Two separate home fires in Oconee today have caused significant damage and forced their occupants to seek the help of the Red Cross. Both fires are believed to have been caused by fires spreading from the fireplace and chimneys of the homes. Residents are reminded of the heating safety points below.
It is getting cold across the county, dangerously cold. Our area is expected to have below “normal” temperatures over the next couple of days. Bundle up!
Did you know?
Home fires occur more in the winter months than any other time of the year.
Follow these heating tips to help prevent winter fires and to stay safe this winter season:
o Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from all heat sources including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, space heaters or candles.
o Never use an oven to heat your home.
o Turn space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
o Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected each year by a professional.
For more information and free fire-safety resource
It is getting cold across the county, dangerously cold. Temperatures are expected to be well below “normal” over the next coup of days. Bundle up and stay warm!
Did you know?
Home fires occur more in the winter months than any other time of the year.
Follow these heating tips to help prevent winter fires and to stay safe this winter season:
o Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from all heat sources including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, space heaters or candles.
o Never use an oven to heat your home.
o Turn space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
o Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected each year by a professional.
For more information and free fire-safety resource
Oconee County is hosting a Veteran's Day Cook-out for Oconee County employees and public safety personnel who have served or are currently serving in the military. The event will be at Emergency Services Headquarters, 216 Emergency Lane, Westminster SC immediately following the Veteran's Day Parade on Monday. Thank you to each of you for your service to our country!
Please click the link below to sign up! We look forward to having you as our honored guest.
forms.gle/7KVMXxF2bTcDeRze9
Not a veteran, but a thankful citizen. Any need for volunteers for preparing the meal or furnishing a dessert?
South Carolina Department of Public Safety
Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on #Halloween than on any other day of the year, according to the National Safety Council. Use these tips from Trooper Matt to help your little ghosts and goblins have a happy and safe Halloween. #TargetZeroTuesday #SCDPS
visitoconeesc.com/waterfall-safety/
Waterfall Safety - Visit Oconee South Carolina
visitoconeesc.com
As beautiful as our waterfalls are, they also hold hidden dangers. We encourage everyone to use common sense and safely enjoy the natural experience.PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
Dyar Rd (SE-136) Bridge Closure
Seneca, South Carolina (October 18, 2019) – The bridge on Dyar Rd crossing the Norfolk Southern railroad line will be closed indefinitely pending a decision on repairs.
Dyar Rd is a thru road between Old Clemson Hwy and Clemson Blvd (SC Hwy 123). The bridge is owned and maintained by Norfolk Southern. The bridge will be closed from both directions. No entry across the bridge from either side will be permitted due to structural safety concerns with the bridge.
Old Clemson Hwy can be accessed from Hwy 130 or at the intersection with Hwy 123. Users of Dyar Rd can expect additional travel time during the road closure.
For additional information or questions contact:
Oconee County Roads & Bridges at (864)886-1072
Norfolk Southern at 1-800-635-5768
Oconee County Roads & Bridges
15022 Wells Hwy
Seneca, SC 29678
(864) 886-1072
roads@oconeesc.com
Please! Fix it and fix it right! A lot of traffic access this daily for access in and out of our subdivision!!
Good! That bridge is scary! I hope school buses are not using it still!
Need this fixed and have a safe way to come in back road. People use 123 as an interstate and stay in left lane from Seneca to Clemson,
Keith Johnson is this over there where you stay
It's about time it was closed. I've driven across it many times thinking it was going to fall in, so like many others, we'd try it again.
If it’s like the bridges in Westminster and Cleveland, they will not fix them.
Finally!
That bridge was scary 50 years ago on a school bus
Everybody spread the word; Don’t use without a safety net!!
It will never be fixed.
About time hopefully this time when they close it they fix more than two potholes and reopen it in two months..But seeing how not a lot of road work gets done in the winter months it will probably be closed all winter
Yep
Peggy Blackmon Chris Blackmon
Collin Morris
Ben Turner
FLASH SURVEY!
ERSI has been awarded another FEMA Firefighter Safety Grant to expand our online training modules on the Emergency Responder Learning Network. We have been funded for 5 new modules and are interested in hearing from our followers about which subjects we should develop during this grant period. Which of these subjects is of interest to you and/or are there any other specific subjects you would like us to address?
Some of the topics already suggested include the following:
1) Head Protection and Helmet Use at Roadway Incidents
2) Firefighter LODD Case Studies - Lessons Learned
3) Temporary traffic control devices (What's New/Innovative)
4) FD based traffic control vehicles (Design and use)
5) Driver Safety Education & Community Risk Reduction
6) Pro Board exam prep for TIM Certification
7) Professionalism & Leadership at roadway incidents
8) Other - Please explain in a comment below
Please list the numbers of the topics listed above that you prefer and/or list other topics you would like us to address in a comment below. Thank you!
Thank you to Blue Ridge Electric for bringing in the Pike Electric folks to demonstrate the potential dangers of electric grid systems.
Thank you to Blue Ridge Electric for bringing in the Pike Electric folks to demonstrate the potential dangers of electricity systems.
Gotta love those Pike guys! Was married to one 43years!
I have seen this it is pretty good
Smokey takes his message of fire safety to Tigertown!
U.S. Forest Service - Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests
Great weather for football this weekend, but did you know that South Carolina is in a severe to extreme drought?
Smokey Bear knows- and he's been taking his message to football fans.
#firetigers @clemsonuniversity #clemsonuniversity
Save the date! We’re joining with Oconee County Emergency ServicesPickens County SC and Clemson University for the Upstate Regional #Prepareathon on Oct. 14-19. Each day that week, we’ll be posting quick and easy action items to help you become #UpstateSCReady.
This morning at 10 am, 119 firefighters will be remembered and honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. You can view the service at the link below.
www.firehero.org/events/memorial-weekend/attending-memorial-weekend/ways-honor-fallen/watch-live/
Watch the 2019 Memorial Weekend Live - % NFFF
firehero.org
You can view Memorial Weekend live via satellite and on the web. Watch the 2018 Memorial Weekend Live here or get more information to include on your site.Live stream of the 2019 National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.
Saturday at 6:30 pm is the Candlelight Service
Sunday at 10:00 am is the Memorial Service.
www.firehero.org/events/memorial-weekend/attending-memorial-weekend/ways-honor-fallen/watch-live/
Watch the 2019 Memorial Weekend Live - % NFFF
firehero.org
You can view Memorial Weekend live via satellite and on the web. Watch the 2018 Memorial Weekend Live here or get more information to include on your site.Our thoughts and prayers are with the Firefighter Quattlebaum’s family, Lexington County Fire Service and everyone involved.The County of Lexington is mourning the loss of Lexington County Fire Service Fire Engineer Paul Quattlebaum, who was fatally struck by a semi-truck while responding to a motor-vehicle collision Friday afternoon.
Quattlebaum’s unit was dispatched to a medical call just before 3:30 p.m. While en route, Quattlebaum and his partner came upon a motor-vehicle collision near the 5200 block of Fairview Road and stopped to check on those involved. While performing his duty, Quattlebaum was hit by the semi-truck.
After receiving medical care on scene, Lexington County EMS transported Quattlebaum to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The incident will be investigated by the South Carolina Highway Patrol.
Quattlebaum, a Batesburg-Leesville native, served as a Lexington County firefighter for over 22 years. He was most recently based out of Station 27 serving the residents in the Samaria area.
He started as a volunteer firefighter in 1997, before being hired full-time as a firefighter in 2000.
In November 2002, Quattlebaum was promoted to the position of fire engineer. From October 2017 to March 2018 also served as a ride-up captain, which is when a fire engineer serves in the roll of a captain when others are off duty.
Quattlebaum was a lance corporal in the United States Marine Corps, serving as a field-radio operator from 1992 to 1994. He received an honorable discharge due to injury.
Quattlebaum faithfully served the residents and visitors of Lexington County throughout his career. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at the County of Lexington are with his family
Upcoming Training in Oconee County
Oconee County will be hosting several classes over the next few months. If you have any questions contact Brady Norris at 864-723-0013 or via email bnorris@oconeesc.com
1250-20-105 Aerial Ops, starts 10/15/19 ends 11/5/19, Deadline to enroll is Monday 10/7/19.
1220-20-103 Pumps Ops 1, starts 10/28/19 ends 11/26/19, Deadline to enroll is 10/14/19
1181-20-102 Wildland Fire, starts 11/2/19 ends 11/3/19, Deadline to enroll is 10/18/19
2100-20-106 Fire Officer 1, starts 11/8/19 ends 11/17/19, Deadline is Tuesday 10/8/19
3392-20-103 Confined Space Rescue. Starts 11/23/19 ends 11/24/19, Deadline to enroll is 11/6/19
1221-20-105 Pump Ops 2. Starts 12/7/19 ends 12/8/19, Deadline to enroll is 11/22/19
3312-20-101 Trench Rescue. Starts 12/10/19 ends 12/15/19, Deadline to enroll is 11/22/19
EMT Basic Class for 2020
Oconee County is looking at hosting an EMT-Basic class starting in January and ending in June. 24/48 hours schedule, Weeknights 6pm-10pm, Some Saturdays 9am-5pm. For more information contact Brady Norris
We are proud of the impact Ryan and other team members have in improving the lives of others!
musckids.org/our-services/burn-center/eubanks-can-do
musckids.org
Local Oconee County emergency services worker Volunteers at Camp 'Can' Do to support child burn victims
