February 14, 2019
| Each year the Chambersburg Fire Department responds to over five thousand fire, rescue, and medical emergency-type incidents. When not responding to these calls, personnel provide fire prevention activities to ensure safety within the community. One of the most important fire prevention activities is to provide working smoke alarms for quick notification in case of a fire. The Department has partnered in a nationwide effort with the American Red Cross in an effort to ensure every residence within the Borough of Chambersburg is properly protected with the right amount of smoke alarms, as well as ones that are working correctly. In 2018, there were around 131 reported civilian deaths due to fires in Pennsylvania alone. The “Sound the Alarm-Save a Life” campaign is in its fifth year of implementation across the United States and has contributed to saving over 500 lives. The goal of this program is to provide early alerting of the occupants to allow them to safely escape and prevent any loss of life. There are three simple steps people can take to be prepared for a home fire if it were to occur. First, smoke alarms should be properly installed throughout any home or apartment. Second, these alarms should be tested on a monthly basis, and if they are the type that requires battery replacement, this should be done every six months. And third, families should develop a fire evacuation plan. The key to this plan is to ensure that it is routinely practiced. If you are a resident in the Borough of Chambersburg and would like more information on this campaign, need smoke alarms for your home, or would like to discuss fire prevention steps for your family, please contact the Chambersburg Fire Department at 717-263-5872, and on-duty personnel will assist you. |
