Do you know what a novelty lighter is? It’s one that works like any other lighter, except that it looks like a child’s toy. The Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department needs your help in a nationwide effort to make novelty lighters unavailable for purchase.

You can see the magnitude of the problem by visiting Ebay online and looking at the items listed under "novelty lighter". There are literally hundreds of lighters disguised as toy animals, cell phones, key rings, balls and other colorful items that are attractive to children. Thousands of stores throughout the United States sell novelty lighters, and this is where we need your help.

Please do not purchase novelty lighters or bring them into your home. If you already have novelty lighters, please remove them. Let’s protect our children and our community from the dangers created by these unsafe products. Looking ahead, the ultimate goal of the fire service is to make the sale and distribution of novelty lighters illegal all across the United States. Ten European countries recently banned novelty lighters. The fire service is working with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to do the same. With your support, we can eliminate the fires and burn injuries that result from kids playing with novelty lighters.

See our Events page for more information.

Our colleagues in Talbot County celebrated the 200th Anniversary of their Fire Department today. This awesome achievment was kicked off by a parade through town, which included marching bands, antique cars, bag pipe bands and of course fire apparatus from near and far. After the parade, everyone had the opportunity to get some excellent food and drink.

Upon arrival back in our home county, E-12 along with several other Queen Anne’s County units participating were transfered to help cover stations committed to a manpower intensive grass fire. E-12 was backing in at Station 3 when they were sent to Station 5. Thank you to the folks at Station 5 for their hospitality.

We had a very successful breakfast this past Saturday. Please go to the events page for the full story and photos.

Just before 1800 hrs. station 1 and several mutual aid companies were alerted for an aircraft crash at the Bay Bridge Airport. Chief 1 arrived to find the aircraft off the end of the runway into a metal bulkhead. Chief 1 (Schlotterbeck) established Bay Bridge Airport command. The aircraft had landed but was not able to stop and struck the bulkhead. The pilot was not injured and no damage was done to the aircrafts fuel tanks. Mutual aid companies were placed in service shortly after command was established. Station 1 units remained on the scene for a short time before responding on a serious MVC involving a motorcycle in Cloverfields. Station 1 and DES Paramedics quickly packaged the motorcycle operator for transport to the Shock Trauma Center by Trooper 6.

Have you ever wondered what our members do when they are not responding to calls and helping the community. The KIVFD has a strong training program both in house, locally and regionally. We encourage all our members to take advantage of these opportunities to obtain further education and earn professional certification.

FF/EMT Steve Doyle completed the 102 hour MFRI (Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute)earning his Firefighter I certification. This course teaches the fundamentals of fire suppression, rescue and truck company operations. Steve’s class began with 26 students and graduated ten. Steve’s next goal is to complete his ProBoard FF I Certification. Well Done Steve.

FF/Paramedic Patrick Robinson recently completed his National Registry EMT-P. This represents three years of education, culminating in an Associates Degree in Applied Science. Patrick currently serves as a Captain with our EMS Department. Strong Work Patrick.

Saturday April 5th, 2008 found members of KIVFD participating in a Health Fair and Open House at Maryland Primary Care. It is their twentieth anniversary and they wanted to support Kent Island and the local community by helping educate the community about current trends in health care.

We took the opportunity to meet some of our local physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses, who help care for our neighbors everyday. Additionally, we met many of our neighbors, gave their children tours of Engine 12 and Ambulance 10 and answered their questions regarding many home and fire safety issues.

We thank the staff at MD Primary Care for inviting us to this event. If you, your family or organization would like us to come to your event, please contact us at lifesafety@kivfd.org or call Station 1 @ 410.643.5454. We can tailor our presentation to your specific needs.

A malfunctioning light fixture in the gym forced the evacuation of the Stevensville Middle school for a short time on Tuesday. Prior to units arriving, teachers had cut power to the light, activated the fire alarm, and got the students out of the building. Fire units arrived on scene to find only light smoke in the gym. Crews ventilated the gym to remove the smoke. The members of KIVFD would like to say, job well done to Principal Judy and his staff.

Late Monday morning, Box 1-4 was dispatched for a working residential fire in the Bay City community of the Island. As units where en route, a large thick column of black smoke could be seen from as far away as the Kent Narrows. There are unconfirmed reports the smoke was seen as far away as the Rt. 213 & Rt. 301 overpass in Centreville.

Units from Kent Island, Grasonville, Queenstown, United Communities, and QACo. EMS arrived to find an attached garage fully involved, with extension into the 3400 square foot home. The fire had also extended to a power boat which was parked in the driveway. After an aggressive attack, firefighters brought the fire under control within 20 minutes but the salvage, overhaul, and investigation efforts continued well into the afternoon. The final units cleared just after 1400 hrs. No firefighter injuries occurred while battling this large fire, but the home owner sustained minor burns while attempting to extinguish it prior to the arrival of the Fire Department units. He was treated at the scene but, refused transport.

Lt. C. Winn (Ofc. 106) was the Incident Commander; Capt. B. Finck (Ofc. 104) assumed Division 2 and directed the interior operations. A job well done to everyone involved. The cause of the fire has been determined to be a malfunctioning battery charger, on a motorcycle, which was parked in the garage. Photos by Caine Cortellino of the Bay Times.

The officers and members of KIVFD wish a speedy recovery to the four Station 80 firefighters injured in this past week’s accident.