FDMT Reaches Out To Community In Wake of Recent Fires

Following a series of fires which left two Montgomery Township families displaced, the Fire Department of Montgomery Township has decided to go on the offensive.

Dressed in full uniform and toting fire safety literature, members of Station 18 reached out to the residents of Bellows Way and Douglass Road on Monday night, distributing vital information on fire prevention and addressing any lingering questions and concerns from residents.

"We're going out and visiting the residents of Douglass Road and Bellows Way to hand out fire prevention material due to the recent fires in the neighborhood," said Alex Olimpo, president of the Fire Department of Montgomery Township.  "We want to remind residents to have smoke detectors in their houses and to check the batteries twice a year.  If they have small children, they should establish a fire escape plan from the home in the case of an emergency."

The fire company spent two hours going door-to-door through the fire-stricken neighborhoods, speaking with home owners and leaving fire-safety pamphlets on the doorstep of those who weren't home.

"We're out canvassing the neighborhood  and passing out fire prevention literature so people are more aware of what they can do to protect their lives and their houses," said David Vasconez, assistant chief of FDMT.  "It's typical of what we would do for a bad fire like this. Typically we don't have this many house fires, so we're putting in a little extra effort to help out the community."

The home of Glenn and Joanne Harris, located at 119 Bellows Way, was rendered uninhabitable after a late-morning fire destroyed the home on January 9th. 

Exactly one month later, the home of John and Linda Carlson, located at 20 Douglass Road, was unrecognizable following a late-afternoon fire.

In the wake of the fires, the community rallied around its neighbors, hosting several fundraisers in an effort to help the families get back on their feet.

A bake sale was held by neighbors on Tree Line Drive in Montgomery Township, raising over $1,700 for the Harris family, and this past weekend, Bridle Path Elementary families, as well as neighbors and friends, raised over $3,600 for the Carlson family through a bake sale and a donation drop-off at 1 Meadow Glen Road.

While the displays of compassion and community support are heartwarming, they also represent the fact that two local families are in the process of rebuilding their lives due to the destructive force of fire.

While the future is unpredictable, the Fire Department of Montgomery Township hopes that their community outreach will prevent additional families from joining the list of families who have lost everything.

If not, it won't be for a lack of effort.

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