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TIP OF THE SEASON ~

Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers recently stated: "The proper installation and maintenance of smoke alarms and a practiced home escape plan could mean the difference between life and death should a fire occur."

The "Power Through It All Campaign," sponsored by Energizer Battery and the International Association of Fire Chiefs (I.A.F.C.) encourages us to use flashlights and other battery-operated devices instead of candles when the power goes out. Brochures, containing additional information and safety tips are now available at fire stations throughout the City.

• Persons who do not have a smoke alarm and cannot afford one should call 311 to obtain smoke alarms.
• A "Home Fire Safety Checklist" may be obtained at any Philadelphia Fire Station
• Check our websites: www.phila.gov/fire and freedomfromfire.com and www.firemanshall.org
• Learn how to become a volunteer Fire Safety representative by calling - 215-686-1382 

ROLLING BROWN-OUTS
The Philadelphia Fire Department will continue to meet all of the emergency needs of its citizens and visitors. During these tough economic times, we will share the burden by using brownouts to save money in our overtime budget. The Fire Department has always used brownouts as a way to take five companies out of service for training, but instead will now use brownouts to send two companies for training and the remaining three companies to fill personnel gaps in other companies.

• For information regarding brownouts, click here
• For the brownout schedule, click here. (Please note this schedule is subject to change.)

2012 BATTALION YEAR-ROUND FIRE PREVENTION/COMMUNITY OUTREACH BOOK WINNERS - Congratulations to the winners of the 2012 Battalion Year-Round Fire Prevention/Community Outreach Book Competition that were selected by the officers and members of the Fire Prevention Division’s Awards and Judging Committee.

The result of the judging is as follows:

FIRST PLACE BATTALION 08
SECOND PLACE BATTALION 12
THIRD PLACE BATTALION 09

Philadelphia Parking Authority Debuts New Video Demonstrating the Benefits of Red Light Cameras - Video features top city commissioners, elected officials and a traffic safety expert. Since 2005 when the PA General Assembly authorized the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) to establish a Red Light Camera Program in the city of Philadelphia, the PPA has equipped 24 intersections (over 100 cameras) throughout the city with cameras that monitor traffic and automatically photograph vehicles that drive into an intersection after the light has turned red.

Today the PPA is releasing an instructional video that explains how the cameras work, and how the cameras are changing driver behavior and saving lives here in Philadelphia. “I would like to thank everyone who helped put this important instructional video together. The red light camera program in Philadelphia has reduced red light running substantially, and is saving lives. This video will be used to increase public awareness to the dangers of running red lights,” said Vincent Fenerty, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Parking Authority.

Hear what people are saying in the video about the positive impact of Philadelphia’s red light cameras - “What red light cameras really causes people to do is think about what they are doing to make sure they don’t get that citation. The goal isn’t to generate revenue. In fact, overtime your revenue will actually drop because people are more compliant with the law, which is what you want to see. This is about saving lives.” - Charles H. Ramsey, Commissioner, Philadelphia Police Department. “When we can educate our public to the fact that red light running is dangerous, it causes accidents, it costs people their lives, when that education goes through, they understand the reason for the cameras and understand that those cameras are going to help folks and save lives.” - Lloyd Ayers, Commissioner, Philadelphia Fire Department “This particular intersection where the red light cameras are (Aramingo Avenue and York Street) was an important intersection for us where pedestrians were getting hurt . . . the fact that these red light cameras are here helped save pedestrian lives and reduce accidents." - John Taylor, PA State Representative, 177th Legislative District “…red light cameras will change driver behavior. I can tell you personally because I received a red light camera ticket myself. I knew then that I had to be extremely cautious when I go through intersections from that day going forward.” - Ronald G. Waters, PA State Representative, 191st Legislative District.

Each ticket costs drivers $100. The main goal of this program is to promote public safety. Revenue from the program goes to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), which then distributes the money evenly between the city of Philadelphia and the state through grants for transportation projects.

2013 THEME : FREEDOM FROM FIRE-“BUILDING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT (B.A.S.E.) THROUGH COMMUNITY RISK REDUCTION (CRR)” - During 2012, members of the Philadelphia Fire Department (PFD) visited 7,745 homes and installed 18,966 smoke alarms. Additionally, with the help of Drexel University, the department developed a fire safety app which provides fire and life safety information to help educate the public. The combined strategy of conducting home visits, installing smoke alarms and providing fire and life safety education has contributed to the continued downward trend of fire fatalities within the city. The outcome of these combined efforts has resulted in the lowest number of fire fatalities (25) in the department’s recorded history.

This year’s fire prevention theme “BUILDING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT (B.A.S.E.)” through Community Risk Reduction aims to ensure that everyone in the city stays safe by having all their fire safety bases covered. Theoretically, everyone that has a working smoke alarm has only made it to first base. Those that have a working smoke alarm and a home escape plan have made it to second base. If a family has a working smoke alarm, home escape plan, and utilizes the fire safety checklist to conduct a home inspection, they have made it to third base. All those who perform all the above listed actions and take the fire safety pledge will make it to home plate safely.

This year’s activities will be centered on the PFD’s new Community Risk Reduction (CRR) program, with home fire safety as the primary focus. The Philadelphia Fire Department's goal is to make certain that each family covers all of their bases by having working smoke alarms, a home escape plan, conduct a home inspection utilizing the fire safety checklist, and take the fire safety pledge. Ultimately, the goal is to help every citizen, cover every base, and make their home safe.

June 19-21, 2013 - 45th Annual Fire and Life Safety Seminar - sponsored by the Philadelphia Fire Department and the Citizens' for Fire Prevention Committee will be held in Trevose, PA.
Representatives from Fire Departments and private industries throughout the region will be attending the seminar.

June 7, 2013 - Annual Awards Day Ceremony - The 2013 ALBERT H. REDLES AWARD will be given to Engine 53 and Ladder 27. Honorable mention is given to Engine 57 and Engine 16.

JUNE 1, 2013 - 5th ANNUAL BADGES OF HONOR 5K RUN and WALK - The Badges of Honor 5K Walk/Run has been established to strengthen the relationship between Philadelphia’s Public Safety employees and the community they serve. The proceeds raised from the run defray the expenses related to the death of an employee that has fallen in the line of duty. For more information, go to www.BadgesofHonor5k.com.

MAY 31, 2013 - 6TH ANNUAL SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA FALLEN FIREFIGHTER MEMORIAL GOLF OUTING - Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers is pleased to announce that for 2013, members of the Philadelphia Fire Department, as well as surrounding fire service organizations, will be hosting The Sixth Annual Southeastern Pennsylvania Fallen Firefighter Memorial Golf Outing.

The Outing will be held on Friday, May 31, 2013. The event proceeds will benefit the Local 22 IAFF Survivor’s Fund & the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF). Both of these organizations are 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organizations. more >>

EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) WEEK, May 19 to 25, 2013 - The Philadelphia Fire Department recognizes National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, May 19 to 25, 2013. This year's theme is "EMS: ONE MISSION. ONE TEAM."

On May 20, 2013: An “EMS Appreciation” event will take place on the patio of the Fire Administration Building. Mayor’s EMS Proclamation: Fire Commissioner Ayers will read the EMS Proclamation and recognize the service of Emergency Medical Services to the public. A “CPR Demonstration will highlight the components of Hands Only CPR.

 November 3, 2010 - City of Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Fire Department and Vision 20/20 to announce smoke alarm grant. click here.

The FIRE ACADEMY trains men and women to work in various positions within the Department. Click here to learn more about the Fire Academy. Click here to get directions

The Fire Department has some important news on Performance Measures, Customer Service Standards and Budgetary Impacts. 

Click image to go to IWATCH Website

Police Department Website

TIPLINE: Citizens can reach the text tipline number which is PPD TIP or 773847is tipline with any mobile device and the tips will be sent to the PPD who will immediately route it to the Fire Department to assist viewers with anonymous tips concerning arson related fires for immediate follow up. The PPD text tipline is not for emergencies, but can be used to pass along information to the Philadelphia Fire Department. This tipline is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to reduce arson related fires. We in the Fire Department and are using as many tools as possible so citizens can easily reach out to the Fire Department to report arson related fires, reducing these types of fires and potential deaths. We would like to encourage Philadelphians to save this number in their phones. If you know something, say something. The Fire Department needs partnership with our communities and neighborhoods to keep our houses safe. We will reduce these fires in our city only if residents and the Fire Department work together. The PPD tipline is active and currently accepting tips. After sending a text, the sender will receive the message, “Your message has been received – thank you. We will contact you if further information is needed. If this is a true emergency, dial 911.