2008 News

August 5, 2008

Bucks County Fire Marshal Partners With Chalfont Fire Company To Protect Residents

On Wednesday August 6, 2008 between 6 and 8 p.m., the Bucks County Fire Marshal will go door-to-door with the Chalfont Fire Company and New Britain Borough Police at the 350-unit Carousel Pointe Community on Ferris Lane in New Britain Borough, offering to check residents’ smoke alarms.

According to Nick Rafferty, Bucks County Fire Marshal, this effort is in response to an early- morning blaze that took the life of an elderly resident of that community last month.  Her smoke detector was not working. 

“We want people to know that a working smoke detector saves lives,” Rafferty said.  “To that end, it is our privilege to partner with local police and fire responders to physically check these residents’ detectors, confirm they are working, or replace those that are not.”

Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association NFPA show that in 2006 there were 1,642,500 fires reported in the U.S. resulting in 3,245 civilian deaths, 16,400 civilian injuries and $11.3 billion in property damage. 

Rafferty urges residents to remember that the true responsibility for their safety is within families themselves. “Families need to be prepared with working smoke alarms, a fire escape plan that is practiced, keep matches from children, and keep combustibles away from heated items like, lamps, stoves, space heaters, curling irons and anything that produces heat.” 

Later this year, the Bucks County Fire Marshal’s Office will kick off their new smoke detector give-away program called “Operation Safe Home.”  The Fire Marshal recently became one of only five nationally to be awarded a grant from FEMA to provide low-income families 10-year, lithium tamper-proof smoke alarms.  Rafferty notes his office is working with local fire companies to help identify where these are needed most in the county. The Bucks County Health Department will help with coordination efforts, under the Safe Kids Coalition program.