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SPRINGFIELD: Fire Prevention Day offers key lessons

Company highlights fire, smoke, carbon monoxide safety

By David Kilby, Special Writer
   SPRINGFIELD — The Jacksonville Fire Company hosted its annual Fire Prevention Day on a drizzly morning Sunday, and a fair number of locals came to socialize, have fun and be reminded of some easily forgotten fire safety tips.
   The community event has attracted residents of all ages, and for approximately a decade, and it has filled the Jacksonville Fire Company’s garage every October, which is National Fire Prevention Month, said Robert Bercy, chief of the company.
   Mr. Bercy said, even though many fire departments don’t take advantage of Fire Prevention Month, the resources are there for any fire company that is interested.
   In many ways, the Jacksonville Fire Company showed interest that went above and beyond Sunday. For example, volunteer fireman Rob Bercy, the chief’s son, dressed in full gear, joined Sparky the Fire Dog in the fire station garage to promote fire, smoke and carbon monoxide safety.
   Since it also happened to be Sparky’s 61st birthday, there was also a cake in his honor.
   A trailer outside, provided by the Burlington Township Fire Company, taught children how to crawl low in smoke and how to climb out a window in a fire, and the rain outside didn’t keep children from checking out the trailer.
   Volunteers also gave practical advice, like don’t put cardboard boxes on the stove, don’t put flammable things near fireplaces and, especially with winter coming, keep chimneys clean.
   Fire crew members from the Westampton and Mansfield departments also were present at the event.
   ”Burlington County has a very strong community among fire companies,” said John Megariotis, volunteer fireman.
   ”This is our shot to enlighten and give back to the community that supports us,” Chief Bercy said.
   Mr. Bercy has been chief for about 14 years and a volunteer for 22 years.
   ”He probably puts more hours in than a normal job,” Mr. Megariotis said.
   The Springfield Township Council also is grateful for the fire company’s 20 volunteers.
   ”It’s a great thing these guys do,” Councilman Tony Marinello said. “They do a tremendous job, and we’re very lucky to have people volunteer for our community like this.”
   ”We take safety for granted,” Springfield Deputy Mayor Peter Sobotka said. “We have to be reminded. When you see in the newspaper that people died because they didn’t have smoke detectors or didn’t have smoke detectors that work, you need to take action and look out for your family. Otherwise, you forget about it and say ‘why spend money on something you don’t need.’”
   This fire prevention event gave people no excuses, though, providing free smoke detectors on-site.
   The Jacksonville Fire Company also provides free smoke detector checks, replacement and installation upon request.
   Mr. Sobotka said Chief Bercy does a “wonderful job” keeping the Jacksonville Fire Company active.
   The firefighters provided hot dogs, donuts and other snacks to the members of the community who showed up, which numbered approximately 100 in total and at least 30 at any given time. The Fire Prevention Day took place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
   A Chinese auction gave children a chance to win prizes such as toy firetrucks and stuffed animals, and Cub Scout Troop 79 of Springfield sold cookies.
   The Jacksonville Fire Company offered brochures, titled “Carbon Monoxide: Guard Against a Silent Killer,” and “Smoke Alarms: Your First Line of Defense.”
   The carbon monoxide brochure encouraged people to buy carbon monoxide detectors since the silent killer can be produced by many unsuspected things like fuel-fired furnaces, gas water heaters, stoves, dryers, generators, fireplaces, woodstoves, charcoal grills, cars, trucks, motorcycles and even lawnmowers, snow blowers and leaf blowers.
   The smoke alarm brochure said if every home had a working smoke alarm, 900 lives could be saved every year.
   A home safety checklist brochure reminded people to avoid dangerous, negligent habits like plugging heavy-duty appliances into light-duty circuits, leaving debris, leaves and rubbish in the yard and leaving old or oily rags in the attic, closets or basement.
   While encouraging residents to do their part, the Jacksonville Fire Department promised to do the same with the help of the other two fire departments in Jobstown and Juliustown, which collectively cover the 30-square miles of Springfield and provide mutual aid to surrounding towns.