Chainsaw Saftey

As victims of the recent ice storm turn to the task of cleaning up debris, the State of Missouri Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urge them to exercise caution. Many jobs will require the use of tools and machinery that, if used improperly, could result in serious injury or death.

The chain saw is one of the most efficient and productive power tools used for debris clean up. If used improperly it can be dangerous. To avoid harm, follow these simple instructions:

• Survey the job at hand and plan your task.
• Keep both hands on the chainsaw handles.
• Keep your eye on the blade and what you are cutting.
• Cut only on the right side of your body.
• Always cut below your head.
• Cut with the lower edge of the saw blade whenever possible. Cutting with the tip of the saw is inviting injury.
• Watch out when cutting limbs and branches that are bent, they may snap back and hit you.
• Let the chainsaw do the work. Don't try to force the saw.
• Wear protective clothing; a hard hat, goggles, safety shoes, gloves and trim-fitting clothes.
• Don't wear yourself out. Stay alert.

FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.

Information provided by FEMA. For more information please visit http://fema.gov

Sachs spent lifetime as firefighter, community volunteer By Raymond Castile
Thursday, March 19, 2009 9:28 AM CDT

Lonnie A. Sachs leaped out of childhood and ran straight for the nearest burning building.

Sachs, 45, died of cancer March 12 at his home in West Alton. The Rivers Pointe Fire Protection District battalion chief spent 32 years serving his community.

Sachs was just 13 years old when he joined the West Alton Volunteer Fire Department, an organization he would eventually lead as fire chief. Sachs’ father was a firefighter, so he began going on calls with his dad.

"Lonnie was a big boy, big enough and responsible enough to start at a young age," said Sachs’ friend of 16 years, Rivers Pointe Fire Chief Rick Pender.

Age requirements were more relaxed in those days, Pender said. The young Sachs assisted adult firefighters, picked up hoses and helped them clean up after fires. After Sachs became chief in 1983, he began pushing to transform the dues-supported volunteer department into a tax-supported fire protection district. Pender said Sachs made the department more professional by instituting weekly training sessions. He organized a weekly crew schedule, assigning firefighters to spend one week per month at the fire house. Instead of firefighters responding from home, they were able to immediately jump in the fire trucks, Pender said.

Rivers Pointe Assistant Fire Chief Kurt Machens, who knew Sachs for 20 years, said Sachs was a "very positive influence on the department."

"When he became chief, he stepped it up a notch, took it to the next level," Machens said. "He made the department what it is today, more active and professional."

The West Alton department finally became a fire protection district in 1999. The following year, Sachs retired as chief and became a battalion chief, a rank below assistant chief.

Leading the Junior Explorer classes became his main activity, Pender said. Sachs taught children about fire safety and explained how police, paramedics and firefighters performed their jobs.

In 2007, the West Alton and Portage des Sioux fire departments merged into the Rivers Pointe Fire Protection District. Sachs stayed on as battalion chief, creating computerized address maps for the entire West Alton and Portage des Sioux service area.

"That was his biggest accomplishment in the merger," Pender said. "He created the maps we use every day."

Sachs worked 10 years in the Orchard Farm School District maintenance department. Superintendent Dan Dozier said Sachs was well liked and known throughout the school district as a respected community volunteer. Dozier attended Sachs’ funeral Tuesday, as did a number of district staff and firefighters.

"We’ve been so busy preparing, it hasn’t quite sank in," Machens said after the funeral. "It hasn’t had time to hit everybody just yet."

Machens said Sachs’ top priority was his wife, Brenda Sachs, and two daughters, Michelle and Danielle. Sachs is also survived by his sister Cindy Georges, mother-in-law Jody Frazier, father-in-law George Schallenberg, and other family members.

He served four years on the West Alton fire department board of directors, and served on the St. Charles Dispatch and Alarm board. He was also a past member of the St. Charles Fire Chiefs Association, the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Besides family, firefighting and schools, Sachs loved duck hunting. Pender said Sachs introduced him to the sport.

"Lonnie had duck hunting down to perfection," Pender said. "He showed us all how to do it. He was a master of the art."

Sachs’ family requested that memorials be made to Brenda Sachs, care of Baue Funeral Home at 620 Jefferson St. in St. Charles.

--Story as it appeared in the St. Louis Suburban Journal

Rest In Peace - Battalion Chief Lonnie Sachs

May 28, 1963 - Mar. 12, 2009
Please join the Rivers Pointe Fire Protection District in honoring the life of Battalion Chief Lonnie Sachs - who died of natural causes this evening. For those who didn’t know Lonnie, it was commonplace to see him in his customary white chief’s helmet. However, Lonnie wore many more hats serving as a husband, father, uncle, cousin, and friend. Lonnie’s contributions to the fire department during the past 32 years have been immeasurable and he will not be forgotten. For information please refer to the Baue Funeral Home website

St. Baldricks

Rivers Pointe members took part in the St. Baldricks benefit to help cure kids' cancer. Thanks to all who participated!

Flood Fire Saftey

As you prepare for the threat of high water please take a minute to consider fire safety during high water. Please read the U.S. Fire Administrations article on Flood Fire Safety. Also, check fire extinguishers, check batteries in Smoke Detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Use caution when operating generators:
·Follow the manufacturer's instructions and guidelines when using generators.
·Use a generator or other fuel-powered machines outside the home. CO fumes are odorless and can quickly overwhelm you indoors.
·Use the appropriate sized and type power cords to carry the electric load. Overloaded cords can overheat and cause fires.
·Never run cords under rugs or carpets where heat might build up or damage to a cord may go unnoticed.
·Always refuel generators outdoors.
·Never connect generators to another power source such as power lines. The reverse flow of electricity or 'backfeed' can electrocute an unsuspecting utility worker.

Information provided by the U.S. Fire Administration