Riley Fire Department’s officers and command staff spent the week of December 5th-9th at Fishers Fire Department Command Training Center participating in the Blue Card Incident Commanders Certification Program.  The program was written by the Brunacini’s, a family of Phoenix firefighters and consists of 50 hours of online instruction, including text, simulations, video coaching, quizzes followed by a 3-day practical exercise at any number of Command Training Centers located around the country.  The Blue Card Command Certification Program teaches Incident Commanders and other fire officers how to standardize incident operations across their department providing:

• Safer, more effective procedures when operating at an emergeny incident
• System-wide accountability among all firefighters and other emergency response personnel
• A reduction in the number of firefighter injuries and deaths
• Simulation-based training to complement on-the-job learning
• A low-cost training alternative that can be delivered in-house

The Blue Card program is designed to manage NIMS Type 4 and 5 incidents-which represent more than 99 percent of our department’s incident activity.

Six of RFD’s eight officer’s completed the cetification program this week.  The remaining two are scheduled to complete the training in 2012.  However, we are not done.  We are in the process of planning a training program that passes the information that we learned to our firefighters.  In addition to training our own, we are the first department in Vigo County to use this program, we are planning on working closely with our neighboring and mutual aid departments to be able to fully utilize this program.

If you or your department has any questions regarding the Blue Card Cerification Program, please feel free to contact us.  We will be more then happy to assist you in any way we can.

Riley Fire Department and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows is proud to partner for the 2011 Smoke Detector Campaign.  Parent’s may remember that in the past we have sent smoke detector information home with students at Riley Elementary.  We ask that you check the smoke detectors in your residence for two reasons.  The first, we ask you to ensure you have a working battery in your smoke detectors.  The second, was to make sure your detector was not older then ten years of age.  Beginning in November, in addition to providing smoke detectors for those in need, we are going to be sending a one 9 volt battery home with every student at Riley Elementary.  We recommend changing your smoke detector batteries every 6 months.  To remember to change your smoke detector batteries, we encourage you to change them every time you change your clock for Daylight Savings Time.  On Friday, November 4th, your Riley Elementary student will be bringing home the 9 volt battery for your smoke detector.  We encourage you to use this battery in your smoke detector and replace the batteries in your other detectors.  In addition to the battery, your student will have paperwork explaining the two different types of smoke detectors on the market today and the difference between them.  We ask that you read through the paperwork closely and return the paperwork to the school if needed.  If your wishing to read more about smoke detectors prior to November, you can find this information under the Safety tab of our website.  Otherwise, we look forward to working with you in the coming months.  Feel free to contact us at 894-3610 if you have any questions.

If you watched the news in recent weeks, you may have noticed a story about Vigo County’s Code Red Emergency Alert System.  Everyone in Vigo County should have received a call on the morning of Wednesday March 23rd from the system.  If you did, there is nothing else you need to do.  You will receive any messages that are sent for you through the system.   However, if you did not receive a call, you need to take a few minutes to register yourself with the system.  The easiest way to do this is to click right here.  This link will take you to the Code Red website.  Take a few minutes and fill the form out in its entirety.  If you happen to know someone who also did not receive the call, please pass this information on to them.  If you have any questions about the Code Red system, please feel free to call the Vigo County 911 Office at 812-462-3333.

INDIANAPOLIS – Public safety officials are reminding Hoosier motorists of a few tips to help get ready for the coming winter.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS), Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and Indiana State Police (ISP) affirm that all Hoosier motorists need to prepare vehicles in preparation for difficult winter travel conditions.

Drivers are encouraged to follow these tips to winterize vehicles:

• Check tire pressure and tread depth. Use a pressure gauge and measure tire tread depth to ensure good traction. Consult your owner’s manual for advice. Look for uneven wearing which can also be dangerous.
• Check battery, exhaust system, heater and defroster. Make sure the battery is not past its lifespan, and that the terminals are tight and free of corrosion. Hoses and belts should be inspected for cracks. Now is the time to discover if your heater is broken – not when the temperature drops.
• Check antifreeze. Make sure that a 50 percent antifreeze, 50 percent water mixture is at the proper radiator level. If the coolant is two years old, get it flushed and refilled.
• Change oil every 3,000-5,000 miles. Consider using a lighter, “winter weight” oil. Refer to your owner’s manual for guidance.
• Check windshield wipers and blades: Replace the blades twice a year and make sure extra wiper fluid is on hand.
• Ensure the four-wheel drive system and brakes are functioning properly.
• It is a good idea to keep at least a half tank of gas in your car at all times during the winter months, to keep the fuel lines from freezing.
• Even with the best maintenance and cautious driving, snow, ice and freezing temperatures can sometimes still get the best of your vehicle. Hazardous winter driving conditions induce crashes, which are the leading cause of death during winter storms. Being prepared to handle potential slide-offs, crashes, and car trouble in winter is a simple but crucial step to take in preparing for the next few months.

Prepare a winter emergency kit for your vehicle. Supplies should include:

• At least two blankets or a sleeping bag
• Flashlight or battery-powered lantern and extra batteries
• Booster (jumper) cables
• Emergency flares
• Extra clothing, particularly boots, hats and mittens
• A steel shovel and rope to use as a lifeline
• Bottled water or juice and nonperishable high-energy foods (granola bars, raisins, nuts, peanut butter or cheese crackers)
• Thermos or container that won’t allow liquids to freeze
• First-aid kit and necessary medications
• Sand or non-clumping cat litter for tire traction if your vehicle gets stuck in snow or ice
• A cell phone charger which can be adapted to vehicle use
• Ice scraper and snow brush
• Tire repair kit and pump
• Candle, matches, heat sticks/packs, lighters, hand-warmers, etc. (Be sure to crack the window if you using a heat source inside the vehicle)