The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
An ounce of prevention...
Norristown Fire Department celebrates Fire Prevention Week
NORRISTOWN >> During Norristown’s Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 7 through 11, the Norristown Fire Department will be one of hundreds of fire departments in the country commemorating the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the tragic event that killed more than 250 people. Fire Prevention Week, nationally, runs from Oct. 6 through Oct. 12.
“That’s the original driving force behind Fire Prevention Week, which started after the Great Chicago Fire and it’s always held the week that fire occurred,” noted Norristown deputy fire chief Rich Lockhart, who said the department would be holding fire drills all week.
“We will be doing the fire drills at each of the schools in the municipality and at some of our target hazard properties, like Montgomery Plaza, where we held a drill last week.”
The buildings are considered fire hazards because of their large size, he allowed.
As it has done for several years, the fire department will be handing out free smoke detectors during the week as well.
“With our smoke detector program we’re looking to install the smoke detectors in owner-occupied buildings, because with apartments they’re
basically running a business so we ask that people ask their landlord to have them installed,” Lockhart said. “But sometimes if they just need the battery installed we’re more than happy to do that too. We also partner with the electricians union and American Red Cross, doing smoke detector blitzes. The guys also go out monthly and we go out anytime after there’s a fire to canvas the neighborhood and install smoke detectors. So, it’s really active throughout the year, not just something we do during Fire Prevention Week. We try to stay aqcquainted with the public all year long as best we can, but because it’s Fire Prevention Week we’re seizing the opportunity because people know we’ll be coming out to them.”
In addition to canvassing neighborhoods to install free smoke detectors to residents, firefighters will be checking existing detectors during evening hours.
Firefighters will also be participating in several programs at the Montgomery County Public Library, including reading to children’s classes and showing off equipment.
Musselman Learning Center, 1020 Sandy St., Norristown, will host a Fire Prevention Fair on Friday, Oct. 11, 5:30 to 7 p.m., featuring fire apparatus, face painting for kids ,food and games.
A Fire Prevention Open House will be held at the Hancock Fire Company, 820 W. Airy St. on Friday, Oct. 11 from 6 to 8 p.m.
“They’ll shut that block of Airy Street down,” Lockhart noted. “We’ll have fire trucks on display and plenty of fire prevention literature, and our educational fire safety house will be open.”
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week activities in Norristown, please visit Norristownfire.org. A reminder to Municipal residents – free smoke detectors can be installed in their home by calling the smoke detector hotline at 610-270-287. For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and home escape planning, visit www. fpw.org.