On Monday night, the City Council voted unanimously to approve the hiring of Mark Emert as chief of the fire department.  Emert's latest role has been the Assistant Fire Chief for the Affton (MO) Fire Protection District.  Mark promoted through the ranks at Affton over a 25-year career.

Emert is heavily involved in training in Missouri, and was awarded The Greater St. Louis Area Fire Chiefs Association and The Greater St. Louis Area Training Officers Association Instructor of the Year in 2011.  Emert is also nearing completion of his Bachelor's Degree in Fire Service Management from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Mark is also claims to be a decent hunter and fisherman, but we'll surely put him to the test to verify that he's not just blowing smoke.

Congratulations, Chief Emert, and welcome to the Collinsville Fire Department!

Local 2625 and Collinsville Fire Department remind you to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms when you change your clocks for Daylight Savings Time.

Follow these 10 easy tips from the U.S. Fire Administration on smoke alarms:

• Place a smoke alarm on the ceiling of every level of your home and outside bedrooms. Children and older people can sleep though the loud sound of a smoke alarm. Make sure your escape plan includes someone that can help children and others wake up imm
• One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to have a working smoke alarm that can sound fast for both a fire that has flames, and a smoky fire that has fumes without flames. It is called a "Dual Sensor Smoke Alarm."
• ediately to escape from the home.
• If you keep your bedroom doors closed, place a smoke alarm on the ceiling of each bedroom.
• Check smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button.
• Never take smoke alarm batteries out to put into other items like games or remote controls.
• Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do when they hear the alarm sound.
• If there is a fire, leave the home right away by crawling low under the smoke and never go back inside.
• If smoke from cooking makes the alarm sound, press the "hush" button, if your alarm has one. You can also turn on the kitchen fan, open a window or wave a towel near the alarm until it stops making the sound. Never take the battery out of the alarm.
• Most alarms need a new battery at least once a year. Some smoke alarms have batteries that last for up to 10 years. If your smoke alarm is over 10 years old, replace it with a new alarm and a new battery.
• If you rent, talk to your landlord about placing a working smoke alarm in your home. You still need to buy a new battery at least once a year for the alarm.

If you need assistance acquiring or installing a detector or battery, Collinsville Fire Department has a Leave 'Em Safe program.  Contact the Fire Department at 346-5022 ext. 8 for more information.