Prime Timers of Barnegat and Waretown Get a Hot Lesson

The Volunteer Fire Department of Barnegat hosted a public awareness event for local seniors at the Barnegat Township Recreation Center last week, where the volunteer fire fighters educated the older residents of Barnegat and the neighboring Waretown about fire safety.

Much of the presentation on Thursday, May 31, revolved around carbon monoxide and smoke awareness. Vice President of the fire company, Frank Gadot, explored the symptoms to look for when you suspect the presence of carbon monoxide. 

Together with Gadot, president of the fire company Gary Brown stressed the importance of having smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. But just having them isn't enough, Brown and Gadot said, it is essential to make sure that the batteries are in working condition.

"I learned the most about the carbon monoxide, I wasn't sure if I had to replace my batteries, but now I think I do," said Joan Calogero of Waretown. 

As part of the company's general public safety awareness campaign, Gadot showed a video displaying the danger that firefighters face each time they enter a burning structure. The video displayed Brown going into a flaming building only to be met by a wall of black smoke.

"We didn't realize how dangerous it was for the firefighters," said Eleanor Dehler of Barnegat.

Station 11, is currently acception donations towards their $1,000,000 dollar goal by 2027 to build a new fire house to better suit their fire trucks, the Barnegat fire company volunteers said.