By NANETTE LoBIONDO GALLOWAY
A day after a devastating fire in Philadelphia claimed the lives of a dozen people, including eight children, Downbeach fire departments are offering residents’ assistance to keep safe from fire. Although there were numerous smoke detectors installed in the three-story duplex in the Fairmount section of the city, none were operational.
Lt. Tom Halpin of the Ventnor City Fire Department’s fire safety unit said the department conducts regular annual inspections of three-unit buildings and up, high rises, apartment buildings, commercial properties and multi-use buildings. However, residents of single-family homes or duplexes have to request an inspection to ensure the units have the proper smoke and CO detectors. Landlords can also request an inspection, but will be responsible for obtaining and installing smoke detectors for their tenants on their own.
“We get 10-year battery smoke detectors from the Red Cross and Atlantic County to distribute in the community,” he said. “If a tenant feels like their home is not safe, we will come out and do an inspection.”
Firefighters will even install the smoke detectors for senior citizens or anyone else who is unable to install them on their own, he said.
Halpin said the Uniform Construction Code requires a smoke detector outside every sleeping area.
“You should also keep your doors closed to create a safe zone while you sleep,” he said.
Halpin said COVID-19 caused a delay in conducting regular inspections, but the department is currently catching up on inspections.
He said anyone who is concerned about the safety of their personal environment should call the Ventnor City Department at 609-823-7942, and the department will respond within 24 hours barring any other public emergencies.
Rear of 6510-12 Ventnor Avenue during July 6, 2019 fire.
The Margate City Fire Department also announced it will continue to offer smoke detectors at no cost to residents who need them.
“Working smoke detectors save lives,” firefighters wrote on their Facebook page. Firefighters also recommended homeowners have their own fire protection strategy, including having an escape plan.
Residents can call the Margate City Fire Department at 609-822-5562 to obtain a 10-year battery smoke detector.
Levon “Lefty” Clayton of the Longport Volunteer Fire Department said the department participates annually in the WPVI-TV “6 Save a Life” program and has 10-year battery smoke detectors available for residents who need them.
“We will do a courtesy inspection for anyone who requests one,” he said.
Clayton said anyone building a new home or doing reconstruction on more than 50% of the home is required to have a hard-wired fire safety system with a battery backup. But anyone who has traditional battery operated smoke detectors that are more than 10 years old should replace all of them with the new 10-year battery smoke detectors. He recommends putting a date on the detectors when they are installed so homeowners know when they need to be replaced.
“We also carry 9-volt batteries in our truck in case anyone needs a battery replaced,” he said.
Clayton recommended anyone requesting an inspection contact the City Clerk’s Office and leave a message for fire department personnel. Call 609-823-2731, ext. 100.
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