Josephine County, OR

Fire Extinguishers

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Fire Extinguishers 4899

A fire extinguisher is a storage container for a fire-extinguishing agent such as water or chemicals. Fire extinguishers are labeled according to the type of fire they are intended for. Using the wrong type of extinguisher on a fire can make the situation worse.

Traditionally, fire extinguishers have only been labeled A, B, C or D to indicate the type of fire they are to be used on.Recently, pictograms or pictures have come into use. A blue pictogram or picture on the extinguisher indicates the type of fire it should be used on, and a black picture with a slash through it indicates the type of fire it should not be used on. Fire extinguishers may have the letter indicators, pictograms, or both.

Fire Extinguisher Types

Class A: Ordinary Combustibles
- To be used on fires in paper, cloth, wood, rubber and many plastics. This is a water type extinguisher.

Class B: Flammable Liquids
- To be used on oils, gasoline, some paints, lacquers, grease in a frying pan or oven, solvents and other flammable liquids.

Class C: Electrical Equipment
- To be used on fires in wiring, fuse boxes and other energized electrical equipment.

Class D: Metals
- To be used on combustible metals such as magnesium or sodium.

Learn How To PASS

Pull the pin. Some extinguishers require the releasing of a lock latch, pressing a puncture lever or other similar motion.

Aim the extinguisher nozzle (horn or hose) at the base of the fire.

Squeeze or press the handle.

Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it goes out. Shut off the extinguisher. Watch for a reflash and reactivate the extinguisher if necessary. Foam and water extinguishers require a slightly different action. Read the instructions.

PASS - Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep

Remember - If there is a fire in your home, get everyone outside.
CALL 911
Fight a small fire only. If the fire gets big, get out!
Close doors to slow the fire spread and make sure you stay between the fire and an exit.

Buying and Maintaining a Fire Extinguisher

  1. If you plan to buy only one type of extinguisher, a multi-purpose dry chemical extinguisher labeled ABC puts out most types of fires.
  2. The larger the extinguisher, the more fire it puts out. Make sure you can hold and operate the one you purchase.
  3. Ask your dealer or contact your fire department to determine how to have your extinguisher serviced and inspected. Recharge or replace the extinguisher after any use.

For more information, contact your local fire department.

TIP: Using the wrong type of fire extinguisher can make the fire worse!
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Josephine County
Emergency Management
500 NW 6th Street
Grants Pass, OR 97526
em@josephinecounty.gov
541-474-5300

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Josephine County Emergency Management
3/17/2025
1 0
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Josephine County Emergency Management
3/16/2025
21 1
The weekend's excessive rainfall in Southern Oregon has created widespread road-related impacts on county-maintained roads. Nearly all areas of the county road system are being impacted. Known problem areas as of 1:30PM Sunday - Lower River Road @ Hunt Lane is closed due to high water. Gene Brown Road, O'Brien, closed due to high water Pleasant Valley Road, between Merlin Road and Tavis Road, closed due to high water Upper River Road @ Ft Vannoy School, high water 7000-8000 block of North Applegate Road, near Noble Dairy, significant debris across road, proceed with caution. This is NOT an all-inclusive list, as conditions continue to change. Drivers are reminded to limit travel to essential activities and allow themselves extra time to get to their destination. Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters. People underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in cars swept downstream. Many of these drownings are preventable. Never drive around the barriers blocking a flooded road. The road may have collapsed under that water. A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters. Residents can get information on sandbag suppliers at www.rvem.org/News/sandbags-faq" target="_blank">https://www.rvem.org/News/sandbags-faq For other safety tips www.rvem.org Turn Around Don’t Drown, National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown
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Josephine County Emergency Management
3/16/2025
22 1
The weekend's excessive rainfall in Southern Oregon has created widespread road-related impacts on county-maintained roads. Nearly all areas of the county road system are being impacted. Known problem areas as of 1:30PM Sunday - Lower River Road @ Hunt Lane is closed due to high water. Gene Brown Road, O'Brien, closed due to high water Pleasant Valley Road, between Merlin Road and Tavis Road, closed due to high water Upper River Road @ Ft Vannoy School, high water 7000-8000 block of North Applegate Road, near Noble Dairy, significant debris across road, proceed with caution. This is NOT an all-inclusive list, as conditions continue to change. Drivers are reminded to limit travel to essential activities and allow themselves extra time to get to their destination. Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water. The next highest percentage of flood-related deaths is due to walking into or near flood waters. People underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in cars swept downstream. Many of these drownings are preventable. Never drive around the barriers blocking a flooded road. The road may have collapsed under that water. A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks. It is NEVER safe to drive or walk into flood waters. Residents can get information on sandbag suppliers at www.rvem.org/News/sandbags-faq" target="_blank">https://www.rvem.org/News/sandbags-faq Other information about floods and safety tips www.rvem.org Turn Around Don’t Drown, National Weather Service: https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood-turn-around-dont-drown
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Josephine County Emergency Management
3/16/2025
4 0
UPDATE: 2/25/25 10:00am: Wayne has been located safely. * Date of Report: 02/24/2025 Case: 25-4214 Name: Wayne David Morris Age: 76 Sex: Male Race: White Height: 5'5" Weight: 180 Hair: Gray Eyes: Blue Information: Wayne was reported missing late Monday night. He was last seen on Vine Street around 3:00pm on 2/24/25. He was driving a gray 2020 Chevrolet Silverado with OR license plate 593MMB. The OnStar app shows the vehicle's last known location to be in the Hog Creek area around 4:30pm later that day. SAR has been activated. Please contact the Josephine County Sheriff's Office with any information. Phone: 541-474-5123
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Josephine County Emergency Management
2/25/2025
15 0
Update 02/03/2025 12:30pm: ODOT: SW Oregon: I-5 NB, MP 66: UPDATE - Crews have cleared stalled trucks in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5, 8 miles north of Grants Pass. Expect continued delays throughout the area due to winter conditions. Avoid travel until conditions improve. Visibility is limited; turn on headlights. Check road conditions at https://tripcheck.com/" target="_blank">https://tripcheck.com/ . More Info ODOT: SW Oregon: I-5 NB, MP 66: Expect delays in the northbound lanes of Interstate 5, 8 miles north of Grants Pass while crews work to clear stalled trucks blocking the road. Visibility is limited. Postpone travel until conditions improve. Do not detour on local or forest roads. Expect delays throughout the area due to winter conditions. Check road conditions at https://tripcheck.com/" target="_blank">https://tripcheck.com/ . More Info
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Josephine County Emergency Management
2/3/2025
13 0
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