Latest news with #StateFireCommissioner
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Firework Safety: Pennsylvanians encouraged to celebrate carefully this Memorial Day
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — Memorial Day weekend means that celebrations will be taking place across the country, but the Office of State Fire Commissioner is reminding Pennsylvanians that fireworks have the capability to kill or seriously injure a person if you're not careful. A 2023 report on firework safety showed that there were eight firework-related deaths and over 9,000 injuries. Children under 15 accounted for nearly one-third of them. Fireworks also caused over 31,000 fires in 2022, which caused over $109 million in damages. All this to say that the best thing to do this holiday weekend is to be safe and careful. Here are some ways to stay safe when using fireworks this weekend: Avoid alcohol and drugs Supervise children Prepare for emergencies Handle fireworks properly Maintain a safe distance Dispose of fireworks safely Keep pets safe Only use fireworks that are legal Pennsylvania Attorney General urges Congress to pass youth drug prevention bill 'Fireworks are capable of causing serious injury or death and must be treated with extreme caution. It is everyone's responsibility to keep themselves and their fellow Pennsylvanians safe. We also want to remind anyone planning to purchase and display fireworks to adhere to local laws regarding fireworks usage, and to read and follow all manufacturer safety guidelines,' State Fire Commissioner Thomas Cook said. Anyone who lights fireworks inappropriately or while impaired can be fined, first offenses can be up to $500. Here are some places and ways fireworks cannot be set off: Private property or on public property without the express permission of the owner. Within, directed at, or directed from a vehicle or building. Directed at another person. While under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Within 150 feet of a building or vehicle, whether or not the building or vehicle is owned by the user of the consumer fireworks. The greatest danger of wildfires in Pennsylvania occurs during the spring months of March, April, and May, and the autumn months of October and November. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Sharon Fire Department gets gold-seal approval from state
SHARON, Pa. (WKBN) – The Sharon Fire Department encourages its firefighters to keep on learning and be at the forefront of their field. That attitude is part of their identity and has been identified by the state of Pennsylvania. Sharon's fire department is bringing something new with it to every call. A gold-bordered decal showing its recognition of excellence from the state. 'That they have a resource available to them that not a lot of other communities have. There's a full-time career, professional, educated and certified fire department,' said Sharon Deputy Fire Chief Nick Samson. Sharon has been certified as a gold-level participating department by the State Fire Commissioner. It means 100% of the firefighters in Sharon have at least a Firefighter I certification. The department emphasizes training and celebrates that culture. 'That's the mechanism that's going to lead to having a department that is going to be able to be there when the community needs us,' Samson said. Sharon has had 100% of its team with a Firefighter I certification for years, but decided to submit the paperwork and be recognized by the state. Only 42 departments of 2,448 in Pennsylvania are gold-level recognized. The honor puts Sharon in the top 1.7% of departments statewide and should give residents confidence in their training, recognizing the professional development, particularly as it relates to new hazards. 'Things like lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles and solar panels. All of these things are problems that firefighters didn't have to necessarily deal with, maybe as recently as five or 10 years ago,' Samson said. Sharon firefighters are trained and educated. The Firefighter I certificate comes after hundreds of hours of training. Many in the department have higher levels of training, too. The state recognizes its commitment to training, safety and service. 'When I go to bed at night, I sleep very soundly knowing that if there was an emergency in my house that I have a staff of certified and career, very professional and educated firefighters who are going to be coming to my house to rescue my family,' Samson said. There are other levels of recognition from the state fire commissioner, but Sharon has achieved the highest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
