection equipment, responder equipment, vehicles and trailers, and the bomb squad. Dozens of volunteers will portray evacuees going through this process.

 

MEDIA: Interview opportunities and on-scene escort will be arranged during the exercise.

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Prescribed Fire Planned for Fox Lake Sanctuary (Titusville) on 2/21/2017

(Brevard County, Fla.) - A 100 acre prescribed fire is planned for tomorrow (February 21st) at the Fox Lake Sanctuary in Titusville.  The burn will take place between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. and will be conducted by the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program (EEL) with assistance from Brevard County Fire Rescue (BCFR) and the Florida Forest Service (FFS).

Prescribed fire involves the careful application of fire by professionals under specific weather and fuel conditions to achieve environmental resource management goals.  

Benefits include the reduction of wildfire risk, habitat restoration and the recycling of nutrients back into the soil

The Fox Lake Sanctuary is located at the west end of Fox Lake Road in Titusville.  Contact person is Steve McGuffy of the EELs program at (321) 255-4466 ext. 31.

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By: Don Slayman
Public Information Officer
Brevard County Professional Firefighters

Brevard County Professional Firefighters Donate $11,000 to Camp Amigo

(Brevard County, Fla.) - You may have seen, and even shared, our FaceBook posts about the Women Behind the Badge Calendars; and last Friday, it all paid off.  

Members of the Brevard County Professional Firefighters invited Camp Amigo's Director - Rusty Roberts - to town so our Firefighter Benevolent Association could present his organization with a check worth $11,000.  According to Camp Amigo, the funds will be used to help offset the financial burden of providing a place for children burn victims to just "be themselves."

The Women Behind the Badge Calendar idea was thought of by a few local firefighters and law enforcement officers.  This small dream quickly became a reality as the Women worked around the clock on their off-duty hours to make the project a huge success.  Women from fire and law enforcement agencies all across Brevard County came together to support Camp Amigo.

We also want to say a special thanks to the community for their help in supporting this excellent cause.  Thank you for allowing us to serve !!!

Click here for a slide show

Rusty (Camp Amigo Director) poses
with the Women Behind the Badge

The Women Behind the Badge models take some time to be silly

The Women (along with IAFF 2969 President)
present the check to Camp Amigo's Director (right)

Camp Amigo exists to provide kids who have physical and emotional scars a place to be themselves and build a network of support that will last throughout their lives. The camp is fully funded by private donations and the campers stay free of charge.

The Brevard County Professional Firefighter Benevolent Association is a nonprofit organization aimed to help local individuals that experience catastrophic events as well as provide assistance to local charities.  The Association is governed by Brevard County Professional Firefighters who volunteer their off-duty time to ensure our community's needs are met. 

For more information - or to donate - to the Brevard County Professional Firefighter Benevolent Association or Camp Amigo, please contact Lieutenant Donald Slayman (Public Information Officer for the Brevard County Professional Firefighters) at donald.slayman@iaff2969.com

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You're Invited to See Brevard County Professional Firefighters Donate Large Sum to Camp Amigo

(Brevard County, Fla.) - This Friday, February 17, Brevard County Professional Firefighters invite the public and all members of the media to watch our Benevolent Association make a large donation and check presentation to Camp Amigo (Children's Burn Foundation).

What:  Check presentation / donation
Where: IAFF 2969 Union Hall (571 Haverty Court, Suite N. Rockledge, FL 32955)
When: Friday, February 17th at 1:30 p.m.

The presentation will be short and sweet, but we still wanted to include the community and members of the media.  This donation was funded through the sale of the Women Behind the Badge Fundraisers and Calendar sales and would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our AMAZING COMMUNITY.  Thank you !!!

We will post a followup tomorrow, with pics of the event.

Camp Amigo exists to provide kids who have physical and emotional scars a place to be themselves and build a network of support that will last throughout their lives. The camp is fully funded by private donations and the campers stay free of charge.

The Brevard County Professional Firefighter Benevolent Association is a nonprofit organization aimed to help local individuals that experience catastrophic events as well as provide assistance to local charities.  The Association is governed by Brevard County Professional Firefighters who volunteer their off-duty time to ensure our community's needs are met. 

For more information on the event or the organization, please contact Lieutenant Donald Slayman (Public Information Officer for the Brevard County Professional Firefighters) at donald.slayman@iaff2969.com

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Brevard County Professional Firefighters Make Another Donation to a Local Charity

(Brevard County, Fla.) - Brevard County Professional Firefighters Benevolent Association was excited to share the benefits of a month long campaign for breast cancer.  Today (November 21st), IAFF 2969 President Richard Pierce and Secretary/Treasurer Chris DiSciascio presented Breast Friends with a $2,000 check.

The check was funded by proceeds from a T-shirt sale during breast cancer awareness month.  Every October, Brevard County Firefighters personally purchase special Breast Cancer shirts to wear while on duty.  The campaign exists as a fun way for our local firefighters to raise money and awareness for this important issue.  A special thanks to Fire Chief Schollmeyer for approving our firefighters to wear these shirts during October.  Chief Schollmeyer's commitment to the community exists as an inspiration for all of our firefighters and we thank him for leading us with so much dedication to serving others.

Treasurer/Secretary DiSciascio and President Pierce
present Breast Friends with a $2,000 donation.

Breast Friends is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for female cancer patients.  The organization believes no woman should go through the cancer experience alone and provides extensive support networks to ensure emotional, spiritual and physical support is available to women in need.

The Brevard County Professional Firefighter Benevolent Association is a nonprofit organization aimed to help local individuals that experience catastrophic events as well as provide assistance to local charities.  The Association is governed by Brevard County Professional Firefighters who volunteer their off-duty time to ensure our community's needs are met.  

For more information on these excellent organizations, or to donate, please contact Lieutenant Donald Slayman (Public Information Officer for the Brevard County Professional Firefighters) at donald.slayman@iaff2969.com