As part of their ongoing efforts to keep our country and communities safe during emergencies, the Federal Communications Commission and Federal Emergency Management Agency will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The EAS test plays a key role in ensuring the nation is prepared for all hazards, and that the U.S. public can receive critical and vital information, should it ever be needed.  The first nationwide test will be conducted Wednesday, November 9 at 2 p.m. ET.  This test may last up to three and a half minutes, and will be transmitted via television and radio stations within the U.S., including Alaska, Hawaii, the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. Similar to local emergency alert system tests, an audio message will interrupt television and radio programming indicating: "This is a test." When the test is over, regular programming will resume.  For more information about the nationwide Emergency Alert System test, please visit http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/6407 and www.FCC.gov.   On November 9 at 2 p.m. EDT, please remember: Don't stress; it's only a test. 

• FEMA Administrator's Message – In English http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/6407

• FEMA Administrator's Message – In Spanish http://www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/6408

• FEMA Press Release – http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=55722

• FEMA Blog – http://blog.fema.gov/2011/10/emergency-alert-system-test-one-month.html

• FCC Website – http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/emergency-alert-system-nationwide-test

As our nation moves back to Standard Time beginning this weekend, the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) encourages you to mark the occasion as a time to test your home smoke alarms and replace the batteries if more than one year old.

Every day in the United States, needless home fire deaths occur. Working smoke alarms significantly increase your chance of surviving a deadly home fire. A properly installed and maintained smoke alarm is the only thing in your home that can alert you and your family to a fire 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Whether you're awake or asleep, a working smoke alarm is constantly on alert scanning the air for fire and smoke.

In addition to changing your smoke alarm batteries this weekend, the USFA recommends following these simple steps to protect your life, your loved ones, and your home:

Dust or vacuum smoke alarms when you change the batteries.

Replace the entire alarm if it's more than 10 years old or doesn't work properly when tested.

For the best protection, equip your home with a combination of ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms or dual sensor alarms.

Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout your home so that when one sounds, they all sound. Interconnected alarms are available at most stores that sell smoke alarms.

Make sure everyone in your home understands the warning of the smoke alarm and knows how to respond.

Finally, prepare and practice an escape plan so that you and your loved ones can get out of your home safely should there be a fire. Plan to meet in a place a safe distance from the fire and where first responders can easily see you.

For more information on smoke alarms, fire escape planning, and fire prevention, visit the USFA website at www.usfa.fema.gov/smokealarms.

I know some communities have already had trick-o-treat events but with today being Halloween and several communities having trick-o-treat events tonight I thought it would be a good occassion to mention Halloween Satety Tips for everyone.   We have already suffered with the loss of one individual as a result of a tragic accident in the South Central PA area on thrusday related to vehicles and trick-o-treaters so lets be extra careful tonight and keep our future generation of leaders safe as they enjoy this fun time this evening.

• When Choosing a costume, stay away from billowing or long trailing fabric,  If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough so they can see out.

• .Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume.

• Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable.  Keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources including light bulbs and heater

• It is safest to use a flashlight or battery-operated candle in a jack-o-lantern.  If you use a real candle, use extremem caution.  Make sure children are watched at all times when candles are lit.  When lighting candles inside jack-o-lanterns use a long fireplace style match or utility lighter.  Be sure to place the lit pumpkin well away from anything that can burn and far enough and out of the way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, and walkways.

• Remember to kepp exits clear of decorations so that nothing blocks escape routes.  

• Tell children to stay away from open flames.  Be sure they know how to stop, drop, and roll if their clothing catches fire.  (It is a good practice to also have the practice stopping immediately, dropping to the ground, covering their face with their hands, and rolling over and over to put out the flames).

You may also print out the Halloween Safety sheet from the NFPA at:

  http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files/pdf/public%20education/halloweensafetytips.pdf

As many of you know I asked many of you to vote for me back in September as I was entered into a contest sponsored by Service 1st Restoration for the "Hottest Of" Disaster Recovery Charity 2012 Calendar. 
 
Thanks to every one's assistance I was selected to be one of the individuals to be featured in the 2012 calendar.  
 
This past week the calendars arrived and are available for purchase.    Each calendar cost $15 with 50% of your cost going to Northeast Fire & Rescue Company 20 and 50% going to the Red Cross Disaster Charity.  
 
Calendars are available from me by contacting me direct via email or via cell phone at 717-729-3633.  You may also fill out and send in this Order Form to purchase your own calendar.
 
I would like to thank you for your support in voting for me and your support of Northeast Fire & Rescue/American Red Cross by considering the purchase of a calendar.