Mombasha Fire Company

Please see the attached announcement from the Town of Monroe. The Monroe Police Department will be in the area assisting with the event. Please expect some traffic delays on Orange Turnpike, Still Road, and Reynolds Road.

Fire Safety Practices to keep your family safe Check your home for working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Make sure there are enough in your home, and make sure they have working batteries. Check them monthly. Secure lighters and matches out of reach of young children. Practice fire safety with your children, and review what to do in case of a fire in your home. Know your escape routes, and set up a meeting place outside your home where you should all gather in t...he event of a fire in your home. If you must use space heaters, make sure they have plenty of clearance away from any other combustible material. Do not use extension cords to power electric heaters. Plug directly into an outlet. CLOSE all bedroom doors when you go to sleep at night. Closing your door can limit the ability of smoke and fire to spread to sleeping areas. Along with working smoke detectors, these are two things that you can immediately do to help save your life. - CLEAN and INSPECT your fireplace chimney on an annual basis. -CLEAN and INSPECT your dryer vents periodically throughout the year. For more information, please visit the links below; CHILD FIRE STARTERS https://www.nfpa.org//Safet/ChildrenAndFireSafetyTips.ashx HOME HEATING EQUIPMENT FIRES https://www.nfpa.org//Resources/Safety-/Heating_Safety.pdf SMOKE DETECTOR USE AND CARE https://www.nfpa.org//re/safety-tip-sheets/smokealarms.pdf BEDROOM DOORS/CLOSED DOORS https://closeyourdoor.org/#escape-plan Stay safe and warm during this cold period

Today we would like to honor and thank all of the law enforcement we routinely work with completing our calls for service. Additionally we would like to honor all of our volunteers in blue and grey, past and present, that not only volunteer with our department but tow the line everyday with their law enforcement responsibilities. Thank you and an additional thank you to all of our firefighter volunteers that go above and beyond everyday for their community.

Happy New Year! Let’s hope it’s prosperous for all of us. Have a safe and healthy 2022.

Happy 90th Birthday to our eldest member in the fire company, Clarence Board. We did a drive by with some fire trucks this evening and left a Birthday Cake at his home. Enjoy Clarence.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to our membership and our followers. We have responded to nearly 650 calls for service this year, one of our busiest. We hope everyone has a safe next few days. Enjoy the time with your families.

The Mombasha Fire Company Tree Sale is now CLOSED. The members would like to thank all who supported our fundraiser. We have SOLD OUT all of our Christmas Tree inventory as of 6:30 PM on 12/18/21. Mombasha Fire Co. 526 RT 17M Monroe, NY 10950... Thanks again for your support. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. Our fundraiser was a huge success because of your support.

ATTENTION PROCRASTINATORS We are down to 5 remaining Christmas Trees. First come, first serve. All trees now $50

Election Results Commissioner John Centofanti won re-election in the Monroe Joint Fire District Commissioner Election held last night. The unofficial ballot count: John Centofanti 87 Frank DeGennaro 61 I additional write in ballot was cast... John is also a member of our Fire Company. Congratulations!

Christmas Tree Sales ATTENTION PROCRASTINATORS Yes we are still selling trees. It’s really the time, right now, to put up your tree. There won’t be any left this weekend if you wait any longer.... This is our big push to exhaust our inventory. Looking for a tree? Come get a real deal tonight. Everyone leaves happy and with a tree. A limited inventory of less than 30 Christmas Trees remain at our firehouse. Still an incredible inventory even with limited selection on hand to pick the perfect fresh cut Christmas Tree. We will be selling trees each evening during the week. Over the weekend we will be selling late mornings, each afternoon, and each evening until we basically run out of inventory. Most of our biggest trees are gone but many still range from 6 FT to 8 FT in height. They are fresh cut cross Fraser/Balsam Hybrid Firs delivered directly from Santa’s personal tree farm located in Quebec, Canada. Some were still lightly covered with snow when they arrived. Santa’s personal tree farm staff has assured these trees combine the quality of both Balsam and Fraser Firs producing a beautifully shaped tree with excellent needle retention similar to the Fraser Fir but the added fragrance of the Balsam Fir included. Christmas Tree Prices: $70 for 6 FT to 7 FT height $80 for 7 FT to 8 FT in height $95 for 8 FT or taller in height They were very expensive to purchase and transport from Santa’s farm but everyone will be pleased with the price and will leave here with a fresh cut tree. The Mombasha Fire Co., Inc. is 100% volunteer. We own two firehouses in the Village of Monroe. We are one of a few fire companies left that can proudly boast we own our own firehouse. We own two. The Mombasha Fire Co. relies on annual fund raising each year to offset the cost of operating and maintaining our two firehouses. With the continued pandemic, our primary fundraising event will be our annual Christmas Tree Sales. If you are planning to purchase a fresh cut Christmas Tree this year we ask you consider supporting your local Fire Company. In times like these the Mombasha Fire Co. would deeply appreciate the financial support. Come visit us at our main firehouse on 17M and meet your Monroe FD volunteers. We are your neighbors and will help you select your Christmas Tree memory this year. Stop by, smell the trees, and capture the Christmas spirit. If you like what you see, grab an application too. We are always seeking new volunteers. We have a spot for everyone. Thank you for your support. Mombasha Fire Co. 526 Rt 17M Monroe, NY 10950

Today is the day

We Remember Thank you to all that made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedom

Bathroom Exhaust Fans Do you clean and inspect your bathroom exhaust fan at regular intervals of 6 months? The Monroe Fire Department has observed a recent uptick with bathroom and attic fires as a result of improperly maintained exhaust ventilation fans. Improper maintenance can result in risk of a fire. Reduce the risk of creating a fire hazard and property damage at home. Clean your exhaust fans.... Exhaust fans are typically utilized in bathrooms and other confined spaces within the home to remove moisture, humidity, and heat. Over a period of time the vents, fan blades, and the motor can collect lint and dust. To clean your exhaust fan it is necessary to remove the vent cover with the electric off and to vacuum or wipe away with a wet soapy cloth any collection of debris. Canned air may even be utilized to clean this area. Always let the fan completely dry before utilizing again after its cleaning. Poor ventilation as a result of the collection of dust and lint within the fan unit itself can lead to the motor overheating. Sometimes you will observe signals that it is time to have an electrician replace your bathroom exhaust fan. Some of the signals listed indicate an urgent replacement is needed and the fan should not be used. 1. It looks old. The typical life expectancy of an exhaust fan is usually 9 to 12 years. 2. It makes noise when it first starts circulating. 3. You smell an odor of something burning or you observe smoke emanating from the fan motor area. To ensure a safe and long lasting exhaust fan. 1. Ensure the duct work also attached to the fan vent is clear of dust and lint. 2. Only use LED lighting attached to any fan with lighting. It will keep the fan cooler and reduce electrical load on the fan unit. 3. Consider attaching a timer to your fan switch. Most fires are a result of the fan motor overheating. Fan motors should not be utilized for more than 20 minutes at a time. 4. Mark your calendar to inspect your exhaust fans twice per year. Your local fire companies are always seeking new volunteers. We have a spot for everyone. Stop by for an application.

We salute our friends at the Monroe Volunteer Ambulance Corps

Identifying Your Home In a reported emergency, time is of the essence. Many first responders know firsthand it can be difficult to locate addresses and for too many incidents valuable time is wasted attempting to locate the emergency. Minutes matter! YOU CAN HELP!... Look at the outside of your home and determine that if a stranger had to find you, could they? Properly identify your address numeric on the face side of your street so we can find you quickly in an emergency. Additionally delivery trucks and school buses rely on properly posted addresses too. The Town of Monroe Ordinance requires all residential homes and commercial properties be identified by the number of their assigned E911 street address. Homes must utilize numbers that are 4 in height and commercial building must have numbers between 8-12 in height. Fences and other areas can be utilized as long as the numbers can be seen within 20’ from the street. If the properties cannot be seen from the roadway a mailbox or post with the proper numbers should be identified at the entrance way to the property. Being proactive benefits all of us and tremendously assists your volunteers. Thank you.

The volunteers conducting some spring clean-up at our sub station located on North Main Street, last evening.

Open Burning and some Burn Ban Restrictions We have observed social media abuzz this weekend about nuisance smoke from potential illegal burning. Any inquiry about potential illegal burning can be completed through your local Police Department or the State Police. The State DEC is the specific Law Enforcement Agency that enforces the State’s Environmental Conservation Laws. 1-844-DEC-ECOs (1-844-332-3267) As your one of your local fire departments we want to remind our neigh...Continue reading

E-511 responding to a motorcycle MVA on the north end of town.

Tragic Bus Accident Initiates New Training As local first responders, one of the most serious emergencies is any incident involving a school bus. Typically, we ...think of children being struck by passing motor vehicles that illegally pass stopped school buses. Last school year, our local school district had two separate school buses catch fire while in transit. One bus was loaded with several children. Fortunately, they were evacuated and were kept safe. That specific fire was extinguished by the Woodbury Fire Department. Over the years, with so many miles driven on a daily basis our school buses have been involved in accidents. School buses are some of the safest vehicles traveling our roadways and utilize compartmental seating which, overall, generally keep our children safe. We pray our children stay safe. On Tuesday January 30, 1990 a Monroe-Woodbury School Bus, Bus #183, had exited the Harriman Heights K-1 Center and was returning 36 children home when the vehicle left the roadway on Orange Turnpike and struck a tree causing extensive damage to the school bus. Two children were killed and nine children injured. Our fire company will never forget that day. Since that tragic day we have re-tooled our apparatus and have completed training on a regular basis to ensure we can perform at a level bar none for any bus extrication that must be performed. Our firefighters consider all our community’s children our family. We work hand in hand with our school district and our other local first responders, utilizing buses removed from service and experts from across the country to train our firefighters with any accidents and incidents involving school buses. Some images of training over the years at the Pine Tree Elementary School and The Monroe-Woodbury Bus Garage. Monroe Joint Fire District

Landing Zones for Medical Helicopters(Medevacs) Public Service Announcement On Tuesday, the Woodbury Fire Department responded to the Woodbury Commons for a pe...destrian versus truck accident. The patient had serious enough injuries to warrant transport to a Level 1 trauma center. This determination initiates the request for a medical evacuation (medevac) helicopter. Once a medevac helicopter is requested, the fire department takes full control of locating and securing the Landing Zone (LZ). Typically, as close to the scene as safely possible. Today the LZ was located in the parking lot of the Central Valley Elementary School, which was the closest safe location to the incident that fulfilled the requirements for establishing a Landing Zone. Since our apparatus was initially dispatched to the accident scene, we requested mutual aid from the Monroe Joint Fire District which is made up of the Mombasha Fire Company, the Harriman Engine Co., and the Lakeside Fire and Rescue Company to secure the LZ(Landing Zone) with apparatus and manpower. In the vicinity of the LZ, it is very important to respect and observe all fire department personnel commands, as it is an extremely dangerous area for all involved in the incident, including the public, the patient, the FD and EMS personnel, the PD, and the Medevac crew. Hopefully this post will help in educating the local community by identifying the purpose of a Landing Zone and the importance of safety at the Landing Zone with identifying the function of volunteer firefighters assisting at Landing Zones and what appropriate measures the public should take when near the LZ. As always, all of your local fire departments and emergency responders thank you for your support and respect! (A repost shared originally from the Woodbury FD)

Do Not Burn Leaves It’s the time of year again when we are receiving inquiries about burning leaves. You CANNOT legally burn your leaves. Consider composting leaves.... Here is an exert from the NYS DEC for clarification: All open burning is prohibited in New York State with several exceptions including the following: Campfires less than 3 feet in height and 4 feet in length, width or diameter are allowed. Small cooking fires are allowed. Fires cannot be left unattended and must be fully extinguished. Only charcoal or clean, untreated or unpainted wood can be burned. Ceremonial or celebratory bonfires are allowed. In towns with a total population less than 20,000, you may burn tree limbs with attached leaves. The limbs must be less than 6 inches in diameter and 8 feet in length (also referred to as brush). However, this is not allowed from March 15 through May 15 due to the increased risk of wildfires. Open burning of household trash releases dangerous compounds including arsenic, carbon monoxide, benzene, styrene, formaldehyde, lead, hydrogen cyanide, and dioxin, among others. Burning trash is prohibited in New York State at all times. This includes all construction demolition debris. Burning leaves is also prohibited in New York State at all times. The NYS DEC encourages lawn care givers to compost Fall leaves. Monroe Joint Fire District

Our 1925 Mack pumper is one of the vehicles on display this afternoon at the South Blooming Grove FD sponsored car show at commuter lot A located near the Monroe/Blooming Grove town line on Orange and Rockland Rd. Stop by this afternoon and support the SBGFD.

Escape plans and smoke detectors

More fire safety tips...how to properly operate your fire extinguisher

Clogged Dryer Vents Cause Fire According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 17,000 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year. These cloth...es dryer fires cause around 51 deaths, 380 injuries, and $236 million in property loss. Unsurprisingly, the leading cause of these fires, at 34%, is the failure to clean dryer vents. If your clothes dryer seems to take longer to dry your clothes and sometimes you run a second drying cycle, then more than likely, your dryer vent is clogged and in dire need of cleaning. If your dryer vent looks similar to the images then clean them today. The lower back of your dryer has a vent exit hole hopefully having a flexible hose or metal pipe still attached. The hose or pipe is about 4-5 in diameter and runs through an exterior wall of your home. Over a period of time it fills with lint, hair, and debris and must be cleaned. The Monroe Joint Fire District responded to a dryer fire early this morning. It resulted in a small fire in the laundry room including the dryer with a heavy smoke condition throughout the house. Several minutes more with the delay of reporting the incident could have resulted in significant property damage and potential injury. Periodically check and clean your dryer vents from the build up of lint and debris.

In light of National Fire Prevention Week it is our duty to remind you not to overload electrical outlets, electrical extension cords, and power strips. Please review our attachment.

Always important to share. In light of National Fire Prevention Week please review the photo in the attachment. Fire Safety must always be shared. Keep bedroom doors closed during bedtime. Look at these results. Monroe Joint Fire District

In light of National Fire Prevention Week we are sharing important tips about carbon monoxide detectors.

Chimney Fires Do you have your chimney cleaned or inspected on a regular basis? If this question sounds odd to you and you have a fireplace or wood burning stov...e, make an appointment today to have your chimney cleaned and inspected as soon as possible. During the cooler and colder seasons, each year, the Monroe Fire Department responds to many reported chimney fires. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for the result to cause extensive property damage or even a total loss to the home. These fires are unpredictable and can occur when least expected. Creosote build up in your chimney is what will cause a chimney fire. In light of National Fire Prevention Week, we consider this an important concern for fire safety. Dirty chimneys can cause chimney fires, which damage structures, destroy homes and injure or kill people. Chimney fires can burn explosively, noisy and dramatic enough to be detected by neighbors or people passing by. Flames or dense smoke may shoot from the top of the chimney. Homeowners report being startled by a low rumbling sound that reminds them of a freight train or a low flying airplane. However, those are only the chimney fires you know about. The majority of chimney fires go undetected. Slow-burning chimney fires don’t get enough air or have fuel to be dramatic or visible and they often go undetected until they catch surrounding areas of your home on fire. Be safe and have your chimney cleaned and inspected, annually. Monroe Joint Fire District

On this date last year, our community was visited by thousands of police officers from all over the nation mourning the loss from our community of Brian Mulkeen. Our firehouse had a visit over this past summer after returning from a run by Brian’s dad. Mr. Mulkeen just want to say thank you for everything we did for his son and family. On this day we just want to say that we remember and thank you to both Brian and his family.

*********************UPDATE***************************************** Lisa Lachover-Merksamer has been safely located Tuesday night, September 29. 2020. ********...*************************************************************** The State Police in Monroe, NY, Orange County, request the public’s assistance in locating Lisa Lachover-Merksamer, a 57 year old white female from Warwick, NY. She was last seen on Saturday, September 26, 2020. When she left her residence, she left a note stating that she was going to Kohl’s in Central Valley and would return home at 7 p.m. She was reported missing that evening at 11 p.m. Lisa Lachover-Merksamer may be operating NY JFT-8376, a green 2007 Ford 500. Anyone with information is asked to contact the State Police Monroe at (845) 782-83