News from York County

Department of Fire and Life Safety Reminds Residents to
"Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries"

October 13, 2011

FOR RELEASE AT WILL

It is that time of year again, when we "fall" back from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time and move our clocks back one hour at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 6th.  In today's fast-paced world, we often forget to stop and do the small things in life that matter most. The York County Department of Fire and Life Safety would like to remind you that when you change your clocks, you should also change the batteries in your smoke alarms.

York County Fire Chief Stephen Kopczynski states, "The 'Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery' program urges everyone to adopt the habit of changing smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm batteries when changing clocks, which could make the difference in surviving a fire in your home.

 

"A fire doubles in size every 30 seconds. The sound of the alarm may give you and your family those few extra seconds to get out and stay out of your home. Smoke is usually what kills fire victims, not the fire, because the smoke puts you in a deeper sleep and without the sound of the smoke alarm, you succumb to the smoke as you breathe it in."

The Department of Fire and Life Safety also recommends purchasing a carbon monoxide detector if you use gas or a fireplace for cooking and/or heating; have your furnace professionally inspected every year and check for carbon monoxide emissions and install a carbon monoxide alarm in the hallway near every separate sleeping area of the home.

According to Captain Paul Long, carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that can kill you before you are even aware it is in your house. It causes side effects such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, disorientation and fatigue that are often mistaken for the flu. These effects can vary greatly from person to person depending on age, overall health and length of exposure.

This year, families can visit www.facebook.com/energizerbunny  and join the Energizer Bunny® Brigade to take the pledge to change the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors when they change their clocks. By joining the Energizer Bunny Brigade, they will also be entered to win smoke alarms and batteries or the grand prize - a home fire safety makeover. Visitors can also sign-up for a helpful reminder on this page.

To save lives and to prevent needless injuries, start a life-saving habit this year: When You Change Your Clock, Change Your Batteries. "Checking your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and changing the batteries is one of the simplest things you can do to protect your family," said Long.

Citizens Additional Safety Tips, including those for space heaters and holiday safety, can be found on the Department of Fire and Life Safety website at www.yorkcounty.gov/fire.

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Yorktown Beach Picnic Area Closing
for the Season on November 1

October 13, 2011

FOR RELEASE AT WILL

The beach picnic area in Yorktown, located at the intersection of Comte de Grasse and Water Streets, will be closed to the public beginning Tuesday, November 1, and will reopen Sunday, April 1, 2012.

For more information on the beach picnic area, call York County Parks & Recreation at 890-3500.

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Mark Bellamy Appointed Director of
York County's Department of General Services

October 13, 2011

FOR RELEASE AT WILL

Mark Bellamy has been appointed as the Director of the County's Department of General Services.  

As the General Services Department director, Bellamy will coordinate and supervise operations of the Department of General Services, which oversees long-range and capital improvements projects, directs construction and maintenance of county buildings and grounds, and provides fleet management services for county vehicles and equipment. 

Before his new appointment Mr. Bellamy served as the County's Chief of Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance, a position he held for the last 10 years. In this capacity he performed administrative and supervisory work directing operations and maintenance of the county's fleet of vehicles and motorized equipment. 

"Mark has been an outstanding leader in our fleet services division," said McReynolds. "His qualifications along with his knowledge of York County will continue to benefit the organization and its citizens."

Prior to joining York County in March of 2002, Bellamy was owner/operator of an automobile repair franchise for 13 years. Bellamy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business from Virginia Wesleyan and an MBA from Averett University.

Bellamy and his wife, Robin, currently reside in Poquoson and soon will be relocating to York County. They have two grown daughters.

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