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Smoke Alarms
Most fire deaths are caused by smoke, not flames. And most fire deaths and injuries occur at night while victims are asleep. The earlier you are alerted to a fire, the more likely it is that you will get out in time. Smoke alarms won't prevent fires, but they will increase your chances of getting out and calling the fire department. Working smoke alarms more than double your chances of surviving a fire.
How Do Smoke Alarms Work?
Smoke alarms sense the presence of products of combustion (like smoke) and this activates an audible alarm. Either batteries or household current can power smoke alarms. There are many models of smoke alarms available for the hearing impaired.
When Purchasing an Alarm, What Should I Look For?
Look for smoke alarms with a loud alarm, a hush feature, a ten-year battery, a malfunction signal and a UL listing. All ionization alarms sold in Oregon must have a hush feature and if solely battery-powered, a ten-year battery.
How Do I Maintain My Smoke Alarm?
First, make sure you have smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area and in every bedroom. The presence of a smoke alarm alone does not guarantee fire safety; it must work. Test your smoke alarms monthly. Vacuum your alarms monthly to remove dust and cobwebs. Replace old alarms. Smoke alarms ten years old or older need to be replaced.
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Fire Department
Statistics
Molalla Fire is 96% Volunteer. How does that stack up with other departments in the nation?
Fire department types*:
Career (6.8%),
Mostly Career (5.8%),
Mostly Volunteer (16.2%),
All Volunteer (71.2%)
13% of all departments are career or mostly career and protect 62% of the U.S. population
87% of fire departments are volunteer or mostly volunteer and protect 38% of the population
There are an estimated 68,950 pumpers and 6,600 aerial apparatus in the United States for 2003-2005
* Career=100% career firefighters, Mostly Career=51%-99% career firefighters.
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