FIRE DEPARTMENT CHIEF CZEH ANNOUNCES THEME FOR FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

Each October, the Fire Service promotes fire and life safety initiatives during Fire Prevention Week throughout the country. Fire Prevention Week was proclaimed in 1920 by President Woodrow Wilson to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 which claimed hundreds of lives and destroyed over 17,000 structures. Chief Czeh notes that this year’s theme is “Don’t Wait, Check the Date!” and stresses the importance replacing smoke detectors after ten years. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that:
• Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.
• Make sure you know how old all the smoke alarms are in your home.
• To find out how old a smoke alarm is, look at the date of manufacture on the back of the alarm; the alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date. After that age, the sensitivity of the detector can be impaired, potentially delaying the alarm feature in the event of a fire. Residents should visit www.firepreventionweek.org for more information and fire safety tips.
Fire Prevention week beings October 9th. In the coming days, the Fire Prevention Bureau will be visiting the Township Schools to conduct fire safety education programs for various age groups. Lieutenant Matthew Lubin, who directs fire prevention, risk reduction, and code enforcement, stresses the importance of proactive public education programs. “In Cranford, Fire Prevention is a year-round initiative across all age groups and risk populations.” The Cranford Fire Prevention Bureau conducts programs from Kindergarten through High School and also has programs to help train employees and occupants of business, industrial, and special-hazard occupancies. In addition to the school programs, the Fire Department will have a fire prevention display at the Downtown Street Fair on October 16th.
Chief Czeh is also excited for the upcoming arrival of the Township new aerial fire apparatus. This new vehicle replaces Tower 1, which is over 25 years old and has reached the end of its useful service life. The new aerial truck should be in service sometime in late October or early November.