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Spring/Summer 2010
Which smoke alarm can save your life? In This Issue
Fire Marshal Alan Perkins
T
he kind of smoke alarm you type fires, the most common cause Go right for lights and sirens 2
have in your home may not of fatalities in home fires. In fact, Fire Department seeks hightest ISO
provide adequate warning tests have shown that ionization type 3
rating
during a fire. That’s right, if you have smoke alarms don’t sound, even after
Parks offer opportunties for Scouts 3
the kind of detection that most U.S. the level of carbon monoxide and
homes have, an ionization-type, you smoke reaches deadly concentrations. Customized nature education programs 5
are at risk of dying in your own home An alarming amount of documented
without the alarm ever sounding. residential fire deaths have occurred Containers are great for small gardens 5
This doesn’t seem possible, does it? with only the installed ionization type 2010 household hazardous waste
detectors. Had there been a properly 5
After all, if there is a fresh battery in collections
your detector and you have tested it installed photoelectric detector in Rain barrels, tree seedlings, fish and
these situations, an alarm would have 6
to ensure that it is in working order, wildflower seeds
you and your family members should sounded to warn occupants of the life-
Reduce your risk of getting bed bugs 7
be safe, right? Maybe not! There is threatening situation.
compelling research-based evidence A 1994 study at Texas A&M concluded Bird is star of new safety show 7
that demonstrates that ionization-type that the probability of a photoelectric
detectors are ineffective in smoldering detector failing to detect a smoldering
Continued on page 4
Rain barrels conserve water and save money
O
ne of the least expensive and is common to see home water bills Installing a rain barrel is one of the
simplest ways to conserve double in the summer months as easier home improvement projects,
water, a precious natural we irrigate our lawns and gardens. and many homeowners can tackle it
resource, is to install a home rainwater themselves. The downspouts from the
collector. Rain barrels have been used gutters around our houses are usually
for centuries to collect and hold rain made of lightweight aluminum that is
runoff for future use, but our efficient easy to handle, even from a ladder. The
and modern public utility systems have barrels themselves are usually plastic, so
made it easy for us to forget about they too are fairly manageable.
them. There are a couple important things
The case for using a home rain barrel to keep in mind though. First, there
system is gathering strength as the must be some sort of screen on your
country and the world become more barrel. The screen will keep the debris
aware of the total cost of providing from your gutters out of the barrel,
clean water for drinking and irrigation. but even more importantly, will keep
In Central Ohio, although we have those pesky mosquitoes from laying
a relatively plentiful water supply, it their eggs inside it. The other thing to
Continued on page 6
Go right for lights and sirens
Every day, emergency personnel situations that can create confusion the curb should pull as far toward the
answer 9-1-1 calls that require a quick about what to do when an emergency curb lane vehicles as possible.
response. To respond in a timely vehicle approaches. Know what to do when you hear lights
manner, emergency vehicles are Never make a left turn in front of an and sirens. Teach new drivers in your
permitted to negotiate traffic and road emergency vehicle, even when in an home so they are prepared to react
situations in ways that the everyday intersection or turn lane. quickly and appropriately.
motorist may not. As they navigate
through intersections and around Never enter an intersection when an Motorists who do not yield to
traffic, responders rely on motorists emergency vehicle is approaching. Pull emergency vehicles delay responders’
to know how to react to emergency over and stop before the intersection. arrival at the scene. In an emergency,
vehicles’ lights and sirens. When If in an intersection when an every second counts. While it may be
motorists do not follow Ohio’s laws, emergency vehicle approaches, check to an inconvenience to stop and wait,
which require them to yield, the risk of make sure all traffic is stopped and pull remember that it could be your loved
accidents and injury increases for both to the right, taking care not to block one they are trying to reach. Please
emergency responders and motorists. the direction of travel of the emergency yield to all emergency responders. Go
vehicle. right for lights and sirens!
When approached by an emergency
vehicle with lights and sirens, motorists Never stop while on top or cresting a
should: hill in which the other side of the hill
• slow down, pull over, and come to a cannot be seen.
complete stop as far right as possible Do not stop in the middle of a blind
• wait until all emergency vehicles curve.
pass before slowly and cautiously
re-entering traffic, being aware of If traveling in heavy traffic on a
where other vehicles are. multi-lane road, traffic closest to the
curb should pull as far to the right as
In larger cities like Columbus, there possible and lanes not directly next to
are a variety of road and intersection
2 Scribe
Fire Department Seeks Highest ISO Rating Chief Allan Woo
In February, the Insurance Services in the State of Ohio. This in itself is rescue services are not evaluated by
Office Inc. (ISO) performed a survey quite an accomplishment, as there are ISO. These areas have been addressed
field visit of the Washington Township currently no Class 1 fire departments however in the Department’s recent
Fire Department to determine if its in the State. accreditation by the Center for Public
ISO rating will improve from 2 to 1. Over the past several months, Battalion Safety Excellence.
The ISO rating system was designed Chief Alec O’Connell has coordinated Results of this site visit will not be
to assist the insurance industry the Department’s review and updating available to the department for at least
in developing premiums for fire
insurance.
Virtually all U.S. insurers of homes
and business property use ISO’s Public
Protection Classifications (PPC™) when
calculating premiums. In general, the
price of fire insurance in a community
with a good PPC is substantially lower
than in a community with a poor PPC,
assuming all other factors are equal.
ISO’s PPC program evaluates
communities according to a uniform
set of criteria known as the Fire
Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS).
The FSRS has three main parts: Fire
Alarm and Communications (10%),
Fire Department (50%), and Water
Pleasant Valley, Liberty and Jerome Township Fire Departments helped Washington Township test the
Supply (40%). The evaluation criteria Fire Department’s ability to supply non-hydranted water at a rate of at least 400 gallons/minute for
in these categories reference nationally- two hours to a scene. This tanker operation is a requirement of the Insurance Service Office for a Class
recognized standards developed by the 1 rating.
National Fire Protection Association of all appropriate records in order to 160-180 days, primarily because of
and the American Water Works garner the highest score possible. the complexity and redundancy of the
Association. grading process.
It should be noted that this grading
Washington Township Fire addresses only the fire department
Department currently enjoys a Class and building assessment as it relates to
2 rating, one of only 15 such ratings fire suppression. Life safety, EMS and
Parks offer opportunities for Scouts
The Parks & Recreation projects such as building picnic tables,
Department has benches, and permanent educational
opportunities available displays and planting trees, shrubs, and
for scouts to fulfill the specialty gardens.
necessary requirements Our programs can also help your troop
to earn the Eagle Scout satisfy their badge requirements. If you
award. Past Eagle would like to discuss your ideas with a
Scout candidates have staff member, call 652-3922 or email
completed a variety of parksinfo@wtwp.com.
Scribe 3
Working Smoke Detector continued from page 1
fire is four percent, while the ionization detector provided Use March 14th, when you change your clocks to
close to 56% probability of failure in the same fire Daylight Savings Time, as your goal for making these
condition. important changes in your home.
One of the reasons for the differences in the performance Along with properly installing and maintaining new and
of these two detector types is in the way they are activated. existing smoke alarms, develop and practice an escape
Ionization smoke alarms contain a small amount of plan that includes two ways out of every room, so that
radioactive material and establish a small electric current everyone in the home knows what to do if the smoke
between two metal plates. When the current is disrupted alarms sounds. Home occupants who practice an escape
by smoke, the alarm sounds. This older type of technology plan reduce their time to escape in every type of fire.
is typically more responsive to If you have questions concerning the
a flaming fire, such as a kitchen installation of photoelectric smoke alarms,
pan fire, but it’s also more contact the Washington Township Fire
susceptible to nuisance alarms Department at (614) 652-3920.
from bathroom humidity or
cooking vapors when placed If you would like more information about
within 20 feet of a kitchen. this important issue, watch the Stop the
Children Burning series on youtube.com. A
Photoelectric smoke alarms very informative news report from Indiana’s
contain a light source and a Channel 13 called UL-approved smoke alarms
light-sensitive electric cell. may give false sense of security is also on youtube.
Smoke entering the detector com. It details the studies done at Texas A&M.
deflects light onto the light- Take a few minutes to review these videos.
sensitive electric cell, triggering Then get photoelectric smoke alarms for your
the alarm. These alarms are home!
more sensitive to large particles
given off during smoldering Fire Marshal Alan Perkins is a 32-year veteran
fires, such as an electrical fire- of the fire service. A Certified Fire Protection
the kind of fires that usually Specialist through the National Fire Protection
occur at night when people are
Install photoelectric smoke alarms in and outside Association and a member of several similar safety
asleep. all sleeping areas. organizations, Perkins is working with the Ohio
For many years, authorities Fire Officials Association for a state law mandating
have urged homeowners to install smoke alarms without photoelectric or equivalent smoke detection technology in
consideration to the type of potential fire ignition or the new residential construction.
quality of smoke detection. This was based on the urgency
to equip all homes with smoke detection with what was
readily available on the market.
It is no surprise, then, that more than 90% of homes
in the United States have only the ionization detection Free RADON TEST KITS
technology, leaving those occupants vulnerable to the most
Radon test kits are available (while supplies last) for residents in
common and deadly type of fire. Dublin and unincorporated Washington Township.
To ensure your family gets the early warning they need Kits can be picked up at the Township Administration Building
to survive the toxic gases of a smoldering fire, install (6200 Eiterman Road) Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30
photoelectric smoke alarms immediately in and outside p.m. (One per household, please.)
sleeping areas. They cost a bit more than the ionization Kits are made possible through a grant to the Franklin County
type, but are now readily available at local hardware and Board of Health from the Ohio Department of Health.
home improvement stores.
4 Scribe
Customized nature education programs
Let the Township Parks and
2010 Household Hazardous
Recreation Department create Waste Collections
a unique educational program The Solid Waste Authority of Central
for your group. Our pond, Ohio (SWACO) will offer mobile
demonstration prairie, butterfly household hazardous waste (HHW)
garden, and rain gardens provide collections this year in Dublin,
a multitude of educational Westerville, Columbus, and Grove
opportunities. Learn about City.
fish, birds, insects, and wildlife
PLEASE NOTE: Latex paint will
habitats. Our low-cost programs
not be accepted at any of these
can be customized to meet your
collections. Once dried, latex paint is
requirements. To discuss the
not considered hazardous and can be
learning possibilities, contact the
disposed of in the trash.
park office at 652-3922 or email
parksinfo@wtwp.com. Latex paint will dry if exposed to
the air. Simply leave the lid off the
paint until it dries. For a faster drying
Containers are great for small gardens method, use a paint hardener, available
You don’t need land to have a garden. to dry out faster than the ground. in hardware and home improvement
Garden where you want, even if there Container size, soil mixture, plant stores.
isn’t any soil there. Bring the soil to selection, and site exposure all
you by creating a container garden. impact the frequency at which you
Container gardens are portable, making will need to water and fertilize.
it easy to take advantage of the space
HHW COLLECTIONS
In Central Ohio, containers are most 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
you have, even if it’s limited. Their often used for
manageable size colorful annual Dublin/NW
and raised elevation flowers. However, April 24, 2010
also makes them some perennials, Ashland Inc., 5200 Blazer Pkwy.
fitting for people vegetables, woody,
with limited time aquatic, and Columbus/SE
to garden and/or foliage plants are June 19, 2010
limited mobility. also well suited Alum Creek Transfer Station
To get started, for container 2100 Alum Creek Dr.
all you need growing. Westerville/NE Westerville Svc. Dept.
is a container, For details September 4, 2010
soil, and plants. about container 350 Park Meadow Rd.
When selecting selection, soil, Grove City/SW
a container, fertilizer, and October 16, 2010
make sure it has planting tips, TBD
a drainage hole. consult the Ohio
Larger is better. Dwarf ornamental peppers and a mixture of
State University For a list of the items that will not
More soil will foliage plants create a planting with color and be accepted at these collections and
texture. Extension Fact
promote better Sheet, Gardening information about a permanent
root growth, can help retain water in Containers, http://ohioline.osu. SWACO-sponsored collection site, go
for longer periods and alleviate high edu/hyg-fact/1000/1254.html to swaco.org
soil temperatures. No matter what
size container you select, expect it
Scribe 5
Rain Barrels continued from page 1
keep in mind is the weather. Since we the dry summer months. Something likely your investment will pay for itself
live in Ohio, where the winters are cold else to consider, since the water in within a couple years. Better yet, it’s a
and long, you will need your barrel is not treated reason to hope for a rainy day!
to drain and disconnect with chlorine and other Saving water not only helps protect the
your barrel from its water chemicals as tap water environment, it saves you money and
supply during the coldest must be, it is ‘softer’ energy (decreased demand for
months, otherwise the and more to your plant’s treated tap water). Diverting water
water inside will freeze, liking. from storm drains also decreases the
expand, and cause your Locating and purchasing impact of runoff to streams. Therefore,
barrel to burst. a rain barrel is easier than a rain barrel is an easy way for you to
The benefits of using a ever, with many local have a consistent supply of clean, fresh
rain barrel go beyond hardware stores or garden water for outdoor use, FREE.
saving money on your centers stocking them.
utility bills. Your barrel Naturally, the Internet
can help reduce erosion abounds with information
and flooding during Rain barrels are available in a variety on how to purchase,
of shapes and sizes.
times of heavy rain or install and maintain a
snowmelt. It can also reduce demand home barrel system. Considering the
on our public water supply during low startup cost of a barrel system, it is
Rain barrels, tree seedlings, fish and wildflower seeds
It’s time for the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation
District’s (FSWCD) annual sale of bareroot tree seedlings,
fish, wildflower seeds, rain garden plant kits, and rain barrels.
Orders must be placed by Friday March 26th at 4:30pm.
All items are pre-sold from the FSWCD web site with
specific pick-up dates for each item. Online ordering and
item descriptions are available at www.franklinswcd.org.
Item Pick up date
All items must be picked up at 1328
Dublin Road, Suite 101
bare root tree seedlings, April 16, 7 am. - 6 p.m. & April Eastern Redbud, known for its spring bloom, is one of the native tree species
shrubs, wildflower seeds, 17, 8 a.m. - noon available through the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District’s tree sale.
rain garden manuals,
rain barrels (50 gallon) Tree & Shrub Species
fish April 1, noon to 1 p.m.
Arborvitae Common Ninebark Ohio Buckeye
rain garden kits May 6 & 7, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Eastern White Pine Red Twig Dogwood Yellow Buckeye
IMPORTANT: Items that are not picked up at the times Bald Cypress Highbush Cranberry Mockernut Hickory
specified above will be considered a donation to the Franklin American Larch Eastern Redbud Scarlet Oak
Soil and Water conservation implementation program. Witchhazel Flowering Dogwood Sycamore
Black Chokeberry Pawpaw Bur Oak
Spicebush Shadblow Serviceberry Sugar Maple
6 Scribe
Reduce your risk of getting bed bugs this spring and summer
Before you travel this spring and summer, make sure you Bed bugs are not isolated to urban or economically
know how to look for bed bugs wherever you are staying. depressed areas. No one is exempt from the potential to
Before you settle into your room, remove the bedding carry bed bugs into their home.
to expose the mattress and look for signs of them. If you
see any signs, immediately leave the room with all your
belongings and request another room that is not adjacent
to that room in any direction (above, below, left, or right).
Even if you don’t see bed bugs or evidence of them, it is
best to keep your clothes in your suitcase during your stay
and the suitcase elevated on the suitcase stand.
Bed bugs are commonplace now in hotels in many
states, no matter what the hotel’s room rate or reputation.
That’s because bed bugs hitchhike on people, in suitcases,
purses, gym bags, shoes etc. If you have the misfortune of
bringing them in your home, they are extremely difficult
and expensive to erradicate. Meanwhile, they are biting
you and reproducing.
Bed bug eggs, nymphs, adults, and tell-tale fecal spots (black) on underside of
Take bed bugs seriously! Inform your family members and a chair.
friends so they can minimize their risk of bringing them
home. It doesn’t seem that anyone is exempt from the social stigma
bed bugs carry either. This stigma of being dirty or a poor
Schools, hospitals, nursing homes, furniture/appliance house keeper can keep people from making others aware of
delivery trucks, moving trucks, airports, airplanes, their problem.
apartment complexes, movie theatres--places where the
population is transient or people’s possessions are moving- Be informed. Go to centralohiobedbugs.org to see photos
-are places where bed bugs are more likely to be found. that will help you identify bed bugs, the places they hide, and
the tell tale signs of infestations.
Bird is star of new safety show
Fire Inspector Bob Westbrook has developed a new
educational safety show for kids called “Twitter Loves
E.D.I.T.H.” Twitter is a large, clever bird (he doesn’t know
he is a puppet) who helps Firefighter Bob deliver fire safety
lessons that appeal to kids’ interests and sense of humor.
Together, Twitter and Inspector Westbrook teach youth
about the importance of E.D.I.T.H. , which stands for exit
drills in the home.
Washington Township Fire Department offers this and
other presentations free of charge to groups within the Fire
Department’s service area.
To request a funny and informative presentation, contact
Inspector Westbrook at 614-652-3933 Monday through
Friday.
Scribe 7
Washington Township
Board of Trustees Parks and Recreation
Our Mission
Gene Bostic 4675 Cosgray Road
gbostic@wtwp.com Hilliard, Ohio 43026
Denise Franz King (614) 652-3922
dking@wtwp.com Orchestrate a safe, Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m M-F
Charles W. Kranstuber healthy, and exhilarating Janell Thomas, Director
ckranstuber@wtwp.com living experience for our The Homestead Park
community. 4675 Cosgray Road, Hilliard, Ohio 43026
Fiscal Officer
Joyce Robinson Community Center & Kaltenbach Park
jrobinson@wtwp.com 5985 Cara Road, Dublin, Ohio 43016
Amlin Crossing Park
5468 Cosgray Road, Dublin, Ohio 43016
Administration Fire Stations
6200 Eiterman Road Station 91: 6255 Shier Rings Road
Dublin, Ohio 43016 Station 92: 4497 Hard Road Road and Bridge
(614) 652-3920 Station 93: 5825 Brand Road 4675 Cosgray Road
Station 95: 5750 Blazer Parkway Hilliard, Ohio 43026
Hours: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Allan Woo, Chief
(614) 652-3921
Leslie Dybiec, Communications Manager Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Catherine Grossman, HR Manager Janell Thomas, Superintendent
Bob Weisenberger, Zoning Officer Dave Gibson, Assistant Superintendent
