[0:01] This is the Farmington feed, bringing you information from the city of Farmington. Hi [0:05] and welcome back to the Farmington Feed. I'm Caryn Hojnicki, the city's communications specialist, [0:09] and I'm hungry for another episode of The Feed. We have two guests with us today here to discuss [0:14] fire prevention week. Firefighter Steve Karsten and Fire Marshall Heath Walker. Welcome. Thank [0:19] you. Thank you. I know Heath, you've been on before and this is your first time, Steve. So, [0:23] we're excited to have you on. Can you guys just tell us and remind us how long you guys have been [0:28] with the Farmington Fire Department? I've been with the Farmington Fire Department for about [0:32] 5 years now. Okay. I've been with the department 18 years and a little over 7 months in the fire [0:38] marshal role. Right. Cuz you're you're new to that. And how's that going? It's going it's [0:42] going really good. Um I'm extremely busy which is good. My days and weeks go by like a blink. [0:50] Yeah. But um I'm enjoying the role. Good. All right. All right. So, my first question will be, [0:54] what's the most important thing to talk about when we're talking about fire prevention? What do you [0:58] guys think? Safety. Especially when you're cooking or in the kitchen, especially if you've got young [1:04] kids. Making sure they know what to do, how to do it, and things to look out for. Okay. For example, [1:10] like I don't know, I have I have three kids, 13, 10, and seven. I'm sure I would apply this rule [1:17] differently to them, right? Yep. It's it's, you know, awareness. Yeah. Yeah. Um, when it comes [1:22] to like Steve was mentioning, cooking, I think a lot of times we get complacent and we try to [1:28] multitask. Yeah. So, not only are we cooking, we're taking care of kids, we're taking care [1:32] of pets, we're trying to do maybe small errands around the house and we leave stuff unattended. [1:38] Yeah. And sometime I mean that's where we find a lot of stuff will happen when it's unattended cuz [1:46] they're not at the stove while it's on. Right. If you're, you know, if you're frying something [1:50] and the and the oil gets too hot, if you're baking something and and you forget about it, [1:55] you know, that can start an oven fire. Yeah. You know, the oil can catch on fire and get out [2:00] of control. Always set the timer so you remind yourself for the baking. Right. Right. I mean, [2:05] best case scenario would be if you're cooking, then remain cooking. Mhm. Also knowing what to [2:11] do. So, yeah, grease gets on the oven, don't go get water. Yeah. And that's some of the stuff that [2:17] when we do our open house, we show an example of a kitchen fire and what happens when you throw water [2:22] on it. What's the proper way to take care of that fire versus throw water, watch everything explode, [2:28] cover it, use baking soda, something else that'll actually suppress the flame and the oxygen. And [2:34] baking soda is something that everybody has in their kitchen, right? And should be readily [2:37] available, right? In theory. Yeah. Big the big thing, you know, it's easy to sit here and say, [2:42] but try not to panic. Yeah. But when you see when you see fire, it's natural to to panic. The more [2:49] calm and collective you can be, then you'll you'll work through that problem. For sure. I mean, [2:54] with injuries or fire, like people just start to panic inside. Uh what about those blankets? [3:00] There's those like fire blankets. Are those a good option for that? Every everything that I've seen, [3:05] I mean, I haven't done a ton of research on those things, but everything that I have seen on them, [3:09] they are effective. But I honestly I don't know how many households actually have the [3:13] fire blankets but might be something good to you know to have in the back of your mind to think [3:18] about fire extinguisher would be the big thing and people don't necessarily know how to use those. [3:22] Um do you guys do some sort of demonstration for that or we're trying to put uh something together [3:28] for that. I'm looking at hopefully in the future getting like a digital prop that you can practice. [3:34] It'll actually be the official weight of an extinguisher. You'll have to use it correctly [3:39] in order to put the flame out. Yeah. So, I'm looking at that, but it is it is expensive. So, [3:45] um what would you say is the most frequent call type that you guys get or that you've been on? [3:52] Medical emergencies probably cover 90 95% of our calls. Yeah. If you're talking fires, you're [3:58] looking at maybe 3% for fires, 35. Otherwise, good intent calls, you know, hey, there's a smoke [4:05] alarm going off. just safety checks, which we're glad to go on. We'd rather have people call us [4:12] if they think there's something wrong versus let it get out of control. And when you say call us, [4:17] this is 9, they just call 911. There there's no like non-emergency number, [4:21] right? It's 911 and then that that dispatches us depending on location, whether it's station one, [4:28] station two. Yeah. And you guys cover a big area. It's not just Farmington. So, [4:33] um I'm sure we talked about this before, but what is it again? How how many? Correct. It's like uh [4:38] I know it used to be 82 square miles. I think we're down to like 80 80 square miles. I mean [4:44] that's still a lot of coverage. A lot of rural. Yeah, for sure. And so what's another important [4:50] thing that people need to think about if you have an emergency, a meeting place, especially [4:55] if you've got kids or pets, knowing where to go that make sure they know where to go, what to [4:59] do. If there's a fire in the home, what is your escape plan? Do you get out right away? Is there [5:06] something blocking you knowing to shut your door at night? Oh, yeah. Because if you're sleeping, [5:12] having your door closed is going to give you more protection than leaving it open and just letting [5:15] something happen. For sure. So, you're mentioning fire escape plans. What does that involve? Do you [5:20] know family should get together and do what exactly? For me, we talk about it. We practice [5:27] I'm going to air quote practice a drill. So, it's just, hey, smoke detector is going off. What do [5:32] you do? And it's just making sure everybody knows, hey, if I say there's a fire in the basement, [5:37] where are you going to go? Mhm. So, knowing more than one way out and knowing how to get out and [5:42] then where you're going after you're out to make sure everybody's accounted for. Yeah, [5:46] for sure. And what what would you say is the most things that people don't think about like, [5:52] oh, what about my pet? What about my phone? What about my favorite blanket? You know, just get out, [5:57] right? The material things can be replaced. Yeah. Everybody out. That's the most important. What [6:02] about when you're not at home? Should they you still think about fire escape plans? Like if say [6:07] you get an Airbnb or a Vrbo, whatever, and you're somewhere you you're not familiar with a hotel, [6:13] right? And they're supposed to be on like on motel, for instance, on the back side of the [6:16] doors when you close them, there should be should be a map, and it should list your room and where [6:23] the exits are. Take note of that. Like 90% of people if they're involved in something like that, [6:29] they're always going to try to escape out of this the same way that they came in. Even though there [6:34] could be an exit right next to them. Yeah. But it's something that they didn't notice, right? [6:38] They just know here's where I came in at. That's the that's the way I'm getting out. Yeah. So be [6:44] conscious about where your exits are and know that you don't always you don't always have to go in [6:49] the same way or go out the same way you came in. Oh, for sure. Another thing we wanted to mention [6:55] too is talking about recreational fires and open burns because there is a difference and we just [7:01] want to let everybody know what's needed when they want to have a recreational fire and what's needed [7:05] for an open burn. Open burn, you have to get a permit through the DNR, but the city of Farmington [7:10] still requires an open burn permit through the city. That enables that that permit to come [7:14] across my desk and then from there I will contact you. I'll come out and take a look at your look [7:19] at whatever you're going to burn, where you're burning, what's involved, time of year. You have [7:25] to be under a 15 mph wind. You have to call the uh 911 non-emergency line. So, that's the stuff that [7:32] goes along with the open burn permit. And does it cost anything for that? It's $30. Oh, that's [7:36] not bad. And it's good for 30 days. But if we have inclement weather throughout those 30 days and you [7:42] cannot burn within those 30 days, then all I ask is you contact me and I I work with you on that. [7:47] Oh, for sure. So, yeah, that's good. And so, can we talk about what constitutes a recreational fire [7:52] then? Uh, recreational fire is either a portable fire pit or a stationary one that's like built in [7:58] a backyard or something. Yep. Got to be 25 ft away from any combustibles. Today, with the new housing [8:04] going up, it's that's extremely hard. I think a lot of people have gone to the portables. Um, [8:09] that's 10 feet away from combustibles. Those you can enjoy. driveway. I a lot of people [8:15] get together in their driveways, have the have the neighbors out and around. It's got to be 2 [8:20] by 3 by three, so it's smaller. You can only burn firewood. Um no construction debris, no [8:29] uh no trash, cardboard. Yeah. It's just strictly firewood. No yard waste. Oh, no yard waste. Okay. [8:36] No leaves. Yeah. So, you know, we're just talking about, hey, let's have some s'mores or Right. [8:41] Right. something small. Um, and that doesn't need a permit or anything, right? No. So, what would [8:47] happen if say you saw something that you thought maybe wasn't necessarily like an emergency, [8:53] but you know, how how do how should someone handle that? Like, oh, they're they're burning something [8:57] in their backyard, but that doesn't look right. Better to be safe and sorry. Call 911. I mean, [9:04] call the non-emergency number. Yeah. Because then you can get potentially Heath or somebody else out [9:09] that can take a look and let them know, hey, you shouldn't be burning this. This is what you can [9:14] burn, can't burn. They can talk to them, let them know what the process is. Yeah, for sure. Better [9:20] to be safe than sorry instead of just going, "Oh, it doesn't look right. I'm going to ignore it." [9:24] And then it turns into a bigger issue. For sure. And you know, when people are having these fires, [9:29] the number one thing is they need to stay in attendance of them, right? stay in attendance, [9:33] have a hose or a means of extinguishment um nearby you. Yep. So, let's go into our [9:38] fire prevention week, which this campaign runs October 5th through 11th, but you guys have your [9:44] fire prevention open house in September. And this year it's going to be September 17th, Wednesday, [9:50] um from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in a new location. It's going to be at Fire Station 1 this year. Correct. [9:55] Correct. and they're they have a theme and their theme this year is charge into fire safety lithium [10:01] ion batteries in your home. So essentially working to educate everyone about using these batteries [10:06] safely. How does somebody know what's a lithium ion battery? Cuz I'm sure there are people out [10:10] there that don't. Most of the batteries that are coming with your your battery powered, you know, [10:15] ebikes, scooters, scooters, okay, your your little motor your little motorcycles, those are all going [10:22] to contain a lithium ion battery. And are those usually rechargeable or they're rechargeable and [10:27] that's where the problem becomes is people will plug them in say to a power strip. You shouldn't [10:33] be doing that because you need it in the wall with a GFI switch because if something pops it's going [10:39] to shut that outlet off versus Oh yeah. you plug it into a power strip it just sits there something [10:43] happens that could cause a fire. Okay. And the and the other important um item to mention about the [10:49] lithium ion batteries is that your know your your cell phones. Okay. Um it's important to use the [10:55] charger that came with that phone. Mhm. That phone charger has been listed and designed for that [11:02] phone. Um a lot of times you can either get low current or an over over production of current on [11:08] the different aftermarket Amazon chargers and then that's where you run into problems. Okay. cuz that [11:15] starts a fire just potentially. Okay. And going with this, so obviously knowing what is lithium [11:21] ion batteries and how to charge them safely, but what about when they're done? When we're [11:24] done with them, do you throw them in the garbage? Lithium ion batteries should not be thrown in the [11:29] garbage. It should be taken to a drop off like recycling center. Okay. Why is that? They can [11:34] get super hot and if they get hot enough, they could explode, which would cause anything worth [11:39] like a garbage truck, you've got all kinds of combustible materials in there. those explode, [11:44] that could ignite all of that, which would cause a fire. Right. And I've heard that happen and in [11:49] in not only garbage trucks, but just what at where they dump. Right. Right. Okay. So, difference is [11:55] you have normal AA batteries. Those you can throw in your trash. You don't want to throw anything in [12:01] bulk. So, you got a bucket of batteries, you're going to want to dispose of those safely at like [12:04] a recycling center. Otherwise, you know, you got a couple batteries here or there, you can definitely [12:08] just get rid of those as long as they're not lithium ion and nothing in bulk because [12:12] that's where an issue could come from. Okay, that makes sense. Yeah, this is all great information, [12:16] but I'm sure like there might be groups or organizations out there that want to learn more, [12:21] right? So, what would you suggest if um say a Girl Scout troop wants you guys to come and talk? Like, [12:27] do they just need to reach out to you via email and say, "Hey, can you do a presentation for us or [12:32] a tour in the station or Sure. Um my information can be found on the uh the city website um under [12:39] the fire department um on the right hand side. My information is there. My telephone number and my [12:46] email is there. So I could just reach out and they could just request a visit or tour. Okay, [12:50] that's awesome. Now fire prevention is not just for the residents. It's also for businesses, [12:54] right? So what is the most uh frequent issue you see with businesses when it comes to fire [12:59] prevention? Biggest issue when it comes to a business with fire prevention. So things like [13:04] probably blocked exits, not having or blocked sprinkler heads. I would say it's just it's [13:11] it's maintenance of the systems. Okay. Um your alarm system, your sprinkler system, [13:17] all your your checks on your extinguishers, exit lighting, and exit uh signs. Yeah. All those [13:22] things, right? Um it's the basics. And then and then the um the use of extension cords. What do [13:28] you mean by that? Uh your extension cords cannot be used for more than 90 days. They have to be [13:33] listed. They can't be used in place of permanent wiring. Oh, okay. So, if you have an extension [13:41] cord going plugged into an outlet, it goes up the wall into the ceiling back down to power, [13:47] let's say, a TV, you're using that extension cord as permanent wiring, and they shouldn't be. So, [13:53] yeah, you cannot. It's against a Minnesota state fire code. Okay. So, as a business owner, [13:58] those are the things that you're going to be looking at when you come do a check, right? [14:02] inspection. Correct. First things, yeah, I'm going to look at sprinklers, um, exit lighting, [14:06] exit signage, if you have a sprinkler or alarm system. I'm going to make sure that they've been [14:11] they've been inspected annually. Any deficiencies have been taken care of. So, those are just some [14:16] of the stuff I'm going to be looking at. Exit uh exit path passageways. Um, make sure that they're [14:22] clear and not full of debris. A lot of you'll find that back of stores it's you're already limited [14:28] in storage. So they put those they'll stack a bunch of stuff up locking mechanisms on doors. So [14:35] yeah. Okay. And then how do you suggest to those business owners like how to get their employees [14:41] um on board and understanding like is there any requirements on that level? So your apartments, [14:46] senior housing, stuff like that. They have to they have to provide a an an evacuation plan. [14:52] There's a schedule that they're supposed to maintain with that. So, anything else [14:56] that we've missed about fire prevention? We talked about residents and businesses. We [15:00] talked about escape plans. What else? It's past the time, but firework safety, you know, people [15:06] are still setting them off random times. Right. Right. And it's just to know that if you do, [15:10] don't put them next to your house. Don't do not throw them away in the garbage. Y um water them [15:15] down, let them sit. I say a minimum 24 48 hours outside. Um away from any any combustibles. Yeah, [15:21] for sure. I mean, that's number one, like getting them wet, right? Like, and people just think, "Oh, [15:25] I'll just dip it in." But no, you got to leave it, right? Those things will smolder for days. Yeah, [15:29] that's crazy. And same with your wreck fires. Mhm. Probably one or two times every year, it seems [15:34] like we'll get somebody will have a wreck fire. Um they'll come out that next morning thinking that [15:39] everything's cool and they'll dump it in their trash and then they go to work or whatever and [15:45] next thing you know, the trash is on fire, right? So, let that let that portable fire pit sit for a [15:51] few days or or water it down. Anything else we should talk about? I think we covered a lot of [15:56] it. Just making sure you know what you're doing. Going over things with your family so you have a [16:00] plan. Making sure young kids know, hey, this is is or isn't safe because if you don't tell them, [16:07] they're just going to assume it's okay. Yeah. Smoke alarms. Oh, we did not talk about that. [16:13] Yeah. You know, um smoke alarms, they're uh they're good for 10 years. There's a date on [16:17] the on the inside cover of the smoke alarm. Mhm. Um they they're they're good for 10 years and then [16:23] they have to be replaced. Check your battery twice a year, right? Okay. Or change your batteries. [16:29] Yeah. And then check your smoke alarm every month. Every month. Yeah. And then uh also CO detectors, [16:35] correct? That's something to think about as well. CO needs to be one on every level. Yep. And now [16:40] you can buy a combination smoke alarm um CO detector. Oh, okay. That that's nice. All right. [16:46] Well, thank you so much, Steve and Heath, for coming on to discuss this important topic. And so, [16:51] remember to check your batteries monthly and change those batteries twice a year. Before I wrap [16:56] up today's episode, I want to share a few items. We did mention the fire prevention open house, [17:00] which will be Wednesday, September 17th from 5:30 to 8:30 at the new location, Fire Station 1. Don't [17:06] miss out. Heath, is there anything special um that you want to mention about this event? For sure. [17:11] Come on down. Parking will be across the street at Bachmann Middle School. We'll have traffic control [17:15] there for everybody. This year we're going to try to set up our SCBA training cond box. It's [17:21] search and rescue. Oh, okay. And so the um adults if they want to go through it, they'll be able to [17:27] go through it. Uh kids can go through it and just kind of see that we can black um black out their [17:33] mask. Mhm. And then they can we'll show them kind of what we go into. Yeah. In in the situations [17:38] that we're involved in. Um we're going to try to have uh weather permitting, we're going to have [17:42] some live burns. Okay. So, people will actually be able to see using that burn trailer. Correct. Yep. [17:48] We have we have an on-site burn trailer. We're going to light some pallets and some hay inside [17:53] and anybody coming to the open house will be able to watch uh watch a couple crews go in and then [17:59] put out the fire. Oh, awesome. Okay, great. Always a good time. And then is there like a contest that [18:04] happens at this? They can win something. I feel like I remember that. The kids will be able to [18:09] get like a makeshift bingo card. It's bingo cards, right? And you go to the different stations and [18:14] once you get a bingo, you can enter into winter ride home in a firetruck. Yep. That's fun. Is that [18:20] Do they get the ice cream too with that? They get the ice cream. Yep. Get that sweet tour back. They [18:25] get to ride home in the firetruck. They get a a trip to Dairy Queen. Okay. But they got to come [18:30] and they got to get fill their bingo card, right? Awesome. And I think this year we're going to try [18:35] to we're looking into um either having some catering done, maybe possibly some food trucks [18:41] there. Okay. So, oh, it'll be a great time, right? A couple of the reminders. Tiger Cub Pepfest will [18:46] be immediately following the homecoming parade on Wednesday, September 24th at 421 Walnut Street. [18:52] This event is sponsored by Farmington Parks and Recreation and Farmington Area Community Ed. Aaron [18:57] from DJAA Entertainment will be providing music and the entertainment. Join us for [19:01] this special homecoming event. And then mark your calendar now and register for the annual [19:05] community blood drive hosted by the Farmington Fire Department. And that will be Thursday, [19:08] September 25th from 1 to 7:00 p.m. at fire station 1. Go to redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code [19:15] farmington fire to register. Well, that concludes this month's episode of the Farmington Feed. Thank [19:20] you for listening. We look forward to connecting with residents with this podcast. If you have [19:23] any feedback, guest requests, or ideas, email me at communications@faringtonmn.gov. Don't [19:29] forget to subscribe to the Farmington feed wherever you like to get your podcasts.