Learn Life-Saving Skills at June 13 Workshop in Farmington Hills

The Farmington Hills/Farmington Emergency Preparedness Commission offers training in CPR and Automated External Defibrillator use.

The Farmington Hills/Farmington Emergency Preparedness Commission (EPC), in cooperation with the Farmington Hills Fire Department, will offer an American Red Cross CPR and AED (Automated External Defibrillator) class on June 13. Held from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., the class is open to the public and will be held in the upstairs training room at Fire Station #4, 28711 Drake Road.  A $10 fee will cover the cost of the class and materials, and $30 for those who require a Certificate of Training. Participants must be at least 12 years old. To register, contact Diane O’Connell at DOConnell@fhgov.com or 248-871-2802.

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Photographer Captures Electrical Pole Fire in Farmington Hills

Dane Gussin spotted the fire as he was driving Saturday in the area of 13 Mile and Drake Road.

Farmington Hills photographer Dane Gussin shared his photos and video of an electrical pole fire he spotted Saturday while driving west on 13 Mile Road between Drake and Halsted Roads. Gussin said he spotted smoke coming from a transformer and turned around, then called 911. Two Farmington Hills Fire trucks responded, and firefighters made sure the fire didn't spread.  "There's not much we can do except keep the area clear until (Detroit) Edison arrives," Lieutenant Larry Gauthier said.  If you see news happening, send photos or video to farmington-mi@patch.com or text to 248-534-2425. 

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5 Things You Should Know About the Farmington Hills Fire Department

Fire Chief Corey Bartsch tells city officials that fire destroyed nearly $11 million worth of property in 2012, a record year.

Farmington Hills Fire Chief Corey Bartsch told city officials Monday that his department responded to more calls for service in 2012 than in any other time in its history.  The majority of calls, 66 percent, were related to medical emergencies. Fires accounted for just 2 percent of the department's activity, Bartsch said. Here are five other things you should know about the annual report: 1. Farmington Hills Fire Dept. is a unique blend of 47 full-time firefighter/paramedics and 64 paid, on-call firefighters. Only Fire Station No. 5, on the city's municipal campus at 11 Mile and Orchard Lake Roads, is staffed 24 hours a day. The other four stations are staffed during regular business hours and covered by on-call firefighters at night.  2. …

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Fire Causes Heavy Damage to House on Clear Lake in Farmington Hills

Farmington Hills Fire investigators determine the cause of the blaze was an unattended candle.

A home in the 22000 block of Clear Lake in Farmington Hills suffered heavy damage as the result of a Sunday afternoon fire.  According to Farmington Hills Fire Dept. Lieutenant Larry Gauthier, 23 firefighters responded to the call of smoke coming from the home, which came in shortly after 3 p.m. The homeowner was standing outside, Gauthier said, and no injuries were reported. Investigators determined the cause of the fire was an unattended candle. There was fire and smoke damage throughout the house, Gauthier said.  The photo with this article was submitted by reader Scott Winder. If you get a photo of news happening in your neighborhood, contact editor Joni Hubred-Golden, joni.hubred-golden@patch.com or 248-534-2425. 

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Comerica, Red Wings Deliver Smoke Detectors to Farmington Hills Fire Dept.

The life-saving devices, collected at Red Wings games, will be distributed to low income families, seniors and people with disabilities.

Yolanda Serra, Comerica Bank vice president and banking center manager, recently presented Farmington Hills Fire Dept. Lt. Michael Kish with smoke detectors collected during the Detroit Red Wings’ 11th annual Smoke Detector Drive presented by Comerica Bank. The donated smoke detectors will benefit low-income families as well as elderly and disabled members of the community. Collection boxes were stationed at southeast Michigan Comerica Bank locations during the 11th annual Detroit Red Wings Smoke Detector Drive. Additional in-game collections will be held before the Wings take on the Edmonton Oilers on Feb. 9 and before the Wings face the Los Angeles Kings on Feb. 10, on home ice at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.  Source: Comerica Bank press …

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Farmington Hills Firefighter's New Jazz CD Looks 'Just Ahead'

Stan Barnes says songs on his new album lean toward the positive.

Farmington Hills firefighter and jazz musician Stan Barnes believes better times are always "Just Ahead".  That's the title of his new CD, which is available through CD Baby, iTunes, Amazon.com and Rhapsody.com. "Every year, I try to do a CD to check that moment in time," Barnes said, "and to get experience with different genres."  This time around, Barnes blends jazz with classical music, with a jazz version of Beethoven's "Für Elise" he calls "Jazzical". The album's 14 tracks have uplifting titles like "Never Give Up", "A Lovely Day" and "Moving Forward".  "The focus is that better times can be just ahead," he said. "I'm trying to make every song lean toward helping people focus on positive things." The album is also a family affair; …

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Farmington Hills Fire Shares Cold Facts About Ice

When is it safe to venture out onto ice in ponds and lakes?

The Farmington Hills Fire Department wants all residents to know that when it comes to judging whether a frozen pond or lake is safe, there really is no sure answer. You can't judge the strength of ice just by its appearance, age, thickness, temperature or whether or not the ice is covered with snow. Strength is based on all of these factors, plus the depth of water under the ice, size of the water body, water chemistry and currents, the distribution of the load on the ice, and local climatic conditions. Ice thickness should be checked prior to beginning any activity. If you have not done so, consider yourself in harm’s way. This can be done easily by using any of the following tools: Ice chisel Ice auger Cordless drill Tape measure For …

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Safe and Sound

Farmington Hills Fire Shares Home Heating Equipment Safety Tips

Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires during the winter.

The Farmington Hills Fire Department would like to make all residents aware that heating equipment is a leading cause of many home fires during the winter months. Home furnaces should be checked annually by a qualified contractor to ensure that they are operating safely and efficiently. Alternative equipment such as fireplaces, fixed space heaters, water heaters, and portable space heaters, if used improperly or not maintained, may all contribute to the cause of a home fire. Throughout the U.S., heating equipment is second only to cooking equipment as the leading cause of home fires. When portable space heaters and water heaters are involved in a fire, many times it is due to combustibles being too close to the appliance. Always ensure …

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Safe and Sound

Farmington Hills Fire Department Recommends Holiday Safety Tips

Use caution with trees, lights and decorations to reduce the risk for fire during the holiday season.

While decorating homes and businesses is a long-standing tradition, unfortunately when not done in an approved manner these same decorations may increase your chances of fire. The Farmington Hills Fire Department would like to remind everyone that all fires are preventable. Following a few simple fire safety tips can keep electric lights, candles and the ever popular Christmas tree from creating a tragedy: Holiday Lights - The importance of maintaining your holiday lights cannot be understated. Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved laboratory.  Do Not Overload Electrical …

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No Injuries, Minimal Damage in Farmington Hills Building Fire

Commercial building on Orchard Lake Road accidentally caught fire Friday afternoon.

No injuries and minimal damage were the result of an accidental commercial building fire Friday afternoon, according to Farmington Hills Fire Department Sgt. Larry Gauthier. The building on Orchard Lake Road in between 12 and 13 Mile Roads suffered an equipment malfunction, but the ensuing fire was confined to the rooftop heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit thanks in part to a quick response time, Gauthier said. There will be no follow-up investigation concerning the fire, he added.

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