By Patrick Baron
PONTIAC – Being mindful of severe weather warnings and taking note of city ordinances when it comes to burning is paramount during the summer, according to Pontiac’s Fire Chief.
A recent guest on the WJEZ Community Forum, Pontiac Fire Chief Scott Runyon said people need to be aware if their surroundings when severe weather hits. Part of that, he said, is having a weather radio or keeping a close eye on weather notifications on a person’s smartphone.
“Generally when that severe weather comes up, myself and a few others are out watching what it’s doing,” said Runyon. “One of the biggest helpful things for the public if getting a NOAA weather radio. There’s many brands, they’re very good. They’ll alert you when the problems are coming up, they’re not very expensive and it’s well worth the money to spend.”
Runyon said sirens don’t usually go off until a tornado has started to form, in order to avoid “crying wolf.”
Runyon also discussed summer fire safety and what people can do to make sure their fires don’t spread or cause health damages to another person. He said people must take note of city ordinances to make sure of what they can and can’t burn.
“You cannot burn leaves and grass. It’s a city ordinance because the smoke that comes off leaves and grass, even though I personally don’t mind it, it does affect people with breathing problems because it’s kind of noxious,” Runyon explained.
Runyon also said not to burn garbage or construction materials.
Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].
