BTFD News:

Its A Boy!
Congratulations goes out to one or our new recruits, Randy McGarvey.  Randy and his wife, Danielle, welcomed a baby boy this morning at 8:42.  Rylan Catcher McGarvey weighed in at 7 pounds 11 ounces and was 20 1/2" long.  From first reports, mom and baby seem to be doing well.  If you happen to see Randy, please wish him well (and see if you can find out about that curious middle name).

The Bluffton Township Fire District participated in a joint training exercise with Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue. The crews will be practicing techniques in extinguishing flammable liquid fires at Hilton Heads new Training Center.

We want to thank Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue for inviting our department to train with them. The drills will continue for the entire month of January.

Upcoming Meetings & Events:


2/11 - Auxiliary Meeting
2/20 - Community CPR Class - More Info
2/26 thru 28- Sea School

Fire Chiefs, Commissioners learn strong leadership skills

Staff members of the Bluffton Township Fire District attended a senior management leadership conference recently. All the chief officers in the fire department, as well the fire commissioners, attended this workshop, which was held at the Hampton Inn in Bluffton. The workshop was lead by Rik Karlsson of TeamMakers and was conducted to provide professional development for senior fire department leaders, as well as to provide the opportunity for fire chiefs and commissioners to establish relationships and build additional avenues of communication. Pictured above are Jack Bennet, Rik Karlsson, Bob Payne, Edwin Olsen, Mike Raymond, Bob Rogers, Rainie Steedley, Todd Harvey, Rick Cramer, Veron Eddenfield, Todd Marlphrus, Bill Martin, Paul Boulware, John Thompson, Steve McKinley and Barry Turner, Bluffton’s fire chief.

A Great New Year resolution: Don't burn your house!

Looking for a New Year’s resolution that can benefit you and your family? Something that will be easy to accomplish and have great rewards?

The Bluffton Township Fire District suggests putting the improvement of your home fire safety on the top of your list of New Year’s resolutions. But don’t wait. Do yourself a favor and start tonight. More than 5,000 people will die in home fires next year. Most will die because they aren’t prepared for a fire.

They didn’t plan ahead and practice how to escape safely. Many of these house fires and fatalities can be avoided entirely if people know and practice good fire prevention techniques.

The Bluffton Township Fire District recommends you include the following in your plans for a fire safe home:

• Make and practice a Home Fire Escape Plan with the entire family. Have fire drills in the home. Identify alternate escape routes.

• Install and maintain smoke detectors in your home. For best protection, a smoke detector should be installed on every level of the home outside of every sleeping area and in every sleeping room.

• Check your home for fire hazards. A checklist can be obtained from the Bluffton Township Fire District by calling 757-2800 or download one from our Web site, www. blufftonfd.com • Learn how to operate portable fire extinguishers and keep at least one in your home.

• Schedule a FREE home fire safety inspection.

And a word of advice from the crews who protect you 24/7, 365 days a year: “We don’t mind testing the Jaws of Life out every morning, but we would rather not have to clean them up after cutting you out of the tangled mess that used to be your car. Have a wonderful and safe new year, just don’t drink and drive.”

See you next year when we will start our new fire safety campaign: “Safe within in 2010.”