With Dangerously Hot Weather Gripping Much of Pennsylvania, Secretary of Health Offers Tips to Stay Safe and Prevent Heat-Related Illness

Harrisburg – With extremely hot temperatures expected to linger over Pennsylvania for much of this week, Health Secretary Everette James today urged Pennsylvanians to take steps to recognize and prevent heat-related illness.

“Those at greatest risk for developing heat-related illness are infants and young children, people over age 65, and those with heart disease, high blood pressure, breathing problems, or chronic conditions,” James said. “However, anyone who participates in outdoor activities in extremely hot weather is at risk of becoming ill.”

Heat stroke, exhaustion, and cramps are the three most common heat-related illnesses. The incidence of these conditions increases when humidity is high because sweat cannot evaporate as quickly, meaning the body cools itself at a much slower rate than usual.

The most severe heat-related illness, heat stroke, occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature due to overheating and, in turn, loses the ability to sweat. Someone suffering from heat stroke may experience a body temperature above 103° F; red, hot, and dry skin; rapid, strong pulse; throbbing headache; dizziness; nausea; confusion; and unconsciousness. If someone is experiencing heat stroke, attempt to cool the person off in a shady place while waiting for emergency medical assistance.

The 2010 Fall brochure for the Tri-County Fire School is now available. You can download a copy HERE.

Deadline for registration is: AUGUST 6, 2010 For Sept. 18 & 19, 2010 Classes. PLEASE NOTE: REGISTRATIONS POSTMARKED AFTER THE DUE DATE LISTED ON THE REGISTRATION FORM WILL BE CHARGED AN ADDITIONAL $10 LATE REGISTRATION FEE FOR EACH CLASS REGISTERED.

Applicants must be 14 years of age or older, unless otherwise specified,and must have a social security number. Students must be certified by the Chief Officer to attend.

Participants are limited in number. Pre-registration is necessary and should be done early. Students are requested to select two of the two-day seminars offered.

All registrations must be accompanied by a check or money order to the Tri-County Fire School, Inc., to guarantee placement in selected courses.

The check PAYABLE TO TRI-COUNTY FIRE SCHOOL, and registration should be sent to Mae Wolfe, 267 Coal Hollow Road, Kersey, PA 15846. Any student who is not a resident of Pennsylvania is required to pay an additional $40.00 non-resident fee to: Butler County Community College. No telephone registrations will be accepted.

For additional information, please phone Ken Weidow at (814) 781-3646 or Mae Wolfe at (814) 885-6386. Duplication of this brochure is permitted for registration purposes.

The Johnsonburg Fire Department will be hosting the Tri-County FIrefighter's Association Convention on August 28, 2010. In addition to the convention this weekend will include he Borough of Johnsonburg's Bicentennial Celebration activities and the 100th anniversary of the Johnsonburg Fire Department. Most activities for the Bicentennial are open to the public and all are invited to attend.

Convention Schedule:

10AM-11AM: Registration
11AM: Tri-County Convention Meeting
Noon: Dinner
1PM-3PM: Parade Line-up and Judging (Glen Hazel Road)
3PM: Parade Start

There will be many events going on following the parade. For a schedule of events please visit http://www.johnsonburg2010.com

Reservations for the dinner and parade should be made by August 13th. There will be a charge of $10 per person attending the dinner payable at the door.

For further information please contact Jack Fowler at 814-965-2503 or 814-594-7881.

May 24, 2010

Dear Emergency Responder & Elected Officials,

The Cameron County Office of Emergency Services in conjunction with the Northwest Central Emergency Response Group and Range Resources would like to invite you to an introduction to Gas Well Emergencies.  This training is an awareness level class that will encompass the hazards associated with the drilling of gas wells throughout your response areas.  We will be offering two sessions of this program.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact myself at the numbers list below or the Cameron County Office of Emergency Services @ 814-486-9352.  Please RSVP to John Schneider via email or the numbers listed below before July 14, 2010.

When:  July 21, 2010

Location: Emporium Fire Station

Time: 1:00pm – 4:00pm & 6:00pm – 9:00pm

Sincerely

John M. Schneider
Project Manager
Agosti Fire & Safety Services
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814-787-4164 (Office)

The Harrison Township Volunteer Fire Department will host its first annual 4-man scramble golf tournament on August 22, 2010 at the River Valley Country Club in Westfield, PA.  For an entry fee of $50/golfer ($40/golfer for RVCC members), participants will receive their greens fees, cart rentals, and a buffet dinner after the tournament.  The top five teams and many flag prizes will be awarded.  Skins entry is separate and optional.  There will be a hole-in-one contest on hole 12, a 203 yard par 3.  Any golfer who aces the whole (no mulligans allowed) will be awarded a 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, sponsored by Walters Elkland Chevrolet.  Please visit http://www.htvfd20.org for more information and entry forms.  Space is limited, and teams will be accepted starting May 15, 2010 on a first-come, first-served basis.  Merchants may contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for advertising opportunities.

The Harrison Township Fire Co. (Dept 20) of Harrison Valley announced today they have been notified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Congressman Glenn Thompson's office they have been awarded a grant in the amount of $275,000 through the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. The grant was awarded under the program's Vehicle Acquisition section and will be used to purchase a new Pumper/Tanker for the department. The new unit will replace two 30 year old pieces of equipment with a single unit. By combining the two units into one vehicle it will help to reduce the overall cost of apparatus operations for the department while providing enhanced firefighting capabilities. The older vehicles are being replaced due to various safety concerns as well as constantly increasing maintenance costs for the aging vehicles. It is hoped to have the new vehicle in service in about a year.

An EMT Refresher Course will be held At Coudersport Ambulance Hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays May 6th through May 20th beginning at 6pm. These five nights will provide you with 24 hours of continuing education, split between medical/trauma and other. This will fulfill your con ed requirements to maintain your EMT status, or to reinstate your EMT if it has expired.

For more information or to RSVP, call the hall at 274-7411 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

EMS Instructors: If you would like to teach some of this class, please email Todd.

The Department of Homeland Security has posted the FY 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program Guidance on the AFG Web site. The application period is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 26, 2010, at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). Applications for these grants must be received by Friday, May 28, 2010, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).

Nationally, the AFG awards, which will be distributed in phases, will ultimately provide approximately $390 million to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical service organizations throughout the country. AFG awards aim to enhance response capabilities and to more effectively protect the health and safety of the public with respect to fire and other hazards. The grants enable local fire departments and emergency medical services organizations to obtain training, conduct first responder health and safety programs, and buy equipment and response vehicles.

An applicant tutorial is available at www.firegrantsupport.com. The tutorial provides valuable grant information and will walk you through the preparation and submittal of competitive applications. In addition, the applicant tutorial will provide an overview of the funding priorities and evaluation criteria.

The AFG Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration.

Applicants who have questions regarding the Assistance to Firefighters Grants opportunity should contact the help desk at 1-866-274-0960 or at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . During the application period, the help desk will operate Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (EDT), but is prepared to revise hours of operation based on volume and demand.

For access to the FY 2010 Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program Guidance or FAQs visit www.firegrantsupport.com/afg/.