Mayer Community Guide MayerNGGuide19-Final | Page 28
signifi cant commitment, intense training,
and likely danger, the members of the fi re
department manage to fi nd an opportunity
for recreation every year.
The New Germany Fire Department Relief
Association hosts its annual softball tournament
each August, and typically, more than 20 local
fi re departments participate.
Anyone who lives or works within the fi re
protection zone served by the department is
eligible to volunteer for membership. Physical
and other requirements must be met. Contact
any fi re department offi cer for more information
on joining this honorable crew.
Intense training is an important part of being
a fi refi ghter. All members of the department
participate in regular, ongoing training in a
variety of areas. The department conducts
one training meeting every month, and in
addition to this, members participate in classes
and training events throughout the year.
One of the goals of the department is to
make sure fi refi ghters are always prepared to
deal with the situations they may encounter.
Today, training is more important than ever,
because the nature of fi refi ghting has evolved
over the years.
Equipment to fi ght fi res has also evolved,
and this is another reason that ongoing training
is vital. Firefi ghters must be comfortable with,
and understand the equipment before they
are called upon to use it at a fi re scene.
Recently, the fi re department bought two
new thermal imaging cameras, which are used
for interior attack fi refi ghting. This equipment
helps fi re fi ghters fi nd and rescue people in
smoke-fi lled rooms.
To help keep homes safe, New Germany
fi refi ghters remind residents to change smoke
alarm batteries yearly, and to have carbon
monoxide detectors replaced every seven
years.
Homeowners with long driveways and
driveways with low-hanging branches should
also make sure their driveways are cleared
year-round. A 14-foot height and width opening
above the driveway allows emergency
vehicles to access homeowners’ property and
buildings.
Additionally, driveways and houses should
be clearly marked with address numbers, both
in town and in the country.
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Guide to Mayer & New Germany 2019-2020