Hebron Fire Protection District

Each year fire burns millions of acres of woodland across the United States. More houses are being built in woodland areas causing more residents to face the real danger of wildfires. The potential for devastating wildfires exists in every state across the United States and actions like properly disposing of lit cigarettes and not leaving campfires unattended can decrease the risk for these kinds of fires. There are several steps you can take to make your home less susceptible to becoming part of a wildfire. Click here to learn more.

Phil Wysocki Awarded Silver Star Medal of Valor Volunteer FF/EMT Phil Wysocki was awarded the Silver Star Medal of Valor for his actions during a November 1st suicide bomb attack. Phil is currently serving in Afganistan with the Army's 101st Airborne. Congratulations to Phil on this prestigious honor.

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Chief Hitzfield Named February Northern Kentucky Firefighter of the Month Chief Hitzfield was named as the Northern Kentucky Firefighter of the Month for the month of February. This is a recognition sponsored by Kerry Toyota. Congratulations Chief Hitzfield for this recognition.

HFPD Promotes New Chief On January 4, 2011 the Hebron Fire Protection District Board approved the promotion of Assistant Chief Dan Hitzfield to Chief of the HFPD. Chief Martin stepped down from the chief's position and Chief Hitzfield will now take over. Former Chief Martin will still work at HFPD as a part-time administrative captain. Thanks to Chief Martin on his 6 1/2 years of service with the HFPD and Congratulations to Chief Hitzfield on his promotion to chief.

HFPD Volunteers Graduate Recruit Class Congratulations to Tim Brunner and Josh Rodamer for successfully completing the Kenton County Fire Recruit Class. This class is based on the IFSTA Manual and gets firefighters to the 150 hour certification level.

BURN BAN ENDED DEC. 1!

Boone County Judge Executive Moore lifted the ban on open burning December 1, 2010 due to the recent rain and cooler weather. The regulations of the Boone County Open Burning Ordinance still apply, "Any person, corporation or other entity desiring to engage in open burning on property shall give notice to the public by posting two signs of their intent to set a fire. Additionally, any person, corporation or other entity desiring to engage in open burning on property shall give notice to the local fire department by telephonic or verbal communication to the Fire Chief or his designee prior to engaging in the open burning."

HFPD to Takes Delivery of 2 New Engines On October 4, 2010 Hebron took delivery of 2 new engines to replace 2 older engines and a rescue truck in the fleet. The new engines are identical 2010 Pierce Impel PUC Rescue Pumpers and one will be stationed at station 1 and one at station 2. These new pumpers will be in-service in Mid-October.

October 3 - 9, 2010 was Fire Prevention Week and this year's theme is Smoke Alarms. You should have at least one smoke alarm on every level of your house and preferably one in every bedroom and one outside every bedroom in your house. It is also preferable to have smoke alarms interconnected so if one activates they all activate. Smoke alarms should be tested monthly, batteries in smoke alarms should be changed at least yearly and smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years. Click on the banner above for more information on smoke detectors from NFPA.

CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY WEEK

This week is child passenger safety week. Make child passenger safety a top priority this week and every week. Buckle up your children the right way on every ride. As a reminder HFPD offers car seat inspections to make sure your child safety seat is installed the right way. Click Here for more information from the Safe Kids USA site. For more information on HFPD's car seat program call station 1 at 859-586-9009.

HFPD Receives New Hazmat Truck for Northern Kentucky Hazmat The Northern Kentucky Hazmat Team has taken delivery of a 2010 Freightliner/Summit CBRNE Hazmat Response unit. The truck was placed in service this week and can respond throughout Northern Kentucky and the Tri-state area on Hazardous Materials and Weapons of Mass Destruction calls. The unit is stationed at Hebron Station 1 and is staffed, as needed with Hazmat technicians.

Former Hebron Fire Department Chief Passes Away A former chief of the Hebron Fire Department passed away July 8, 2010 at the age of 83. Chief Stanley Garnett was chief of the department from 1967 to 1969. Photo from Cincinnati.com, Click here for the Obituary.

Pet Safety Pets are like family to many people but can also be a hazard to emergency responders when there owners are ill. The ASPCA offers a free pet safety pack, here. This sticker can be used to alert first responders of animals being inside in case of a fire or medical emergency.

Swimming Pool Safety

As the warm days of summer quickly approach, remember these important tips to prevent a drowning while you are at the pool or beach:

1. Only swim in designated swimming areas. 2. Children and adults should never swim alone or without a lifeguard/observer, regardless of their swimming ability. 3. Swim with and near a buddy of equal swimming ability. 4. Don't swim in currents, waves, or water temperatures beyond your swimming abilities. 5. Restrict children's access to swimming pools with fences, gates, and doors. It is especially important to lock sliding glass doors from the house that lead to the swimming pool. 6. Never swim under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Intoxication is often a contributing cause to drowning. 7. Do not play breath-holding games for fun or to build lung capacity. They are dangerous and ineffective.

Parents, don’t abdicate your child's safety to a lifeguard. If you are not in the water swimming with your child, continuously visually monitor your child. Even experienced child swimmers drown. Eliminate or minimize distractions while you watch your child.

Finally, recognize a swimmer in trouble. A swimmer with his head above the water, calling for help, and vigorously moving his arms and legs has enough oxygen to participate in his own rescue. Use coaching, ring buoy, pole, or a rescue tube to assist the swimmer to safety. A swimmer who is barely able to keep his head out of the water is lethargic; if he is not calling out for help, he is in immediate danger. He likely doesn’t have the awareness or strength to reach out to a rescue tube or assist in his own rescue. A properly trained lifeguard or rescue swimmer needs to go to that swimmer in danger to make the rescue.

February Is Earthquake Awareness Month February is earthquake awareness month and a good time to prepare for and know what to do during and after an earthquake. Kentucky is situated near the Madrid Seismic Zone and we would feel the effects of a large earthquake in this area. Click the following links for more information on what to do before, during and after an earthquake.

Click Here For Earthquake Information.

FEMA: What to Do During an Earthquake

FEMA: What to Do After an Earthquake

Members of A-Shift Receive Award At the Northern Kentucky Firefighters Association dinner on January 16, 2010 three members of A-shift received an award for their assistance with a tractor rescue in Burlington. Members of Burlington Fire Department's A-shift also received the award. The award was in reference to a run in April of 2009 in which a subject was trapped under a tractor that had rolled over on him. Burlington and Hebron worked together to safely remove the victim from under the tractor. Congratulations to Captain Wayne Isaacs, AO Scott Hoppius and FF/PAR Jason Slaughter.

Two Hebron Volunteers Graduate Recruit School FF/EMT Amber Wiliamson and FF Chris Stone both successfully completed the recruit school to become firefighters. The class is made up of members from departments in all three Northern Kentucky counties and is four months long. Congratulations to both Chris and Amber on this accomplishment.

Hebron Hires Hawkins The Hebron Fire Protection District Board approved the hiring of FF/EMT Brandon Hawkins at the November board meeting. Brandon was a volunteer at Hebron and will be placed at A-shift Station 1. Congratulations to Brandon on his hiring.

HFPD Holds Open House The HFPD bi-annual open house was held on Saturday October 3rd and was another success. This year's open house featured numerous fire safety demonstrations, apparatus from throughout Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati, Federal Agencies and numerous helicopters. Special thanks to Kroger, Remke's, Hebron Corner Mart, Chas. Seligman and Gold Star Chili for providing food, beverages and parking for the event. Also thanks to Congressman Geoff Davis for helping to obtain the federal assets displayed.

Click Here to View Open House Pictures!

HFPD Receives Class 2 Rating From ISO The HFPD has been notified that its fire insurance classification has been lowered to a Class 2 rating by the Insurance Services Office (ISO). This is a better rating from our previous Class 4/9. ISO ratings are used by numerous insurance companies as a factor in determining rates for insuring a property. A Class 2 rating has only been achieved by 1 percent of the fire departments nationwide. This rating will allow our businesses and residents in the district to achieve the best possible insurance rates. This rating is also a reflection on the service that HFPD provides to the community. The high ratings of the Boone County Public Communications Center and Boone County Water District helped HFPD to achieve its Class 2 status.

Several HFPD Members Graduate Paramedic Class FF/EMT Pat Sumner, FF/EMT Scott Bellas, FF/EMT Scott Ifcic, FF/EMT Chris Holmes and EMT Jennifer Kleisinger all graduated from Paramedic class on June 15, 2009. The class was provided by the University of Cincinnati and was over a year long. Once they pass the National Registry Exam they will be certified paramedics. Congratulations to these five members on their successful completion of this class.

HFPD Paramedic Retires HFPD Paramedic/Firefighter Greg McDermott is retiring on June 3, 2009. Greg has been in the fire service for 35 years. Greg has been at Hebron for 7 years and before that retired from Covington Fire Department. Congratulations to Greg on his retirement.

HFPD Hires FF/Paramedic The Hebron Fire Protection District Board approved the hiring of Matt Niemer at the June board meeting. FF/Paramedic Niemer comes from Delhi Township Fire Department and will be stationed at Station 1 on B shift. He will be taking the spot of FF/Paramedic Greg McDermott who is retiring this month. Congratulations to FF/Paramedic Niemer on his hiring.

HFPD Promotes Lieutenant and AO The Hebron Fire Protection District Board approved the promotion of Joe Donk and Andy Ifcic at the June board meeting. Joe Donk was promoted from AO to Lieutenant and will be stationed at Station 2 on A shift. Andy Ifcic was promoted from FF to AO and will be stationed at Station 1 on B shift. Congratulations to Lt. Joe Donk and AO Andy Ifcic on their promotions.

HFPD Promotes Captain The Hebron Fire Protection District Board approved the promotion of Lt. Wayne Isaacs to Captain Wayne Isaacs at the May 2009 board meeting. Captain Isaacs completed all of the testing and requirements for the position and was promoted to fill a vacancy. He is stationed at Station 1 on A Shift. Congratulations Captain Isaacs on the promotion.

HFPD Volunteer Graduates Recruit Class HFPD Volunteer Robb Thomas graduated recruit class on May 11, 2009. This class is several months long and covers several subjects about the fire service. The class is comprised of new firefighters from Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties. Congratulations to FF Robb Thomas for the successful completion of this class.

Hebron Gets Fire Safety House HFPD has acquired a fire safety house for use in public education. The house is currently being fixed up with some minor modifications being made but will soon be available for use. The house will be used to teach children how to escape a house that is filled with smoke. This is a valuable tool that will enhance our public education program. The house will be used at local schools and events throughout the district and the county.

Arson Awareness Week is May 3 - 9 2009 Arson is the crime of deliberately and maliciously setting fire. According to the Insurance Information Institute, arsonists destroyed nearly $900 million in insured property and killed 295 civilians nationwide in 2007. Click the picture below for more information on Arson Awareness Week.

National Poison Prevention Week is March 15 - 21

Click here for information on poison safety.

HFPD Hires 2 New Paramedics The Hebron Fire Protection District Board approved the hiring of FF/PAR Jason Slaughter and FF/PAR Joshua Bosse at their December meeting. FF/PAR Slaughter comes from the Union Fire Protection District and FF/PAR Bosse comes from Delhi Township Fire Department. They will start orientation this month and be on shift by the end of the month. Congratulations to these two for successfully passing all of the tests and being selected for the job.

HFPD Receives Grant for Inspection Program Captain Tony Crouch and Chief Bill Martin are seen receiving a check in the amount of $2000 from Steve Petitgout, Group Manager, Field Engineering for FM Global. The grant will be used to purchase wireless and paperless inspection software for the department's inspection program.

HFPD Receives New Ambulance HFPD just received delivery of its newest ambulance. This ambulance is on a 2008 Chevy C4500 chassis and is made by Braun. It is very similar to the ambulance purchased two years ago. The new ambulance will be replacing the 2003 ambulance. The ambulance is the most used piece of apparatus at HFPD making replacement necessary more often.

Fire Prevention Month 2008 October is Fire Prevention Month. This year's theme is "Prevent Home Fires". Home fires are the most common types of fires in the United States. Most of these fires are preventable and are usually caused by cooking, heating, electrical, and smoking materials. Click below for some home safety materials.

Boone County Family Fire Prevention Night Boone County is holding a family fire prevention night at Turfway Park Race Track on Tuesday, October 7, 2008. The event runs from 6:00pm - 9:00pm. There will be apparatus displays, extinguishment demonstrations, UC AirCare, PHI and Goldstar Chili.

HFPD Hires Three new Career Members The HFPD District Board approved the hiring of FF/PAR Chris Ray, FF/EMT Alex Reisenbeck, and FF/EMT Alex Fish at the August 12, 2008 board meeting to fill three vacancies. FF/PAR Ray comes from the CVG Airport Fire Department and will be on A-shift. FF/EMT Reisenbeck was a college intern at Hebron and will be on B-Shift. FF/EMT Fish was also a college intern at Hebron and will be on C-Shift. Congratulations to these three member.

HFPD Purchases New Staff Vehicle HFPD has purchased a new utility truck. The new truck is a 2008 Ford F-250. This truck is replacing the 1995 Ford F-150 currently being used as 368. The new truck will be used for plowing snow, hydrant maintenance and a variety of other everyday items.

HFPD Holds Movie Night On Saturday July 5, 2008 HFPD held a movie night at Hebron Station 1. This is in cooperation with the Boone County Parks Department's movie nights throughout the county. The movie shown was "Evan Almighty" and a fire safety presentation was presented to the children in attendance.

HFPD Holds St. Baldrick's Event On Saturday June 28, 2008 at Hebron Station 1 several HFPD and Erlanger Fire Department employees, including the chiefs of both departments, got their heads shaved for a good cause. St. Baldrick's is a foundation that raises awareness and funds to cure kid's cancer. 24 employees got their heads shaved and raised over $5200.00. Thanks to all that participated and donated for a successful event. Also thanks to Kenny's Barber Shop for providing the barber.

New Training Center Dedication The dedication and ribbon cutting for the new Boone County Fire Training Center was held on Wednesday May 21, 2008. Fire Chiefs from several Boone County departments and other local official attended the ceremony. The training center will be built in phases with phase one, a 4 story tower and burn building, now complete. This training center will help firefighters throughout Boone County become better trained.