The Lafayette Twp. Firefighter’s Association is currently seeking new members to become part of our organization! The Association works hand-in-hand with members of the Lafayette Twp. Fire Department to help with the needs of the department & the community!

The Firefighter's Association is responsible for a number of different tasks including:

FUNDRAISING to help support the fire department & the community

• Annual Breakfasts in February
• The Lodi Sweet Corn Festival
• Pioneers-in-the-Park
• Annual Visit from Santa

REHABILITATION

• The firefighter's association assists the department during extended emergency scenes providing hydration & other services.

PUBLIC RELATIONS

• The Firefighter's Association also assists the fire department in different fire & EMS prevention details in Lafayette Township, Chippewa Lake and Medina County as a whole.

The Firefighter’s Association meets on the last Monday of every month at 7pm at fire station #2 in Chippewa Lake. For more information, please contact Association President Dave Young at 330-416-5000 or email him at dyoung@lafayettetwpfire.com

As you're enjoying your day(s) off...take a moment to honor those that were there, those that are still there, and those that will never make it home.

Today we remind ourselves of the men and women, past and present, fighting and dying for this country who give us our freedom. Happy Birthday to the United States of America. Happy 4th of July.

Everyone have a safe and happy holiday!!

God Bless America, the land that we love!

On Wednesday, June 23,2010 at 16:47, LTFD was dispatched to Meadowhaven Dr. for a report of a fully involved car fire inside an attached garage.  Upon Chief Hall's arrival at 16:54, heavy smoke and flames were present throughout the entire garage of the 2 story home.  Chief Hall requested a second alarm which brought Seville-Guilford FD and Westfield Fire Departments to the scene.

The first LTFD engine arrived on scene at 16:58, firefighters were able to control the fire with a 2.5'' hand line that was directed into the garage.  The second engine company advanced a 1.75'' hand line through the front door to contain any flame spread.  The fire was logged under control within 33 minutes of receiving the alarm. 

The Red Cross assisted at the scene providing refreshments.  LTFD EMS personnel treated the homeowner on scene who suffered minor burns to his hand while trying to extinguish the fire. The home had properly operating smoke detectors installed and they alerted the homeowner of the fire.

In an effort to reduce the number of fires and fireworks-related injuries, the Division of State Fire Marshal is encouraging Ohioans to attend public fireworks displays hosted by local municipalities and licensed exhibitors this July 4th weekend. 
 
"The best way for Ohioans to prevent fireworks injuries is to attend a licensed, professional fireworks exhibition," said Interim State Fire Marshal Donald Cooper. "Keep in mind that even trick and novelty fireworks, like sparklers, are inherently dangerous and can cause serious injury."
 
The only types of fireworks that can be legally purchased and discharged in Ohio are trick and novelty devices. These include items that smoke, sparkle, snap and snake.  For those who choose to have their own display using these legal fireworks, Marshal Cooper encourages Ohioans to follow some important safety tips:

• Handle and discharge trick and novelty devices only under adult supervision.
• Appoint one adult to be in charge. This person should know the hazards of each type of firework being used.
• Carefully read and follow the label directions on the trick and novelty device packaging.
• Light only one sparkler at a time and hold it away from your body and others.
• Sparkler wires, which can burn up to 1800 degrees, should immediately be placed in a bucket of water to avoid injury as they remain hot for a few minutes after burnout.
• If someone gets burned, run cool water over the wound for two or three minutes and seek medical attention when necessary.

Other fireworks, like those sold at fireworks stores around Ohio, can be legally purchased in the state, but you must agree to take them out of Ohio to discharge. "You must be at least 18 years of age to buy items such as firecrackers and bottle rockets at the stores you see along the roadways of Ohio," said Cooper.  "But firing them off within state boundaries is prohibited."

**Taken from publication put out by the Ohio Department. of Commerce**

The mission of the Ohio Department of Commerce is to fulfill our legal obligations to safeguard the public, while striving to regulate commerce in a reasonable, fair and efficient manner.

www.com.ohio.gov

As we all enjoy the great weather, the time with love ones, and a few days away from the normal everyday grind, please take a minute to remember all those that have made the ultimate sacrifice, so that we many enjoy what we have today. 

LTFD would like to thank all those that are serving or have served either domestic and abroad, you are true heros! Our hearts go out to you and your families. THANK YOU!!!
 
There will be a Memorial day parade in Lafayette. It will start at Deerview and travel down 162 to the Township complex. There will be a service to honor all service men and women at the Gazebo on the corner after the parade. Also after the service there will be a community pie and ice cream social. Please bring a lawn chair and help show our men and women that we support all their efforts!!

Interim State Fire Marshal Donald Cooper is encouraging Ohioans to "spring into fire safety" as warmer days approach. Ohio averages more total fires in spring than any other season. More than 60,000 fires were reported during April, May and June to Ohio's fire departments from 2004 to 2008.
 
"As the spring weather warms Ohio, many people throughout the state begin what is an annual ritual - spring cleaning," said Cooper. "This is also an ideal time to check homes and yards to eliminate fire and safety hazards."
 
The number of fires can be greatly reduced by taking these simple steps to protect your family and home:

• Clear leaves, debris and other yard waste from around the home, garage and storage sheds.
• Have a qualified professional perform proper maintenance on lawn equipment such as mowers, weed trimmers and leaf blowers.
• Responsibly store flammable liquids and home chemicals; properly discard old containers of paint and solvents.
• Fuels for lawn and garden equipment, tools and vehicles should only be stored in approved containers.
• Check for frayed or damaged electrical cords and wires, and have them repaired by a qualified professional.
• Air conditioning units and electrical cords should be checked.
• Barbeque gas grills, including gas hoses, gas grill lines, and propane tanks, should be inspected prior to use.
• Remove any combustibles from around hot water tanks, clothes dryers and vents and any heating equipment.
• Remove any lint buildup from clothes dryers.
• Get rid of oily rags and cloths used to wipe up fuel spills.
• Windows should be checked to make sure they open and close properly, in case they are needed as exits.

A complete list of fire safety tips can be found on the Division of State Fire Marshal's web site at http://www.com.ohio.gov/fire
 
While you are thinking fire safety, take the time to test your smoke detectors. If you have not already changed the batteries, do it now. Also, dust or vacuum around the detector and replace any that are 10 years old or older. Finally, review your home fire escape plan and make certain every family member has two ways out of the home and knows the outside meeting location.

*This information was taken from a News Release from the Ohio Department of Commerce.  The mission of the Ohio Department of Commerce is to fulfill our legal obligations to safeguard the public, while striving to regulate commerce in a reasonable, fair and efficient manner.

With spring being here severe  weather season is upon us.  Lafayette Township currently utilizes severe weather sirens to alert citizens of impending dangerous weather situations. 

The township currently has 3 severe weather sirens it uses for this purpose, one siren is located at each of our fire stations in Lafayette and Chippewa Lake. The third siren is located at the Lions Park.  These sirens are tested for functionality the first Saturday of every month at 12:00 noon.  The sirens are activated by the Medina County Sheriff's Office dispatchers.  Please keep in mind that the sirens are intended for alerting public citizens who are outdoors only. Residents who are in there homes may not hear sirens due to home insulation, TVs, etc.  The sirens are not a replacement for NOAA weather radios.  The NOAA weather radio is the best way to receive detailed weather information directly from the National Weather Service in Cleveland Ohio. 

In the event of severe weather please go to a basement or lowest level of your home. In the event there is no basement in your home, go to the innermost room with no windows or doors and cover yourself.  Remember that most injuries occur from debris flying through the air!!  

From all the staff at Lafayette Fire Dept., have a great and safe spring season!!!

Early Saturday morning, LTFD was dispatched for the report of a head-on motor vehicle accident with entrapment on W. Smith Rd., near the RR crossing.  Lifeflight was immediately dispatched to the scene.  Upon arrival, two cars were found with heavy frontal damage. A Sheriff’s deputy arriving on scene prior to LTFD freed patient that was previously entrapped.  Metro Lifeflight transported one patient from the scene and other was transported to Medina Hospital by LTFD and later transferred to Metro by Lifeflight.  No patient update was available at this time. 

The Lafayette Township Fire Department is now on Facebook! Become a fan and receive status updates about the latest happenings in and around LTFD. Also, browse pictures and chat with other fans, and as always...THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

www.facebook.com/editaccount.php

Interim State Fire Marshal Donald Cooper is reminding Ohioans to make a potentially lifesaving change when they move their clocks forward on Sunday, March 14: Change the batteries in your smoke detectors!
 
In conjunction with the United States Fire Protection Association's (USFA) public awareness program "Install. Inspect. Protect." the Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of State Fire Marshal and local fire departments across the state encourage Ohioans to make it a habit to change the batteries in their smoke detectors at least twice a year - at the beginning and end of daylight savings time.
 
"The facts speak clearly - only a working smoke detector can save your life," said Marshal Cooper.  "Ohioans can greatly reduce tragic fire deaths and injuries by performing the simple task of replacing smoke detector batteries.  By taking the time to change the batteries and by testing them monthly, you are doing more to affect the fire safety of your family and home than any other action you could take."
 
Marshal Cooper said firefighters still find that smoke detectors, which typically retail for less than $10, are often not present in homes or are not functional. Through March 8, 2010, 34 people have died in 28 fatal residential fires reported to the Division of State Fire Marshal. Smoke detectors were confirmed present in 8 (29%) of those fires and functioning in only 3 (11%) of the incidents.
 
Smoke detectors, when properly installed and maintained, provide early warning when fire occurs.  For the greatest protection, install a smoke detector on every level of your home and inside each sleeping area.  Also, develop an escape plan and make sure every family member knows what to do if the fire alarm does sound.
 
Test smoke detectors at least once each month to ensure that they are working properly.  Vacuum the dust from inside the detector at least once every year.  Batteries in battery-operated detectors should be changed twice a year or whenever a detector "chirps" to signal low battery power.  Never "borrow" a smoke detector's battery for another use. A disabled detector cannot save your life.  In addition, smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years or according to the manufacturer's specifications.
 
The USFA's "Install. Inspect. Protect." campaign encourages citizens to 1) install and maintain smoke detectors, 2) practice fire escape plans, and 3) perform a home safety walk-through to remove fire hazards from the home.
 
For more information, visit www.com.ohio.gov/fire.