Colington Volunteer Fire Department

Kill Devil Hills, NC

Lightning Safety

Summer is the peak time of the year for lightning strikes and lightning fires, especially on the Outer Banks. However, lightning does occur year round.  It’s important to be prepared.  Did you know that lightning can reach up to 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit?  That’s hotter than the surface of the Sun!  According to the National Weather Service, lightning starts an average of 4,400 house fires annually and countless outdoor fires.

You may have heard the phrase, “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors”.  If you can hear thunder, you are within striking distance of lightning. Look for shelter inside a home, large building, or a hard-topped vehicle right away. Do not go under tall tress for shelter. There is no place outside that is safe during a thunderstorm.  Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before leaving your shelter.  From 2004 to 2013, there were 13 lightning fatalities in NC.  North Carolina is in the top 10 nationwide for lightning fatalities, according to the NWS.

  • Stay away from windows and doors.
  • If you are in or on open water, go to land and seek shelter immediately.  Get out of the water!
  • If you feel your hair stand on end, that means lightning is about to strike, put your feet together and squat low to the ground. Place your hands over your ears and duck your head. Make yourself the smallest target possible and minimize your contact with the ground. Do not lie flat on the ground. This is a last resort when a building or hard-topped vehicle is not available.
  • Protect your pets: Dog houses are not safe shelters. Dogs that are chained to trees or on metal runners are particularly vulnerable to lightning strikes.

If a person is struck by lightning, call 9-1-1 and get medical care immediately. Lightning strike victims carry no electrical charge so give them assistance immediately. Check their breathing, heartbeat, and pulse. CPR may be needed.

At home during storms, unplug appliances and other electrical items, like computers and TV’s, and turn off air conditioners before the storm (to reduce the chance of being electrocuted). If you are unable to unplug them, turn them off. Stay off corded phones, computers, and other electronic equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity or plumbing. Avoid washing your hands, bathing, doing laundry, or washing dishes.

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Colington Volunteer Fire Department

Colington Volunteer Fire Department

The Mission of the Colington Volunteer Fire Department is to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors to the Colington community through the efficient delivery of fire protection, basic medical and life safety services.

Colington Volunteer Fire Department
6 days ago
Colington Volunteer Fire Department

Why is our Ocean Rescue Supervisor standing in a large hole with a frustrated look on his face, you may ask?

👉Because someone decided to dig a massive hole on our beach and leave it unattended. 🤦‍♀️

I guess we need to say it a little louder for the people in the back, 📢 𝗗𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠 𝗨𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗦 𝗘𝗫𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗟𝗬 𝗗𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗦!!! ⚠️❗️
⬇️
Why are they dangerous? We're glad you asked:

🦈Did you know that national statistics comparing sand hole collapses to shark attacks confirms that 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗽𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗮 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸. (𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘖𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰.)

🧑‍⚕️No one goes to the beach thinking that they will leave with a broken ankle or worse. Unattended holes can cause numerous injuries to other beach-goers.

🚑 Holes make it challenging for first responders to quickly get to an emergency on the beach. They can also cause damage to their vehicles.

🐢 Who doesn’t love cute little sea turtles?! Holes on the beach can trap hatchlings and/or their mother and cause fatal results.

⚠️⚠️⚠️
Digging holes in the sand can be a serious hazard. If you want to dig a hole on the beach, ONLY dig shallow holes and ALWAYS fill them in once you're finished. Help keep everyone on our beaches safe.
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tomsriver.org/teen-killed-and-another-was-injured-when-a-hole-collapsed-on-toms-river-beach/

Colington Volunteer Fire Department
1 week ago
Colington Volunteer Fire Department

You are not forgotten, Sergeant Earl Murray.Dare County Sheriff's Office
Public Service Announcement
May 15, 2022

We remember Nags Head Police Department Sgt. Earl Murray who lost his life on this day, 2009, while on duty.
Thank you for your service and to all that serve and have served honorably.
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You are not forgotten, Sergeant Earl Murray.
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Colington Volunteer Fire Department
2 weeks ago
Colington Volunteer Fire Department

Happy Birthday to another of our great volunteer firefighters, that also started a Cadet. James Phillips, we hope you have an awesome day! ... See MoreSee Less

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James have a wonderful birthday brother.

Happy Birthday James

Happy birthday James!

Happy Birthday!!!!

Happy Birthday

Thank you all

Happy Birthday James. Have a great day

Happy Birthday James Phillips!

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2022 Monthly Calls

MonthEMSFire
Jan4515
Feb3810
Mar3517
Apr4014
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Total

2021 Monthly Calls

MonthEMSFire
Jan4415
Feb487
Mar4711
Apr6326
May3812
Jun4828
Jul4224
Aug4621
Sep4512
Oct5112
Nov5114
Dec4810
Total571192

Contact Information

Colington Volunteer Fire Department
108 Schoolhouse Rd
Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

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Phone

Emergency: 911
Phone: 252.441.6234

Weather Forecast

Kill Devil Hills, NC
68°
partly cloudy
77% humidity
wind: 17mph NE
H 72 • L 63
65°
Tue
67°
Wed
71°
Thu
75°
Fri

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