Tips for Safe Disposal of Ashes from Fireplaces and Woodstoves

Now that winter is officially here, residents are reminded that fireplace and woodstove ashes retain enough heat to ignite other combustible materials for several days after a fire. The rule to remember is: never put ashes in a paper or plastic bag, cardboard box or plastic bucket.

The Division of Solid Waste Services (Dept. of Environmental Protection) joins the Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service in reminding residents of how to safely dispose of ashes. For example, never put out ashes from fireplaces for collection with regular household trash unless they have been thoroughly soaked with water in a metal ash bucket with a tight fitting metal lid (designed for that purpose), or held in place for at least a week to ensure there are no residual embers.

Store any container holding ash outside, away from structures, decks, fences, wood piles or other combustible materials. Ashes retain enough heat to ignite other combustible materials even several days after a fire.

Cooled ashes may be brought to the Shady Grove Road Processing Facility and Transfer Station for disposal in specifically-designated ash containers. The Transfer Station is located at 16101 Frederick Rd., Derwood (off Rt. 355 at Shady Grove Rd.).

Learn more about how to safely dispose of ashes.

DFRS to Again Collect Toys for Needy Families

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service and local fire and rescue departments will again be collecting toys for needy families and underprivileged children during the 2012 holiday season starting on December 5. For many years various Montgomery Countyvolunteer fire and rescue stations have worked with local community groups, civic organizations and government agencies to make the holiday season a little better for area families.

All Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Stations will serve as drop off sites for new unwrapped toys, including those toys to be used for existing annual local volunteer fire department initiatives supporting neighborhood and local community holiday programs, as well as the regional 2012 Toys for Tots Campaign in conjunction with the United States Marines.

Fire Departments throughout the metro region, including those in Montgomery County, will be collecting toys for children during the 2012 holiday season. Toys may be dropped off until December 18.

It�s Time: Set Clock Back, Put Batteries in Detectors

With the end of Daylight Savings Time, the Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) urges all residents to check the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are working when they change their clocks this weekend.  

�Home fires injure and kill thousands every year,� said Fire Chief Richard Bowers. �Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries. I encourage everyone to test their smoke alarms, replace any alarms that are 10 years or older and conduct a home fire drill this weekend.�

MCFRS will provide and install smoke alarm batteries at no cost to residents and will provide and install smoke alarms for residents who cannot afford them.

Call 311 for information and bookmark the MCFRS website -- www.mcfrs.org/mcsafe -- for year-round safety information.

Watch a short public service announcement reminder about changing the batteries.

Leggett, Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association Reach Agreement Resulting in Improved Services for Residents, Visitors

Rockville Fire Station #3 personnel watch as County Executive Ike Leggett and Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association President Marcine Goodloe sign an agreement that will boost communication, promote further cooperation and enhance the volunteer contribution to the County�s combined volunteer and career emergency fire and rescue service.  Also at the table are Fire Chief Richard Bowers (far left) and MontgomeryCounty Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association Executive Director Eric Bernard (far right).

Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett and the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association have announced an agreement between the County and the Volunteer Association that will improve fire and rescue services for residents and visitors in Montgomery County. The agreement, signed on August 13, will boost communication, promote further cooperation and enhance the volunteer contribution to the County�s combined volunteer and career emergency fire and rescue service.

�Although we are concerned that non-County residents will receive a bill for emergency transport, we do not support a referendum on the Emergency Medical Transportation Insurance Reimbursement Act,� said Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association President Marcine Goodloe. �The fire and rescue service enhancements that will result from this agreement are too critical to jeopardize. The Act will result in significant improvements to emergency services and the safety of County residents.

�County residents, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service and career and volunteer personnel will benefit from enhanced fire and rescue service with the implementation of the Emergency Medical Transportation Insurance Reimbursement Act,� said Goodloe. �This agreement fosters a relationship of trust and support and recognizes the valued contributions by our volunteer fire, rescue and emergency medical services personnel.�

�The State of Maryland has decided to shift to Montgomery County what could very well be more than $400 million over 10 years in state teacher pension costs,� Leggett said. �The State has also approved a new �Maintenance of Effort� law on school funding that could force us to add millions more to our reserves each year above and beyond what we already do. These are changed circumstances of monumental significance. The additional revenue the County will receive from insurance reimbursements is vital. It will enable us to enhance fire and rescue services to keep pace with population growth, without cutting other essential County services.

The Executive expressed his appreciation for �the work and efforts by our County officials and representatives from the Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association. In particular, I want to acknowledge Montgomery County Volunteer Fire-Rescue Association President Marcine Goodloe, Executive Director Eric Bernard and Counsel John Bentivolio for their leadership and efforts in forging this agreement.�