Fire Prevention Week is coming up Oct. 9-15. Montezuma Fire Chief has mailed this letter to residents in the fire protecion district:
Dear Friends,
Fire Prevention Week is here again – Oct. 9th through Oct. 15. Fire Prevention Week is alwys held during this week in October – the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire.
We encourage you to take time to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and fire alarms. The heating season will also be upon us, so once again we remind you to check your wood burners, chimneys and furnaces to see that they are in good repair and are not obstructed.
Finally, be sure your house numbers are in clear view from the road.
Operation Edith will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 6:30 p.m.
We encourage everyone to practice the exit drill from your home or apartment. Your family’s well-being may depend on their knowledge of this exercise. Fire prevention should be practiced all year long, not just during Fire Prevention Week.
Please join us on Thursday, Oct. 13 for a spaghetti supper from 5 to 7 p.m. at the fire station. Donations for the supper will be appreciated.
The Montezuma Fire Department responded to more than 300 ambulance and fire calls during 2021. In addition, department members spent many hours in training and continuing education classes. This year was especially difficult because of the challenges of COVID-19 and everything it brought with it.
The department will be continuing to replace our aging turn-out gear (fire coats, trousers and boots). We are scheduled to purchase four new sets this year at a cost of roughly $12,000.
With recent donations, we were also able to purchase two Thermal Imaging cameras and supplies to better aid us in difficult rescues/reco veries.
We are discussing the purchase of new lightweight fire helmets, hard suction hose for our city pumper and a replacement stair chair to assist with patient maneuvering in confined spaces.
We pride ourselves on providing quality service and cover not only the city of Montezuma, but also Lake Ponderosa and the surrounding townships with fire and ambulance service.
We operate almost entirely on the donations we receive from those we serve.
Our fire department receives very little tax support.
Together, we can make Montezuma and the surrounding area a safer, better place. Thank you for your support!
We wish you a safe remainder of 2022 and beyond.
Sincerely,
Bill Bolen
Chief