Apalachin Fire Department News
Fire Prevention Week
Fire Prevention Week is October 4 - 10.

Open House and

Chili Contest Held

An Open House and Chili Contest was held on October 3 at Fire Station #1 on Pennsylvania Avenue. See photos on next page.

Old Cars Needed

The Apalachin Fire Department needs old cars for training purposes. The department will pick up the cars. You may claim your donation for tax purposes. Call 625-2790.

Help-A-Hydrant

When there is a fire in your neighborhood, precious time can be saved if the hydrant area has been clear of snow before the firefighters arrive, as well as making sure there are no leaks or damage to the hydrant which will be used to supply water to firefighters while putting the fire out. Every minute counts when your valuables are going up in flame.

There are presently 56 "helpers" who have adopted a hydrant in the Apalachin Fire District. Would you consider being one of these community minded individuals and adopt a hydrant near your home? The Apalachin Fire District has over 200 hydrants. Call 625-2790 to sign up or for more information on how you can help. You won't receive special rewards for your efforts, just great satisfaction in knowing you are helping your neighbors and yourself if a fire should occur in your neighborhood.

AFD Open House

and Chili Contest

The Great Escape

When you hear the term "The Great Escape," images of Houdini and disappearing acts may come to mind. The Apalachin Fire Department is announcing that "The Great Escape" will take place in Apalachin this month - but they're not planning to make the local residents disappear. In fact, the department has been working in conjunction with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the fire departments throughout the United States and Canada to implement the first-ever North American fire drill - the "Great Escape" -- during 1998 Fire Prevention Week, October 4 - 10.

"The Great Escape" is a concerted effort to get citizens throughout North America actively involved in fire safety, specifically home escape planning and practice. The Apalachin Fire Department is strongly encouraging all residents of Apalachin to develop home escape plans and practice them on Wednesday, October 7, at 6:00 pm during "The Great Escape."

"'The Great Escape' is a fun activity for entire families to participate in during Fire Prevention Week, but it also could save their live," says Sammi Garrett, Public Education Chairperson of the Apalachin Fire Department. "If a fire breaks out in your home, you and your family only have a few minutes to escape safely. Home fire escape planning and practice ensure that everyone in the household will know how to use that small window of opportunity effectively and get out alive."

NFPA, the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 70 years, developed "The Great Escape" theme in response to results from its 1997 Home Escape Survey that showed only 16% of respondents who had escape plans actually practiced them. "These findings demonstrate that most people are not well prepared if a fire does occur in their home," says Meri K Appy, NFPA's vice president of public education. "Our hope is that 'The Great Escape' motivates people to begin thinking about fire safety in a positive, proactive way, and to start practicing their home escape plans regularly, at least twice a year."

In addition to "The Great Escape" fire drill on October 7, the Apalachin Fire Department is inviting Apalachin residents to participate in the North American "The Great Escape" grand prize contest. Everyone who develops a home escape plan may submit it to the Apalachin Fire Department. Chief Tony Quaranta will receive all submitted entries, review and select one plan, and send it to NFPA. In November, NFPA will announce one randomly picked grand prize winner who will receive a trip for up to four people to Walt Disney World. This grand prize vacation is sponsored by KIDDE Safety, the world's leading manufacturer of home safety products under the KIDDE and Nighthawk brand names.

When developing a home fire escape plan, Sammi Garrett encourages all participants to use the mapping grid provided by the Apalachin Fire Department. The grid, which can be picked up at the Apalachin Fire Department, 230 Pennsylvania Avenue in Apalachin, includes the official entry form required for submission to NFPA's contest.

"'The Great Escape' offers a wealth of opportunities for Apalachin residents of all ages to participate in Fire Prevention Week this year," says Sammi Garrett. "We look forward to sharing these events with the community, and urge everyone to join in on the fun."