Addison Pacesetters (the 50+ group) meet the first Wednesday of each month at Dunn Bros. Coffeehouse on Beltline Road and learn about the Town of Addison.  This month, the Addison firefighters from Fire Station #2, C-shift ,spoke to us.

Here are some interesting tidbits from their presentation:

There are 3 shifts per week (A, B and C) with 13 firefighters on duty per day in both fire stations.  They work every 3rd day for 24 hours, starting and ending at 7:00 am.  When they first come on duty, they get the report from the outgoing shift, check the equipment and buckle down for training.  They are required to have 20 hours/month of fire specific training.  Since almost all Addison firefighters are also Emergency Medical Specialists, too, they must also complete 80 hours per year of continuing EMS training.  Most get in a one-hour workout in the morning.  They also plan the menu for the next 24 hours, shop, and cook.  The most difficult decision they make is "What's for dinner?".  We learned that the C-shift makes a mean hot sauce.  The afternoons are for relaxing, watching TV (what the heck is on in the middle of the afternoon - Oprah?).  They generally get to sleep between 9 and 11 and wake up at 6:30 to prepare to go off duty.

The number of emergency calls varies, but Tuesday is usually the busiest day. 

About 60% of the calls they receive are medical.  The Addison fire department responds to commercial calls, not just residential calls.

New construction in Addison over 500 sq ft must be sprinklered.  Contrary to what you see on TV, sprinklers do not go off everywhere in the building, only near the source of the fire.  If there is a fire in an home or office with sprinklers, the fire is usually out before the firefighters get there.  Not because they're slow, but because the sprinklers are that good!

All Addison fire trucks also have EMS equipment on board, including drugs.  And, every ambulance call gets a fire truck, too.

Food left on the stove (usually beans!) is the most frequent cause of fires in Addison. 

There are several programs offered by the Addison Fire Department:

• They will do free blood pressure checks if you drop by the station.
• Free CPR and Basic First Aid classes monthly.
• They will replace the batteries in your smoke detector in October for free.  Call for an appointment.
• They conduct home safety surveys.
• The fire department has taken a page out of the real estate agent's plan book: they hold an open house!

October is Fire Safety month.  Thank a fireman today!

Next month, the first Wednesday is os October 7th.  Come out and join the Addison Pacesetters at Dunn Bros.