MFD, Chance back to school for Fire Prevention Week
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MORGANTOWN - Chance the Fire Dog is going to get no shortage of attention this week.
The two-year-old Labrador retriever trained in accelerant detection will be among a contingent from the Morgantown Fire Department visiting Eastwood, Mountain View and Suncrest elementary schools this week.
The mission: National Fire Prevention Week.
The longest running national public health observance, Fire Prevention Week was proclaimed by President Calvin Coolidge in 1925. It's held the week of Oct. 9 each year in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which killed some 300 people, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and left more than 100,000 homeless in the space of 36 hours in 1871.
Fire departments across the country have used the occasion to promote education efforts in their respective communities.
For the Morgantown Fire Department that meant presentations, including a puppet show, for thousands of children across the county. But like many outreach efforts, the initiative just kind of ended with COVID.
Morgantown Fire Marshal Capt. Jason Quinn said the decision was made to reinstate the program this year focusing on schools located within the city.
"We really want to get out and teach these kids early in life when they're like a sponge and they're just soaking up information. We want to teach the basics of stop, drop and roll. We want to teach them about establishing a safe meeting place in case your smoke alarm goes off - a tree in the yard or a neighbor's house," Quinn said. "And we'll be doing a demonstration of our canine, Chance, to show them what she can do. Of course, the challenge will be not bringing her out until the very end, because once I bring her out, me talking will not be of any interest. The focus will be on her."
Quinn said an assembly will be held at Eastwood Elementary today with similar presentations to follow at Mountain View (Thursday) and Suncrest (Friday).
"We really appreciate the board of education and those principals for allowing us to come into their schools and be a part of their students' day. The hope is they can do a little learning and have a little fun at the same time," he said.
But Fire Prevention Week education extends well beyond the classroom.
Due to the dramatic increase in fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, the National Fire Protection Association has selected a theme centered around safe charging for a second consecutive year.
"Everything we have now has lithium-ion batteries in it, and they're causing fires across the United States," Quinn said. "We have to do better, especially with our charging habits – how we charge them, when we charge them and stuff like that."
According to the NFPA:
— You should always use charging equipment that comes with the device or has been approved by the manufacturer.
— You should never charge devices on a soft surface like upholstered furniture. Devices should be on a hard, flat surface while charging.
— You should always unplug your device when it is fully charged.
— If your device begins to feel hot, swell, emit an odor or make popping or hissing sounds, put it down.
— Large items like tools, e-bikes or scooters should be charged outside in areas where they're not obscuring exits.
As for other common Fire Prevention Week talking points, Quinn said households should test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors within their living space every month and switch the batteries in those units every time the clocks spring forward and fall back.
If you live in the city of Morgantown and don't have detectors in your home, reach out to Quinn at 304-284-7485.
"Every year, I purchase smoke alarms. I purchase carbon monoxide alarms, and occasionally I'll purchase some fire extinguishers. If someone is in absolute need of something - they don't have it and they can't afford it - give me a call. We'll provide you something. I'm willing to help wherever I can. Obviously, it all depends on budget, but that is a program that we do provide here in the city," he said. "And if you're in a rental and you don't have these things, please tell your landlord, 'Hey, I need a smoke alarm or I need a carbon monoxide alarm.' That is their responsibility."