Tighe School 8th graders Frankie Holton and Carly Cavacini got to try on the gear worn by firefighters when they respond to fires. Margate City firefighters Capt. Anthony Tabasso, and Firefighters Natalie Carlucci, Joseph Costa and Rocco Tabasso conducted the fire prevention program.
MARGATE – This year is no different than the past; only the message is different. This year, the National Fire Protection Association is spreading the word that fire is fast, hot, dark and deadly.
Margate firefighters are delivering their annual fire safety message to schools and community centers this week to keep residents safe.
The NFPA’s theme this year is, “Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape,” which can mean the difference between life and death in a fire.
When the smoke alarm sounds, you could have less than 2 minutes to escape, so it’s important to have an exit plan for the entire family. The heat generated by a fire could reach 1,000 degrees within minutes. Although a fire starts with a flash, it soon turns to thick, black smoke that can leave you in complete darkness. And, the toxic fumes and smoke kill more people than the flames.
These messages, tailored for each listening group, are being shared with children, teens, adults and senior citizens throughout the community during National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 9-15.
“Today’s homes burn faster and hotter than they used to, minimizing the amount of time they have to escape safely,” NFPA Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy Lorraine Carli said. “In a typical home fire, you may have as little as two minutes to get out from the time the smoke alarm sounds.”
Developing a home escape plan with all members of the household and practicing it regularly ensures that everyone knows what to do when the smoke alarm sounds and uses that time wisely.
On Friday, firefighters visited the Eugene A. Tighe Middle School to share age-appropriate information with students. Next week, they will visit Playgroups Plus to speak with the city’s littlest learners, then it’s off to the William H. Ross Elementary School, where they will hold an assembly for children in K-4, and the school’s preschoolers will get to visit one of the city’s well-equipped fire stations. Also on the docket are talks with adults at the Milton & Betty Katz Jewish Community Center, where the firefighters will perform three demonstrations. Seniors who frequent the Bloom Pavilion and those at the Margate Community Church will also hear the messages. The city’s fire apparatus will be on display at the events.
Of special interest this year is information about surviving a high-rise apartment fire, which requires pre-planning with building managers to accommodate special features of living in a high-rise building with elevators. Firefighters regularly conduct fire drills at the city’s high-rise condominiums.
Firefighters advise feeling the doorknob of your apartment door to determine if fire is lurking in the hallways. If it’s hot leave the door closed and find another way out.
High-rise apartment dwellers should know where the closest emergency exit staircase is located, as well as the nearest fire alarm, which you can pull to notify the fire department. Always use the stairs and avoid the elevator. If you must stay in your apartment until firefighters arrive, stuff door cracks with a blanket or towels to prevent smoke from entering the apartment. You should also place a brightly colored cloth in the window to signal where you are located.
In all fire instances, families and friends should meet at a pre-determined location outside the building to ensure everyone is accounted for.
But back to the basics: every home should have working smoke and CO detectors to signal when you need to take action.
The city’s team of firefighting professionals stand ready to help anyone who needs assistance installing these life-saving devices.
“We practice fire prevention and fire safety every day,” Chief Dan Adams said. “If anyone ever needs the fire department for any fire safety information, materials or smoke detectors, please reach out to us. We are here for you any time for anything you may need.”
Call the non-emergency number at 609-822-5562.
This week’s schedule of presentations are:
- Monday, Oct. 10 – Platoon 2 at the Ross School
- Tuesday, Oct. 11 – Platoon 3 at the JCC
- Wednesday, Oct. 12 – Platoon 4 at the Bloom Pavilion and Margate Community Church
- Thursday, Oct. 13 – Platoon 1 at Playgroups Plus
- Friday, Oct. 14 – Platoon 2 will host Ross School preschoolers at Fire Station #1
