Baxley Fire Department
Fire Chief, Jim Ammons
BAXLEY FIRE DEPARTMENT
MISSION STATEMENT
"We dedicate our efforts to provide for the safety
and welfare of the public through protection of
life, property, and the environment"
LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES GRANT FROM DHS
March 2006
Baxley, Georgia -The Baxley Fire Department has received a grant of $25,000.00 from the 2005 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
With FY05 funds the Baxley Fire Department and the Baxley Better Hometown Committee will use the funds for a smoke detector distribution campaign to be held in the near future. The smoke detectors will be distributed throughout the community to senior citizens and ?at risk? individuals. The funding will also be used to purchase fire safety material to be distributed to children throughout the community.
?We recognize the importance of the Fire Act Grants to our nation?s fire departments and we will continue to work closely with the fire service community to meet their needs,? said Matt A Mayer, Acting Executive Director of Office for State and Local Government Coordination and Preparedness.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program assists local fire departments to purchase firefighting equipment, fund firefighter health and safety programs, enhance emergency medical services programs, and conduct fire education and prevention programs throughout the United States.
?The Assistance to Firefighters Grants ensures that the nation?s firefighters continue to have the basic capability they require to do their jobs, improve safety and save lives? said David Paulison, Acting Undersecretary for the Department of Homeland Security's Emergency Preparedness and Response.
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security in cooperation with the Department?s United States Fire Administration.
For more information on the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, please visit the Program Website at http://www.firegrantsupport.com/, or contact the Grants Program Office at 1-866-274-0960. For more information on USFA, please visit the Website at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/
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BAXLEY FIRE DEPT. RECEIVES CLASS 5
IN PPC SURVEY
The Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO) completed its analysis of the structure fire suppression delivery system provided in the City of Baxley. Chief Jim Ammons reported that the resulting classification received by the department is a Class 5. This classification number applies to all properties in the classified area with a needed fire flow of 3,500 gpm or less. The effective date of the new classification will be August 1, 2006.
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THE ISO PUBLIC PROTECTION CLASSIFICATION (PPC) PROGRAM |
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ISO's PPC program evaluates communities according to a unifonn set of criteria defined in the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS). This criteria incorporates nationally recognized standards developed by the National Fire Protection Association and the American Water Works Association. |
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The FSRS allocates credit by evaluating the following three major features: |
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*Fire alarm and communication system. This review accounts for 10% of the total classification which centers upon a community's facilities and support for handling and dispatching fire alarms. |
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*Fire department. This review accounts for 50% of the total classification which focuses upon items such as engine companies, ladder or service companies, distribution of fire stations and fire companies, equipment carried on apparatus, pumping capacity, reserve apparatus, department manning, and training.
*Water supply system. This review accounts for 40% of the total classification highlighting the water supply a community uses for fire suppression, including hydrant size, type, and installation, as well as the inspection frequency and condition of fire hydrants. |
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When ISO develops a single classification for a community, all of the community's properties receive that classification. In many communities, ISO develops a split classification (for example, 5/9). Generally, the first class, (Class 5 in the example) applies to properties within a defined distance (5-road miles in most states) of a fire station and within 1000 feet of a fire hydrant. The second class (Class 9 in the example) applies to properties beyond 1000 feet ofa hydrant but within the defined distance of a fire station. ISO generally assigns Class 10 to properties beyond the defined distance of a fire station.
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Using the FSRS, ISO objectively reviews the fire suppression capabilities of a community and assigns a Public Protection Classification -a number from 1 to 10. Class 1 represents exemplary fire protection, and Class 10 indicates that the area's fire suppression program does not meet minimum recognition criteria.
Pictured, along with Mayor Steve Rigdon, are members of the Baxley Fire Dept. and the City of Baxley Public Works Dept. The City of Baxley would like to extend our apprecitaion to all of these individuals.
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HISTORY OF
NATIONAL FIRE PREVENTION WEEK
The history of National Fire Prevention Week has its roots in the Great Chicago Fire, which occurred on October 9, 1871. This tragic conflagration killed some 300 people, left some 100,000 homeless and destroyed more than 17,000 structures (shown above). The origin of the fire has long generated speculation since its occurrence, with the fact and fiction becoming blurred over the years. One popular legend has it that Mrs. Catherine O'Leary was milking her cow when the animal kicked over a lamp, setting the O'Leary's barn on fire, starting the spectacular blaze. However the massive fire began, it swiftly took its toll, burning more than 2000 acres in 27 hours. The City of Chicago quickly rebuilt, however, and within a couple of years residents began celebrating their successful restoration by memorializing the anniversary of the fire with festivities.
Intending to observe the fire's anniversary with a more serious commemoration, the Fire Marshal's Association of North America, the oldest membership section of the National Fire Protection Association, decided that the 40th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire should be observed not with festivities, but in a way that would keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention. So on October 9, 1911, FMANA sponsored the first National Fire Prevention Day.
In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation. Every year since 1925, the President of the Untied States has signed a proclamation pronouncing the Sunday-through-Saturday period in which October 9 falls, a national observance. For 73 years the non-profit NFPA has officially sponsored and selected the theme for the national commemoration of Fire Prevention Week, honoring the Anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire and using the event to increase awareness of the dangers of fire. Fire Prevention Week is usually held in early October. |
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The City of Baxley provides fire service to all residents of the city and those living within a five- mile radius of the intersection of US 1 and US 341. The Department consists of all paid employees and the ISO rating for the city is 6.
The Fire Department is headed by:
Fire Chief: Jim Ammons
Assistant Chief: Stevie Spell | | Captains: Jerry Thomas, and Danny Sikes |
| The City of Baxley Fire Department has implemented the following initiatives to reduce the residential and commercial fire rates:
-Make yearly visits to the Appling County Schools Pre-K through Second grades, distributing fire prevention literature, coloring books, hats, pencils, etc. along with teaching fire prevention and personal fire safety.
- Established Baxley Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary to assist promoting fire prevention and awareness in the community.
- Provides pre-fire plans for various businesses in the community.
- All fire hydrants are marked with blue reflector markers.
- Fire hydrants are on a scheduled maintenance plan.
- Participate in a mutual aid agreement with all county fire departments and adjoining and city and county fire departments.
- All employees are State of Georgia Certified Firefighters and participate in classroom and hands-on training under a certified fire instructor.
- Extended fire suppression lines and hydrants to rural areas. |
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- Maintain hazardous materials inventory for local businesses and industries.
- Participate in all Emergency Management Drills.
How to Contact the Fire Department
FOR ALL FIRE EMERGENCIES CALL:
911 |
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FOR ALL OTHER BUSINESS PLEASE CALL: 367.8300 |
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