Smithfield Transitions to Code Red Resident Emergency Notification System
Click the logo above to go to the registration site
The Town of Smithfield has transitioned to the Code Red Resident Emergency Notification System. Code Red replaces the Nixle emergency notification system and will allow the town to be compatible with state emergency agencies and more communities in Rhode Island.
In the event of a town-wide emergency or a localized geographical emergency, the town’s police department, fire department, emergency management agency or designated local official will be able to call, email, and text thousands of residents at once, notifying them of the emergency and also give instructions if needed. Using mapping databases Code Red can target a notification to a few residents on one street, or expand to any designated area within the town.
Messages regarding the safety, property or welfare of our residents will be disseminated using the Code Red system. These may include local AMBER alerts, locations of shelters for weather events, emergency instructions due to a large fire or chemical incident, boil water advisories, evacuation notices, etc.
Please Register Your Cell Phone
Technology plays a vital role in everyone’s day-to-day life. We know that not everyone uses a house phone today. In Rhode Island, most 9-1-1 calls are made from a cell phone. The 9-1-1 call-out database is compiled of home phone numbers, there is no 9-1-1 database for cell phones. More people use email and texting to communicate and the town wants to ensure that we can use those avenues to communicate with our residents for official information.
We encourage everyone to register with Code Red. To do so click on the Code Red logo above to go to the registration site. Users can register for emergency notifications only and can also register for general notifications as well. Residents should know that the information they provide on the link is safe. Information is not, and will not be, shared with anyone. No one has access to the account but local and state emergency officials authorized to activate warnings and alerts to the public.
Smithfield Firefighters Featured in RI Fire Chiefs’ “Rhode Island Firefighter Stories” Videos
Recently, Smithfield Firefighter/Paramedic Kelsey Brackett and Captain Michael LeBlanc were featured in the Rhode Island Association of Fire Chiefs’ video series “Rhode Island Firefighter Stories”:
Firefighter/Paramedic Kelsey Brackett
Captain Michael LeBlanc
New RI Department Of Health EMS Protocols – 30 Minutes of CPR
Current American Heart Association Guidelines, which were released in 2015, highlight the importance of high-quality CPR. The American Heart Association’s guidelines are much like a road map assisting states as they reevaluate their EMS protocols and look for areas of improvement. In order to improve rates of survival there are many areas that must be emphasized: 1. Rapid recognition of sudden cardiac arrest and bystander CPR, 2. Prioritization of CPR and defibrillation with a reduction in hands off chest time, 3. Improved infield advanced care to include use of capnography and double sequential defibrillation. Based on “best practices” from other states and knowledge of CPR in the out-of-hospital setting Rhode Island has implemented a system in which a minimum of 30 minutes of high performance CPR will be performed where the patient is found.
The 30-minute timeframe has been shown to improve cardiac arrest victim’s outcomes by allowing out-of-hospital providers to administer high-quality CPR. Valuable lifesaving efforts are lost while trying to move patients prior to resuscitating them on the scene.
Learn more here: http://rifirechiefs.com/cpr-protocols/
2016 Smithfield Fire Department Analysis
The Smithfield Fire Department is happy to announce the release of the recent fire department study titled the “Analysis of Fire Department Facilities and Operations of the Smithfield Fire Department”.
The study was conducted by Kramer & Associates Group which is a fire service consulting group located in Blue Ash, Ohio.
Read the full report here (.pdf – 19MBs): Analysis of Fire Department Facilities and Operations of the Smithfield Fire Department
Snow-Covered Fire Hydrants
In the event of a fire emergency after heavy snow fall, could Smithfield firefighters find the hydrant near your home? Or does it get buried under a snow pile?
There are hundreds of fire hydrants in the Town of Smithfield. After large snow storms Smithfield firefighters regularly go out to inspect these hydrants and clear them of snow when necessary. To help make this practice more efficient the Smithfield Fire Department is asking Smithfield residents to assist firefighters with clearing the fire hydrant near their home.
The Smithfield Fire Department is encouraging residents to “adopt a fire hydrant’ near their home and keep snow shoveled away from it during the winter season. This will ensure fire hydrants are visible and will greatly speed the response time in case of an emergency.
At a minimum, residents who have hydrants nearby are asked to make sure the hydrant is cleared of snow enough to make it visible from the street. Even better is to clear the snow 3 feet all around the hydrant so firefighters can easily connect a hose.
Your help is greatly appreciated this winter!
Best regards,
Chief Robert W. Seltzer
Smithfield Fire Department
SFD Seeking Firefighter Candidates
Firefighter: Seeking qualified candidates to establish an eligibility list. Applicants must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. Be at least 18 years old. Possess a valid Operators License. Hold current licensure as an EMT-Basic in the State of Rhode Island. In addition applicants must be a U.S. Citizen at time of appointment. Must present a current RI EMT- Cardiac or EMT-Paramedic license at time of appointment. Must provide a certificate from the RI Association of Fire Chiefs showing successful completion of the physical performance assessment. Only certificates issued in 2015 will be accepted. See the Full Firefighter Applicant Packet linked below. Completed applications must be returned to Smithfield Town Hall, HR Dept., 64 Farnum Pike, Smithfield, RI 02917 no later than 4:00 pm on January 29, 2016. Previous candidates must reapply. E.O.E.
Fire Hydrants & Snow Storms
In the event of a fire emergency after heavy snow fall, could firefighters find the fire hydrant near your home? Or does it get buried under a snow pile?
After large snow storms firefighters regularly go out to inspect fire hydrants and clear them of snow when necessary. To help make this practice more efficient the Smithfield Fire Department is asking residents to assist firefighters with clearing the fire hydrant near their home.
If you are able, please consider adopting a fire hydrant near your home and keep snow shoveled away from it during the winter season. This will ensure fire hydrants are visible and will greatly speed the response time in case of an emergency.
At a minimum, residents who have hydrants nearby are asked to make sure the hydrant is cleared of snow enough to make it visible from the street. Even better is to clear the snow 3 feet all around the hydrant so firefighters can easily connect a hose.
Your help is greatly appreciated this winter!
Capt. James Waterman Received the 2014 Firemark Award
Pictured (L – R) Chief Robert Seltzer – Captain James Waterman – Town Manager Dennis Finlay. — at Smithfield Fire Station 2.
Smithfield Fire Department Captain & Fire Marshal James Waterman was awarded the 2014 Firemark Award, recognizing outstanding commitment to community service.
Captain Waterman was nominated by Smithfield Fire Chief Robert Seltzer and the award was presented by James Stein of Liberty Mutual Insurance. The award was given at the Town’s annual employee cook-out on September 17th, 2014 at Smithfield Town Hall..
Captain Waterman is a 32 year veteran of the department. Prior to his 32 career years, he was a call firefighter with this department. He has been the Fire Marshal for the last 8 years. Captain Waterman has done an excellent job as Fire Marshal and is a stickler for fire code enforcement. In addition to the fire code, he oversees the education component of our fire prevention division. He has a Lieutenant assigned to public education and between the two they present various forums to include fire extinguisher training, fire prevention in schools and daycares, and a robust fire prevention “Saturday” open house once a year in October.
About the Firemark Award
While fires are riddled with chaos and tragedy, they also spotlight the tremendous good displayed by our nation’s firefighters – good that is embodied by the selfless deeds of brave men and women who enter burning homes to save victims, or devote countless hours to educating families on fire prevention.
Liberty Mutual honors America’s firefighters with the Liberty Mutual Firemark Award. They are presented in two categories: the Liberty Mutual Firemark Award for Heroism and the Liberty Mutual Firemark Award for Community Service and Public Education.
You can nominate a firefighter for the Liberty Mutual Firemark Award by visiting www.libertymutual.com/firemarkaward
History of the Firemark Award
Twenty years ago, Liberty Mutual began a local award program to recognize firefighters throughout the country who best represent their communities through courageous acts and who best demonstrate the firefighter’s selfless spirit. Our award took its name from the “firemark” – a leaden plate in the form of a phoenix rising from the ashes, which American fire offices in the 18th and 19th centuries used to mark the houses they insured.
To this day, the firemark remains to us a symbol of the valor and selfless spirit of thousands of men and women – career and volunteer – who safeguard their communities.
About Liberty Mutual’s Commitment to Fire Safety
Liberty Mutual has more than 400 offices around the country that work closely with fire departments, schools and community organizations to conduct a variety of safety programs; many of which focus on fire prevention. We also invest significant resources into training our claims professionals and customers about fire safety and suppression ystems.
See more photos on the Town’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/townofsmithfield
The Smithfield Fire Department is now on Twitter
Chief of Department Robert Seltzer announced today that the Smithfield Fire department is now on Twitter. The Twitter account for the fire department was activated today and is accessible through the fire department website (www.smithfieldfire.com) or the Twitter home page.
The chief stated that “the use of social media provides an opportunity to get information out to the public in a timely manner that otherwise would take much longer to do using traditional media sources”. The chief went on to say that “hopefully our Tweets to the local community will be useful and timely to a safe community life for all that live and visit Smithfield”.
The Smithfield Fire Department can be found on Twitter @SmithfieldFIRE.
SFD Activity Report – September 8th through the 14th
During the period of Sept. 8 through Sept. 14 the Smithfield Fire Department responded to a total of 112 calls for service. Of those, 64 were for medical emergencies, resulting in 54 transports to local hospitals.
Fire apparatus from all 3 firehouses was used for 112 responses.
- Engine 1 responded to 73 calls
- Rescue 1 responded to 51 calls.
- Engine 2 responded to 61 calls.
- Rescue 2 responded to 35 calls.
- Ladder 1 responded to 19 calls.
Types of calls that fire apparatus responded to include:
- 1 passenger vehicle fire in close proximity to a structure. Companies made a quick knockdown of the fire, preventing it from extending to the building.
- 1 Smoke scare
- 64 EMS calls
- 6 Motor Vehicle Accidents with injuries and 1 requiring extrication.
- 2 Motor Vehicle Accidents with no injuries.
- 2 Accidental or unintentional fire alarm activations.
- 25 Fire alarm system activations.
- 2 Flammable liquid spills
The Fire Prevention Division conducted 0 resale smoke/carbon monoxide safety inspections, 2 residential plan reviews, 1 fire alarm final inspections, 1 commercial final inspections, and 1 Public Education Detail.
SFD Activity Report – September 1st through the 7th
During the period of Sept. 1 through the Sept. 7 the Smithfield Fire Department responded to a total of 104 calls for service. Of those, 62 were for medical emergencies, resulting in 61 transports to local hospitals.
Fire apparatus from all 3 firehouses was used for 104 responses:
- Engine 1 responded to 60 calls.
- Rescue 1 responded to 57 calls.
- Engine 2 responded to 61 calls.
- Rescue 2 responded to 40 calls.
- Ladder 1 responded to 12 calls.
Types of calls that fire apparatus responded to include:
- A salvage yard fire, at 5 Star Auto Salvage yard involving 12 passenger vehicles — Tankers were called for water supply from North Smithfield and Burrillville due to lack of hydrants in the area. Companies from Harmony, Johnston and North Providence covered Smithfield fire houses while Smithfield companies were operating at the fire.
- 1 Smoke scare
- 62 EMS calls
- 5 Motor Vehicle Accidents
- 1 Accidental alarm
- 9 Alarm system activations
- 1 Lightning strike
- 1 Gas main break caused by Construction on Putnam Pike
The Fire Prevention Division conducted 2 resale smoke/carbon monoxide safety inspections, 2 residential plan reviews, 1 fire alarm final inspections, 1 commercial final inspections, 5 gas station fire code compliance inspections, and 1 Public Education Detail.
SFD Activity Report – August 25th through the 31st
During the period of August 25th through the 31st your Smithfield Fire Department responded to a total of 75 calls for service. Of those 54 were for medical emergencies, resulting in 50 transports to local hospitals.
Fire apparatus from all 3 firehouses was used for 75 responses.
- Engine 1 responded to 48 calls.
- Rescue 1 responded to 39 calls.
- Engine 2 responded to 33 calls.
- Rescue 2 responded to 27 calls.
- Ladder 1 responded to 5 calls.
Types of calls that fire apparatus responded to include.
- 1 rubbish fire
- 2 Smoke scares
- 54 EMS calls
- 1 Motor Vehicle Accidents
- 1 Accidental alarm
- 8 Alarm system activations
- 1 Child locked in a vehicle
- 1 Person struck by a vehicle
The Fire Prevention Division conducted 3 resale smoke/carbon monoxide safety inspections, 2 residential rough inspection, 2 residential plan reviews, 1 tent inspection, 1 fire alarm final inspections, 1 commercial final inspections.
SFD Activity Report – August 18th through the 24th
During the period of August 17th through the 24th your Smithfield Fire Department responded to a total of 114 calls for service. Of those 74 were for medical emergencies, resulting in 63 transports to local hospitals.
Fire apparatus from all 3 firehouses was used for 114 responses.
• Engine 1 responded to 59 calls.
• Rescue 1 responded to 50 calls.
• Engine 2 responded to 51 calls.
• Rescue 2 responded to 39 calls.
• Ladder 1 responded to 12 calls.
Types of calls that fire apparatus responded to include.
• 1 Passenger vehicle fire
• 2 Smoke scares
• 74 EMS calls
• 3 Motor Vehicle Accidents
• 1 Accidental alarm
• 10 Alarm system activations
• 1 Child locked in a vehicle
• 1 Flammable liquid spill
The Fire Prevention Division conducted 11 resale smoke/carbon monoxide safety inspections, 1 residential rough inspection, 1 residential plan reviews, 1 tent inspection, 2 fire alarm final inspections, 1 commercial rough inspections.
SFD Activity Report – August 11th through the 17th
During the period of August 11th through the 17th your Smithfield Fire Department responded to a total of 92 calls for service. Of those 67 were for medical emergencies, resulting in 61 transports to local hospitals.
Fire apparatus from all 3 firehouses was used for 92 responses:
• Engine 1 responded to 60 calls.
• Rescue 1 responded to 44 calls.
• Engine 2 responded to 40 calls.
• Rescue 2 responded to 33 calls.
• Ladder 1 responded to 9 calls.
Types of calls that fire apparatus responded to include:
• 1 Electrical type fire in a commercial building.
• 1 Outside trash/rubbish fire
• 67 EMS calls
• 5 Motor Vehicle Accidents
• 5 Accidental alarms
• 11 Alarm system activations
• 1 Hazardous Materials incident involving a natural gas leak on George Washington Hwy. in the area of Business Park Dr. A gas main was struck by a machine causing a major leak requiring extensive road closures, and major repairs.
Credit: Rob Borkowski, Smithfield Patch
The Fire Prevention Division conducted 9 resale smoke/carbon monoxide safety inspections, 1 residential rough inspection, 1 residential plan reviews, 1 tent inspection, 2 fire alarm final inspections, 4 final inspections and 1 commercial rough inspections.
