Resources from Mobile Concepts
Funds grow for Fire Safety House
By Ellouise Pennington, Staff Writer, publication unknown
Teaching people how to react in case of fire is possibly the most important
function of Alexander City’s fire prevention department.
To help with the education process, Fire Marshall Ronnie Betts has spent the
last four months raising money for a Fire Safety House.
The total cost of the house is estimated to be $30,000.
Betts said Friday that the department is within $8,000 of its goal. With
donations from the community and throughout Tallapoosa and Coosa counties,
the fund-raising effort has netted $22,323.95. And there are more offerings
in the works.
Coosa County Association of Volunteer Fire Departments donated $500.
President Dale Burns said the association is made up of fire departments
from Kellyton, Rockford, Equality, Ray, Goodwater, Weogufka, Hanover,
Stewartville, Richville and Marble Valley.
Various other groups are in the middle of fund drives for the project,
including Camp Fire Girls working to raise a mile of pennies.
Betts said he hopes to complete the fund drive by Christmas and order the
unit by January 1.
“We’ll be ready to go by spring,” he said. “Just as soon as we get it, we’ll
notify schools and day cares and get to work. We’re going to be busy.”
Several people and groups have promised donations, Betts said, “but I can’t
count it ‘til I get it.”
He also said a lot of folks in the area are excited about this unique
opportunity.
The Fire Safety House is a mobile, hands-on, fire prevention educational
tool from which the whole community may benefit.
Equipped with a non-toxic smoke system, heated door, full kitchen, living
room (with fireplace), smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, emergency chain
ladder, upstairs window for “escape” practice techniques and a 9-1-1
emergency telephone system, the unit offers the full spectrum of fire
prevention educational tools.
It can go to schools, day-care centers, and Vacation Bible School programs.
It will accommodate six to eight visitors at a time per 15-minute tour.
Kids and adults learn emergency procedures, home-heating safety, smart
escape techniques and kitchen safety.
The heated door teaches participants to feel doors before opening them, and
if a door is hot, leave it closed and find another way out.
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