Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department Deputy Chief John Whalen will be sworn in as the department’s new chief on June 28 {Courtesy Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department}.
October brings some annual traditions for the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department and for all of you as well.
We hope you will attend our 13th Annual Cancer Awareness Pasta Dinner Fundraiser on Saturday, October 19, from 5 to 9 p.m. at Fire Station 80 (2825 Coral Springs Drive).
Bring the family to check out our fire trucks, interact with fire personnel, and enjoy a plate of pasta with homemade meatballs and sauce. Proceeds will benefit cancer research through our partners at the University of Miami Sylvester Cancer Center and the Coral Springs Professional Firefighters Benevolent Association.
You can purchase tickets at the door or online in advance. Cancer touches each of us through family or friends, and this important event furthers the research that helps the cause. Purchase tickets for our Annual Pasta Dinner online. Join the city’s Thrills-N-Chills event next door at the gym first, and receive a free dessert if you attend the pasta dinner too!
October 28 is National First Responders Day, which was designated by Congress in 2017. This resolution honors all first responders, including firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and the true FIRST first responders, our dedicated 911 call takers and dispatchers. I am extraordinarily proud of the men and women who serve our communities with great dedication, and it is an honor to work side by side with every one of them.
October also brings Fire Prevention Month, and we recognize this with a week of themed public education events focusing on fire safety and taking place throughout our city. The theme this year, as designated by the National Fire Protection Association, is “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!”.
Our personnel will visit schools and attend community events all month long to provide important information to help your family be safe. Look for us at Oktoberfest in Coral Springs on Saturday, October 5, where you can buy our pink cancer awareness tee shirts. The community can also join our Community Emergency Response Team for a safety event taking place at the Home Depot on Saturday, October 5. Additionally, attend our first Fire Safety Jamboree at Coral Square Mall on Saturday, October 12! Follow our social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram for our events, safety videos, and other valuable information throughout the year.
Please remember to keep your little trick-or-treaters safe this Halloween by following some basic tips: Add reflective tape to costumes, and have children carry or wear a flashlight. Always check your child’s candy and remember that gum and hard candy can pose a choking hazard for children under three. Non-flammable flickering lights look great in a window, can often be reused year after year, and will be significantly safer than a candle. Ensure your walkways are clear of debris, and keep a porch light on to help keep everyone safe. Slow down when driving and be extra alert for the ghosts and goblins that may be crossing the street.
Remember that October and November still find us amid Hurricane Season, and we’ve already seen the effects of Hurricane Helene on the west coast and panhandle of Florida. Several of our members proudly join FEMA USAR South Florida Task Force 2 and multiple other specialty teams to provide much-needed assistance to those affected by this devastating storm. Please continue to make preparations in the event of a storm hitting closer to home, and make sure to evacuate if we are called to do so. There is nothing more important than your safety and that of your family.
Thanksgiving is an opportunity for most of us to gather with loved ones, and cooking safely helps ensure a wonderful day. If you plan to deep fry a turkey, make sure you set up in an open area, on a flat surface, away from trees or structures – never in a garage. Make sure your turkey is fully thawed and completely dry. Never overfill the fryer and follow instructions carefully. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby, keep kids and pets at a safe distance, and do not throw water on an oil fire. Keep your holiday safe and happy!
Wherever you may be celebrating the holidays this year, always use a designated driver or ride-share service if you will be consuming alcohol, and always drink responsibly for your own safety and the safety of others. If you go shopping after work, park in well-lit areas, keep gifts locked in your trunk and be mindful of children and pedestrians as you drive through the city looking at holiday lights. When decorating your house, replace light sets with broken sockets or frayed wires, and regularly water live trees. Keep mistletoe away from kids and pets as it is toxic. Secure your tree in a strong and sturdy stand and ensure it does not lean. Hang your glass ornaments out of reach of little hands, and always turn the lights off before going to bed.
Lastly, if we are lucky enough to get a taste of winter with a cold front, remember the rules of space heater safety: Place the heater on a solid, flat surface, keep children away, keep the heater at least 3’ from objects, never plug it into an extension cord, and always turn off and unplug before you leave the room.
Whatever your faith, we wish you a safe and wonderful holiday season. Look for us at the City of Coral Springs Annual Holiday Parade, and for information about all the holiday events in our two communities, visit the event calendar for the City of Coral Springs and the City of Parkland and enjoy this magical time of year. While a joyous time for many, we know it can be a sad or lonely time for others. If you are struggling with grief or depression, visit our Mental Wellness Resources page for the many resources available to help you. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call 9-8-8.
On behalf of the men and women of the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department, as we look toward a busy season ahead, I sincerely wish you and your families good health and happiness this holiday season, and a safe and prosperous New Year!
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