Page 25 - BNP January 2016 web
P. 25
Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com www.TheCatoctinBanner.com The Catoctin Banner Newspaper January 2016 Page 25
Emmitsburg Area Home Fire Safety
Visits
In light of two recent area fires of significance, a Home Fire Safety
Visitation effort, including Smoke Alarm awareness information, began
Saturday, December 12, 2015, reaching Emmitsburg area residents. Red
Cross volunteers and local fire/rescue first responders were joined by other
safety advocates in going door-to-door, promoting the importance of having
working smoke alarms in place and helping to answer questions and/or
providing assistance with existing smoke alarms.
The joint effort was undertaken by a number of fire safety advocates
from across the region, working together to help assure fire safety in homes,
apartments, and similar residential occupancies.
The two recent fire events occurred on: Wednesday, December 2, 2015,
in a commercial/residential building (apartments) on South Seton Avenue
(residents displaced; business disruption); and Monday, December 7, 2015,
on West Main Street (double-fatality, plus one serious injury; residents
displaced).
During the Home Fire Safety Visitation effort, personnel were out and
about in the community, offering insights on simple and easy-to-accomplish
home fire safety measures, including installing free smoke alarms where
requested. Safety personnel—men and women—wore easily-identified
apparel, showing their affiliations.
Emergency services vehicles were seen in various neighborhoods during
visitation periods. Anyone interested can also call the Vigilant Hose
Company (VHC) fire station at 301-447-2728 to request a visit or follow-
up visit at a suitable time. A door-hanger information card was left at each
home if no one was home, as well as where residents may prefer safety teams
to return at a more convenient time to discuss safe practices and/or install an
alarm.
The new alarms have non-removable 10-year lithium batteries, plus also
include a “Hush” feature for accidental activations, such as from vapors
during cooking periods, from fire places when a damper is not initially
opened, and so forth. Teams will offer to replace any existing alarm more
than ten years old, including any that use 9-volt batteries, which must be
replaced at least yearly.
Jointly with the Vigilant Hose
Company, this important initiative
was taken in cooperation and
coordination with efforts already
underway by the American Red
Cross of Western Maryland,
the Town of Emmitsburg, the
Emmitsburg Council of Churches,
the Fire Prevention Committee of
the Frederick County Volunteer Fire/
Rescue Association, the Frederick
County Department of Fire &
Rescue Services and the Frederick
County’s Fire Marshal’s Office, the
Frederick County Sheriff’s Office,
the U.S. Fire Administration/
National Emergency Training
Center, Emmitsburg Volunteer
Ambulance Company, Mount Saint
Mary’s University, area Media
Outlets, the Seton Center, the
Emmitsburg Business & Professional
Association, and area Service Clubs.
Further information is available
on various websites like those
of the Vigilant Hose Company,
Town Government, and so on.
Additionally, for residents living
inside town limits, information will
also be posted on the Town’s Cable
Channel.
Note: This effort did not include
installation of Carbon Monoxide
(CO) Detectors, but the VHC will
gladly help with that effort upon
request in the coming weeks.
Emmitsburg Area Home Fire Safety
Visits
In light of two recent area fires of significance, a Home Fire Safety
Visitation effort, including Smoke Alarm awareness information, began
Saturday, December 12, 2015, reaching Emmitsburg area residents. Red
Cross volunteers and local fire/rescue first responders were joined by other
safety advocates in going door-to-door, promoting the importance of having
working smoke alarms in place and helping to answer questions and/or
providing assistance with existing smoke alarms.
The joint effort was undertaken by a number of fire safety advocates
from across the region, working together to help assure fire safety in homes,
apartments, and similar residential occupancies.
The two recent fire events occurred on: Wednesday, December 2, 2015,
in a commercial/residential building (apartments) on South Seton Avenue
(residents displaced; business disruption); and Monday, December 7, 2015,
on West Main Street (double-fatality, plus one serious injury; residents
displaced).
During the Home Fire Safety Visitation effort, personnel were out and
about in the community, offering insights on simple and easy-to-accomplish
home fire safety measures, including installing free smoke alarms where
requested. Safety personnel—men and women—wore easily-identified
apparel, showing their affiliations.
Emergency services vehicles were seen in various neighborhoods during
visitation periods. Anyone interested can also call the Vigilant Hose
Company (VHC) fire station at 301-447-2728 to request a visit or follow-
up visit at a suitable time. A door-hanger information card was left at each
home if no one was home, as well as where residents may prefer safety teams
to return at a more convenient time to discuss safe practices and/or install an
alarm.
The new alarms have non-removable 10-year lithium batteries, plus also
include a “Hush” feature for accidental activations, such as from vapors
during cooking periods, from fire places when a damper is not initially
opened, and so forth. Teams will offer to replace any existing alarm more
than ten years old, including any that use 9-volt batteries, which must be
replaced at least yearly.
Jointly with the Vigilant Hose
Company, this important initiative
was taken in cooperation and
coordination with efforts already
underway by the American Red
Cross of Western Maryland,
the Town of Emmitsburg, the
Emmitsburg Council of Churches,
the Fire Prevention Committee of
the Frederick County Volunteer Fire/
Rescue Association, the Frederick
County Department of Fire &
Rescue Services and the Frederick
County’s Fire Marshal’s Office, the
Frederick County Sheriff’s Office,
the U.S. Fire Administration/
National Emergency Training
Center, Emmitsburg Volunteer
Ambulance Company, Mount Saint
Mary’s University, area Media
Outlets, the Seton Center, the
Emmitsburg Business & Professional
Association, and area Service Clubs.
Further information is available
on various websites like those
of the Vigilant Hose Company,
Town Government, and so on.
Additionally, for residents living
inside town limits, information will
also be posted on the Town’s Cable
Channel.
Note: This effort did not include
installation of Carbon Monoxide
(CO) Detectors, but the VHC will
gladly help with that effort upon
request in the coming weeks.
