Town Services

Safety Taught Through Experience

FARMINGTON - In a poof of smoke that will educate thousands of residents on how to escape a burning home, the town celebrated its new Fire Safety Trailer program Friday made possible by donations from three local charitable organizations.

The John G. Martin Foundation, the Farmington Savings Bank Foundation and the Farmington Community Chest collectively donated enough money for the town to purchase a Fire Safety Trailer that mimics a house fire and shows youths how to get out in time.

"We are very proud to be a part of this project and if it saves just one life it will be marvelous," said Frank Loehman representing the John G. Martin Foundation, which donated $20,000 toward the $29,000 purchase. "Firefighter Tony Flamio came to us and explained how it could be used and we thought it was a great project."

The town celebrated the arrival of the new trailer Friday at the Farmington Fire Station on Main Street with firefighters, Town Council members and representatives of all three charitable organizations that made the fire safety program possible.

The trailer is a mobile home with a kitchen and bedrooms that teaches fire safety by simulating various real-life situations in which one may find him or herself during a fire.

The program allows up to 20 children or a small group of adults to remain inside the trailer while firefighters discuss live-saving techniques such as the use of smoke detectors and how to call 911.

But the trailer emits "smoke" that quickly fills the rooms, giving a firsthand look on how disorienting being trapped in a burning home can be.

"You can remember 20 percent of something by discussing it or 40 percent by writing it down, but you can retain as much as 80 percent of the information by actually doing it," said Mary-Ellen Harper, the town’s director of fire and rescue services. "This is a great tool for educating people and we want to have it out at as many places as we can."

Farmington career firefighter Anthony Flamio showed off the unique features of the trailer, including an awning for outside demonstrations and a television that can play fire safety tapes and DVDs.

The trailer also has outside strobe lights that mimic the new alert system residents can purchase that flash when 911 has been called from a home or business.

"It can also turn into a mobile command post that can be brought to the scene of an incident and allow the people in charge to have a heated or air conditioned space where they can work," Flamio said. "It can hook up to phone lines and has its own generator so it has power wherever it goes."

Harper and town firefighters are developing a fire safety program that will allow the trailer to be taken to local schools, fairs or other events to give as many people as possible the chance to learn how to escape a burning building.

John Hangen, a director and treasurer of the Farmington Community Chest, said his group gave its donation in order to make sure youths are educated about fire safety.

"We just feel it’s a very worthwhile thing to help the community," Hangen said. "Anything that can help residents and especially children learn about fire safety is a worthy cause."

The trailer will be housed at the Southwest Firehouse on Plainville Avenue and will be visiting as many schools, groups and events as possible after firefighters are trained in implementing the program.

"We want as many people as possible to be able to experience it so we will go to Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, churches, schools -- basically anyone who wants us," Harper said.

If any group is interested in hosting the trailer for a fire safety demonstration, call Harper at (860) 675-2322.

Fire Fighters Anthony Flamio, Christopher Scott, and Gary Petersen set up the awning on the Fire Safety Trailer.	Fire Marshal Vincent DiPietro supervises the set up of the Fire Safety Trailer.	Arline Whitaker, Farmington Town Council Chair, thanks the sponsors of the Farmington Fire Safety Trailer.
Fire Marshal Vincent DiPietro explains that the Fire Safety Trailer will greatly enhance Fire Prevention Education in the Town of Farmington.	Director of Fire & Rescue Services Mary-Ellen Harper thanks Vincent DiPietro, Anthony Flamio and Christopher Scott for all of their help in making the Farmington Fire Safety Trailer a reality.	(Left to Right) Mary-Ellen Harper and Anthony Flamio with President Harry DerAsadourian and Treasurer John Hangen of the Farmington Community Chest.
(Left to Right) Mary-Ellen Harper and Anthony Flamio with President Harry DerAsadourian and Treasurer John Hangen of the Farmington Community Chest.	(Left to Right) Mary-Ellen Harper and Anthony Flamio with President Brian Bowerman and Vice President John Hangen of Farmington Savings Bank.	Anthony Flamio (left) and Christopher Scott (right) with representatives of the John G. Martin Foundation.
Fire Fighters Anthony Flamio and Christopher Scott explain the capabilities of the Farmington Fire Safety Trailer.	The Trailer has a non-toxic smoke system to safely simulate fire conditions.