Haugen Family, RCFD, Water Rescue Team to Promote Boating Safety

 Rapid City, S.D. - On Saturday July 27, members of the Rapid City Fire Department and the Rapid City/Pennington County Water Rescue Team will join the family and friends of Joshua Haugen at Pactola Reservoir for the annual JRH Campout. Water Rescue Team members and equipment will be on hand at the Pactola North Marina from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm to show visitors the tools and equipment used by the team and to help promote water safety. 

The campout is held annually in memory of Joshua Haugen. Joshua was killed in a jet ski crash on Pactola Reservoir on June 4, 1999. He was 17 years old at the time of his death. Joshua’s family and friends wish to use this event to help raise awareness and communicate the importance of safe boating practices, life jacket use, and understanding the rules and regulations that are associated with boating.

 

Above: Joshua Haugen in a photo provided by his family. 

Event organizers will be selling water safety flags made in Joshua’s memory. All proceeds from the sale of the flags will be donated to the Rapid City/Pennington County Water Rescue Team. 

For questions or comment related to this release, please contact RCFD Public Information Officer Lt. Jim Bussell at 605-394-4180.

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Fire Station 6 Hit by Lightning

Generator, fire alarm system among items affected

Rapid City, S.D. - Firefighters in our area are accustomed to responding to buildings that have been struck by lightning. Early Sunday morning, Firefighters from Rapid City Fire Department Station 6 found that, instead of responding to a building hit by lightning, the lightning came to them. Fire Station 6 was apparently hit by lightning during a thunderstorm sometime between 3:00 and 4:00 am on Sunday July 14. 

The strike damaged the phone system, fire alarm system, back-up generator and the garage door opener for Engine 3-6. The electricity also tripped all of the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets in the station. The building does not appear to have any structural damage. None of the firefighters on-duty and in the station during the strike were injured. 

The Station 6 crew was in the station monitoring the storm and incoming calls for service throughout the city when the strike occurred. They reported a bright flash with simultaneous thunder that shook the building. Issues with the phones, fire alarm system and outlets were noted immediately. The station is situated next to a large communications tower. It is unknown if the station was hit directly or received an indirect strike. 

We hope that this serves as a good reminder of the importance of following simple safety procedures during thunderstorms.

• Stay off corded phones, computers and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity.
• Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths and faucets. 
• Stay away from windows and doors and stay off porches.
• Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls.

Remember that no place outside is safe when thunderstorms are in the area. When you hear thunder, immediately move inside to safe shelter.

The lightning strike and subsequent damage to the station did not affect the ability of Station 6 to respond to emergencies and calls for service. At the time of this release, much of the damage had been repaired.

For questions or comment related to this release, please contact Lt. Jim Bussell, Public Information Officer for the Rapid City Fire Department, at 605-394-4180.

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RCFD Responds to Saturday Potting Soil Fire

Rapid City, S.D. - Last week we shared with you information regarding potting soil fires.You can read more here: https://bit.ly/2LcKtgm

On Saturday, we were dispatched to an apartment building in the Robbinsdale area for a report of a structure fire. When crews arrived, they found smoke coming from a second floor balcony. When crews made their way to the balcony, the found the fire had originated in a 2.2 cubic foot bag of peat moss. This bag was on a south facing deck. The bag had been in the same place for about two weeks. The fire was isolated to the area where it started. The crew provided some education and encouraged the occupant to find an area for their potted plants with less sun exposure.

Southern aspects of homes generally get the most sun exposure and therefore the most heat. Potted plants and potting soils in these areas are most susceptible to catching fire if they do not remain watered. For questions regarding potting soil fires, you may contact the Rapid City Fire Department at 605-394-4180.

POTTING SOIL FIRES POSE RISK

Homeowners encouraged to monitor soil moisture

Rapid City, S.D. - As the weather warms up, the Rapid City Fire Department would like to remind homeowners to routinely check their potted plants for moisture content and to refrain from discarding smoking materials in planters.

Most of the soil found in potted plants, both in homes and outside of homes, is a soil compound that contains little mineral soil and mostly organic compounds such as peat moss. These organic compounds not only contain dead plant materials that produce heat from decomposition, but will also support smoldering combustion. Many times, plant holders filled with potting soil will receive enough water to support furthering heat of decomposition, which is exacerbated if the plant is in direct sunlight. Many times individuals will use outdoor potted plants as a receptacle for discarded smoking materials as they believe the soil is primarily dirt. Due to the ability of potting soil to support smoldering combustion, when conditions are right (hot temps, wind, dry conditions, etc.), the smoldering conditions can turn into a free burning fire. The problem quickly worsens when the pot is made of plastic or wood products and spreads to other surrounding materials.

Above: A photo shared by a Facebook follower that illustrates the potential hazards associated with potting soil. Fortunately, this planter was not on a combustible deck or near combustible material and did not result in a larger fire.

Properly dispose of any smoking materials in approved containers only and know that potting soil is not a good option. Also, consider purchasing outdoor pots made of fire resistant materials.

For questions about potting soil fires, please contact the Rapid City Fire Department at 605-394-4180.

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