Welcome to November everyone, as we put away the Halloween ghosts and goblins, we break out the fall decorations and get ready to move into the holiday season full speed ahead. The month of October seems to have flown by, as has every other month of the year. Take a moment
and reflect on your month. Did you realize October was the month dedicated to Fire Prevention? Your Theodore Dawes Fire Rescue Department hopes that every month is a fire prevention month in the District, but October is when emphasis is placed on prevention nationwide. Our Public Education leader, Sharon Reeves, along with many other members of our department spent many hours in the District spreading the fire prevention message. Visits to multiple schools in the d District spreading the fire prevention and education message to your children were conducted and even to our assisted living facilities, to talk fire safety and fall prevention to the seniors of our community. Several fire truck show-n-tells were conducted and Fire Prevention Week, October 2-11, culminated with an open house here at Theodore Dawes Fire Station 1. We hope October was uneventful for you and your families and that our services were not needed. I like to tell folks that you don’t want to see our trucks running up and down the road. When they ask why not, well the answer is simple. If we are running, someone is or could be having the worst day in their life.
As we leave October in the rearview mirror, everyone should know that the annual ADEM burn ban is lifted until May 1st of next year. I say this so you are aware, but I also want to caution anyone who chooses to burn. BE CAREFUL. Always make sure you are attending your fire. It’s usually when the fire is left unattended that it will spread and create a problem. Burn in small piles that are at least 50 feet away from any structures and make sure you have water at the ready or some tools to work the edges and prevent spread. Please don’t burn on windy days and respect your neighbors who may have health problems or just want to open windows for some fresh air into the house. CURRENTLY, there are no local or State Forestry issued burn bans in the county but if we don’t get some substantial rain soon, I can see them dropping the hammer on burning until we get some rain. Lastly, should TDFR get a call for a complaint of smoke from your fire, we will be dispatched, and we will ask you to put it out.
November marks the winding down of college football which saddens me and many others, but it also brings the end of hurricane season and the beginning of hunting season and that gets my blood flowing. I’m looking forward to a great November with a little ham and turkey on
Thanksgiving and some peaceful naps in the woods as I call myself hunting. The Theodore Dawes Fire Rescue Department and its members, along with the members of our District Board, wish all of you a safe and happy holiday season.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Chief Byrd