As It Turns Cold Again, Many Will Use Space Heaters. And That Can Be Dangerous.
March 19, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue is encouraging residents to practice space heater safety and know the potential risks associated with home heating equipment.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fire deaths and space heaters account for 4 out of 5 home heating fire deaths.
Follow these tips to stay safe while heating your home:
- Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 ft. away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove or portable space heater.
- Portable space heaters should be turned OFF every time you leave the room and before going to bed.
- Never plug a space heater in a power strip.
- Install carbon monoxide detectors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never use an oven to heat your home.
For portable electric heaters:
- Place them on a solid, flat surface, away from high traffic areas and doorways.
- Use and purchase heaters with an automatic shut off so if they are tipped over they will shut off.
- Plug power cords directly into outlets and never into an extension cord.
- Inspect for cracked or damaged, broken plugs or loose connections; replace before using.
Heating Fire Facts:
- Most home heating fire deaths (86%) involved stationary or portable space heaters.
- The leading factor contributing to home heating fires (27%) was failure to clean, principally from solid-fueled heating equipment, primarily chimneys.
- The leading factor contributing to ignition for home heating fire deaths (54%) was heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress, or bedding.
- Nearly half (48%) of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February.
Need a free smoke detector in Escambia County? Call (850) 595-HERO.
Cantonment Woman Charged With Evidence Tampering, Littering For Tossing Out Pot At Starbucks
March 18, 2023
A Cantonment woman was charged with evidence tampering and cited for littering after she allegedly tossed pot out in front of a local Starbucks.
Savannah Boudreaux was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and felony tampering with evidence. She was released from the Escambia County Jail on a $6,000 bond.
An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy observed Boudreaux traveling on Highway 297A at 53 mph in a 45 mph zone. He initiated a traffic stop as the vehicle traveled west on Nine Mile Road through the Pine Forest Road intersection. While turning westbound, the deputy witnessed something being thrown out of the window, according to an arrest report.
The vehicle, occupied solely by Boudreaux, came to a stop just past Starbucks. The deputy walked back and located multiple marijuana buds in front of Starbucks, according to the report. Deputies also reported finding a rolled marijuana blunt inside the vehicle.
Escambia (AL) Sheriff’s Office Major Billy Blair Retires
March 18, 2023
Escambia County (AL) Sheriff’s Office Major Billy Blair has retired after 47 total years in law enforcement.
“I have known Bill my whole life and am glad I got to work along side him these last 4 years,” Sheriff Heath Jackson said. “People come and go, but this one is going to hurt! Congrats my friend, well deserved.”
Photo for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
One Child Killed, Two Children Injured In Pensacola House Fire
March 18, 2023
One child was killed and two other children were injured in a Pensacola house fire on Friday.
The Pensacola Fire Department and Pensacola Police Department received reports from dispatch of three children trapped inside the home in the 700 block of Zarragossa Street.
Officers arrived on scene to find one child near the doorway, and they moved the child away from the home and began to provide medical care. Officers then broke a window in an attempt to locate the other two children in the home.
Firefighters arrived on scene soon after and entered the home through the front door in severe smoke and heat conditions, locating and removing the other two children after a thorough search.
First responders from PFD, PPD, and Escambia County provided medical assistance to the victims on scene. One child was pronounced deceased on scene, and two children were transported to a local hospital by Escambia County EMS. Two PFD firefighters were evaluated for mild burns.
“This is a tragic day in our city,” said Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves. “It is a tragedy for everyone involved, and our hearts go out to the victim’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.”
“Thank you to our Pensacola Fire, Pensacola Police and all first responders for their quick response and unwavering dedication, even when it means risking their lives for others as they did once again today. Our hearts are especially heavy as we grieve the loss of a precious child in our community,” Reeves said.
Pensacola Fire Department received a call at approximately 12:43 p.m. reporting the residential structure fire. Crews arrived on scene at approximately 12:47 p.m. to find heavy smoke showing from the residence. There was severe fire damage throughout the home.
The Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosive Investigations is investigating the cause of the fire.
Want To Be A Firefighter? The Physical Abilities Test Is April 15
March 18, 2023
Escambia County Fire Rescue will hold a physical abilities test Saturday, April 15.
The test will take place at Pensacola Fire Department Station 4, at 1 North “Q” Street at 8 a.m. and is open to anyone interested in joining Escambia County Fire Rescue.
Certified firefighters with a certificate of completion must sign up for the certified test. Those without any fire certifications must sign up for the cadet test. The certified test is also open to volunteer firefighters needing a physical abilities test.
Click here to register for the certified test.
Click here to register for the cadet test.
In order to become an Escambia County Firefighter, participants must pass the test. Interviews for those who pass the test will take place the following day.
The certified test consists of:
- 1 3/4″ charged hose pull in 27 seconds
- Keiser sled in 60 seconds
- Tower evolution in six minutes
The cadet test consists of:
- 25 push-ups in two minutes
- 40 sit-ups in two minutes
- Run 1.5 miles in 15 minutes
- 1 3/4″ charged hose pull in 27 seconds
- Keiser sled in 60 seconds
- Tower evolution in six minutes
Certified Escambia County Firefighters receive a starting pay of $41,698 and numerous benefits including a $2,000 sign-on bonus, competitive pay and health benefits, a 48/96 schedule, 14 paid holidays, special teams’ incentive pay, and more.
Middle School Volleyball County Titles Go To Beulah Middle, Beulah Academy Of Science
March 18, 2023
In the Escambia County Middle School Volleyball Championships, the Beulah Middle School varsity (above) defeated the Ernest Ward Middle School varsity team (first below). And, the Beulah Academy of Science junior varsity (bottom) defeated the Bailey Middle School JV. Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Elementary Students Honored As Shining Stars
March 18, 2023
WSRE recently hosted the Shining Star Awards, honoring outstanding fifth grade students who have demonstrated exemplary citizenship and leadership, as well as demonstrating the core values of the Escambia County School District.
This is the 26th year that WSRE has hosted this awards ceremony, previously with the Greater Escambia Community Foundation and now in partnership with the Escambia County Principals Association which raised the funds to purchase the bicycles and also coordinated the event.
The 2023 Shining Stars are:
- Jim Allen Elementary — Bella Jenkins
- Bellview Elementary — Chloe Syverson
- Beulah Elementary — Mikayla Gill
- Blue Angels Elementary — Javier Perez
- Bratt Elementary — Jonah Carter
- Brentwood Elementary — Ashley Harrigan
- Hellen Caro Elementary — Annina Lathrop
- N B Cook Elementary — Ava Westley
- Cordova Park Elementary — Elijah Chaston
- Ensley Elementary — Mia Figueroa
- Ferry Pass Elementary — Kacey Hadley-Coble
- Global Elementary — Princena Saint Fleur
- Holm Elementary — Brandon Lester
- Kingsfield Elementary — Harper Hamilton
- Lincoln Park Elementary — Delcie Pasaska
- Lipscomb Elementary — Emery Truitt
- Longleaf Elementary — Braylen Fenelon
- McArthur Elementary — Amiir Thomas
- Molino Park Elementary — Lola Chavers
- Montclair Elementary — Kamari Pettiway
- Myrtle Grove Elementary — Jesse Stripling
- Navy Point Elementary — Jada Bush
- Oakcrest Elementary — Sophia Gibson
- Pensacola Beach Elementary — Anna McPherson
- Pine Meadow Elementary — Levi Mccranie
- Pleasant Grove Elementary — Dylan Roy
- Scenic Heights Elementary — Chloe Currie
- OJ Semmes Elementary — Amaya Scott
- Sherwood Elementary — Madeline Shank
- Suter Elementary — Joslynn Robins
- Warrington Elementary — Lianna Reed
- Weis Elementary — Terriona Fountain
- West Pensacola Elementary — Dumarian Hawkins
Suspect Arrested After Standoff, Shooting At SWAT Team
March 17, 2023
A suspect is in custody after a standoff with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and SWAT team Friday afternoon on Finley Drive.
Kyle William Faist, 26, was charged charged with firing a weapon in public or on a residential property and domestic violence related aggravated assault. Additional charges are pending for firing at the SWAT team. He was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond.
The ECSO responded to a reported domestic violence related armed disturbance about 12:40 p.m. on Finley Drive, which is off Jernigan Road between Nine Mile Road and Johnson Avenue.
According to ECSO Commander Andrew Hobbs, at least one shot was fired prior to their arrival. There were no reported injuries.
Faist barricaded himself inside a home and refused to come out. Authorities said he was the only one inside the home, and there were no hostages.
Negotiators worked for two and a half hours in an effort to get Fasist to surrender, but he refused. Four tear gas canisters were deployed into the home.
The ECSO said Faist then fired at the SWAT team members, and they returned fire.
“The suspect surrendered immediately and was taken into custody. No one was injured during the exchange,” ECSO said in a statement.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Photos: 28-Wheel Truck Gets Stuck On Railroad Tracks In Cantonment
March 17, 2023
A 28-wheel truck became stuck on the railroad tracks at a Cantonment crossing late Friday morning.
It happened at the Eden Lane crossing at Highway 95A. The low-bottom trailer hauling concrete crushing equipment bottomed-out on the tracks.
For more photos, click or tap here.
NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Barbour, click to enlarge.
Two Killed, Including 18-Year Old, In Highway 29 Wrong-Way Driver Crash
March 17, 2023
Two people were killed in a fiery wrong way driver crash on Highway 29 early Friday morning.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a white Chevrolet sedan was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of Highway 29 just south of Quintette Road at 12:41 a.m.
A burgundy Nissan SUV driven by an 18-year old female from Molino was northbound at the time, and the vehicles collided head-on.
The Chevrolet sedan caught fire with the driver still inside. Troopers said the sedan driver has not yet been identified.
Both drivers were pronounced deceased at the scene.
The 18-year old SUV driver was a Northview High School senior.
The FHP investigation is continuing.