Abington Announces Plans for Fire Prevention Week

In recognition of Fire Prevention Week, the five companies that comprise the Abington Township Fire Department (ATFD) will hold open houses from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. throughout the week of Oct. 8.

The public is invited to visit any of the companies during the aforementioned times on the following dates:

• Oct. 8: Abington Fire Company 
• Oct. 9: McKinley Fire Company 
• Oct. 10: Roslyn Fire Company 
• Oct. 11: Weldon Fire Company 
• Oct. 12: Edge Hill Fire Company 

At the open houses, participants will be able to view each station’s fire apparatus, chat with volunteer firefighters and learn about ways in which they can prevent fires. Members will also be on hand to share recruitment information with those who are interested in joining the ATFD.

See photos from last year's event.

“Fire Prevention Week is an opportunity for us to educate the community about fire safety and prevention, and also allows us to invite residents into our buildings, so they can see the various ways in which we serve the township,” Fire Services Administrator David Schramm said. “We welcome the chance to show community members what it means to be a volunteer firefighter and offer options for them to get involved.”

Fire Prevention Week is a national campaign that started in 1922. It is held during this time to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which killed more than 250 people. Each year, theNational Fire Protection Association establishes a different educational theme for Fire Prevention Week.

This year’s theme is “Have 2 Ways Out!” and focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice. The theme stresses the significance of having an established home fire escape plan that prepares family members to think fast and get out quickly when the smoke alarm sounds.

The NFPA offers the following tips to get your family out of a fire safely:

• Install smoke alarms inside and outside every bedroom, on every floor of the home

• To prevent false alarms, smoke detectors should be installed away from the kitchen. Smoke detectors should be installed at least 10 feet from cooking appliances, such as ovens and stoves.

• Smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years

For more information, visit www.nfpa.org. For more information about the ATFD, call 267-536-1055or visit www.AbingtonFD.org.

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Information courtesy of Phil Ellingsworth Jr./Abington Fire Department