New Castle kids meet the Fire Chief, parents get life-saving info

Do you have a family meeting place in an emergency—a rock, a mailbox?

May 14, 2010
by Matt Peterson

Area children (motivated by a chance to try on a fire fighter’s turnout gear) and their parents (motivated to keep their neighbors from seeing their hair in curlers at 3:00 a.m.) gathered at the Chappaqua Public Library on Saturday, May 8 to learn fundamental fire safety tips from Chappaqua Fire Department Assistant Chief Russell Maitland. Chief Charlie Bergstrom, as well as a number of firefighters, were also in attendance.

Prevention and planning

Although Maitland, Bergstrom, and Safety Officer Owen Cahn assured those present that the fire department could often respond to emergency calls within 3 to 4 minutes, they emphasized that the first order of business is always fire prevention.  Residents were reminded to check the batteries in their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors at least twice a year, and to replace batteries at least annually.  To be certain a home’s alarm system is in top condition, both types should be discarded and replaced every 5 to 7 years. 

Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors should be strategically placed, said Maitland, who explained, “Since carbon monoxide is heavier than our mix of air, it fills a room from the bottom up, so CO detectors are best located on all sleeping floors at the level of electric outlets.  Parents were also encouraged to have heaters and other potential sources of carbon monoxide emissions – such as furnaces, hot water heaters, generators and gas ranges and ovens – inspected annually.

Call 9-1-1 first

In case of fire, parents were advised to make a quick call to 911 for help before making any attempt to put out a fire with a fire extinguisher.  Maitland also advised everyone to run practice fire drills with your kids, and establish a family meeting place a safe distance outside the home.  Children should be reminded never to re-enter a burning house to look for a missing pet or a favorite toy.  He also said that minor cooking mishaps that trigger our smoke alarms can even have a beneficial side effect:  They provide a perfect opportunity for a family to have an at-home fire drill.

A ride on a fire truck

Chief Maitland and his colleagues made certain that the event was not all business.  Future fire fighters were encouraged to tour a working fire engine and step into the boots, coats and hats of their heroes.  All who participated were designated “official junior fire fighters.”  Many of the children in attendance brought drawings of fire trucks, which will be on display at the library this summer.  A lucky ten, two from each grade, K-4, were selected to ride along on a fire rig during next Friday’s parade, which celebrates the centennial of the Chappaqua Fire Department.

A word of thanks

Chappaqua resident Liza Warner (a 1992 Greeley graduate and wife of the author), who attended with her children Mallory and Charlie, commented that she was “so grateful that there are volunteers willing to take the time and the risks to protect and help all of us in this community.”  If we all follow Russell Maitland’s advice, hopefully the only time “Sorry, Chief” will be heard in New Castle is on old Get Smart reruns!

Matt Peterson is originally from Minnesota and moved to Chappaqua with his wife and two children in September 2009.  The heavy snow this past winter made him feel right at home.