Home Heating and Winter Fire Safety
 The high cost of home heating fuels and utilities have caused many Americans to search for alternate sources of home heating. The use of wood burning stoves is growing and space heaters are selling rapidly, or coming out of storage. Fireplaces are burning wood and man made logs. All these methods of heating may be acceptable. They are however, a major contributing factor in residential fires. Please check our Fire Prevention page HERE for more information on Winter Fire Safety. |
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Tuesday, 03 November 2009 08:01 |
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During the week of November 9th thru 13th, Cowpens firefighters will be going door to door throughout the fire district to ensure residents have a working smoke detector in their homes. This has been made possible through grant funding secured by Safe Kids of Spartanburg, which was used to purchase the smoke detectors. Also, a large quantity of batteries was donated for the smoke detector drive by Batteries Plus of Spartanburg. Quantities are limited; therefore the fire department will be targeting areas with a higher fire rate, obtained by studying incident reports from the previous years. If you see the firefighters in your neighborhood, invite them in to check, and possibly install a smoke detector in your home. If you or someone you know needs a smoke detector, always feel free to contact your local fire department.
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Friday, 04 September 2009 14:33 |
Cowpens firefighters recently spent three days participating in a training event intended to improve their abilities in locating a missing or lost person. The class, titled "Managing the Lost Person Incident" was delivered by Trey Smith of Rescue North Carolina. Day one of the training included a lecture of the 12 Step Process to Managing a Lost Person Incident. Day two consisted of various skills used in these type incidents. Some of the skills included reading and understanding various types of maps, uses of a compass for land navigation, and behavioral predictability of lost or missing persons. A compass navigation course was set up and ran outside the fire station, and day two ended with a table top scenario simulating a missing child incident. Day three consisted of a full scale scenario, in which a simulated medical patient had wandered from home. A command post was established, and personnel began the long task of canvassing the area looking for the victim. Several wooded areas had to be searched, along with properties around residences and businesses. Crews also spent time interviewing those persons whom may have last seen the victim. The training scenario ended approximately three hours later, when the victim was located, treated, and removed from her location on a vacant playground. To improve their capabilities, Cowpens firefighters worked along side members from Converse and Goucher White Plains firefighters. All involved were in strong agreement that the training was very beneficial, and plans are underway to improve their capabilities in this area. |
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Cowpens firefighters battle blaze in Converse |
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Saturday, 27 June 2009 15:50 |
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Tuesday June 23, 2009 - Around 1200 hours, Cowpens Squad 1 
and Engine 2 responded to a Residential Fire at 950 Dan River Road on the district border. Cowpens Squad One arrived first on-scene to a vacant single story Shotgun style residence with heavy fire showing from the rear roof. Engine 2 established a water supply to Converse Engine 1 and joined crews already active in fighting the blaze. Crews attempted a blitz attack on the structure but due to the condition of the home and amount of fire personnel maintained a defensive position. Other units that responded included Converse Taker One, Utility One, and Drayton Engine 3. After the fire was brought under control crews searched the structure with negative results. The fire remains under investigation.
Cowpens firefighters A. Horton and C. Jones man a hand-line during the fire.
Photo by: Tim Kimzey/SHJ |
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CFD Assists on wreck with entrapment |
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Wednesday, 24 June 2009 14:50 |
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Monday June 22, 2009 - Around 1400 hours, Cowpens Rescue 1 and Squad 1 responded to assist neighboring Converse Fire Department on a wreck with one pinned in the 4000 Block of S. Main Street. Cowpens Rescue One arrived on-scene to a single vehicle resting on its side with one person trapped. Rescue One crew members assessed the scene and began stabilization of the vehicle. Units from the Converse Fire Department arrived on-scene staffing a handline and began the extrication. Crews preformed a downward roof flap and removed the patient within ten minutes. Spartanburg EMS then transported the victim to the hospital. This successful extrication again shows the close co-operation between the Converse and Cowpens Fire Departments. Pictures of the accident can be seen HERE.
Paratech struts and ratcheting tie-backs were used to stabilize the vehicle. Photo by C. Lamb |
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