July - September 2016
Quarterly communications from your Johns Creek Fire Department
 
From the Chief
Dear Residents,

The Fourth of July holiday is upon us, meaning many families will be celebrating with outdoor festivities. Please be sure to keep safety in mind when planning your outdoor activities throughout the summer.
 
The Chattahoochee River is a popular destination for families to keep cool in the warm weather months. Please remember to check the schedule of water releases from the Buford Dam. Read below to learn more about water safety tips from the Johns Creek Fire Department's Swift Water Rescue Team.
 
Please save the date for our annual "Community Safety Day" event Oct. 1 in the Home Depot/Target parking lot (5950 State Bridge Road). Safety demonstrations and activities will be available for the whole family.

 
Stay safe,
 
Fire Chief Jeff Hogan
 
Celebrate Fourth of July safely
Each Independence Day, thousands of people are injured while using consumer fireworks. 

The National Fire Protection Association encourages the public to avoid the use of consumer fireworks and instead, to enjoy displays of fireworks conducted by trained professionals. Read more.
 
Water rises rapidly on Chattahoochee River
The Chattahoochee River has long been popular with kayakers, tubing enthusiasts, canoeists, swimmers, and fisherman, but it can be very dangerous.
 
Over the past few years, the Johns Creek Fire Department Swift Water Rescue Team (check out their water safety video) has rescued dozens of people from the frigid, rushing water of the Chattahoochee.
 
Find out about releases by calling 770-945-1466 or by listening to 1610 AM on the radio. The announcements may precede the releases by a few hours or even a few minutes. River users may also view the daily schedule for releases (see the Buford column).
 
JCFD to launch HEAT program
The Johns Creek Fire Department's latest Community Services program, HEAT (Hometown Emergency Action Teams), is a disaster response program providing hands-on training and emergency management skills to Johns Creek residents and business owners.

As the JCFD rolls out the program, we'd appreciate the community's participation in an evaluation of family emergency readiness. Please participate in a short survey about your household emergency readiness.

 
Outdoor Burn Ban ends Sept. 30
Georgia's Outdoor Burn Ban is in effect through Sept. 30. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) imposes a ban on outdoor burning to comply with Federal Clean Air Regulations.
 
The ozone in the air we breathe can reach unhealthy levels during summer months and open burning has been identified as a significant contributor of the pollutants that form ozone.
 
Even when allowed, residents need to get approval through the Fire Department prior to any burning being allowed.
 
Save the date: Community Safety Day set for Oct. 1
Johns Creek's Community Safety Day provides an opportunity for residents to learn more about basic safety issues that may affect them and the greater community.

The event features the  Johns Creek Fire and Police departments performing a variety of safety demonstrations. Read more.
 
Fire Marshal receives Executive Officer designation
Johns Creek Fire Marshal Chad McGiboney has completed the National Fire Academy's Executive Fire Officer Program (EFOP), a four-year professional development program. 

McGiboney is the only member of the Johns Creek Fire Department (JCFD) who has earned the Executive Fire Officer designation. Read more.
 
Safety Watch: Infants on air mattresses
The Consumer Product Safety Commission has received reports of 40 infant suffocation deaths in the last five years, of infants who were placed to sleep on air mattresses. Infants can suffocate on an air mattress or can become entrapped between the mattress and bed frame or mattress and wall.
  • Never place infants to sleep on air mattresses or other soft surfaces (such as water beds and adult beds), which are not specifically designed or safe for infant use. Even properly inflated air mattresses are usually too soft for infants to maintain a clear airway. For a safer space for baby use a crib or play yard that has a firm, tight-fitting mattress and tight fitting bottom sheet without any blankets, bumpers, pillows or stuffed animals. 
  • Never place infants ages 15 months old and younger to sleep on an inflatable air mattress 
  • Always place baby to sleep on his or her back in a crib or play yard that meets current standards 
View CPSC these safety tips here.
 
Follow JCFD on Facebook and Twitter

Want to learn safety tips, view photos of fire training and more? Be sure to follow the Johns Creek Fire Department on Facebook and Twitter!