Each year fire departments throughout the county stress fire prevention week and the need to change the batteries in your smoke detectors. Fire Prevention week should go way beyond this in current times as technology advances, fire and life safety codes become stricter and fire safety education has greater emphasis.

Recently multiple incidents in the Hartsdale Fire District have highlighted key points that the department wishes to point out to hopefully help save lives and property.

Incident # 1

On the evening of September 21, 2015 Hartsdale Dispatch received an emergency call for an animal in distress in a local pet store. Hartsdale Engine 171 and Car 2172 responded and arrived on location with the reporting party still on scene. The reporting party showed HFD members a cat in the main window that had its collar stuck in its mouth causing obvious discomfort. HFD members attempted to utilize the Knox box to make entry and attempt to assist the animal. Unfortunately, the key was the wrong key, HFD immediately notified Greenburgh Police and both Greenburgh Police and HFD dispatch attempted to notify the listed emergency contact number which was also incorrect. Luckily HFD members were able to gain entry with no to minimal damage to the door and assist the animal.

This incident stresses the need to business owners to maintain correct emergency contact numbers as well as the correct key in the Knox Box.

Incident # 2

On the evening of October 4, 2015 Hartsdale Fire Dispatch received a call from a resident in a local garden apartment complex reporting smoke and an odor of smoke from the neighbor’s apartment. Hartsdale Dispatched a full assignment with Greenville Squad 15. On Arrival HFD members located the apartment heard no alarms sounding and had an obvious smoke condition. Hartsdale members knocked on the door with no answer. Members then had to force open the door and make entry to the apartment. A small cooking fire was extinguished and the resident who had fallen asleep cooking had to be removed from the apartment by fire department members. The occupant was transported to the hospital by Greenburgh Police.

This incident stresses the need for working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

It also stresses if you hear something, see something or smell something call the fire department immediately.

Additionally, this highlights why Greenburgh Town Code requires hardwired monitored alarm systems for all commercial buildings and multiple dwellings.

Incident # 3
Covers multiple incidents that have occurred in the last few weeks.

On at least three separate occasions Hartsdale Fire members responding to commercial alarms at various commercial occupancies throughout the district. Upon the arrival of HFD members none of the occupancies were evacuated despite the fire alarm sounding and an odor of something burning. The causes of these alarms and odors varied from burnt fan belts to burning dust in the heating units as the start up for the first time as heating season approaches.

This stresses the need to listen to the fire alarms they are sounding for a reason.

HFD must stress that despite the inconvenience of having to evacuate a store while shopping it may save your life. Often fires start very small and can double in size every sixty seconds.