DECLARATIONS of Independence, Summer 2017 8 INDEPENDENCE FIRE DISTRICT NEWS June and July are peak months for summer grilling fires! POLICE DEPARTMENT The face of law enforcement in Independence has changed quite a bit over the years. While it wasn’t until 1975 that a formal police department was officially established, archives indicate there has been some type of law enforcement in the City since at least the early 1900s. Records are a bit spotty because several times over the years, a police agency would be created, then later abolished. However, there have been town marshals, sheriff’s deputies, county police, state troopers and part-time police officers who have kept watch over the City for more than a century. In the early 1990s the department consisted of nine police officers.Things began growing rapidly about that time and today there are 33 sworn officers.Thanks to those men and women and the officers who came before, our community is consistently named one of the safest cities in the state. Here are just a few of the retired police officers who have helped make Independence such a wonderful place to live. Thank you for your service!! IPD – Thanking those who have served Fire departments nationwide responded to an annual average of 8,900 fires caused by grills, hibachis and barbecues from 2009 to 2013, according to a National Fire Protection Association report.Those 8,900 fires caused an annual average of 10 deaths, 160 injuries and $118 million in property damage.The following rules and recommendations will help ensure your backyard cookout serves up good food and fun times, not tragedy. • Stay alert when grilling. Do not grill if you are sleepy or when you are drinking alcohol. • Don’t leave your cooking/grill area unattended. • Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area. Remove flammable materials from around the grill. • Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors. • Grills should be placed well away from the home and deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. • Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. NOTE: A light soap and water solution applied to the hose is a great way to check for leaks.You can often smell a propane leak but propane will also release bubbles when the soap and water solution is applied. If you detect a leak, turn the gas tank and grill off. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department. • Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before igniting. • Keep your grill clean by regularly removing grease or fat buildup from the grates and trays below. • If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquid to the flames. • When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container with a lid. • Grilling is prohibited on apartment balconies. Patrol Officer Kevin Gill ret. 8-16-04 Captain Brian Butler ret. 12-31-07 Captain Ed Bailey ret. 8-20-09 Patrol Officer Mark Hampton ret. 11-30-09 Patrol Officer JimWhite ret. 9-30-10 Lieutenant Phil Dunford ret. 1-31-12 Patrol Officer Greg Hallau ret. 7-31-13 Chief Shawn Butler ret. 6-30-15 Detective Jim Moore ret. 11-30-15 Police Clerk Nancy Slusher ret. 12-31-15 Lieutenant Scott Schultz ret. 12-31-15 Assistant Chief David Nichols ret. 7-31-16 Patrol Officer JamesWelsh ret. 7-31-16 Sergeant Mike Richman ret. 12-31-16 Captain MikeThatcher ret. 2-28-17 Patrol Officer Danny Bridges ret. 12-31-07/ 3-31-17