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Flood Safety TipsPerhaps 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.
Fire Safety Info
Outdoor Burning
Lately, we’ve been getting a lot of questions about outdoor burning so I thought we’d put it center stage! To put a fine point on it, outdoor burning of waste is not allowed within the JVFD district. Why? We are following the State of Texas rules on the subject. Per the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ):
“Grass, leaves, and branch trimmings from residences are all considered “domestic waste.” If your local government does not collect domestic waste and does not authorize a private collector to do so, you may burn material of this type. If such waste collection is available, then it cannot be burned under the domestic-waste exception.”
On the other side of the topic, cooking fires in a controlled container (BBQ’s, smokers, etc.) and warning fires during the winter, also in controlled containers (outdoor stoves, chimineas, masonry fire pits, etc.) are legal as long as they are not emitting flames of dangerous heights or emitting large numbers of embers that could pose a threat to structures or vegetation. We would also recommend that these items not be used on combustible surfaces or near structures or vegetation.
If you see someone burning illegally, contact our department and we will respond. If the situation becomes a problem, the department can levy a fine. We can also involve WCSO and/or TCEQ and the State Fire Marshall’s Office to assist in correcting the issue.
You can access the entire Outdoor Burning in Texas publication at https://www.tceq.texas.gov/publications/rg/rg-049.html
Volunteer Information
Community Leaders WantedAre you the person that stops to help someone change a tire? Help someone reach something on the top shelf at HEB? Hold a door open for someone carrying packages? Go out of your way to help someone that you’ve never met before? If so, you are just the type of person we are looking for!
We are the Jollyville Volunteer Fire Department and we’re looking for people who want to do something to help their community. If you are an outgoing, intelligent person who is willing to make the required time commitment, and want to be a major contributor to your community, call or come by the station and we will discuss your possible future as a community servant.
The basic requirements are:
A high school diploma or GED
A valid Texas driver’s license
Valid Texas auto insurance
Ability to attend two Monday night trainings a month
Availability to stay two nights a month at the fire station
Ability to attend 30 hours a month of trainings and calls
Willing to go the extra mile for your neighbor
Now, don’t be scared of the 30 hour commitment. This minimum requirement includes the Monday night trainings, station overnights, community events, public education events and anytime you decide you would like to visit the station.
Call (512-258-1038), check out the website (www.jvfd.org) or just come on by the station (9218 Anderson Mill Road) and we will see if you’ve got what it takes to be a “Community Leader.”
Employment Information
Hiring InfoWe are currently using an open process that will be in effect until the required open positions are filled.
Contact the station for more information.