Members of the Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department install a “life-long” smoke alarm in a local home.
Prince Frederick, MD – The onset of winter and colder weather plus the pending arrival of a new year are all good reasons to resolve to equip your home with a smoke detector. The best reason, however, is the safety of everyone living under one roof.
“They definitely save lives,” said Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department (Company 2) Chief Brian Ficke, who noted a mid-November house fire in central Calvert County could have had disastrous results if the occupants had not heard the high-pitched tones of a smoke detector.
Recently, Company 2 teamed with the Calvert County Office on Aging to aid local elderly and disabled residents. As a result of special funding allocated to the department, Company 2 volunteers distributed and installed smoke alarms in several homes during the week before Christmas.
According to a Company 2 press release, earlier this year the department “applied for the Maryland State Fireman’s Association Public Fire and Life Safety Education Grant.” Company 2 was successfully awarded 48 10-year sealed battery life-long smoke alarms. “Many of the alarms will go to in the Prince Frederick area and a few will also be installed in the Huntingtown and St. Leonard areas as well,” the press release stated.
Company 2 Assistant Chief Joe Della-Camera told TheBayNet.com that the sealed battery inside the smoke alarms contains lithium and is the equivalent of 20 nine-volt batteries. On Tuesday, Dec. 20 TheBayNet.com rode along with Della-Camera and five Company 2 volunteers. The crews—Engine 21, Lt. Robbie Helms, driver Jason Deale and Jamal Mackall; and Tower 2, Lt. Michael Moore III and driver Jacob Ogden—went to three houses in the west portion of Prince Frederick to install the powerful smoke alarm, service other alarms in the houses and speak to residents about fire safety.
Della-Camera said in addition to the Office on Aging, Company 2 is also partnering with the American Red Cross to make sure as many of the area’s “at-risk” citizens are provided with smoke alarms. Visit the American Red Cross’ regional web site for more information.
During a brief visit to one house, the homeowner, “Jane,” chatted with Company 2 members, who replaced her hallway smoke alarm with one of the “life-long” detectors. The crews chose the hallway since it is considered a “common area” of the house. Knocking on the wood frame to her kitchen entrance, she reported she has never had any fire-related incident within the house in all the years she has owned it. A crew-member reminded Jane it was a good idea to have the batteries in her other smoke alarms changed at the same time clocks are changed due to the arrival and departure of Daylight Saving Time.
Della-Camera and Company 2 lifetime member Bobby Hall Jr. told TheBayNet.com that the smoke alarm distribution and installation is one of many of the department’s outreach programs. The local firefighters also conduct presentations for schools, daycares and at several local functions during October, which is Fire Safety Education Month. The volunteers also conduct firehouse tours for troops of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. They are also visible and ready to share fire safety knowledge during the annual National Night Out in early August and during the Calvert County Fair in the early fall. During December, the crews have been chauffeuring Santa Claus around the neighborhoods. Della-Camera said soon Company 2 will also be providing emergency medical services (EMS) education.
“We’re constantly educating the kids, who love to ask questions,” said Hall.
For more information about the Prince Frederick Volunteer Fire Department, visit their web site.
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
