Month: September 2017

Prevent fires, practice generator safety

 

September 11, 2017 – Residents using generators are asked to take necessary precautions for safe operation, especially as power is restored to more users.

 

“We have all made it this far, and we want to make sure that everyone continues to be safe,” said Flagler County Fire Rescue Chief Don Petito. “Generators can provide us wonderful relief when the power is out, but they can also be very dangerous.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               Generator safety tips:

• Use proper care. Proper ventilation is critical to reducing the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from a generator’s engine exhaust. Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is a common, serious danger that can cause death if generators are used improperly; this is particularly true when the fuel is not burned completely.
• Placement is key. Never use generators indoors or outside near windows, vents, or air intakes that could allow CO to come indoors.
• Keep other items clear. Maintain plenty of airflow space around the generator.
• Pay attention. Get fresh air immediately if you begin to feel sick, dizzy or light-headed or experience flu-like symptoms.
• Buy CO detector. Because CO is invisible and odorless, it makes sense to buy a CO detector (similar to or sometimes combined in a smoke detector) to warn of rising CO levels.
• “Ground” your generator. Carefully follow all instructions on properly “grounding” the generator.
• Keep the generator dry. Short circuits may occur in wet conditions, which can cause a generator fire. If needed, place the generator under an open canopy-type structure.
• Be prepared. Always keep a fully charged fire extinguisher nearby.
• Leave it to the professionals. To avoid electric shock or electrocution, do not try to fix or otherwise work on a generator.
• Organize your cords. Keep cords out of the way to avoid injury, but keep them in plain view to keep track of cord damage (such as fraying or cuts) that could cause a fire.
• Do not “back feed” power. Do not plug the generator into a wall outlet. Back feeding will put you and others, including utility line workers, at serious risk because the utility transformer can increase low voltage from the generator to thousands of volts.
• Don’t touch. It’s hot. The exterior portions of a generator, even if operated for only a short period of time, can become hot. Avoid touching the generator without protective gear and keep debris clear to avoid a fire.

 

Regarding Generator Fuel

• Store fuel in an approved container or holding tank designed for such use.
• Only use fuel that is specifically recommended in the owner’s manual. Never store fuel indoors.
• Do not keep fuel near the generator while the generator is in use; this could start a fire.
• Never refuel the generator while it is running.

 

Check for current information on Flagler County’s website www.flaglercounty.org, or tune into the county’s partner radio station WNZF, 1550 am, 106.3 fm, KIX fm 98.7 and the Flagler Radio App worldwide. Follow “Flagler County Government” or “Flagler County Emergency Management on Facebook or Twitter. The county’s social media team will provide updates through these official accounts:

 

• Facebook.com/FlaglerCountyGovernment
• Facebook.com/FlaglerEOC
• Twitter.com/FlaglerCtyGov
• Twitter.com/FlaglerEM
• Flagler TV Spectrum Channel 492

 

To check power outage status, or to report an outage go to www.fplmaps.com

      Stay indoors, limited first responder abilities as Irma nears

 September 10, 2017 – Hurricane Irma is rapidly approaching and Flagler County officials are encouraging residents to be where they intend to shelter by 6 p.m. Sunday and stay indoors for the duration of the storm.

“Dangerous winds alone are reason enough to stay indoors,” said Flagler County Public Safety Emergency Manager Steve Garten. “Please stay off the roadways. Now is the time to stay safely where you are. Do not leave.”

As wind speeds increase to tropical storm-force, Flagler County’s first responders – fire rescue and law enforcement – will be limited in their ability to respond.

“There will come a time when we cannot send out our emergency personnel,” County Administrator Craig Coffey said. “We want to keep everyone safe.”

 

Check for current information on Flagler County’s website www.flaglercounty.org, or tune into the county’s partner radio station WNZF, 1550 am, 106.3 fm, KIX fm 98.7 and the Flagler Radio App worldwide. Follow “Flagler County Government” or “Flagler County Emergency Management on Facebook or Twitter. The county’s social media team will provide updates through these official accounts:

 

• Facebook.com/FlaglerCountyGovernment
• Facebook.com/FlaglerEOC
• Twitter.com/FlaglerCtyGov
• Twitter.com/FlaglerEM
• Flagler TV Spectrum Channel 492

“Traffic Signals/Lights & Driver Responsibilities”

 

As Hurricane Irma impacts our area, the possibility of power outages increases dramatically.  The result of the power outages means that traffic signals may become either inoperable or flashing intermittent red or yellow signals.  The following traffic safety information is respectfully provided in order to educate motorists regarding their responsibilities to the aforementioned traffic situations.

 

Florida State Statute 316.1235 specifically addresses vehicles approaching intersections in which traffic lights are inoperative.  The Statute reads as follows;

 

The driver of a vehicle approaching an intersection in which the traffic lights are inoperative shall stop in the manner indicated in for approaching a stop intersection.  In the event that only some of the traffic lights within an intersection are inoperative, the driver of a vehicle approaching an inoperative light shall stop in the above-prescribed manner.  A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation.

 

Florida State Statute 316.076 specifically addresses “Flashing Signals” and states that whenever an illuminated flashing red or yellow signal is used in a traffic sign or signal it shall require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows:

 

• Flashing red (stop signal).—When a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection, and the right to proceed shall be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.

 

• Flashing yellow (caution signal).—When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through the intersection or past such signal only with caution.

 

If you have any questions about the information listed above, please feel free to contact Chief Doughney or any member of the Flagler Beach Police Department.

September 10, 2017

 

“Curfew Violations lead to Three Felony Arrests”

 

Three (3) local individuals who failed to heed the warning that Law Enforcement Officers would be patrolling the barrier island enforcing the 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. curfew will be spending the remainder of Hurricane Irma at Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly’s “Green Roof Inn”.

Shortly after 7:00 p.m. Saturday night, Flagler Beach Police Officers arrested Cody Driggers, 18, Brian Swartz, 25 and Jennifer Smith, 36, in the 2200 block of South Central Avenue.  Officers received a call that the aforementioned subjects were observed attempting to enter vehicles and mailboxes. The subjects were contacted by Officers at approximately 7:15 p.m.  The investigation revealed that the subjects were pulling on vehicle door handles and opening mailboxes throughout the neighborhood, looking to commit criminal acts.

“The united message about the curfew from Sheriff Staly, Chief Foster (Bunnell Police) and myself was crystal clear. These three opportunists either didn’t listen to that message or they chose to ignore it.  They tested us (Law Enforcement) and they lost” stated Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughney.

Cody Driggers was charged with Violation of Curfew, Burglary (during a declared Emergency) Loitering and Prowling and Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card.

Brian Swartz was charged with Violation of Curfew, Loitering and Prowling and two (2) counts of Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card.

Jennifer Smith was charged with Violation of Curfew, Loitering and Prowling and two (2) counts of Fraudulent Use of a Credit Card.

On September 5, 2017, the subjects listed above were involved in the fraudulent use of Credit Cards in Flagler Beach and they were charged with those crimes accordingly.

Chief Doughney concluded by stating “Emergencies like Hurricane Irma bring out the best in people as well as the worst. The worst tried to prey on people they thought evacuated our City for Hurricane Irma and they were arrested by Flagler Beach’s Finest”.

 

                       Cody Driggers

 

 

 

                          Brian Swartz

 

 

                    Jennifer Smith