Metro Fire's Interest List for 2024 FIRE CAMP

FIRE CAMP is an excellent opportunity for our firefighters to help 11, 12 and 13-year-old kids build a sense of teamwork and responsibility while learning what it’s like to be a firefighter for Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. On day one, campers will be organized into "strike teams," which consist of 8 campers who are mentored and supervised by two professional firefighters. As the week progresses, the teams take on a character of their own as they learn about the job of a firefighter and experience the following:

• Putting out a flammable liquid fire with a fire extinguisher
• Climbing a 105-foot aerial ladder truck
• Developing the traditional bucket brigade and hand pumper crew skills
• Learning life skills such as Hands-Only CPR
• Water rescue skills at SunSplash, and much more!

FIRE CAMP will be held on June 25-28 and occurs at Fire Station 21, 7641 Greenback Lane, Citrus Heights, 95610. Cost is $125 and campers will rely on a parent or guardian for daily transportation. 

Does your child want to go to FIRE CAMP? Add them to the Interest list below.

Cooking Safety

Engine 109 arrived to a house fire recently that started from an exterior BBQ, and extended into the home causing major damage. Fortunately both occupants safely evacuated without injuries. The fire was extinguished and held to the home of origin.

As a safety reminder, keep BBQs away from the home and anything combustible. Ensure all cooking appliances are clean of residual grease, and inspect them prior to use. Monitor what you’re cooking at all times, never leave what you’re cooking unattended. In this case, it only took seconds for the fire to erupt.



Grease fires should be smothered with a lid, or extinguished with a multipurpose dry chemical extinguisher. Turn the burner off and close the lid. Do not use water on a grease fire! Call 911 early if the fire is beyond your containment.

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33rd annual Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Firefighter Stair Climb

On March 10th, 36 firefighters from Metro Fire and 2000 firefighters from across North America, participated in the 33rd annual Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Firefighter Stair Climb. This event is known as the world’s largest firefighter on-air stair climb race.

The race takes place at the Columbia Center skyscraper, also known as the 2nd tallest building west of the Mississippi River. Participants donned full structural firefighting gear, including an SCBA, and rapidly ascended 69 Stories while on-air. The climb amounted to 788 vertical feet, with 1356 steps leading to the sky-view observatory at the top floor.

This was our first team to climb, and they successfully raised over $24,000 for blood cancer research and patient services...

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When mowing please have a water source nearby in case a fire starts

Fireworks

Fireworks cause injuries and property damage every year. All fireworks are dangerous and can cause harm if not used safely. Dry vegetation increases the risk of fires caused by fireworks.

It is against the law in California to sell, transport, or use fireworks without a valid "safe and sane" seal, as well as to possess or use fireworks in communities where they are not permitted. Fireworks that go up in the air, travel, or explode are considered dangerous and illegal. Check out the Sacramento County Code before buying or using fireworks. Planned changes in the code include limits on the hours for using "safe and sane" fireworks and higher fines for using any fireworks on the American River Parkway, in parks, and at schools.

Remember, fireworks are not toys. Misuse can lead to severe burns, amputation, blindness, and in some cases, death. Over the past three years in the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, fires caused by "safe and sane" fireworks have doubled, leading to more injuries.

The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District offers the following tips to keep your celebrations safe:

• Only use State Fire Marshal-approved safe and sane fireworks
• Always read and follow all instructions and warnings on fireworks before use
• Safe and sane fireworks are intended to be used on flat level ground, not on ladders or make-shift elevated platforms
• Always have a responsible adult present
• Stay alert. Don’t use alcohol or other drugs when lighting fireworks.
• Never use fireworks near dry grass or other flammable materials
• Keep a bucket of water and a hose close by when using fireworks
• Completely submerge expended fireworks in a non-combustible container (such as a metal bucket) for 24 hours before discarding them
• Keep the non-combustible container a safe distance away from structures, including fences, while expended fireworks soak
• Do not hold fireworks in your hand or any other part of your body while lighting
• Keep a safe distance from the firework once it’s been ignited
• Do not attempt to re-light or “fix” fireworks

What Are the Types of CPR?

Hands-Only CPR: Hands-only CPR is an easy-to-learn skill that could save a life. It involves calling 9-1-1, sending someone for the Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) if available and then giving continuous chest compressions. It only takes minutes to learn!

CPR With Rescue Breaths: While Hands-only CPR can be lifesaving, learning full CPR is still very important. Getting trained in full CPR – combinations of chest compressions and rescue breaths – will increase your confidence and may enable you to help in other types of emergencies. Full CPR is ideal for all ages, and especially for people who are more likely to experience respiratory emergencies such as children and infants.

Red Cross CPR Classes

Aging Safely

During a Fall Prevention discussion recently, the topic of falling and not being near your cell phone came up.

One tool designed to make everyday life easier and more convenient is Siri, the voice assistant for iPhone users. Getting Siri set up on your iPhone, could help you or a loved one get help sooner.

Siri can be beneficial for older adults who may struggle with vision, experience pain, have fallen and can't get up, or simply have trouble typing. Seniors can call out to Siri and she will place calls, send text messages, and even set calendar reminders and alarms! This means, rather than scrolling through your phone to find a contact and calling or typing a text, Siri allows you to do it all with your voice in half the time. Siri can be fairly simple to use once the settings are correct.

4 Fall Prevention Tips

1. Exercise regularly
2. Take your time and get out of chairs slowly
3. Keep stairs, pathways, and walking areas clear
4. Use night lights

Resources

• iPhone Users - How to Use Siri
• Falls and Fractures in Older Adults: Causes and Prevention
• Prevenga las caídas y fracturas

Metro Fire's skilled first responders receive ongoing professional training and continuous quality care improvement. Our EMS Division ensures that all personnel are evaluated on key skills twice a year through a training cycle. Qualified EMS staff members and EMS24 personnel provide direct training for on-duty crew members to meet their individual needs. This process fulfills County requirements for skills check-offs and addresses remedial issues identified through the Peer Review Committee and audits. The EMS Division also tracks crew members' upcoming expirations and provides personalized training as needed.

https://metrofire.ca.gov/open-positions

Firefighter Kiegon List and Chloe Achieve Recertification Allowing them to Deploy with their Task Forces When Called Upon

Sacramento Metro Firefighter, Kiegon List of California Task Force 7 has been a first responder in-training since the age of 16—working as an EMT, paramedic and safety officer since he was first able to be employed. He has wanted to be a firefighter throughout his entire career, finding it a dynamic and exciting career with immense satisfaction in serving his community. He has done just that and has also had his eye on being a search dog handler for the past five years.



When the announcement came that his task force was looking for additional canine handlers, Kiegon was ready and eager to apply for a dog of his own, attending many trainings since the opportunity came up last fall.

Chloe, formerly “Seidi,” had been with a family since she was a puppy, but as she grew, she became “too much dog” for them to handle. They surrendered her to a local shelter in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and from there, Chloe was re-homed with a person with disabilities, where it quickly became clear that it was not a good fit due to her intense energy. Chloe was surrendered for a second time to the shelter where she waited again to find her “fur-ever” home. SDF recruiters with the South Dakota Canine Center immediately noticed this chocolate Labrador Retriever’s insatiable desire as they bounced a tennis ball while walking past her kennel run. She easily passed the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation’s evaluation and excelled in her search dog training.

Throughout training, Kiegon was always taken by candidate in-training, Chloe, with her intense stare and compassionate demeanor. Chloe is fast, fearless and dedicated and Kiegon is a wonderful match for her intellect. The two search well together and make a great team, their recertification allows them to deploy with their task forces when disaster strikes, congratulations on achieving recertification!

Source: National Disaster Search Dog Foundation

Firefighters Joel Gomez and Jason Valenzuela Receive Letters of Commendation

Survival from cardiac arrest outside of the hospital is rare. Many people die suddenly because their heart stops beating in a regular way. Only a few of these patients get to the hospital with a heartbeat, and even fewer leave and go home. Giving good and quick care before reaching the hospital gives these patients a better chance of surviving. It makes our efforts in all cardiac arrest cases important and meaningful. When people quickly call 911 and start CPR, it also increases the chance of survival.

On February 10, Metro Fire Engine 110 and Medic 105 demonstrated exceptional EMS proficiency when they encountered a 70-year-old male who collapsed into cardiac arrest during a race in Sacramento. Bystanders quickly initiated CPR, and upon arrival, the team administered chest compressions, an airway adjunct, and defibrillation, successfully restoring the patient's sinus rhythm. The patient arrived at the hospital speaking coherently, with only minor chest soreness from the CPR and defibrillation. Paramedic Firefighters Joel Gomez and Jason Valenzuela were commended for their outstanding performance with letters of commendation from the Fire Chief and EMS Excellence challenge coins to commemorate their life-saving efforts. Congratulations on a job well done!

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American River Parkway Dash

April 27, 2024

The Parkway Half Marathon offers two race courses - one for runners and one just for walkers. Both courses have a flat, fast, and shady profile and travel along the American River Parkway through old-growth oak forests, lush green meadows, and pristine riparian habitat. You can also expect to see volunteers from Metro Fire's C.E.R.T team, talented musicians, and a bagpipe processional to start the morning. It's a great way to celebrate a day on the Parkway!

To help make your journey successful and safe, each course not only features the most aid stations than any other half marathon (8 for the runners; 9 for the walkers), but ice-cold water and Gatorade at each aid station.

Register Here

Sacramento County

City of Rancho Cordova

City of Citrus Heights

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