Firehouse Facts
During the week of Oct. 6-12, the Yuma Fire Department responded to 314 emergency calls for service, including:
• 21 General Fire Response
Including: 1 for a microwave oven fire, 1 for gas leaking from a stove, 1 for a roof a/c unit smoking, 1 for a stove top grease fire, 1 for palm trees on fire, 1 for a backyard fence on fire, and various alarms
• 14 Motor Vehicle Crashes
Including: 1 involving a bicycle, 1 involving a pedestrian, and 1 involving a fire hydrant
• 249 Other Medical Emergencies (serious to minor)
Including: 19 for difficulty breathing, 26 for chest pain, 37 for falls, 7 for unconscious people, 11 seizure cases, 5 possible stroke cases, 3 for intoxicated persons, 3 for people under the influence of drugs, 2 drug overdose cases, 14 for people with psychiatric problems, 2 heat related cases, 8 for medical alarms, 1 for kids locked in a vehicle, 16 for altered or decreased level of consciousness, 1 for fever, 9 for diabetic emergencies, 2 for dog bites, 5 for man down calls, 1 for burns, 1 for bad headaches, 1 for a gunshot wound, 6 for assaults, 4 for back pain, 6 for abdominal pain, 2 pregnancy related, 3 for deceased persons, 2 for drug withdrawals, 2 for lacerations, 1 for an 8 year old whose hand was caught in a closing door, 1 for a human bite, and other illnesses and injuries
• 30 Special Duty, Public Assistance, and Residential Assignments
Including: 1 for a snake removal (very large rattlesnake in a park restroom), 1 for a driver locked inside their vehicle (lock malfunction), 1 for a dumpster fire, 1 to assist Animal Control with a dog rescue, 2 for vehicle fires, 1 for a small brush fire, 5 for power lines down, 1 for a light pole down, 1 for a transformer fire, 2 for illegal trash fires, 1 for a manure fire, 1 for a tree on a residence, 1 for a tree on power lines, and various alarms.
The Yuma Fire Department continues to respond to trash and yard debris fires, both happen way too often (2 again last week). These types of fires within residential neighborhoods can be a nuisance and a hazard. The smoke created in residential areas (especially smoke from burning trash) disturbs your neighbors at a time of year when people are finally able to have their windows open at night. Fires too close to other combustibles and property lines pose the risk of serious fire spread, especially under windy conditions. You can also reduce the risk to you and your neighbors by keeping your property free of dry, dead vegetation and other flammable or combustible debris. This can avoid a small fire in the yard becoming a large fire threatening your home and neighborhood.
Un-permitted fires are unlawful and result in many unnecessary Fire Department responses, possibly delaying response to other serious emergencies. So, use a grill or a fireplace, keep cooking/heating fires small (no more than 3’ x 3’) and attended (and fully extinguished after use), and please no burning of trash or yard debris. Also, be aware of weather conditions, such as the wind speed and direction. If you are camping, be sure of the local fire regulations and conditions. For information regarding permits for fires on your property in the City of Yuma, or to set up a safety or injury prevention class, contact the Yuma Fire Department at 373-4850.