North Kitsap Fire & Rescue news

Splash into safety with the North Kitsap Fire & Rescue helmet and life jacket sale. To mark the end of National Safe Kids Week as well as the beginning of National Emergency Medical Services Week, we’ll be hosting a special opportunity for families to be fitted with helmets ($7 each) and life jackets ($12 each) in preparation for a summer of outdoor recreation! Bring your family by between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, May 13 to get these vital safety devices, greet Blaze and the other firefighters, and see a fire engine. Other agencies around the county (Poulsbo Fire Department, Mary Bridge Children’s Health Center in Silverdale, Bremerton Police Department, South Kitsap Fire & Rescue and others) will also be participating in this event. Of course, NKF&R makes helmets and life jackets available all year round by appointment.

Tips for helmet fitting: The protection provided by a helmet is maximized if the helmet is properly fit and worn. The helmet should sit level on the head, with the front at one finger’s width above the eyebrow. Pads should touch the head evenly on all sides. The straps should form a ‘V’ around the ears, with the sliding buckles sitting just below the lobe. The chinstrap should be snug enough under the jaw that the helmet pulls down when the mouth is opened wide. Test the fit by shaking the head vigorously. Push on the front of the helmet with your hand; it shouldn’t move more than an inch. Do the same at the back. If you’d like assistance tuning up the fit of a helmet, call us for an appointment. We’re more than willing to help you to prevent head injuries!

Upcoming classes

Adult First Aid & CPR will be held from 8:30 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 20. Tuition is $20 per person, and reservations are required. To sign up, call (360) 297-3619 or e-mail to laboda@nkfr.org.

Addressing signs

Local fire departments received a grant to fund reflective address signs. The program, which received mention in local newspapers, was so popular here that we quickly ran out of the grant-funded signs. Our firefighters have pitched in and purchased 100 more. They’re available through our headquarters fire station and donations to cover our costs – about $12 per sign – will gratefully be accepted.

Academy underway

More than 20 firefighter-hopefuls, sponsored by several area fire departments, are in the midst of a nine-week firefighter training academy at our Kingston headquarters station. These volunteers are students of Olympic College’s Fire Science Program and, following completion of the academy, will return to their individual fire departments to gain on-the-job experience. Interested in seeing what they’re doing? Call us at (360) 297-3619 and, if our schedule allows, we’ll set up a time for you to come observe their hard work.

Michèle Laboda is Community Services Specialist for NKF&R. Contact her at (360) 297-3619 ext 14 or e-mail to laboda@nkfr.org.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.