Crime & Safety

3 Questions for Fire Chief Bill Seward: Sept. 28

North Branford firefighters are beginning a certification course and tips on what to do when your fire alarm chirps.

Summer is officially over and fall is certainly in the air here in North Branford and Northford. Town officials, including Fire Chief Bill Seward, update Patch readers on recent happenings as well as their favorite thing about autumn.

North Branford Patch: What's new in your department?
Seward: In cooperation and collaboration with the State of CT Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, the North Branford Fire Department will begin its Fall 2012 Firefighter 1 certification program this week. This program is administered by certified training officers from East Haven and North Branford Fire Departments; the class is composed of new members from both departments. 

This 22-week program combines classroom and practical skills training in all aspects of firefighting, rescue, hazmat, communications, reporting, fire alarm systems, building construction, response to terrorism and extrication so that each student has the ability to test for state certification. This also permits departments to meet minimum compliance with OSHA regulations for fire personnel. There will be 17 members of EHFD and NBFD attending this program. Funding for this program is from local budgets as there are no state funds for Firefighter 1 or Firefighter 2 certifications.

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North Branford Patch: What's something residents need to know?
Seward: National Fire Prevention week is Oct. 7 to 13, 2012 and is focused on promoting fire safety and prevention, however; we should practice fire safety all year long. Many potential fire hazards go undetected because people simply do not take the steps to fireproof their home.

Most people believe their home is fire safe just because their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors emit that distinct “chirp” when activated or the battery is low. The activation of these alarms signal something has crossed the sensor barrier and activated the alarm.

Find out what's happening in North Branfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Whenever this occurs, an investigation should be made into its cause. The proper action to take is call 911 and request a fire department response. Fire personnel will respond with other detection devices that can quantify alarm activations and seek out the source of the alarm. Very often this requires use of protective clothing and breathing apparatus due to the potential toxic effects of carbon monoxide. Remember, the life a firefighter saves, may be yours.

North Branford Patch: What is your favorite thing about fall?
Seward: My favorite thing about the fall is hockey season begins (maybe not this year) and it's time to hit the ice.

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Stay tuned for more responses from other officials throughout the week. Want to check out more '3 Questions' topics and see what other officials had to say? Scroll down for more!


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