As part of the project, firefighters took part in an organized burn at UMass that was designed to show how quickly a fire can spread. Watch video
Amherst firefighters at UMass on Tuesday demonstrated how quickly fire can engulf a mock dorm room filled with student furniture and possessions.AMHERST - Based on experience in England and in some American cities, organizers of an effort to have firefighters distribute smoke alarms in Amherst and Belchertown are expecting to have great educational benefits from the program.
“The idea is to get front-line firefighters more involved,” said Edward R. Comeau, who is coordinating the program, which is run by the Institution of Fire Engineers with a $30,000 Homeland Security grant.
Comeau said that when firefighters visit homes to install smoke alarms, they also observe the residents’ safety issues related to cooking, storage and smoking and are able to talk with them and show them videos about fire prevention measures.
As part of the overall project, firefighters took part in an organized burn Tuesday at the University of Massachusetts that was designed to show observers how quickly a fire can spread across a room.
Through this program firefighters will distribute 1,500 smoke alarms in Amherst and 300 in Belchertown.
The smoke detectors are being provided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
The federal Homeland Security grant money will cover personnel costs and advertising related to the program.
“It is a pretty unique opportunity for Amherst and Belchertown to be involved with a national program like this. Since it is part of the grant, the firefighters will document the visit and will test every single smoke alarm,” Comeau said.
View full sizeAmherst Fire Chief W. Tim Nelson speaks to students at the University of Massachusetts Tuesday about the need for smoke detectors in dormitories.The overall project is called Vision 20-20 and is based on a similar program used in England for the past decade.
Comeau said there have been pilot projects in Dallas, Texas, and Tuscon, Ariz. which showed success, so this year there will be pilot projects in Madison, Wisc., as well as Philadelphia, Pa., and Lexington, Ky.
“Madison has installed 2,000 smoke alarms, and they are getting great feedback,” Comeau said.
There was interest in having a pilot project in a few smaller communities, so Comeau, a Belchertown resident and a consultant working for the Institution of Fire Engineers, suggested Amherst and Belchertown.
Amherst residents interested in having an inspection an a smoke alarm installation may call (413) 259-3126 or log on to http://www.eventbrite.com/event/990956979 to set up an appointment.
The Belchertown Fire Department will announce soon when it will be arranging appointments and how to make contact for one, Comeau said.