North Charleston Fire Department’s Bianca Sancic receives statewide Educator’s Award

Bianca Sancic, Public Information Officer and Fire and Life Safety Educator of the North Charleston Fire Department, received the Educator’s Award from the South Carolina Fire and Life Safety Education Association. The Educator’s Award is a peer award presented to an outstanding individual, organization, or program that is making a difference in Fire and Life Safety Education.

Bianca has been employed with the City of North Charleston Fire Department since September 2007. She works daily in our local schools, daycares, and businesses to teach fire and life safety to all citizens of North Charleston.

Bianca is dedicated to preventing fires and saving lives through education and safety, teaching citizens to prevent home fires, to use fire extinguishers, and what to do in emergency situations. Bianca also assists with the After the Fire Program that aids individuals after a fire has occurred in their home and during recovery. She also serves as a liaison for residents and the American Red Cross and other support systems. 

Bianca is an active member of the Fire and Life Safety Education Association, South Carolina Fire Marshals Association, South Carolina Firemen’s Association, and Palmetto Alliance of Public Affairs and Information Officers.

North Charleston Fire Chief Greg Bulanow said, “Bianca’s passion and creativity make her very effective in delivering fire and life safety education. She is very deserving of this recognition from her fellow fire safety professionals.”

Photo: Bianca Sancic in the classroom

Fire Department to conduct Hydrant testing. Find out how this could affect you.

The North Charleston Fire Department will be conducting hydrant testing throughout the City of North Charleston in the month of March. Firefighters will flow each hydrant to ensure that the hydrant functions properly and that adequate water will be available in the event of a fire.

Firefighters will be posting signs in the neighborhoods to inform residents that hydrant testing is in progress. Firefighters will be as careful as possible to minimize damage to lawns or landscaping from the flow of water.

Despite all precautions, there is the possibility that sediment from the water system may become visible in residential tap water. If a resident encounters discolored water they should run the faucet in their home until the water runs clear.

The North Charleston Fire Department thanks residents in advance for their understanding as we perform this required task to ensure the safety of our City.

If you encounter any other problems with your water, please contact your water department. Charleston Water System can be reached at (843) 727-6800 or Dorchester County Water and Sewer Department may be reached at (843) 832-0075.

North Charleston Fire Museum & Educational Center Celebrates Anniversary with 5th Annual Bike Rodeo and Safety Day

The North Charleston and American LaFrance Fire Museum and Educational Center will celebrate its fifth anniversary on Saturday, May 19, 2012 with the Annual Safe Kids Bike Rodeo and Safety Day. The Fire Museum opened its doors to the public on April 28, 2007 and since that time has hosted over 300,000 visitors.

As a thank you to the community, the North Charleston Fire Museum, in conjunction with Safe Kids Trident Area, will present a full day of family fun activities to entertain while educating to prevent accidental childhood injury. Children will receive a free new bike helmet and can take part in free jump castles, a climbing wall, music, and water games.

Guests can visit over 30 different vendors and booths, and watch vehicle extraction demonstrations by the North Charleston Fire Department and the North Charleston Police Department Bike Team. Children can also navigate their way through the bicycle obstacle course after receiving a free bike inspection and tune up. Bring your own bike or use one of the free bikes available for check out.

Attendees can cool off in the museum and enjoy free admission for the entire family. The Bike Rodeo is scheduled from 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm and the Fire Museum will be open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm with the last admission at 4:00 pm on Saturday, May 19, 2012.

Bike Rodeo & Safety Fair poster

For more information, contact Max Sterling at (843) 740-5550 x 221 or maxjsterling@gmail.com.

North Charleston Fire Department presents 3 citizens with awards for life-saving actions

The Chief’s Citizen Award is reserved for the Fire Chief to recognize citizens for outstanding actions or achievements that positively affect the fire department or community. North Charleston Fire Chief Gregory A. Bulanow presented three Citizen Awards at City Council on Thursday, May 10, 2012.

The First of the three awards was presented to Thomas Gotbeter, who responded to a complete stranger at a Little Cricket convenience store who was in full cardiac arrest. He performed CPR on the man until emergency personnel arrived on scene. The man was treated at the hospital and released several days later.
Mr. Gotbeter’s full story 

The next award was given to Andrew Glover of the North Charleston Police Department. Officer Glover observed black smoke coming from a home, after notifying dispatch, he entered the home to find two individuals sleeping. Everyone safely exited the home without injury. 

Officer Glover’s full story 

The final award was presented to Reginald Curry for his acts of bravery at the Noisette Creek Apartment fire. He not only caught a baby dropped from a second story window, but entered the structure to save another child that was otherwise trapped inside. 

Mr. Curry’s full story

1000 FREE smoke alarms from the North Charleston Fire Department

Flickr user _Pixelmaniac_

The North Charleston Fire Department and the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, Division of Fire and Life Safety, are partnering to help reduce fire-related deaths and injuries through the “Get Alarmed, S.C.” smoke alarm installation program.

1000 smoke alarms will be provided to the North Charleston Fire Department for installation in homes throughout the community. In addition to installing smoke alarms, fire service personnel will provide information on general fire safety awareness and, if necessary, assist in preparing a home escape plan.

The Get Alarmed program has been credited with saving 27 lives in 13 different fires in North Charleston since its implementation in 2006. These additional alarms will help firefighters save even more lives in the city.

“Smoke alarms and fire safety awareness are essential to aid in preventing fires, injuries and fire fatalities,” S.C. State Fire Marshal Adolf Zubia said.

North Charleston Fire Chief Gregory Bulanow agrees. “This on-going partnership has been very effective in getting these life-saving devices in the homes of thousands of our residents,” he said.

Each household receiving a smoke alarm will be provided with a Smoke and Fire Safety Action Planner to assist with the development of an emergency plan of action based on each individual living situation. The Action Planner helps identify any special assistance that may be needed to help the very young, elderly or disabled escape in the event of a fire.

“Although having a working smoke alarm doubles your chances of surviving a fire, it is not the total answer in making your home fire safe, it is just the beginning,” Zubia said. “Practicing good fire safety behaviors and being prepared to take action should an emergency occur will serve to make people in our state safer from the tragedies of fire.

To receive an alarm or have your current alarms checked, call North Charleston Fire Department Headquarters at (843) 740-2616. Firefighters will contact you and schedule a time to inspect your current alarms and/or install new ones in your city residence.

“I credit the dedication of our fire crews who install these alarms at every opportunity to make our city safer,” said Bulanow.