Announcement

OPVFD issues winter safety reminders, thanks community for support

Monday, January 27, 2025

(Jan. 27, 2025) The Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department issued a series of winter safety reminders and expressed gratitude to the community for its support during a recent missing child incident.

OPVFD President Joe Enste addressed these topics during the Ocean Pines Association Board meeting on Saturday.

Enste began his remarks by cautioning residents to stay vigilant during the winter months, especially as colder weather persists.

“We could still get another polar vortex,” Enste said. “Please be smart when we’re heating our homes.”

He emphasized the importance of having working carbon monoxide detectors in homes with gas-burning or wood-burning appliances, citing a recent call where OPVFD responded to a home with carbon monoxide levels nearing 100 parts per million due to a leaking hot water heater.

“Thankfully, we were able to turn everything off and secure it but, if they didn’t have a CO detector, they wouldn’t have known about it,” he said.

Enste also urged residents to avoid unsafe practices, such as bringing generators indoors or improperly using space heaters.

“With space heaters, you should only have them on if you’re in the room and paying attention to them,” he said. “If you go to bed at night, don’t leave them on. If you leave your house, don’t leave them on. These are how accidents happen.”

In addition to safety reminders, Enste provided updates on the Fire Department’s fundraising efforts.

“We’re still doing our Queen of Hearts game,” he said, adding that new fundraisers will launch in the coming weeks and months.

Enste also took time to thank the community for its overwhelming support during a search for a missing 10-year-old child on Jan. 21.

The Fire Department, in a release on Jan. 22, said more than 135 concerned citizens reported to the South Station to assist, braving snow and sub-20°F temperatures.

The child, who is autistic, was reported missing at approximately 5:40 p.m. and was located safely by 8:07 p.m. after a coordinated search involving over 50 fire and EMS personnel, more than 50 law enforcement officers, and numerous emergency services staff.

“Last night truly highlighted the strength and compassion of our community,” Enste said in the release. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who played a role in this successful outcome – on-duty, off-duty, volunteer, and retired first responders, as well as every citizen who stepped up to help.”

Enste echoed that gratitude on Saturday, thanking the community and the Ocean Pines Police Department for their partnership during the search effort. “Thank you to everybody that did that,” he said.

The Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department continues to serve the community and urges residents to prioritize safety as winter continues.

For more information on fire safety and upcoming fundraisers, visit opvfd.com.

Announcement

OPVFD issues winter safety reminders, thanks community for support

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