City fire department put emphasis on prevention during October
By Jack Stephens
Published in News on November 14, 2005 1:47 PM
The Goldsboro Fire Department conducted many fire prevention activities in October, the National Fire Prevention Month, including its annual fire store in Berkeley Mall.
Fire Chief Bobby Greenfield said the fire store was a big success again. A total of 2,173 people received fire prevention tips between Oct. 8 and Oct. 16.
Firefighters shared safety information that included this year's theme, "Use candles with care: When you go out, blow out."
Department personnel held puppet shows, distributed the red plastic fire helmets and held a contest with prizes awarded at the end of the week. Eight winners received Sparky fire-safety T-shirts.
The Target department store donated bicycles and helmets to the grand prize winners, Brandon Cain and Patricia Wooten.
Greenfield said about 2,400 other people took part in other fire prevention activities. Six groups toured fire stations. A fire truck and-or the fire safety house were displayed at four schools, 10 day cares, a church, a business and Berkeley Mall. A safety lecture was presented to a group home.
The Fire Department responded to 170 fire or service calls during October, including three major structure fires.
Lightning struck a home Oct. 22 at 217 Holly Road. Damage was estimated at $50,000 to the home, occupied by Deborah Swinson, and $20,000 to the contents. The home was valued at $100,000, and the contents were valued at $50,000, reports said.
A kitchen fire on Oct. 21 resulted in about $2,200 in damages to a home at 1302 North Drive. The blaze damaged cabinets, blinds, curtains, the ceiling above the oven and the floor. The fire was put out by the resident. Firefighters ventilated the home. The home was valued at $75,000, and contents were valued at $12,000, reports said. Damage was set at $2,000 the home and $200 to contents.
The cause of an Oct. 2 fire at 154 Carriage Road was listed as combustibles left too close to an exterior wall. The mobile home, valued at $2,200, and the contents, valued at $1,000, were destroyed.
Department personnel participated in 380 hours of company training and 1,806 hours of individual training in October. Training was held in trench rescue. Company training was conducted in sprinkler connections, ladder rescue, fire alarms, water supply, friction loss, searches, ventilation, pre-planning and standard operating guidelines.