Editor’s note: The following article was written by the Directorate of Emergency Services division chiefs to inform the Fort Carson community of current policies and procedures. Visit https://www.carson.army.mil/, and follow Facebook @USArmyFortCarson for the most updated information and procedures.
Security access control
Crime prevention policy — All Fort Carson personnel are reminded to review the Fort Carson Garrison Commander’s crime prevention policy, Command Policy Memorandum GC Policy 14. This memo identifies some basic techniques to protect Army and personal property. It requires that Army property will be secured in accordance with applicable regulations and prohibits the storage of CTA-50 equipment in privately owned vehicles. It also provides guidance on the use of Fort Carson Form 2031-E, the Personal Property Record, which is mandatory for all Soldiers living in the barracks. Finally, it gives commanders some web links to help them develop their unit crime prevention programs. The policy letter is available on the Fort Carson portal at: http://installation.carson.army.mil/USAG/Garrison%20Commanders%20Policy%20Letters/Forms/AllItems.aspx.
Emergency Communications Center (ECC)
Tips from 9-1-1:
1) Whether you are calling for a legitimate emergency or dialed by mistake, stay on the line.
2) Be prepared to give your location/building number, phone number and name.
3) Stay calm and answer all of the dispatcher’s questions. Your answers help to determine what type of help needs to be sent and ultimately helps to keep the scene safe until responders arrive.
Examples of incidents that you should call 911 for:
- Someone is hurt or very ill
- Any accident where someone is injured or property is damaged
- Medical emergencies (serious bleeding, choking, seizures, traumatic injuries, heart attack, etc.)
- To report a fire
- To report a crime that is in progress (burglary, domestic violence, active assailant, child abuse, etc.)
Examples of incidents that are not emergencies and should still be reported to the non-emergency number for the police (719-526-2333):
- Crimes that are not in progress and there is no suspect on scene or in the area
- Noise complaints
- Barking dogs
- Lost property
- Parking complaints
- Neighbor complaints
- Abandoned vehicles
- Fraud
- Juvenile Complaints
Fire and emergency services
New year fire safety — A new year is time for a fresh start when it comes to fire safety. With winter temperatures dipping below freezing, families across the country fire up their furnaces, boilers, space heaters, wood stoves and other heating devices to beat the cold and keep their homes warm and snug. Unfortunately, the very appliances that ward off the winter chill can put you in danger of a house fire. January is the leading month for residential home fires, accounting for 21% of the total, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, and home heating is the second leading cause of all fires, after cooking. Don’t let your home become a statistic. Take the following steps to reduce your risk of a house fire.
- Clean your chimney: Creosote can build up from normal fireplace usage and clog the chimney from below; the chimney can also be clogged from above if debris falls in or if the chimney itself starts to deteriorate. Either way, it’s a danger. Make sure your chimney is cleaned each year before using it.
- Get your HVAC equipment serviced: You should have a technician pay a visit once a year to make sure your furnace and other equipment is in good working order. Your service professional can perform routine maintenance, repair any issues and instruct you on how to maintain your unit. Some maintenance, like replacing air filters monthly, you can do yourself in compliance with manufactures instructions.
- Be careful with that space heater: Space heaters can be a convenient way to heat small areas, but they come with several caveats. Be very wary of liquid-fueled heaters – older models shouldn’t be used indoors at all, although newer models can be safe if you diligently follow all instructions regarding fueling and operation. Even electric heaters can cause problems, because they draw a lot of power which can overload the circuits in older homes. If you decide to use a space heater, make sure it is in no danger of tipping over, and never leave it running unattended. Space heaters account for one third of all heating fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association, so be careful.
- Keep combustible material like furniture, carpet and curtains away from heat sources: Leave a few feet of clearance between your stove, space heaters, radiators and other heat sources.
- Don’t thaw pipes with a blowtorch: Frozen pipes are a serious problem, and thawing the ice is critical to avoiding a burst pipe and the expensive damage that can accompany it. There are good options to heat the problem area – a hair dryer, heat lamp, space heater, hot towel or specialized heat tape will do the trick. Avoid open flames, which create a fire hazard.
- Test your smoke detectors: It takes only a moment to ensure your smoke detectors work. If you do have a fire, they could save your life.
By following these fire prevention tips and measures, you can greatly reduce the risk of fire in your home and prepare for a safe new year. Take simple precautions and these potential fire hazards can be avoided. Contact Fort Carson Fire and Emergency Services at 719-503-3473 for more information.
Police Provost Marshal Division
Phone and online extortion scams — As we get closer to Valentine’s Day, you may be feeling some extra love in the air. Your most recent online interaction might feel like love at first swipe. But beware, while it may seem like a great time for romance, it’s also an opportune time for romance scams. In the most recent scam, an individual claiming to be an officer tells a victim they had been talking to underage girls online and their parents called the police. Although the scenario may differ in some cases, inevitably the “officer” attempts to make a deal with the victim for payment using gift cards or money orders rather than pressing criminal charges. This is a common scam that has run nationwide daily for the last three to four years.
Scammers use media releases, social media, or online searches to locate the names of investigators at the local police departments, so they can make their claim seem more real.
Some simple safety tips to consider: If you are asked for money, hang up. No legitimate agency would ever demand money from you. Beware of online and long-distance relationships where you’ve never met the person and don’t send them money. If they ask you to pay for items, that should be the first clue of a potential scam. Be careful what you post and make public online and don’t share sensitive information, photos or videos.
Extortion is a crime, so don’t be afraid to call the police. While the suspect may make threats or claims that you’re going to get in trouble, they are the one committing a crime.
