Custom Search

Recent News 

Captain Gary Jones Receives Promotion to Battalion Chief

The Cedar Hill Fire Protection District is pleased to announce the promotion of Captain Gary Jones to the Rank of Battalion Chief on November 21st, 2011.  Chief Jones has been with the Fire District since 1971.  Gary Jones was a captain prior to his full time status with the district in 1997 and has held that position since.  He has been in charge of A-Crew since February of 2011 upon the retirement of Battalion Chief Clifford King.  Battalion Chief Gary Jones will now use the radio number designation of 7703 effective immediately and remain in charge of A-Crew. 

Cedar Hill Fire Enrolls in the O2 Fur Life Program

Losing a pet in a house fire can be a devastating experience. As most pet owners leave their furry companions home alone when they go to work, pets are left to fend for themselves in the event of a house fire. Unlike humans looking to run out during fires, pets instinctively look for a hiding place to protect them from the fire.
Even if the firemen were able to get pets safely out of the burning structure, they would not be able to revive them without a pet oxygen mask. These cone-shaped masks can be used both on conscious pets that have suffered from smoke inhalation and pets that need to be resuscitated after losing consciousness as a result of their exposure to the dangerous toxic fumes.

The Cedar Hill Fire Protection District will now be carrying pet oxygen masks to assist in helping pets who have been overcome by smoke.  The pet oxygen masks were donated to the District by the Jefferson County Kennel Club.  Our personnel have all been trained on the proper use of the masks and they are now available for use at incidents involving overcome pets.

How to React to an Approaching Emergency Vehicle

By: Mick Fischer

First responders are faced with many challenges when responding on an emergency.  One of those challenges is dealing with drivers of motor vehicles while responding to an emergency.  This can be very challenging  at times due to drivers not knowing what to do when an emergency vehicle approaches, as well as drivers that are just plain inattentive. 

Everybody has busy lives nowadays and do not want delays when traveling.  However, remember when you see an emergency vehicle that they are responding to an emergency.  It could be your family or a friend that they are responding to help.  If you fail to yield right of way you are delaying their response to help someone and also breaking the law (Missouri Revised Statutes).

Simply put if you see an oncoming emergency vehicle you should yield to the right, stop, and wait for them to pass.  We understand that it is not always that simple so attached is some additional guidelines of what to do if you see an emergency vehicle approaching.

• Stay Alert!  You could be approached by an emergency vehicle anytime you are driving and you have a responsibility as a licensed driver to be attentive and ready to react.

• React quickly and calmly.  Check your mirrors, use your turn signal, and yield to the right.  Do not slam on your breaks.

• Do not stop in an area where an emergency vehicle cannot safely pass such as on a curve or a hill on a two lane road.  Make sure to give them enough room to safely pass in an area where they have a direct line of sight with oncoming traffic.

• Do not just stop directly in front of an emergency vehicle.  If they are directly behind you then yield to the right.

• If you are in the opposites lanes of a divided highway you do not need to yield.

• If you are stopped at an intersection make sure to check for oncoming traffic before proceeding into the intersection to yield right of way.

• Be alert for multiple emergency vehicles.

• After the emergency vehicle passes, check your mirrors, and use your turn signal to return to the traffic lane.

• Never follow or pass an emergency vehicle that has its emergency lights and siren on.

For stopped emergency vehicles:

• Move Over and Slow Down

• On four lane roads move over one lane and slow down to yield.

• On two lane roads SLOW DOWN.

Be alert for first responders who may be performing duties and providing traffic control.

Please follow these guidelines to help first responders get to the scene faster and safer.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact us at (636) 285-3345 or chfpd@cedarhillfire com.

Keeping Your Home Pool or Spa Safe

Flood Facts & Information

Most frightening is the rapidity with which the water rises.

Fast-moving water is extremely powerful. The result can be deadly to anyone in the water's path. The force of flash flood waters can be extremely dangerous to motorists who unwittingly or unknowingly drive over water-covered roads - only two feet of running water are needed to sweep away a car.

Most people are unaware that:

• 80% of flood deaths occur in vehicles, and most happen when drivers make a single, fatal mistake trying to navigate through flood waters. 
  
• Just 6 inches of rapidly moving flood water can knock a person down. 
  
• A mere 2 feet of water can float a large vehicle even a bus.
  
• One-third of flooded roads and bridges are so damaged by water that any vehicle trying to cross stands only a 50% chance of making it to the other side. 
  
• The Big Thompson Canyon Flood killed 140 people in 1976. It proved a tragic illustration of a sobering statistic 95% of those killed in a flash flood try to outrun the waters along their path rather than climbing rocks or going uphill to higher grounds.

What to do in case of a flash flood....
There many be no time for a warning to be issued. You may have only seconds to escape. It could be a life-and-death decision for you and your family. If you suspect a flash flood is about to happen immediately climb to higher ground.

Avoid walking through any floodwaters. If it is moving swiftly, even water 6inches deep can sweep you off your feet.

If in a car....
If you come to a flooded area, turn around and go another way. If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground. Many deaths have resulted from attempts to move stalled vehicles.

Remember, it does not have to be raining for a flash flood to occur. Some of the most dangerous floods originate many miles away.

Jefferson County Emergency Communications Network

Click on the CodeRed Link below to add yourself to the Emergency Communication Network. Jefferson County 911 will initiate a call to the telephone numbers you provide in the event an emergency occurs in your geographical area. Notification will be made for both natural and man made disasters. If you reside, or own property in Jefferson County and would like to receive CodeRed notifications, please use your physical address in Jefferson County. P.O. Boxes or addresses outside of Jefferson County will not receive notifications. If you reside within the city limits of Festus, Herculaneum and Pevely, check their websites for a CodeRed Sign up link. Should you at anytime desire to be removed from the calling list, you can do so by calling Jefferson County 911 at 636-797-9797 ext 301.