|
News/Information
Despite the sweltering heat, more than 300 people attended the Franklin Fire Station 6 “Hose-cutting” ceremony and open house on July 21, to celebrate the opening of Franklin’s newest fire station.
Attendees enjoyed touring the station, climbing inside the fire trucks, pizza courtesy of Jet’s Pizza, and fire safety materials and door prizes courtesy of Liberty Mutual Insurance. Nashville singer/songwriter Jeff Batson provided live music and performed his song, “Don’t call me a hero,” which he was inspired to write after nine Charleston, SC firefighters lost their lives in a warehouse fire last year.
Instead of the traditional ribbon cutting, Mayor John Schroer, Vice Mayor Beverly Burger, Fire Chief Rocky Garzarek, Avalon Developer David Schwab who donated the site, and Architect Thomas Dodd with Hart Freeland and Roberts who designed the station, uncoupled a fire hose to signify the station opening.
Located at 1061 Cool Springs Blvd., Station 6 is a three-bay, 11,000 square foot facility located in Avalon. It serves the area east of I-65 and north of Murfreesboro Rd. and was officially placed in service on February 4. It houses six to eight firefighters per shift, Engine 6 and Ladder 6. In addition, it includes office space for two fire inspectors and the medical officer.
Footage of the event will be aired on Channel 10 throughout the month of August.
The Franklin Fire Department has been selected as one of seven finalists to receive the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Award for Excellence for their Smoke Alarm Installation Project. The finalists will be recognized and the winners will be announced during a ceremony at the IAFC annual conference in Denver next month (Aug. 14-16).
Additionally, Franklin Fire Chief Rocky Garzarek was one of four career fire chiefs nominated for the IAFC Southeastern Division Fire Chief of the Year Award. He was recognized at the division’s leadership conference in Chattanooga last month.
Criteria for the nomination included leadership, innovation, professional development, integrity, service to the public, contributions to the fire service as a whole, and a special emphasis on accomplishments during the previous four years of service.
The department’s Smoke Alarm Installation Project, in which firefighters and volunteers install free smoke alarms in the homes of residents who need them, is being recognized by the IAFC for its Latino outreach component and partnership with Leadership Franklin.
The Leadership Franklin Class of 2007, of which Chief Garzarek and Latin community activist Cecilia Melo-Romie were members, adopted the Smoke Alarm Installation campaign as one of their class projects. They helped the department expand their Latino fire prevention outreach into a more comprehensive program that included Spanish media outreach, smoke alarm installation days with bilingual volunteers, and the distribution of Spanish language fire prevention materials.
Over the past year, the department has installed more than 200 free smoke alarms that feature a long-life, lithium battery that will last up to 10 years. It’s also tamper resistant, making it difficult for homeowners to remove the battery.The project has already had its first known success. On May 23, at a home in Hill Estates where the department had installed two free smoke alarms just five months earlier, a resident left hot cooking oil unattended and stepped outside. The smoke alarms alerted him that something was wrong. He returned inside to investigate and found a grease fire on the stove. Fortunately he managed to turn the heat off and call 911. The fire was out when the fire department arrived, and they assisted with smoke ventilation.
In an attempt to raise awareness within the senior citizen community about the dangers posed by carbon monoxide, the J.L. Clay Senior Center today partnered with the Franklin Fire Department to host an informational luncheon that was attended by more than 70 people.
The event also featured local elected officials, including Rep. Charles Sargent (R-Franklin), Senator Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) and Franklin Alderman and J.L. Clay Senior Center Director Clyde Barnhill.
In addition to providing CO safety information, Franklin Fire Chief Rocky Garzarek announced a donation of 200 CO alarms to the Franklin Fire Department by fire safety product manufacturer, Kidde.
“Carbon monoxide is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths,” said Garzarek, “And older adults are disproportionately at risk.” He said they often mistake CO poisoning symptoms, such as headaches, nausea, dizziness and confusion, for the flu, fatigue or even food poisoning. “We appreciate the J.L. Clay Senior Center and Kidde for helping to make Franklin and Williamson County a safer place to live.”
Luncheon attendees received a complimentary alarm. Those who live in the city may schedule an appointment to have their alarm installed by Franklin Firefighters.
Carbon monoxide kills more than 500 people and accounts for an estimated 15,000 emergency department visits annually in the United States (Centers for Disease Control).
“Not only are the numbers of deaths frightening, but the simple fact is that carbon monoxide cannot be seen, smelled or tasted,” said Rep. Sargent. “It is called the “silent killer” because without a CO alarm, there just isn’t any warning.”
Some common causes of carbon monoxide in the home include unattended vehicles in the garage, improper venting of gas fired or any fueled equipment, and using generators in enclosed areas.
If you are a Franklin senior who needs a carbon monoxide or smoke alarm, contact the Franklin Fire Department at (615) 791-3270.
The Franklin Fire Department is launching a history project to collect and preserve stories, documents and photos related to service in the Franklin Fire Department. We are seeking personal narratives, photographs, newspaper articles, journals, scrapbooks or any items that can be photocopied or photographed, such as antique firefighting tools and equipment. If you or a family member or friend has items you would like to share or stories you would like to contribute, please contact the Franklin Fire Department at (615) 791-3270 or email Jamie Mooney at jamie.mooney@franklintn.gov.
|
