News and Updates
New and recent info from your fire department

Lightning Safety: Are You Protected?
More Americans killed by lightning than tornadoes

• Request a copy of our brochure
  Available to residents of Centerville/Washington Township

A Season for Concern
Thunderstorms = lightning.. Did you know that other than the state of Florida, the Miami Valley is one of the most frequent areas to develop dangerous thunderstorms with lightning?

Property loss in the United States is in the hundred of millions annually due to lightning. Often the reasons for a call to the fire department is to investigate a smoking or damaged appliance, power outages, or even damage to the house itself.

But it is all too often that we respond to house fires as a direct result of lightning. [read more]

Safety at the Gas Pump
Stop Static

The Washington Township Fire Department joins the American Petroleum Institute and the Petroleum Equipment Institute as they remind motorists to avoid potential problems with static electricity at the gas pump by staying outside the vehicle during refueling, and to follow all safe refueling practices during their weekly routine gasoline tank fill-up.

Static electricity-caused fires at the pump are extremely rare. In fact, Americans pump gasoline into their cars an estimated 11 to 12 billion times a year, generally without incident. But static electricity may build up when a motorist re-enters the vehicle during fueling and slides across the seat. When the motorist returns to the nozzle, the static may discharge at the fill point, potentially igniting gasoline vapors and causing a flash or a small sustained fire. Potential problems with static electricity at the pump may occur any time of year, but most typically incidents have occurred when the air is cool and dry. Although static electricity-related refueling fires are rare, according to API and PEI, these incidents have caused a few injuries and some property damage.

Find out more on how to prevent static build-up at the fuel pump. Are you making one or more of the mistakes that lead to static build-up and fire during refueling? Visit the American Petroleum Institute's "Stop Static" campaign site.

Watch the Video
This a surveillance camera view of an actual incident. Notice the victim returns to her car during the refueling process. She appears to pull her hair back as she exits the vehicle. As she returns to the gas pump a fire is sparked as she reaches for the nozzle. NOTE: If a fire happens at your vehicle, do NOT remove the nozzle from the vehicle. Leave the area and have an attendant use the emergency pump shut off.
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• MOV for Quicktime

For Your Information
Regarding Open-Flame Cooking at Condos and Apartments

Every year, residential complexes suffer severe damage or loss from fires that begin with an open-flame cooking device being operated on a balcony. According to the U.S. Fire Administration there is an average of 6,500 grill fires each year, resulting in almost 27 million dollars in fire loss.

New regulations governing the operation of open-flame cooking devices, such as barbeque grills, are presented in the 2005 Ohio Fire Code, which was effective September 1, 2005. This code was adopted by the Ohio Department of Commerce, State Fire Marshal Division and is effective statewide.

According to Section 308.3.1 of the Ohio Fire Code, the operation of a charcoal burner, or any other open-flame cooking device, is prohibited on combustible decks and balconies. In addition, these devices shall not be used anywhere within 10 feet of combustible construction, which could include a nearby wall, overhang, patio fence, railing, or the deck above your own deck or patio.

Please note: These rules apply only to multi-family structures larger than a duplex. The code does not prevent the use of cooking devices on the decks of single-family and two-family dwellings.

In addition, any cooking device using propane fuel is subject to regulation, depending on the size of its fuel container. Any device using a fuel container larger than one-pound is prohibited on combustible decks and balconies. In addition, these devices shall not be used anywhere within 10 feet of combustible construction, which could include a nearby wall, overhang, patio fence, railing, or the deck above your own deck or patio. It is worth noting that the typical gas grill utilizes an LP container with a nominal capacity of 20 pounds of LP-gas.

The owner of the structure and/or complex is responsible for insuring that the requirements of the Ohio Fire Code are followed. If you have further questions about using cooking devices on multi-family dwelling balconies, please call the Washington Township Fire Department at 937-433-3083.

Fire Station Dedicated
New Station 43 Now Open

The elected officials of Washington Township and Fire Chief Ken Parks have announced the dedication and opening of new Fire Station 43 in Centerville. This station, located at 10499 Dayton-Lebanon Pike, was the site of an open house Monday, October 24, 2005. A formal dedication ceremony was held at 6:00 p.m.

The station accommodates changing staff needs that have developed over the past few decades. Original Station 43 began operations in 1966. It was designed to house a fire engine and support vehicles, as well as a small volunteer response crew. The station had no facilities for overnight staffing. It had limited room and resources for day-time crews to operate, as well. The new facility has staff offices, a full-size kitchen, and separate restroom and shower facilities for male and female staff members. Physical training is now possible with the addition of a work-out/exercise room. Vehicle response from this station includes an engine, an ambulance, a heavy rescue truck, a brush-fire vehicle, and rescue boats. Cost of the new station is $2,148,200.

The property also features the new Washington Township Fire Training Tower. This state-of-the-art building enables firefighters to do realistic training evolutions that simulate situations they might encounter during real emergencies. This building was designed by WHP Training Towers in Overland Park, Kansas. Cost of the structure is $510,676.

The new facility is located at the corner of Dayton-Lebanon Pike and Social Row Road.

Fire Captain Retires
Seigla Offers 36+ Years of Service

The Washington Township Trustees recently honored Captain Ron Seigla with a Proclamation for his many years of service to the community.

Captain Seigla served Washington Township for more than 36 years. He joined the fire department April 1, 1969. In 1971 he was appointed acting lieutenant. In 1972, he became an emergency medical technician. Soon thereafter he began training to become a paramedic. In October, 1972, he was promoted to Captain of District 41. A short time later he was promoted to the role of Squad Leader on the rescue squad, as well.

In 1981, Ron was promoted to Company Commander of District One, a position he held until his retirement. In this position, he has been responsible for the supervision of approximately 20 firefighters and EMTs, a medic, two engines, and a 105-foot aerial ladder truck. All must be staffed 24 hours a day.

In 1983, he had the opportunity to become an instructor at the Texas A&M Fire School. He is a past president, vice president, treasurer, and committee chairperson of the Washington Township Firefighter’s Association. He has served the Board of Directors for that organization for many years, as well. Siegla has served as a member of the Washington Township Volunteer Dependents Board for a number of years.

Seigla was also selected by the Centerville City Council to serve on their citizens committee for a term of three years. He has received numerous public service awards from local Optimists, Jaycees, and other organizations.

He and his wife, Pat, served as Grand Patron and Matron of the Ohio Eastern Star organization. He is an avid baseball fan, managing to find time to be actively involved as a member of local softball and baseball teams, including coaching his daughters’ teams.

Ron Seigla graduated from the University of Cincinnati College of Pharmacy in 1959. In 1976, the Miami Valley Pharmaceutical Association honored him as Pharmacist of the Year. In 1985, he received the Bowl of Hygeia Award from the Ohio State Pharmaceutical Association. He has been employed by Fidelity Prescriptions for many years; he is currently a pharmacist at The Medicine Shoppe in Centerville.

Throughout his career, Captain Ron Seigla has exemplified the ideals of leadership, dedication, and service. Prior to his retirement only one other person, retired Deputy Chief David Cunningham, had served Washington Township longer.

In Remembrance
Lieutenant F. Joseph (Joe) McDermott
1942-2005

Lieutenant Joe McDermott died March 12, 2005 following a brief illness. He was a volunteer firefighter for Washington Township since 1983 and a fire alarms operator (dispatcher) since 1996.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, March 16 at the Routsong Funeral Home, 81 N. Main Street, Centerville. McDermott was buried at Centerville Cemetary. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 40 S. Perry Street, Suite 120, Dayton OH 45402-1429. Condolences may be sent to the family via the website at www.routsong.com.

Recent Promotion
Carusone Named Captain

Tony Carusone, a firefighter for ten years with the Washington Township Fire Department, has been selected to serve as one of the department's four full-time captains. His promotion was approved by the Washington Township Board of Trustees at their February 7, 2005 meeting, following a selection process that was open to candidates from both inside and outside the Washington Township Fire Department. In his new role, Capt. Carusone will serve as a shift commander, supervising both fire and emergency medical services (EMS).

"This recruitment attracted many firefighters from throughout the area. However, after looking carefully at candidates we realized that our best officer for the position was internal," said Fire Chief Ken Parks. "The testing process showed that Tony placed first in virtually all areas." All together, the process attracted 19 applicants, mostly from departments located throughout the Miami Valley. Three candidates came from outside the local area, including one from as far away as Michigan. "Tony possesses outstanding leadership ability along with a good understanding of the fire department, where it's going, and what it needs to do to get there," Chief Parks noted. As a lieutenant, Capt. Carusone oversaw the self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) maintenance program, assisted with fire department training, and worked to bring the training program in line with fire department accreditation standards. He recently began developing a tabletop simulator for incident command training. With the exception of SCBA, he will continue with those projects as captain.

Capt. Carusone joined the Washington Township Fire Department in February 1994 as a part-time firefighter and became a full-time firefighter in May 1996. He was promoted to lieutenant in June 2001. Before coming to Washington Township, he worked two years as a volunteer for the City of Kettering and also worked from 1994 to 1996 as a full-time paramedic for the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office. During his time with the township, Capt. Carusone has served as a member of the Washington Township Honor Guard. He has been selected twice to receive the Washington Township Employee Award of Excellence, first in 1998 and again in 2004.

Candidates for the position participated in video-based testing that evaluated their performance in 11 areas, ranging from communication skills to team development and prioritization.

Tracking the Lost
Agencies Train for Project Lifesaver

As the result of a program suggested by Centerville City Councilman James E. Singer, many citizens of Washington Township and the City of Centerville will soon be more secure and safe in their homes. Members of the Washington Township Fire Department, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and the Centerville Police Department will soon be trained how to manage, maintain and conduct the Project Lifesaver program.

Project Lifesaver has become internationally recognized as an aggressive and proven program that saves lives. Over five million people in the United States have Alzheimer's or a related disorder, such as dementia, autism or Down's Syndrome. More than fifty percent of these people wander and become lost. Nearly half of them will die and many can be injured if not located within 24 hours. They may be compeletely unaware of their situation. Many will never call for help or respond to people calling out to help them. Project Lifesaver is an active response to the problem of wandering patients before they fall victim to elements, accidents, or predators.

Several area public safety professionals were recently trained in the use of the electronic tracking equipment used for Project Lifesaver. They also learned methods for communicating with a person who has Alzheimer's disease or a related disorder. A team of instructors was trained so that more people can learn the program in the near future.

The Washington Township Firefighter's Association contributed funds to help bring Project Lifesaver to Washington Township and the City of Centerville. If you are interested in how the program works, or have a family member that might need this protection, please contact the Washington Township Fire Department, 433-3083 or the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Substation, 433-0152.

Building the community
Residents Can Help Firefighters Learn

The Washington Township Fire Department is gathering materials to build a "tabletop arial view command training simulator." This scaled version of the community will show a representation of commercial buildings and homes in Centerville and Washington Township. Both firefighters and police officers will use this training aid to help them increase their understanding of the local surroundings, prepare themselves for a variety of possible circumstances, and increase their awareness of possible complications during an emergency. This simulator can also be used to explore placement of emergency vehicles for the most efficient, effective scene control possible.

The fire department requests donations of "HO" scale buildings (new or used), "Matchbox" or "Hot Wheels" style cars and trucks (preferably realistic vehicles) and storage cases. Matching figures and landscape items would also be accepted. The department respectfully asks that only "HO" scale buildings be donated. Buildings of other scale, dollhouses, and other children's type houses cannot be used for this project.

Please contact Captain Tony Carusone at the Washington Township Fire Department, 433-3083, if you have items that you would like to donate for this project.

Events in the Community
New Community Calendar Now Online

The Washington Township Fire Department is now participating in the new area-wide community calendar. This calendar will offer scheduled events pertaining to citizens of the City of Centerville and Washington Township. You can find items offered by both government entities, as well as information from the Centerville Historical Society, the Centerville-Washington Park District, The Washington-Centerville Public Library, Hithergreen Senior Center and the Create the Vision Committee. Visit the calendar at cwtnet.org.