Fire department issues grilling, smoke alarm and CPR reminders for residents

Fairfax City Fire Department personnel delivered multiple public-safety reminders during a community briefing covering grill safety, hands-only CPR and smoke-alarm maintenance.

Ryan Hill of the City of Fairfax Fire Marshal's Office advised residents on safe grilling: "Check your propane tank for leaks before using it," Hill said, and urged people to place grills away from their homes and to keep grills clean. He also advised keeping a fire extinguisher nearby.

Mitch Fetterman, a firefighter-paramedic, demonstrated hands-only CPR steps and encouraged taking a CPR course. "If they are not breathing after looking, listening, and feeling for 10 seconds, at that point, you would want to start CPR by providing chest compressions in the middle of the chest," Fetterman said.

Firefighter Josh summarized smoke-alarm advice: place alarms outside sleeping areas and on every floor, keep batteries fresh and test alarms regularly. He emphasized practicing an escape plan and selecting a family meeting location in case of fire.

The presentations were instructional public-safety announcements and did not include requests for policy changes or formal council action.