You may have noticed the red flags appearing in many of your neighbor’s yards throughout town. The red flags represent supporters of the Cramerton Volunteer Fire Department Inc. Some of our supporters have a red sign in there yard inviting you to please take a flag if you would like to have one. Please feel free to stop by any of these locations and pick one up.
You can also get a flag by emailing us at questions@cramertonvfd.com and requesting one. You must provide us with the physical address to place the flag or a phone number that we may contact you at to make arrangements to get the flag to you. The flags are complementary and we appreciate your support.

NOTICE:

EFFECTIVE AUGUST 1, 2011,
CRAMERTON VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, INC. WILL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCY CALLS

The Cramerton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. (CVFD) is a non-profit corporation and is not part of the Town of Cramerton government.  CVFD has its own Charter (dated June, 1961), a Board of Directors that manages the business of the fire department, and members consisting of the volunteer fire men and women who give tirelessly of their time to the maintenance of the fire station and the protection of the Town of Cramerton.  In fact, the CVFD has been in existence for longer than Cramerton has been an actual town and was originally begun by the mills that were in the area in the 1920s.  Fire protection for the Town of Cramerton is a service provided by CVFD through an annual contract that runs from July 1st through June 30th of each year.   CVFD has been providing fire protection for the Town of Cramerton for over 50 years and for the first time the Town and CVFD have not been able to agree on a contract. 

On May 23, 2011, the Town of Cramerton informed CVFD that the proposed contract (identical to the existing contract) between the parties would not be used for the upcoming year.  On June 17, 2011, the Town of Cramerton presented CVFD with a contract that was very different from the previous contracts.  The Town demanded that CVFD make the following changes:

1.  The Town would choose and hire as a paid Town employee the Fire Chief of CVFD rather than allow CVFD to choose its own volunteer Fire Chief like it has been doing since CVFD was incorporated over 50 years ago; and

2.  The Town would assume full control of all finances of CVFD rather than allow CVFD to remain a separate company operating for the benefit of the Town of Cramerton and its citizens; and

3.  The Town would take over all employee related issues including hiring, firing, and paying.

The Town stated that if these changes were not accepted then they would not renew the contract with CVFD for the year beginning July 1st. 

The Board of Directors for CVFD consulted with legal counsel and state agencies to determine what options the fire department had in order to continue providing fire protection to the Town of Cramerton.  Legal counsel advised us that under North Carolina law these changes were not permissible because you can’t combine a non-profit corporation and a government body such as a town and it would be contrary to corporate law to have an outside entity control vital activities of a corporation.  On June 20, 2011, a State Fire Marshall from the North Carolina Fire Marshall’s Office and the North Carolina Department of Insurance (DOI)  attended a joint meeting of the Town and CVFD’s Chairman.  The Fire Marshall clearly stated that the changes demanded by the Town were not allowed under DOI rules because it would be like having two fire departments and that isn’t allowed. 

This left the Board of Directors of CVFD with no option other than to decline the proposed contract.  On June 29, 2011, CVFD proposed a revised contract to the Town similar to the one that has been used for many years, but the Town rejected it.  On June 30, 2011, the Town of Cramerton asked CVFD to agree to a 30 day extension of the contract while an agreement might be worked on.   CVFD agreed to a 30 day extension.  Then in early July, 2011, CVFD was told that the contract would be extended another 60 days only if CVFD agreed to dissolve and give all of its assets to the Town of Cramerton and the actual winding down would take place during the 60 day extension.  On July 18, 2011, the members and the Directors of CVFD met and the members voted unanimously not to dissolve CVFD.  We notified the Town attorney on July 20, 2011, that the members had voted not to dissolve CVFD.  Then on July 25, 2011, the Town issued a press release and on July 26, 2011, a letter was sent to the County Fire Marshall advising him of the Town’s intention not to renew the contract with CVFD and asking the county to make arrangements for all 911 calls for the Town of Cramerton to be covered by other fire departments effective 12:01 a.m. August 1, 2011.

Without a signed contract, effective midnight July 31, 2011, CVFD will no longer be legally permitted to provide fire protection services to the Town of Cramerton or respond to any 911 calls.  Not only will the CVFD no longer have a contract to provide fire protection to the Town of Cramerton, but at midnight all of the insurance for CVFD will lapse under the law because it no longer has a contract with the Town of Cramerton or any other municipality to provide fire protection and it can’t operate without insurance.

The Cramerton Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. regrets that the Town of Cramerton has chosen to take this action.  On behalf of the volunteer fire men and women and the Board of Directors, we express our gratitude to all of the citizens of Cramerton who have supported us for the last 50 years.  It has been an honor and a privilege to protect and serve you these many years.  We will miss working for you as your volunteer fire department!

For Immediate Release: August 8, 2011
Raleigh – From the N.C. Office of State Fire Marshal
CO Alarms: The End of Life Warning
How do you know when you should replace a carbon monoxide alarm? That’s a common question fielded by the North Carolina Department of Insurance Office of State Fire Marshal, and a topic that’s of importantance to homeowners, firefighters and code officials.  Beginning in March 2007, UL 2034, the standard for single and multi-station carbon monoxide (CO) alarms required that all CO alarms have an audible “end of life” warning. The end of life warning alerts you that the unit has reached its expiration and should be replaced. Some manufacturers have volintarily included this warning on their products since 2001; pursuant to UL 2034, any CO alarm manufactured after April 2007 with a UL listing must include an end of life warning.
Additionally, UL 2075 aligned with UL 2034 in September 2009 in requiring end of life warnings for gas and vapor detectors and sensors covered under the standard. It is important for people to be able to recognize and understand the different alert sounds generated by smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms; different manufacturers use a variety of alarm sequences to indicate the end of the carbon monoxide alarm’s life. For example, a Kidde-brand carbon monoxide alarm will begin “chirping” every 30 seconds when it is
reaching its operational end of life. When in this mode, the alarm will not be able to detect carbon monoxide, and the chirping will only stop if power is cut off from the unit. During the end of life warning, Kidde CO alarms with a digital display will read “ERR,” and when the Peak Level Memory Button is pressed, the display will show “E,” “O” and “9.” The user will know that this is the end of life warning, and not a low battery warning, because the chirp will return if the batteries are replaced. If you are ever unsure about the expiration date of the carbon monoxide alarms, it is best to replace it with an alarm that meets the newest standards.
About Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide, or CO, is deadly gas that is invisible, odorless and colorless. It is created during the combustion process when fuels, such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas and oil, burn incompletely.
Potential sources of carbon monoxide around the home include heating and cooking equipment, and vehicles or generators running in attached garages. A person can be poisoned by a small concentration of CO over a longer time period, or by a larger concentration in a shorter period; the dangers depend on a number of variables, including the person’s health and activity level. Symptoms of CO exposure can be similar to those of the flu, food poisoning or other illnesses. If your carbon monoxide alarm sounds and you believe anyone in the household is experiencing carbon monoxide poisoning, everyone should move into fresh air and then call 911. If the alarm sounds and no one is experiencing symptoms, move into fresh air and call the fire department or a qualified technician to have the problem inspected. If you are unable to leave the home, call for help, open doors and and windows, and turn off all possible sources while you wait for assistance to arrive. Never ignore an alarm!
Safety Tips
• CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area, on every level of the home and in other locations where required by applicable laws, codes or standards. For best protection, interconnect all CO alarms throughout the home, so that when one sounds, they all sound.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement and mounting height.
• Choose a CO alarm that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
• Test CO alarms at least once a month; replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
• If the audible trouble signal sounds, check for low batteries. If the battery is low, replace it. If the
alarm still sounds, call the fire department.
• If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Do not run
a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if the garage doors are open. Make sure
the exhaust pipe of a running vehicle is not covered with snow.
• During and after a thunderstorm, make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove and fireplace are
clear of snow build-up.
• A generator should be used in a well-ventilated location outdoors away from windows, doors and vent
openings.
• Gas or charcoal grills can produce CO; only use them outside.

To prepare for a thunderstorm, you should do the following:

• Remove dead or rotting trees and branches that could fall and cause injury or damage during a severe thunderstorm.
  
  
• "If thunder roars, go indoors" because no place outside is safe when lightning is in the area. We want everyone to stay indoors until 30 minutes have passed after they hear the last clap of thunder.

Summary of Lightning Safety Tips for Inside the Home

• Avoid contact with corded phones
  
  
• Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. If you plan to unplug any electronic equipment, do so well before the storm arrives.
  
  
• Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, do not take a shower, do not wash dishes, and do not do laundry.
  
  
• Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
  
  
• Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls.

The following are guidelines for what you should do if a thunderstorm is likely in your area:

• Postpone outdoor activities.
  
  
• Get inside a home, building, or hard top automobile (not a convertible). Although you may be injured if lightning strikes your car, you are much safer inside a vehicle than outside.
  
  
• Remember, rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide NO protection from lightning. However, the steel frame of a hard-topped vehicle provides increased protection if you are not touching metal.
  
  
• Secure outdoor objects that could blow away or cause damage.
  
  
• Shutter windows and secure outside doors. If shutters are not available, close window blinds, shades, or curtains.
  
  
• Avoid showering or bathing. Plumbing and bathroom fixtures can conduct electricity.
  
  
• Use a corded telephone only for emergencies. Cordless and cellular telephones are safe to use.
  
  
• Unplug appliances and other electrical items such as computers and turn off air conditioners. Power surges from lightning can cause serious damage.
  
  
• Use your battery-operated NOAA Weather Radio for updates from local officials.

Avoid the following:

• Natural lightning rods such as a tall, isolated tree in an open area.
  
  
• Hilltops, open fields, the beach, or a boat on the water.
  
  
• Isolated sheds or other small structures in open areas.
  
  
• Anything metal—tractors, farm equipment, motorcycles, golf carts, golf clubs, and bicycles.

INFORMATION PROVIDED BY: http://www.fema.gov/hazard/thunderstorm/th_before.shtm

The Volunteer Fire Department Fund and Volunteer Rescue/EMS Fund was created to financially assist our State's greatest resource, our volunteer emergency personnel. The NC General Statutes have been amended to allow for limited paid personnel. Through dollar-for-dollar matching fund programs, the Department of Insurance assist fire departments and rescue/EMS organizations to purchase related equipment and to make capital expenditures.

For the last four years the Cramerton Volunteer Fire Department has been awarded grants from the NCDOI. In 2007 the department was awarded $18,345.50, 2008 we were awarded $27,527.00, 2009 we were awarded $9000.00, and 2010 we were awarded $19,708.50. These grant funds total $74,580.50 and have allowed us to purchase much needed equipment to maintain the level of service that we provide to our citizens and visitors as well as keep our volunteer staff equipped with safe equipment. Some of the money has allowed us to provide new services to the community that we otherwise could not afford.

CHAPTER 93: FIRE PROTECTION

Section

93.01 Interference with firefighters; false alarms

93.02 Interference with Fire Department vehicle

93.03 Congregating at fires

93.04 Obstructing or tampering with fire hydrants

93.05 Open burning

93.06 Metal containers required for gasoline and kerosene

93.07 Testing equipment and appliances

93.99 Penalty

' 93.01 INTERFERENCE WITH FIREFIGHTERS; FALSE ALARMS.

(A) As provided in G.S. ' 58-82-1, no person may willfully interfere in any manner with firefighters engaged in the performance of their duties.

(B) As provided in G.S. ' 14-286, no person may wantonly and willfully give a false alarm or damage fire alarm, detection or extinguishing equipment.

( > 87 Code, ' 12-1) Penalty, see ' 93.99

' 93.02 INTERFERENCE WITH FIRE DEPARTMENT VEHICLE.

(A) No person other than a member of the Fire Department may mount or ride upon any fire engine or apparatus before it leaves the station or while on its way to or from a fire or at any other time, except by permission of the Fire Chief.

(B) No person may impede the movement of any Fire Department vehicle answering a fire call or other emergency by getting in the way of riding or driving in front of or close to the sides of the vehicle.

( > 87 Code, ' 12-2) Penalty, see ' 93.99

' 93.03 CONGREGATING AT FIRES.

It shall be unlawful for persons to congregate on the streets, sidewalks or other areas adjacent to a fire so as to interfere with the operations of members of the Fire Department.

( > 87 Code, ' 12-3) Penalty, see ' 93.99

' 93.04 OBSTRUCTING OR TAMPERING WITH FIRE HYDRANTS.

(A) No person may obstruct with building material or otherwise any fire hydrant in a manner as to interfere with or obstruct the easy approach to or the convenient use of the same by the Fire Department; however, this section shall not apply to the closing of a street by order of the Town Council or to material necessarily placed in the street or work done therein by the town or its contractor for the purpose of paving or repairing it.

(B) No person except a town employee engaged in the official performance of his/her duties or a person expressly authorized to do so by the Town Manager or his/her designated representative may open, draw water or otherwise tamper with any public fire hydrant.

( > 87 Code, ' 12-4) Penalty, see ' 93.99

Section 93.05 – Open Burning

No person may burn or cause to be burned any material outside of a building within the corporate town limits, subject to the following exceptions:

• A town employee in the lawful performance of his duties;
• Small fires of wood, charcoal or artificial logs kindled in a commercially manufactured cooking or campfire pit, exterior fireplace or contained fire device, cooking device, grill or other similar outdoor eating or cooking device, when used for cooking, entertainment or outdoor enjoyment and when:

• Used on their own real property;
• Placed on a non-combustible surface, including fire retardant shields, carts and stands when in use;
• Not used in a covered, unventilated or confined space.
• Continuously attended by a person at least 16 years of age when in use;
• Placed a minimum of 5 feet from any combustible material when in use;
• Not used to burn paper, leaves or any noxious materials.

' 93.06 METAL CONTAINERS REQUIRED FOR GASOLINE OR KEROSENE.

No person may sell, place, dispense, keep in his/her possession or store on his/her premises any kerosene or gasoline except in proper metal containers.

( > 87 Code, ' 12-13) Penalty, see ' 93.99

93.07 TESTING OF EQUIPMENT AND APPLIANCES.

The Fire Prevention Division shall have the authority to require any means of testing it deems reasonable necessary to ascertain the safety of the installation of equipment or appliances. It the test indicates a dangerous condition, the service shall be discontinued until the hazard is removed.

( > 87 Code, ' 12-14)

' 93.99 PENALTY.

(A) A violation of this chapter shall constitute a misdemeanor, punishable as provided in G.S. 14-4.

(B) A violation of any of the sections in this chapter shall also subject the offender to a civil penalty of $25. If a person fails to pay this penalty within ten days after being cited for a violation, the town may seek to recover the penalty by filing a civil action in the nature of debt.

(C) The town may seek to enforce this chapter through any appropriate equitable action.

(D) Each day that a violation continues after the offender has been notified of the violation shall constitute a separate offense.

(E) The town may seek to enforce this chapter by using any one or any combination of the foregoing remedies.

( > 87 Code, ' 12-23)

(Source: www.cramerton.org)