The Jollyville Volunteer Fire Department (JVFD) will be testing for full time firefighters to work a 24 on and 48 hours off schedule.

Compensation will start at $11.00 an hour ($31,680.00 gross per year). Benefits includes paid personal time for sick leave or vacation, 401K with department matching funds, medical insurance or partial compensation if applicant does not need our insurance, workers compensation insurance & life insurance. Total compensation package including benefits is $39,378.00.

Application packets are available at JVFD Station One at the above address. Minimum qualifications are: 1) TCFP Basic Firefighter certified, 2) certified as an EMT-B, 3) Texas Class B Exempt drivers license, and 4) must become an active or associate member of JVFD.

Preference will be given to experience and higher or specialized qualifications & certifications such as Intermediate or Advanced Firefighters, EMT-P, Haz-Mat Operations or Technician, Fire Instructor, Fire Officer, etc.

The selection process will include: 1) a written examination, 2) physical agility testing, and 3) an oral interview.

The Application for Employment and a physical examination or statement from a medical doctor indicating that the applicant is in good physical condition and able to perform the duties of a firefighter/EMS provider must be submitted to the department prior to testing. The department will accept a physical examination and medical statement from a doctor that is current within the past six months provided it meets the standards of the department.

Completed applications must be submitted by Friday, July 8, 2011.
Testing, examination and interviews will be conducted at the above address at:
10:00 am on Saturday, July 16, 2011.

Driving in the School Zone: Slow down-you’re free to drive even slower than 20 m.p.h. and should when conditions warrant it such as times of poor visibility due to heavy rain, blowing snow, icy roads, fog, or darkness; or when there is heavy traffic or lots of activity on the road side such as groups of kids or parked cars letting off passengers.

Use caution: Avoid making u-turns within the school zone markings. Don’t turn around in the neighboring resident’s driveways. It’s hard enough to see children-even harder when you’re making u-turns or backing up.

At the Crosswalk: The safety patrol members guarding the crosswalk are there to direct the students, not the traffic. It is a driver’s responsibility to stop to allow pedestrians to cross in a crosswalk. Please stop well before the crosswalk and stay stopped until the crosswalk is no longer occupied, not just until your lane is clear. You may not turn left or right through an occupied crosswalk. Do not overtake or pass a car that is stopped in front of a crosswalk, even if it is signaling that it is turning right. When you’re turning, don’t wait inside the crosswalk.

Children on Wheels: If your children ride a bike, scooter or skateboard to school remind them that they must walk the bike or scooter or carry the skateboard across the crosswalk. If they roller skate or rollerblade to school, they must remove the skate or blades and walk across the crosswalk, as well.

Stopping within a School Zone: Never stop or park your car in the crosswalk or within 20 feet of the crosswalk. Students and other pedestrians rely on the crosswalk and need the visibility that the 20-foot buffer provides to cross safely.

Parking: If you park on the side of the road, always have your child exit the car on the side away from traffic. Don’t park so that your child dashes across the street to get to the school. Always have your child use the designated crosswalk. Remind your child to follow the safety patrol’s instructions.

Stuck Behind a School Bus? It always seems to happen when we’re in a hurry, but remember you must come to a full stop when the bus is loading or unloading children whether you are behind the bus or approaching it from the opposite direction. The bus driver activates a warning signal, usually flashing lights and a “stop” sign, to let you know when you must stop. The warning stays active until all the children are either safely loaded on the bus or have safely crossed the street. It is important that you stay stopped until the school bus starts moving again.

School Rules: All school zones are unique. Sometimes schools develop additional policies specific to their concerns. For the children’s safety, some schools develop traffic flow patterns, limit drop off and pick up sites, or develop other procedures. For these rules to work to protect the children everyone must follow the rules every time. Make sure anyone else who picks up or drops off your child is aware of the school’s policies. Share this flyer with them as well as any other school policy notices.

Children Are Not Adults: Young children see and hear differently than adults. Children have only two-thirds of the peripheral vision that adults have and they have difficulty determining the source of a sound. They are still learning to judge distances and speeds. When a car is coming towards them, they cannot judge accurately how fast it is traveling or how long it will take to cover the distance. Children focus on one thing at a time. If they are playing with friends or riding bikes it is unlikely that they are aware of your car. Children are spontaneous and have trouble stopping an action once started. Children also tend to overestimate their abilities, thinking that they can run across a street before the flashing light changes or a car approaches.

 

Finally, after lots of work (and infinite patience!) our station is completed. All department operations, administration and training are now located at the new building and we have never been happier. We think the most happy are the firefighters, due to the fact that this is the first fire station in the history of JVFD that wasn’t build entirely by the members. Feel free to come by anytime and take a tour or our new home.

 

Factors Leading to Heat Stress

• High temperature and humidity; direct sun or heat
• limited air movement; physical exertion
• poor physical condition
• some medicines
• and inadequate tolerance for hot workplaces

Symptoms of Heat Exhaustion

• Headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting
• Weakness and moist skin
• Mood changes such as irritability or confusion
• Upset stomach or vomiting

Symptoms of Heat Stroke

• Dry, hot skin with no sweating
• Mental confusion or losing consciousness
• Seizures

Preventing Heat Stress

• Know signs/symptoms of heat-related illnesses
• monitor yourself and coworkers
• Block out direct sun or other heat sources
• Use cooling fans/air-conditioning; rest regularly
• Drink lots of water; about 1 cup every 15 minutes
• Wear lightweight, light colored, loose-fitting clothes
• Avoid alcohol, caffeinated drinks, or heavy meals

What to Do for Heat-Related Illness

• Call 911 (or local emergency number) at once

While waiting for help to arrive:

• Move the worker to a cool, shaded area
• Loosen or remove heavy clothing
• Provide cool drinking water
• Fan and mist the person with water

Michael Belohlavy, Commissioner Lisa Birkman, Mack Sherrod, Kenny Schnell, Adam Bryant, Darryl Phillips, Assistant Chief Brian Quinlan (watching) and Fire Chief John Kiracofe at the groundbreaking for the expansion of Fire Station No. 1 in September.

Now that station, Fire Station No. 1, located near the intersection of Pond Springs Road and Anderson Mill Road, is ready to grow again.

“Both the stations we operate out of were never intended to be full-service, live-in stations,” Jollyville Fire Chief John Kiracofe said of the department’s volunteer heritage. “We’ve just had to make do. Now, with this expansion, we’ll have living quarters.”

The Jollyville Fire Department, Williamson County and Emergency Services District No. 1 broke ground on the station expansion project mid-September. The expanded station will house the Jollyville Fire Department and the Williamson County Emergency Medical Services, said Lisa Birkman, Williamson County commissioner for Precinct 1.

Fire Station No. 1 serves the area surrounding the station in southern Williamson County, including the Springwoods and North Austin No. 1 municipal utility districts, Milwood, Hunters Chase, Rattan Creek and Forest North neighborhoods and adjoining county areas. The expansion to the station includes new living quarters for the EMS and fire personnel, a classroom, new offices and new bays to house fire trucks and ambulances.

The existing space will also be renovated to create living quarters for Williamson County EMS Medic 22, which shares the station with the firefighters.

“They don’t have any living quarters or educational spaces now,” said Connie Watson, public affairs manager for Williamson County.

She said the ESD and the county jointly funded the expansion and renovation. The project costs just under $1 million. Construction is projected to take five months for completion.

While the county provides the facilities, the JFD provides the manpower, Kiracofe said.

According to JFD’s website, the station expansion was made necessary since the City of Austin annexed Anderson Mill MUD, where the former EMS station was located. That annexation took effect Jan. 1. The expansion is also in response to high growth and additional demand for services in the area, Watson said.

Kiracofe said the officials were hoping to have the expansion completed before the annexation.

“But it’s been a longer process than I thought it would be,” he said. “We’re just so excited it’s finally happening.”

Perhaps the biggest cause of flood-related deaths and injuries is lack of public understanding of the severity and danger involved with floods and flash floods. The following tips can help protect you during flood events.

Fast Facts About Flood Events

• Many people are killed by driving or walking on roads and bridges that are covered by water. Even though the water might look only inches deep, it could be much deeper and with have strong currents. It only takes two feet of water to carry away a car and six inches of swiftly moving water will sweep a person off his feet.
• Flooded creeks and streams are unpredictable. Even though the surface water may be smooth the water is moving very fast.
• High water in streets and intersections will quickly stall motor vehicles. Most trucks, four-wheel drives, and sport utility vehicles also are susceptible to being swept away by high water. Such vehicles often give motorists a false sense of security, believing the vehicles are safe under any conditions.
• If you are approaching a flooded roadway, turn around and take an alternate route, even though vehicles in front of you may have passed through the high water.
• If your car stalls, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground. Many deaths have resulted from attempts to move stalled vehicles.
• Never let children play near creeks or storm drains when the water is rising or high. Swimming skills have nothing to do with surviving a flooded creek or stream.
• Debris or garbage in the water may include tires, shopping carts, furniture etc. These items can easily injure or trap a person under water.
• Flooded streams and rivers are not safe for recreational boating. Many canoeists and kayakers have been rescued from dangerous rapids in flood-swollen streams and rivers.

What to do if someone falls in or is trapped in flood water

• Do not go after the victim!
• If possible, throw them victim something to use as a flotation device (spare tire, large ball or foam ice chest).
• Call 911 with correct location information on this water rescue situation.
• Never set up a tent or camper on the bank of a river or stream. It is best to allow some distance between the campsite and water so if a flash flood does occur, you will have more time to move to higher ground.
• If you live in a low-lying area or near a creek, pay close attention to water levels during heavy rain events. Water levels rise rapidly during flash floods, often surprising victims. Heavy rainfall upstream can cause a river or stream to rise quickly, even if it is not raining near you. Be prepared to move quickly to higher round if water levels begin rising. Quickly responding to an evacuation order can save your life.
• If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Follow recommended evacuation routes. Shortcuts may be blocked.