Fire Chief Jack Taylor
June 30, 2009
Emporia Fire Chief Jack Taylor will be answering your questions about fireworks safety and fire prevention.
Moderator: Jack Taylor has been chief of the Emporia Fire Department for almost nine years. Today, he is joining us for an online chat about department-related topics, including fireworks safety for the coming Fourth of July celebration. We'll start with a question about vacant buildings in Emporia.
madpoet: Are you concerned with the number of vacant houses possibly being a fire hazard this year?
Jack Taylor: Great question. Vacant structures are always a concern for the fire department and law enforcement. This is especially true in difficult economic times. Any time a structure is vacant it is susceptible to vandalism and other crimes, including arson. We are thankful that the City Commission has recently given us permission to pursue stimulus funding that will allow the City to purchase vacant housing, make the appropriate repairs and either sell the property or deed it to a nonprofit organization to rent or sell as appropriate. We also seek grants from the State that assist first time homeowners and repair of existing residential structures. The end result is to get the structure occupied and cared for.
rabblerouser: What is being done about the dangerous situation in Heartland Park with the burned out trailers and uninhabitable trailers that is open and damaged beyond repair? Children have been seen going in these trailers with no doors, broken windows with glass all over the floor. Many of these trailers are fire traps and should be condemned? Thank You
Jack Taylor: We have been working on the Heartland Park property for a couple of years now. A complaint was filed and a considerable amount of work took place last year, including mowing, cleaning up and removing/repairing a few mobile homes. However, the work was not completed before the property was sold to a new owner. The process has been started again with the new owner. In addition, we are attempting to locate the actual owners of the individual mobile homes to have them repaired or removed as appropriate. I might also say that there were complaints regarding speeding and careless driving in the mobile home park. This is private property which prevents the Police Department from enforcing standard traffic ordinances. The Emporia Police Department recently got a document signed by the Heartland Park owner/management which would allow them to enforce the laws. In any event, we are not done by any means and will continue to pursue the repair and removal of the offending mobile homes.
justthefacts: I voted for the sales tax because I thought it would pay for repairs and improvements in something besides cracks in the street. I noticed at last week's commission meeting commissioners will put a band aid on station 2 but not improve it. How long do you think it will be before OSHA will step in or you get hit with a lawsuit from the national firefighters union for disparate treatment of workers and unacceptable working conditions. It's almost like the commissioners don't understand that the unions are knocking on the door.
Jack Taylor: I will have to respectfully disagree with you on this topic. The sales tax that you voted on is doing several things in addition to "cracks in the streets." There is a $500,000.00 street improvement project, slurry seal project, storm drainage project, and a sidewalk replacement project just to name a few. The Capital Improvement Program is available on the City website (www.emporia-kansas.gov) and I would invite you to review the project list. As far as Fire Station 2 is concerned, we had an assessment performed by a firm last year that found the station to be structurally sound and outlined the deficiencies that needed correction. The project was placed in the 2009 CIP as a priority project. The City Commission recently awarded a contract with Sabatini Architects, from Lawrence, Kansas to oversee a comprehensive rehab project, using sales tax proceeds, to correct the deficiencies found in the station. The scope of work includes replacing the slab in the apparatus bay, replacing the concrete floor in the office/living area as necessary, roof repair/replacement, heating and air improvements/replacement, replacement of lighting, windows and doors with energy efficient systems, caulking exterior joints and painting the exterior, and replacing exterior concrete as needed. All of the deficiencies noted in the assessment are being addressed. The current timeline shows all work being completed in December of 2009. My impression is that the scope of work that will be conducted will make substantial improvements in the station. It has been a long process and I appreciate the City Commissioners keeping this rehab project at the top of their list of priorities.
glarson: Did anyone from the city of Emporia fire off test fireworks at the aquatic center to see where they were best visible? If so, where are good spots to watch if you don't want to drive to the aquatic center?
Jack Taylor: On June 18, Bernie Toso (pyrotechnician for the event) set off several test shots for us to observe. Fire and law enforcement personnel were positioned in several areas to determine where the show could be observed from. Keep in mind that due to wind from the south and uncut wheat to the north, the test shots were at a fairly severe angle into the wind, so the fireworks did not reach their optimum height. The best place to observe the public display will be at the Jones Aquatic Center and TRYSA parking areas. In addition, the Life Church and the Mormon Church on Graphic Arts Road and the Apostolic Faith Church and Victory Fellowship Church on Americus Road will be allowing parking on their lots. The Victory Fellowship Church will be taking donations for the Mariah Serrano family to assist them after the tragic automobile accident. Parking will also be allowed at the Emporia High School, Emporia Middle School, Timmerman School and Flint Hills Technical College. However, viewing won't be as optimal from there. Westbound traffic on 30th between Graphic Arts and Americus Roads will also be able to park. We would remind people that it is illegal to discharge fireworks in the city limits and from county roads and rights of way. Be sure to get permission from property owners in the County before discharging fireworks on their property.
glarson: How many calls reporting violations to the smoking ban does the fire department get per week?
Jack Taylor: Since the inception of the smoking ban, we have only had two complaints made for actual smoking. One was the first night and was quickly and voluntarily rectified. The other was last weekend and it was determined that the individuals who were smoking outside of the business were not in violation. We are very pleased with the voluntary compliance with the ban.
Moderator: Anybody want to join in? We are almost out of questions here.
rabblerouser: What will the fire dept. be doing to insure a safe 4th of July? Fireworks were shot throughout the city last year even though they were illegal. Thanks
Jack Taylor: We attempt to educate the public every year about the dangers of using fireworks and remind them that the sale, possession or discharge of fireworks in the City is illegal. The Emporia Fire Department also inspects all of the fireworks stands in the vicinity of Emporia for compliance with safety rules and illegal fireworks. Enforcement of the fireworks ordinance is with the Emporia Police Department. I know they do their best to enforce the ordinance, however, there are only so many officers on the streets at any given time to enforce all of the laws. If you have a complaint regarding the illegal use of fireworks, please call 343-4200 to make a report and they will respond to it as quickly as they can.
glarson: What is the current staffing level of the Emporia Fire Department? Is this fully staffed? If not, how many positions are vacant?
Jack Taylor: The Emporia Fire Department is allocated 45 personnel divided between three shifts. We recently hired one full time firefighter/EMT and several part time firefighter/EMT's that are currently in their fourth week of recruit academy. We are currently short 2 Firefighter/Paramedics. Paramedics are in high demand throughout the State of Kansas and we join many other departments that have difficulty recruiting certified paramedics. The two year paramedic program is available at Flint Hills Technical College. We encourage our current personnel to pursue this training and support them in the process.
Moderator: Chief, what is your best advice for people who will be handling fireworks or around fireworks this week?
Jack Taylor: To begin with, I would remind everyone that fireworks are illegal in the City of Emporia. If you are going to discharge fireworks in the County, please get permission from the property owner first. Safety with fireworks is very basic. First, read and follow label instructions. Alcohol and fireworks don't mix. Have a disignated "shooter." Never give fireworks to small children. Never point or throw fireworks at a person, building or animal. Have a source of water handy, in case of fire. Light only one firework at a time. Never attempt to relight malfunctioning fireworks. Bottle rockets and other skyrockets that are mounted on a stick or wire are illegal in the State of Kansas. It is illegal to shoot fireworks on or under a vehicle, on any public roadway, within 50 feet of a fireworks stand or where fireworks are stored, and gas stations or any place liquid gas - including propane - is stored.
Moderator: Those are all the questions we have today. We'd like to thank Chief Taylor for coming to The Gazette this afternoon to answer questions for our readers. An edited transcript of today's chat will be published in Wednesday's Gazette. Like all previous Gazette chats, a record will also be kept here on The Gazette's Web site. Thanks for your questions.