MEDIA
RELEASES
Austin, Texas, August 1, 2007 – Oak Hill and Westlake Fire Departments will soon begin offering a training course designed to help citizens prepare for disasters which could strike the area. Attendees of the Personal Emergency Preparedness or PEP class will learn what to do in events such as flash flooding, wild fires, and severe storms with lightning, tornados or large hail.
Many fire and personal safety tips are presented such as how to operate a fire extinguisher, administer basic first aid, caring for yourself and your family by building an emergency supply kit and effectively keeping in touch with family and friends when typical methods of communication are unavailable. A summary of area emergency operations for fire department and EMS response services are explained as well.
The three hour course is geared for citizens of all ages and is FREE to residents of the Oak Hill and Westlake fire districts. Pre-registration is required as each class is limited to 25 people.
Classes will be offered monthly with the first class scheduled for Thursday, August 9th from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Additional classes will be held Saturday, September 8th from 9:00 a.m. to noon and Thursday, October 4th from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
To register, contact the Oak Hill Fire Department Station 302 at 512-288-5534, extension 100 or you may email PEP@oakhillfire.org for a registration form.
For more information, please contact the on-duty PIO via pager at 935-7979.
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Put Your Name On The MAPP!
Austin,
Texas, July 18, 2007 – How do you find qualified fire
fighters who have what it takes to function for 24 hours at a time under some
of the most physically and mentally demanding conditions? Fire
departments in Travis County are taking a new approach to an age-old dilemma.
With the launch of a new innovative program, the answer just became easier.
Hudson Bend
Fire Department, Oak Hill Fire Department and Westlake Fire Department have
joined together to pilot a new program called the Travis County ESD
Multi-Agency Prequalification Process (MAPP). This program offers
something that has previously not been available to fire departments in Travis
County – a one-stop shop listing of eligible candidates.
MAPP is
designed to provide applicants an opportunity to become pre-qualified for
professional firefighter positions available in any of the participating
agencies for a twelve-month period. To become eligible, MAPP candidates are
required to pass only one written exam and physical agility test each
year. Previously, candidates would have tested separately for each
agency. Participating departments are able to select candidates from the
pre-qualified applicant list, then move ahead with
their individual departmental selection process including secondary interviews,
medical screenings, skills verification and background checks.
Chief
Gary Warren, Westlake and Oak Hill Fire Departments, explains “Fire
departments within Travis County are charged with delivering the highest level
of fire service protection and medical first response to the citizens they
serve while utilizing taxpayer dollars in the most responsible manner possible.
The MAPP program clearly assists us in achieving that goal by streamlining the
basic portions of a hiring process. The mission of every fire department is the
preservation of life and property. MAPP establishes consistency in identifying
the best candidates to support that mission”.
Any agency in
the central Texas area can participate in the program and more departments are
joining in every day – the latest being Pflugerville, Manor and Volente
Fire Departments.
Applicants can
register online by visiting www.traviscountyesdfirehire.org.
The website contains useful information to assist in
preparing for the process as well as website links to the participating
departments. The written examination will take place on July 20, 2007 and the
physical agility testing is scheduled for July 21 – 23, 2007.
Demonstrations of the physical agility test will be made available to media
representatives by contacting the Westlake Fire Department on-duty PIO pager.
Hudson
Bend Fire Chief Jim Linardos says, “The MAPP is
bringing a larger applicant pool to the central Texas area. MAPP gives
more depth to our hiring programs and is starting to attract interest from
other fire departments in and out of the State of Texas. MAPP allows a great deal of autonomy for
both the candidates and the fire departments seeking the ideal firefighter,
while still meeting core hiring principals and reducing the cost of multiple
recruitment campaigns through out the year”.
For more
information, please contact the Westlake Fire Department on-duty PIO via pager
at 935-7979.
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“Fill The
Boot”
May 24, 2007
– The Westlake Fire Department, in
conjunction with the Westlake Professional Firefighters Association Local 4147,
will participate in the annual “Fill The
Boot” campaign this weekend. Department members will hold their donation
drive to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association on May 24, 25 and
26 at the intersection of Walsh Tarlton and
Thursday, May 24 3:30
p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Friday, May 25 7:30
a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
3:30
p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 26 9:30
a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary national health agency — a dedicated partnership between scientists and concerned citizens aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases that affect more than a million Americans.
Firefighters are the strongest campaigners for the worldwide research efforts of MDA to eradicate 40 neuromuscular diseases. Donations collected through the “Fill the Boot” campaign directly support the research efforts of the MDA in their fight against neuromuscular diseases. The contributions also go towards MDA’s summer camps for children, professional and public health education, and other programs.
For more information on the
donation drive, please contact the on-duty PIO via pager at 935-7979.
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Wildfire Awareness
Week
March 26 – 31, 2007
March 29, 2007 – The
The Texas Forest
Service will host several events at Home Depot and Lowe’s stores located
throughout
According to the
Texas Forest Service, the 2005-2006 fire season in
STAR Flight, the air
operations component of Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services
System, is often called by local fire departments to assist firefighters
on the ground with grass and vegetation fires. During just February and
March 2007 alone, STAR Flight responded to eleven fire mission
requests. On February 24, STAR Flight responded to
seven fire mission dispatches in a single 24-hour period. An exceptionally
dry winter drought left
“Wildfire Awareness Begins at
Home”, the theme chosen for this year’s
campaign, aims at educating and assisting homeowners in implementing wildfire
risk reduction measures. The Texas Forest Service encourages homeowners to do a
quick survey of their property while gardening or doing yard work. Several
questions to consider are: 1) Does wildfire have a direct path to your home?
Create a break in the vegetation with a sidewalk, rock path, French drain,
driveway or other non-flammable path to slow the spread of a
wildfire. 2) Are flammable plants creating a ladder to the eaves of
the home? 3) Do firefighters have enough room around your home (at
least 30 feet) to safely protect it? 4) Did you take time to remove
leaves and needles from your roof and gutters? For more tips, log on to http://texasforestservice.tamu.edu or www.firewise.org.
Members of the
Pets America
Partnership joins this year’s
event and will display pet oxygen masks used for resuscitating animals during
times of crisis. Pets America Partnership
recently donated several sets of masks to
For more information, please
contact the on-duty PIO via pager at 935-7979.
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March 20,
2007 – The
Pets
Thursday’s pet mask donations
are just the first of 100 sets that will eventually go to
“Ultimately,
the mission of every fire department is the preservation of life and
property,” says
Austin-Travis County EMS Division Commander
Elaine Acker, President and CEO of Pets America states,
“I am committed to helping save the whole family in a crisis.
Whether it’s providing oxygen masks for fire and
On March 31st, Pets America
will display the pet resuscitation masks and be accepting donations
for sponsorships, at the Lowe’s on Highway 71 West near FM 620
South, also at two Home Depot locations - 3600 South IH-35 and 8801 South
IH-35. For more information on how you can contribute, please visit the
website at www.petsamerica.org.
Pets
Thursday, March 22
11a.m.
ATCEMS
Headquarters
For more
information, please contact the on-duty PIO via pager at 935-7979
February 16, 2007
– You and your family are snuggled in for the evening.
The kids are safely tucked away in their beds. You’ve checked all the
doors and windows. You’ve made sure everything was turned off. Suddenly,
you awaken to the sounds of smoke detectors alerting you to danger. You have a plan, the family knows it by heart and has practiced it
multiple times. You all meet outside, at the street by the mailbox. You quickly
do roll call and make sure everyone is there. The neighbors call 9-1-1 and the
fire department responds. A small fire is found and
quickly extinguished. You notice that your beloved family pet isn’t with
you. The firefighters go into the house and after a quick search, find your
pet. What happens now?
The Ce-Bar
Fire Department and Westlake Fire Department have joined departments across the
nation in adding a new tool for delivering a life saving intervention to
animals. Both departments now carry pet oxygen delivery masks. In the past,
fire departments have had to improvise and utilize masks designed for humans.
While they have been effective, they are obviously not the most efficient.
Ce-Bar Fire
Chief
Chief Crain read an article about
these masks last summer and contacted H.E.L.P. Animals, Inc – abbreviated
for health, educate, love and protect. The agency is a non-profit, all
volunteer group located in
The masks are elongated and narrow
on the end and specifically designed to fit a wide range of pets. These cone
shaped masks are available in three sizes – a large canine, small canine
and feline. The masks sell for
about fifty dollars for a set of three, are reusable and have an unlimited
service life. Fortunately, neither department has had an occasion to use the
masks but stand ready should the need arise.
“Ultimately, the mission of
every fire department is the preservation of life and property. Any tool that
we can add to help us achieve that is a valuable tool. We are here to serve the
citizens of southwest
For more
information, please contact the on-duty PIO via pager at 935-7979
December 15, 2006 – Citizens
within southwest
“Our goal is to improve service levels by leveraging
the appropriate capabilities of both Emergency Services District #9 (ESD #9)
and Emergency Services District #3 (ESD #3) to ensure that we are using the
taxpayer’s resources most effectively for both districts” explains
Travis County ESD #3 Board of Commissioners President David
Luther says "Under the new ESD #3Oak Hill and ESD #9-
Fire departments within
Travis County ESD #3 will
continue to oversee the financial aspects of the Oak Hill Fire Department and
likewise, Travis County ESD #9 will continue to oversee the financial aspects
of the Westlake Fire Department. Both departments will maintain their
historical names as well as their front line staff, apparatus, facilities and
budgets.
Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty, Precinct 3
states "I have always been a supporter of new ideas that bring more
efficient delivery of services to
While many departments
throughout
For more information, please contact the on-duty PIO via pager at 935-7979.
Fire Prevention Week Open House
October 21, 2006
The Westlake Fire Department will host an Open House on Saturday, October 21, 2006 from 11 a.m. to
5 p.m., at Westlake Fire Station #2, located at 1295 S. Capital of
Local area fire departments, law enforcement agencies,
emergency medical services personnel and
Eanes ISD has partnered with the Westlake
Fire Department to raise awareness and promote the benefits of Automatic
External Defibrillators (AED). The school district is currently accepting
donations to aid in the purchase of additional AEDs for schools within the Eanes school district, following the AED “save”
last month of Matt Nader, a Westlake High School Chaparral.
Participating agencies include
Activities are scheduled throughout the day, with something
for every age group. Participants can look forward to emergency vehicle tours,
a smoke house demonstration, vehicle extrication demonstrations, a rock
climbing wall, a moonwalk bounce house and a dunking booth. CPR/AED
demonstrations, child safety seat inspections and flu vaccines will also be
offered during the event.
Refreshments for the open house have been graciously donated
by Mr. Gattis Pizza, Chick-Fil-A and Chipotle.
Westlake Fire Chief
Join us for the fun!
If you have questions, contact the on-duty Westlake Fire
Department PIO at 935-7979.
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Fire Prevention Week
October 8 – 14, 2006
October 2, 2006
– Westlake Fire Department (Travis County Emergency
Service District #9) is proud to join fire departments throughout the nation in
an educational campaign known as Fire Prevention Week. This year, beginning
October 8th, we will embark on one of the largest and most
consolidated efforts to raise public awareness about the dangers of fire and
common prevention tips.
Fire Prevention
Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The fire
began on October 8th and continued into the next day, killing more
than 250 people and leaving 100,000 homeless. The fire also destroyed more than
17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres.
This year’s
national theme “Watch What You Heat” focuses on cooking fires, the
leading cause of home fires and injuries. Cooking equipment is involved in more
than 100,000 reported home fires each year. Two-thirds of stove fires start
during the first 15 minutes of cooking.
Westlake Fire Department will be
visiting schools and daycares beginning October 9th and continuing
through the week to educate and raise awareness among school aged children on
how they too can play an active part in preventing fires. It is our hope to
familiarize children and their families with the Westlake Fire Department and
utilize the Department as an educational resource.
On October 21st, the
Department will conclude the campaign by hosting an open house at Westlake Fire
Station 2 located at 1295 S. Capitol of
For more information, please
contact the on-duty PIO via pager at 935-7979.
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for Community Safety
August 5, 2006
– The Westlake Fire Department has teamed up with
several agencies to formulate an evacuation plan for area residents.
The result of this effort is a
plan that utilizes
This
partnership with Eanes ISD was formed because of
their ability to meet the transportation needs and
because
The
predetermined routes are essentially loops through the affected areas. The team
wanted to ensure that no bus would need to travel on streets with limited
access or egress, which could potentially delay evacuation. The specially
designated pickup points for residents are located at intersections –
making it easier for the residents and buses to reach.
Square
green reflectors affixed on the road in front of the stop – the same
markings that
Should
the Evacuation Plan be activated, the Department will notify residents with the
help of the media and by going door to door on the streets being evacuated. Any
resident who is unable to evacuate can go to the nearest evacuation bus stop
and be picked up by an Eanes School Bus to be taken
to
In
addition to the Evacuation Plan, the City of West Lake Hills and Rollingwood
are working to obtain reverse 911 – a system of automated dialing to
residents warning them of dangers or hazards approaching.
For more information, please
contact the on-duty PIO via pager at 935-7979.
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Shares Message on Safety for the
June 30, 2006
– The Westlake Fire Department will join in
celebrations in the various communities they serve for the 4th of
July holiday. There is a long-standing tradition for the Fire Department to
participate in parades, block parties and neighborhood gatherings during this
holiday. Paid and volunteer members will staff department apparatus beginning
at 7 a.m. on Tuesday morning and head out to at least three neighborhoods about
an hour later. Parades will begin around 9 a.m. in the Lost Creek and Rob Roy
areas, as well as the City of
Westlake Fire
Chief
An estimated
18,900 fireworks fires in 2004 caused approximately $21.8 million in property
loss, and about 52 percent of those fires occurred during the month of July
around the Independence Day holiday. Children under age 15 suffered 40
percent of the 9,600 injuries from fireworks devices. Firecrackers,
sparklers and rockets are the leading contributors to these injuries. These
statistics, the most recent available, were obtained from 2004 National Fire
Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data, the National Fire Protection
Association's (NFPA's) Fire Loss in the United States During 2004, and the
Consumer Product Safety Commission's 2004 Fireworks Annual Report.
For more information, please
contact the on-duty PIO via pager at 935-7979.
June 15, 2006 The Westlake Professional Fire Fighters Association
and the Westlake Fire Department would like to thank the Westbank
community for their contributions to the Muscular Dystrophy Association in our
2006 “Fill the Boot” Campaign.
Together, our fire fighters and the Westbank
community were able to raise over $5100.00 to help eradicate
40 neuromuscular diseases. The
generous contributions collected by the fire fighters also go towards
MDA’s summer camps for children, professional and public health
education, and other programs.
As the greatest contributor to MDA, fire fighters are everywhere in the efforts of MDA to raise money. The IAFF is the biggest sponsor of MDA’s Labor Day Telethon and it contributed a record breaking $20.3 million in year 2004 as a consequence of the overwhelming enthusiasm and contribution of tens and thousands of fire fighters across the US and Canada. The IAFF raised this amount throughout the entire year through their passionate Fill the Boot campaigns, in which fire fighters greet motorists, shoppers and others and ask them to donate money to MDA. This year’s IAFF-MDA events generated even more to cure these crushing illnesses.
The Westbank community has always
been our strongest asset when both our association and our department decide to
assist in raising funds for an important cause. This year was no exception. We look forward to future years to once
again raise awareness and unite our community towards these important issues.
The Westlake Professional Fire Fighter Association (WPFFA)
is
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“Fill The
Boot”
May 18, 2006
– The Westlake Fire Department and the
Westlake Professional Firefighters Association (IAFF Local 4147) will
participate in the annual “Fill The Boot”
campaign this weekend. Department and Association members will hold their
donation drive to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association on May 19,
20 and 21 at the intersection of Walsh Tarlton and
Friday, May 19 4:30
p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 20 9
a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sunday, May 21 9
a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association is a voluntary national health agency — a dedicated partnership between scientists and concerned citizens aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases that affect more than a million Americans.
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is
the largest national sponsor of the Muscular
Dystrophy Association. More than 270,000 members of the IAFF in the
For more information on the
donation drive, please contact the on-duty PIO via pager at 935-7979.