by June Portnoy
The Huntingdon Valley Fire Company partnered with the Bryn Athyn Fire Company to host its annual Fire Prevention Open House on Saturday, October 5 at its Huntingdon Valley firehouse.
Hundreds of families came out to this community event to learn about fire safety while also enjoying fun interactive events, watching live demonstrations, and indulging in tasty treats.
A demonstration of a simulated stove fire caught the attention of lots of attendees as they watched the flames rise upwards. Firefighter James McGuire with the Bryn Athyn Fire Company explained that if a fire ever flares up on one’s stove the worst thing to do is to put water on it because that will make it worse. Instead, he advised everyone to put the lid back on the pot, which takes the oxygen away from the fire.
Joe Bannon, Assistant Chief of the Huntingdon Valley Fire Company, described an advantage of this open house as “giving everyone an opportunity to tour the firehouse, tour the fire trucks, and meet their local firefighters, in addition to their local police officers who are also on hand today.”
Jamie Samuels, Juvenile Detective and School Resource Officer, with the Lower Moreland Police Department who manned a booth during this open house, added, “I think it’s really important to bridge the gap between the community and police department. Coming here today helps build a strong bond between the police department and the fire department and the children so they are not afraid of us and so they understand that we’re here to keep them safe.”
Assistant Chief Bannon added, “We want kids to interact with these first responders to see that we are all approachable and therefore, they shouldn’t be afraid of any of us. We want them to see that it’s just us inside of what might appear as scary looking uniforms and protective gear.”
This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign was “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” Assistant Chief Bannon explained the importance of making sure you have working smoke detectors in your home and changing their batteries twice a year. “A good rule of thumb is that every time you have to change your clocks forward or backward, change your batteries as well. It’s a good way to remember to change them every six months.”
For more information about the Huntingdon Valley Fire Company, located at 636 Red Lion Rd, in Huntingdon Valley, visit its website at www.hvfire.org. Smoke detectors are available at the Lower Moreland Fire Marshal’s office, located at 640 Red Lion Rd in Huntingdon Valley, and at the Huntingdon Valley Fire Company if you are in need.