Upper Providence Newsletter

In 2005 the Department of Transportation completed a comprehensive study of crashes in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. On average there are approximately 140,000 crashes reported every year in the Commonwealth. Thankfully, the vast majority of accidents are not fatal. Most crashes, however, do cause varying types of injuries and the economic loss as a result of traffic crashes is staggering. In 2005 the economic loss due to traffic crashes was $1,006.00 for every man, woman and child in Pennsylvania. Studies also indicate that a majority of the crashes are avoidable. As a result of the study, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Dept. of Transportation initiated intensive education and enforcement campaigns aimed at lowering the number of crashes.

For the past 2 years, Upper Providence Township Police have taken a proactive position and we are committed to making our roadways safe for everyone. Our officers routinely engage in Click-it or Ticket, Smooth Operator and Roving DUI Enforcement campaigns to educate motorists and enforce the laws of the Commonwealth. The results are measurable and encouraging.

In addition to special education and enforcement campaigns, we have an officer assigned to traffic safety. The Traffic Safety Officer’s primary responsibility is to enforce the motor vehicle laws and investigate traffic crashes. If you are experiencing a traffic related problem on a daily basis, please feel free to contact the police department at 610-565-8445 and the TSO will address your concerns. In addition, I encourage you to call 911 immediately if you witness an aggressive or suspected intoxicated driver. Please Buckle-Up and Drive Safely!

YARD WASTE COLLECTION DATE CHANGE

Beginning this January, the collection date for yard waste has changed from the first Wednesday of each month to the third Wednesday. January 16th is the first collection in 2008..

The date was changed in an effort to coordinate with the County’s Compost Farm drop off dates.

Residents should place yard waste (shrubbery, tree trimmings, leaves and similar vegetation—(excluding grass clippings) at curbside in biodegradable bags. Please be sure that the diameter of any tree trimmings does not exceed 4 inches and bundles are no longer than 4 feet.

Please note: The leaf pick up program will continue every Wednesday at curbside in biodegradable bags until January 16, 2008.

Biodegradable bags are available for purchase in home centers, supermarkets, and at the Township building.

Upper Providence Township 935 N. Providence Road Media, PA 19063-1499 www.upperprovidence.org email:info@upperprovidence.org 610-565-4944 Fax: 610-565-8924 Office hours 8:30-4:30 M-F All EMERGENCY CALLS 911
POLICE BLOTTER BY CHIEF MONTELLA Action Shots!! Rose Tree Fire Company
In 2005 the Department of Transportation completed a comprehensive study of crashes in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. On average there are approximately 140,000 crashes reported every year in the Commonwealth. Thankfully, the vast majority of accidents are not fatal. Most crashes, however, do cause varying types of injuries and the economic loss as a result of traffic crashes is staggering. In 2005 the economic loss due to traffic crashes was $1,006.00 for every man, woman and child in Pennsylvania. Studies also indicate that a majority of the crashes are avoidable. As a result of the study, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Dept. of Transportation initiated intensive education and enforcement campaigns aimed at lowering the number of crashes. For the past 2 years, Upper Providence Township Police have taken a proactive position and we are committed to making our roadways safe for everyone. Our officers routinely engage in Click-it or Ticket, Smooth Operator and Roving DUI Enforcement campaigns to educate motorists and enforce the laws of the Commonwealth. The results are measurable and encouraging. In addition to special education and enforcement campaigns, we have an officer assigned to traffic safety. The Traffic Safety Officer’s primary responsibility is to enforce the motor vehicle laws and investigate traffic crashes. If you are experiencing a traffic related problem on a daily basis, please feel free to contact the police department at 610-565-8445 and the TSO will address your concerns. In addition, I encourage you to call 911 immediately if you witness an aggressive or suspected intoxicated driver. Please Buckle-Up and Drive Safely! YARD WASTE COLLECTION DATE CHANGE Beginning this January, the collection date for yard waste has changed from the first Wednesday of each month to the third Wednesday. January 16th is the first collection in 2008.. The date was changed in an effort to coordinate with the County’s Compost Farm drop off dates. Residents should place yard waste (shrubbery, tree trimmings, leaves and similar vegetation—(excluding grass clippings) at curbside in biodegradable bags. Please be sure that the diameter of any tree trimmings does not exceed 4 inches and bundles are no longer than 4 feet. Please note: The leaf pick up program will continue every Wednesday at curbside in biodegradable bags until January 16, 2008. Biodegradable bags are available for purchase in home centers, supermarkets, and at the Township building.	Officers investigate a serious crash on the Media Bypass Officer Jackson conducts a traffic stop on the Media Bypass Keep updated on police activity by visiting the Police Department (right side) of Township website New Web Address www.rosetreefire.com What to Do If the Alarm Goes Off by Matthew Poissant, President, RTF Co. - Alert everyone in the home and get out as quickly as possible. - Do not stop to get anything. Unless you have been trained, do not try to fight a fire. - Stay as close to the floor as possible—smoke and heat rise. The air is clearer and cooler near the floor. - Before opening a door, feel the door with the back of your hand. If the door is hot use another exit. - Close all doors behind you. - Call 9-1-1 after you are out of the house. - Family members should meet at your family meeting place outside of the home. If you are unable to escape, close the door and seal the bottom of the door with a towel or blanket to keep the smoke out. Stay near a window and close to the floor. Call 9-1-1 and tell the dispatcher that you are trapped. Give the dispatcher your exact location and do not hang up the telephone. If possible, signal for help by waving a cloth or sheet out the window. Smoke Alarm Facts by Matthew Poissant, President, RTF Co. As a minimum, smoke alarms should be installed in each sleeping area and at each level of your home. 80% of fires are in homes without smoke alarms . Of the homes with smoke alarms, 19% of those alarms do not work. 80% of child fire fatalities occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire nearly in half by providing an early warning and critical extra seconds to escape.	FACTS FROM THE FIRE MARSHAL *BY ALAN MANCILL* The Fourth Annual Staci Allen award was presented to Charles Jordan at the December 13, 2007, Council Meeting. Staci Allen was a long time member of the Rose Tree Fire Company. She was very involved and dedicated to helping with fire prevention education in the schools. In her honor, this award is presented annually to an outstanding firefighter who shows that same dedication during fire prevention week. Practice Your Escape Plan In last year’s Township newsletter, I reminded readers to have a home plan and practice fire drills. The theme for Fire Prevention Week in October 2007 was “Practice Your Escape Plan!” Kindergarteners, preschoolers, and first graders across the Township participated in programs conducted by your Firie Marshal and Rose Tree Fire Co. volunteers. In addition, each year the Fire Marshal witnesses at least one fire drill per school year in the Township to confirm safe evacuation practices for your children at school, before/after school program, or day care center. Speaking of plans, do you have an emergency management plan for your family? In the event of disastrous weather, for instance, do you have flashlights that work? Enough bottled water? Battery-operated radio (back up fresh batteries, too?) Non-perishable food items stored safely? Hopefully, neither your family fire drill plan nor family fire drill plan will ever actually be needed. But, as a famous person once said, “I love it when a plan comes together!” For planning information, go to www.readygov/america/makeaplan/index or pick up a copy of “Residents Awareness & Emergency Preparedness Guide” produced by Delaware County Local Emergency Planning Committee. Home Alarm Systems Is your hard-wired alarm system registered with the Upper Providence Police Department? It should be. Smoke detectors and alarms need a cleaning at least annually, more often would be better. False alarms can be caused by bad system design, dirt or dust around sensors, old detectors, etc. Routine maintenance will help. If your smoke alarm is not hard wired, be sure to change the batteries in them when you change your clocks in spring and fall. There should be at least one smoke alarm per floor. And, take care of your neighbor who may need help changing the batteries because the detector is too hard to reach or the back won’t come off easily enough.

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