Mayor Byron W. Brown and Buffalo Fire Commissioner William Renaldo today announced that the City of Buffalo will celebrate National Fire Prevention and Safety Month by hosting six scheduled Open Houses at firehouses citywide. Free smoke detectors with 10-year non-removable batteries, coloring books and fire prevention safety tips will be distributed. The BFD will also introduce the public to its newest team member, Alice - the arson dog. The fire prevention and safety events are designed to educate children and families about fire safety, and provide them with a behind-the-scenes view of the job of a firefighter.
Mayor Brown stated, “We all know that the best way to prevent injury and property loss due to a fire is to be prepared. Fire Prevention Month is a great opportunity to raise awareness on a number of issues and I thank Buffalo Fire for its continued commitment to the safety of our city residents and business owners. This year’s fire prevention theme focuses on the need to ‘Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware – fire can happen anywhere’. I encourage residents to attend one of our Fire Prevention and Safety Open Houses in Buffalo during the month of October to learn more about the essential ways people can reduce their risk to fire.”
‘Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware – fire can happen anywhere’ is the 2018 National Fire Prevention Theme and works to remind the public that fires can and do still happen – at home, as well as other locations - and that there are basic but vitally important steps people can take to remain safe.
Fire Commissioner Renaldo stated, “Time is of the essence when it comes to fires at home. In just two short minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, an entire home can be engulfed in flames! With that said, it’s important for residents and families to become familiar with how fires work, the main causes of home fires, and the various methods for fire safety. Fire Prevention month is a great time to educate ourselves concerning awareness, and even more importantly proper preventive action”.
The Buffalo Fire Department retired its original Accelerant Detection Canine (Arson Dog) named Brad in April of 2010, after 4 years of service. The new Accelerant Detection Canine, named Alice, has been with the Buffalo Fire Department for almost a year. She, along with her Handler, Buffalo Fire Lieutenant Edwin Ortiz, graduated from the 8 week long Accelerant Detection Canine Course on December 8th, 2017, and immediately began work in The Buffalo Fire Department Fire Investigation Unit (FIU). There are currently only 47 of these federally accredited Accelerant Detection Canine’s in the nation, and their cost is estimated at $100,000. The closest Accelerant Detection Canine is in Montour Falls (Seneca Lake area), making Alice the only available Arson Dog in the City of Buffalo and surrounding areas.
As part of today’s announcement, Mayor Brown also invited residents to attend the following Fire Prevention and Safety Open Houses in Buffalo:
- Wednesday, October 10th – 6-7:30pm, Engine 2, Elmwood and Virginia
- Saturday, October 13th – 10-11:30am, Engine 36, Hertel and Elmwood
- Saturday, October 13th – 1-2:30pm, Engine 33, Fillmore and Buell
- Saturday, October 20th – 10-11:30am, Engine 31, Bailey and Doat
- Saturday, October 20th – 1-2:30pm, Engine 3, Broadway and Monroe
- Wednesday, October 24th – 6-7:30pm, Engine 28, Lovejoy and Gold
Fire officials, firefighters and other experts will be on-hand during the Open Houses to meet and greet residents, give them tours of the firehouse, and provide fire safety and prevention tips.