The Turlock Fire Department responded to a total of 460 incidents during the month of July. These included a total of 281 emergency medical service calls.

Turlock Fire responded to 14 motor vehicle accidents, and 21 commercial/residential fire alarms. There were a total of 32 fire type calls: two building fires, five vehicle fires, one unauthorized burning, five cooking fires, 10 vegetation and/or rubbish fires, one excessive heat from an outlet, one outside equipment fire, one authorized control burn, five Dumpster fires, and one additional fire classified as “other.”

Remaining incidents consisted of public assists, ring or jewelry removal, animal rescue, smoke checks, gas leaks, hazmat investigation, etc.

Additional noteworthy events included a four-plex fire. Upon arrival, fire personnel found an attached car port portion of a four-unit townhouse complex on fire. All occupants were evacuated out of the complex during fire suppression efforts. There were multiple exposures that sustained damaged due to the fire. All four fire engine companies, the battalion chief and fire marshal responded to this incident for a total of 14 fire personnel on scene.

Another noteworthy call was to an activated carbon monoxide detector in the early morning hour. Fire personnel arrived and determined there to be no carbon monoxide hazard to the residents.

It’s the Law

California’s SB 183 requires a carbon monoxide detector be installed in all existing and future dwellings intended for human occupancy that have a fossil fuel burning appliance, fireplace or an attached garage by July 1.

Additionally, it is recommended that if your current CO detectors are over 10 years old, a more current model should replace it. For more information, contact Fire Administration at 668-5580.

Fire Safety Tip

Heat Emergencies

Turlock Fire Department would like to make you aware of three common heat emergencies. We are still in the summer months with more hot days to come, so it’s important to learn the signs and what to do if you or someone you know has a heat emergency.

·         Heat cramps

Heat cramps happen when the body loses too much salt and water through sweat and are usually caused by activity in hot weather.

Signs of heat cramps include pain or cramping in the arms, legs or stomach. What to do: Get to a cooler place and drink water slowly.

·         Heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion occurs when a person is exposed to hot temperatures and loses too much water and salt from their body through sweat. It’s the first sign of a more dangerous condition called heat stroke.

Signs of heat exhaustion include cool, moist, pale or pink skin; heavy sweating; headache; and feeling nauseous, dizzy, weak or very tired. What to do: Get to a cooler place, take off or loosen tight clothing. Put wet towels on the skin to cool the person down, give the person small amounts of water to drink if he or she is awake. Call 9-1-1 if the person will not drink water, vomits or loses consciousness.

·         Heat stroke

Heat stroke happens when the system that controls the body’s temperature stops working. It can be caused by not drinking enough water or being exposed to extreme heat. Body temperatures can rise over 106 degrees. Heat stroke can be deadly.

Signs of heat stroke include hot and red skin, changes in consciousness and high body temperature. What to do: call 9-1-1 right away. Move the person to a cooler place while you wait for help to arrive. Put wet towels on the person’s skin to help cool them down.