Blood of Our Heroes 

BOGALUSA FIRE DEPARTMENT

For information regarding upcoming entry-level Firefighter examinations, please call our information hot-line (225)925-4567. This service is available 24 hours, 7 days a week.
       

Chief's Message

Chief Roy Adcox

Welcome

The Bogalusa Louisiana Fire Department is a community oriented organization. Our mission is to protect the inhabitants of our community from the adverse effects of fire, medical emergencies and dangerous conditions created by either man or nature. The Firefighters on your department have vested interest in our community. They are your friends or maybe your neighbor down the street. Together, your Firefighters and I are constantly looking for better ways to serve you.

We invite any suggestions or comments you may have. Please feel free to contact us at any time if there is any way we can improve our service to you.

Remember: Sirens and Lights - Pull to the Right.   

Sincerely,

Chief Roy Adcox

985-732-6217

Before a Hurricane

To prepare for a hurricane, you should take the following measures:

• Make plans to secure your property. Permanent storm shutters offer the best protection for windows. A second option is to board up windows with 5/8” marine plywood, cut to fit and ready to install. Tape does not prevent windows from breaking.
• Install straps or additional clips to securely fasten your roof to the frame structure. This will reduce roof damage.
• Be sure trees and shrubs around your home are well trimmed.
• Clear loose and clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
• Determine how and where to secure your boat.
• Consider building a safe room.

 Evacuation Plans

When community evacuations become necessary, local officials provide information to the public through the media. In some circumstances, other warning methods, such as sirens or telephone calls, also are used. Additionally, there may be circumstances under which you and your family feel threatened or endangered and you need to leave your home, school, or workplace to avoid these situations.

The amount of time you have to leave will depend on the hazard. If the event is a weather condition, such as a hurricane that can be monitored, you might have a day or two to get ready. However, many disasters allow no time for people to gather even the most basic necessities, which is why planning ahead is essential.

Evacuation: More Common than You Realize

Evacuations are more common than many people realize. Hundreds of times each year, transportation and industrial accidents release harmful substances, forcing thousands of people to leave their homes. Fires and floods cause evacuations even more frequently. Almost every year, people along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts evacuate in the face of approaching hurricanes.

If a hurricane is likely in your area, you should:

• Listen to the radio or TV for information.
• Secure your home, close storm shutters, and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
• Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
• Turn off propane tanks.· Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
• Moor your boat if time permits.
• Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purposes such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other large containers with water.

You should evacuate under the following conditions:

• If you are directed by local authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions.
• If you live in a mobile home or temporary structure—such shelters are particularly hazardous during hurricanes no matter how well fastened to the ground.
• If you live in a high-rise building—hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations.
• If you live on the coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an inland waterway.
• If you feel you are in danger.

If you are unable to evacuate, go to your safe room. If you do not have one, follow these guidelines:

• Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors.
• Close all interior doors—secure and brace external doors.
• Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm - winds will pick up again.
• Take refuge in a small interior room, closet, or hallway on the lowest level.
• Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.

 are available with evacuation routes marked.

Recovering from Disaster

Ensure your safety

Find out how to care for your safety after a disaster

Your first concern after a disaster is your family’s health and safety. You need to consider possible safety issues and monitor family health and well-being.

Aiding the Injured

Check for injuries. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of death or further injury. If you must move an unconscious person, first stabilize the neck and back, then call for help immediately.

• If the victim is not breathing, carefully position the victim for artificial respiration, clear the airway, and commence mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
• Maintain body temperature with blankets. Be sure the victim does not become overheated.
• Never try to feed liquids to an unconscious person.

Health

• Be aware of exhaustion. Don’t try to do too much at once. Set priorities and pace yourself. Get enough rest.
• Drink plenty of clean water.. Eat well.. Wear sturdy work boots and gloves.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean water often when working in debris.

Safety Issues

• Be aware of new safety issues created by the disaster. Watch for washed out roads, contaminated buildings, contaminated water, gas leaks, broken glass, damaged electrical wiring, and slippery floors.
• Inform local authorities about health and safety issues, including chemical spills, downed power lines, washed out roads, smoldering insulation, and dead animals.

General Tips

Returning home can be both physically and mentally challenging. Above all, use caution.

Check for injuries. Do not attempt to move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of death or further injury. If you must move an unconscious person, first stabilize the neck and back, then call for help immediately.

• Keep a battery-powered radio with you so you can listen for emergency updates and news reports.
• Use a battery-powered flash light to inspect a damaged home.
  Note: The flashlight should be turned on outside before entering - the battery may produce a spark that could ignite leaking gas, if present.
• Watch out for animals, especially poisonous snakes. Use a stick to poke through debris.
• Be wary of wildlife and other animals
• Use the phone only to report life-threatening emergencies.
• Stay off the streets. If you must go out, watch for fallen objects; downed electrical wires; and weakened walls, bridges, roads, and sidewalks.

Before You Enter Your Home

Walk carefully around the outside and check for loose power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage. If you have any doubts about safety, have your residence inspected by a qualified building inspector or structural engineer before entering.

Do not enter if:

• You smell gas.
• Floodwaters remain around the building.
• Your home was damaged by fire and the authorities have not declared it safe.

Going Inside Your Home

When you go inside your home, there are certain things you should and should not do. Enter the home carefully and check for damage. Be aware of loose boards and slippery floors. The following items are other things to check inside your home:

• Natural gas. If you smell gas or hear a hissing or blowing sound, open a window and leave immediately. Turn off the main gas valve from the outside, if you can. Call the gas company from a neighbor’s residence. If you shut off the gas supply at the main valve, you will need a professional to turn it back on. Do not smoke or use oil, gas lanterns, candles, or torches for lighting inside a damaged home until you are sure there is no leaking gas or other flammable materials present.
• Sparks, broken or frayed wires. Check the electrical system unless you are wet, standing in water, or unsure of your safety. If possible, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If the situation is unsafe, leave the building and call for help. Do not turn on the lights until you are sure they’re safe to use. You may want to have an electrician inspect your wiring.
• Roof, foundation, and chimney cracks. If it looks like the building may collapse, leave immediately.
• Appliances. If appliances are wet, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. Then, unplug appliances and let them dry out. Have appliances checked by a professional before using them again. Also, have the electrical system checked by an electrician before turning the power back on.
• Water and sewage systems. If pipes are damaged, turn off the main water valve. Check with local authorities before using any water; the water could be contaminated. Pump out wells and have the water tested by authorities before drinking. Do not flush toilets until you know that sewage lines are intact.
• Food and other supplies. Throw out all food and other supplies that you suspect may have become contaminated or come in to contact with floodwater. Your basement. If your basement has flooded, pump it out gradually (about one third of the water per day) to avoid damage. The walls may collapse and the floor may buckle if the basement is pumped out while the surrounding ground is still waterlogged.
• Open cabinets. Be alert for objects that may fall.
• Clean up household chemical spills. Disinfect items that may have been contaminated by raw sewage, bacteria, or chemicals. Also clean salvageable items.
• Call your insurance agent. Take pictures of damages. Keep good records of repair and cleaning costs.

Seeking Disaster Assistance

Throughout the recovery period, it is important to monitor local radio or television reports and other media sources for information about where to get emergency housing, food, first aid, clothing, and financial assistance. The following section provides general information about the kinds of assistance that may be available.

Direct Assistance

Direct assistance to individuals and families may come from any number of organizations, including:

• American Red Cross
• Salvation Army
• Other volunteer organizations

These organizations provide food, shelter, supplies and assist in clean-up efforts.

The Federal Role

In the most severe disasters, the federal government is also called in to help individuals and families with temporary housing, counseling (for post-disaster trauma), low-interest loans and grants, and other assistance. The federal government also has programs that help small businesses and farmers.

Most federal assistance becomes available when the President of the United States declares a “Major Disaster” for the affected area at the request of a state governor. FEMA will provide information through the media and community outreach about federal assistance and how to apply.

 Roy Adcox, Fire Chief            

BOGALUSA FIRE DEPARTMENT

JUNIOR FIRESETTER PROGRAM  

Most children are fascinated with fire, but those children who play with matches and lighters are putting themselves and those around them in great danger. 

Some children experiment with fire out of curiosity. These children usually have easy access to matches and lighters. They do not understand the consequences of their actions.  There are also children who experiment with fire because they are experiencing a a crisis in their life. The crisis could be a result of moving, a death or divorce. Unable to express anger, sadness or abandonment, children sometimes turn to firesetting.  These children will benefit from learning how to deal with their emotions in a more constructive positive manner, one that does not include firesetting. 

Most importantly, both types of firesetters need to be shown the consequences for their actions. This is done through education. 

THE PROGRAM

The Bogalusa Fire Department has taken a positive approach in its efforts to stop youth firesetting in the community through our Junior Firesetter Program. The mission of the program is to provide educational intervention for children and their families experiencing problems with firesetting.  
  

STEPS

1.     REFERRAL TO THE PROGRAM

A child can be referred to the Junior Firesetter Program in a number of ways: by a parent, a teacher, the fire department, the police department, or the court system, etc. Classes are free of charge for children and their families.  To schedule a class please call (985) 732-6217

EDUCATION

The child and their family are seen by a fire educator for two sessions. The educator and the child discuss the dangers and consequences of firesetting.  The program educates parents and children on the proper use of fire and fire safety. 

2.     FOLLOW UP

Contacting the family either through mail or telephone is a necessary step in evaluating the progress of the child.  Evaluations are mailed to the family three months and nine months after the class has been completed.  

Roy Adcox, Fire Chief

911 Use and Abuse

Call 911 when there is a life or death emergency that requires the immediate response of emergency service such as police, fire or paramedic. Always call 911 when there is a medical problem or something that requires the Bogalusa Fire Department to respond.

When there is a situation that requires police response but is not an emergency, use a non-emergency 7-digit telephone number.  732-3611

How to call 911

All 911 calls are received by Police Radio Dispatchers who are trained to screen calls quickly and efficiently. Dial 732-3611 for non-emergency police service.

1. Dial 911 (on a pay phone it is not necessary to deposit money).
2. Tell the 911 operator what you need; ambulance, fire truck, or the police.
3. Be calm. When a caller is upset, it is hard to understand what he or she is saying or to get vital information quickly.
4. Stay on the phone. Do not hang up!
5. Give your name and address. If your address is different from the location of the crime, be sure to let the operator know.
6. If possible, give the operator suspect description, weapons, if any, and vehicle description and license.
7. The Bogalusa Fire & Police Department is asking citizens to help stop the accidental calls by locking their cell phone keypads, turning off automatic 911 dialing features and avoiding programming 911 as a speed-dial number.

Emergency operators will verify your address and telephone to ensure that the telephone company address that is sent with the call is current and accurate. People living in mobile home parks on private roads often have addresses that differ from the telephone company street address.  

It is a misdemeanor under Bogalusa City Local Laws for any person to willfully use the 911 system for any purpose other than reporting an emergency. The Bogalusa Fire and Police Department does not want someone to be injured or killed as a result of emergency service response to a false call.

Official Telephone Numbers