A Message from Fire Chief McNally

Published on October 01, 2022

Chief Michael McNally

We are excited to cerebrate Fire Prevention Month during the month of October and just ahead of the busy holiday season.

Fire safety is important all year, but the National Fire Protection Association designates October as the month to focus public education about fire prevention with a week of themed activities. This year’s theme is Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape. Knowing what to do if a fire breaks out in your home is paramount before a fire occurs. There are simple but important actions you can take to keep you and your loved ones safe from home fires. I encourage you to learn more and print your own home escape plan here

On Saturday, October 8 our popular Cancer Awareness Pasta Dinner returns after a two-year hiatus. You are invited to bring your family to this charitable event at Station 80 from 5 to 9 p.m. Guests will enjoy a dinner, interact with fire personnel, and check out our equipment and trucks – all to raise money for cancer research through the Coral Springs Professional Firefighters Benevolent Association. Tickets can be purchased for an $8.00 donation, per person, at the door or online. Learn more here.

In 2017, congress designated October 28th as National First Responders Day. This resolution honors the firefighters, paramedics, police officers, and all those who are first on the scene in emergency situations. I am extraordinarily proud of the men and women who serve our communities with honor and dedication. We would like to take this time to also recognize our 911 dispatchers and call-takers. They are the true first, first responders. Our vision is “United in Service, Committed to Excellence” and I see it exemplified every day in the first responders of our great city.

I would like to share important safety tips to keep your little ones safe on Halloween. Add reflective tape to costumes and have children carry a flashlight during nighttime hours. Always your child’s candy when they get home and remember that gum and hard candy can pose a choking hazard for children under the age of three. Consider using non-flammable flickering lights instead of candles in any outdoor decorations.

When cooking for the holidays, avoid leaving your kitchen unattended when food is on the stove, and always be mindful of dangling cords. It’s important to always keep candles, matches, and lighters out of reach of children.

If you choose to deep fry your turkey on Thanksgiving, deep fry outdoors in an open area, on a flat surface, away from trees or structures - never in a garage. Make sure your turkey is fully thawed and dry. Never overfill your fryer and follow the instructions carefully. While frying, keep a fire extinguisher nearby, do not throw water on an oil fire and keep kids and pets at a safe distance.

If you plan to enjoy the holidays with alcohol, remember to use a designated driver, or a ride-share service. When shopping at night park in well-lit areas, and keep gifts locked in your trunk, out of plain sight. Be mindful of children and pedestrians as you drive through our city looking checking out holiday light displays. If you are doing your own decorating, be sure to replace light sets with broken sockets or frayed wires. For live trees, water them regularly, and make sure it is properly secured in a strong stand that does not lean. Consider keeping breakable ornaments out of reach of little fingers. When turning in for the night, turn lights your holiday lights off. And remember, mistletoe is toxic, keep it away from kids and pets.

For information about our holiday events including the popular Santa’s Holiday Express, visit CoralSprings.gov/events.

Whatever your faith, I wish you a safe and wonderful holiday season. Remember that while it is a joyous season for many, this can be a sad or lonely time for others. If you are struggling with grief or depression, please reach out for help by calling 2-1-1 Broward. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call 9-8-8.

On behalf of the men and women of the Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department, I wish you good health and happiness this holiday season and a prosperous New Year!