May 11, 2000

Bard Announces
$93,000 Grant for Abington Fire Dept

Lawmaker says money will be used for fire safety house; equipment

ABINGTON-  Montgomery County lawmaker Rep. Ellen Bard (R-153) announced today the Commonwealth has awarded the Abington Township Fire Department a $93,000 grant for construction of a fire safety house.

    A fire safety house is a mobile classroom used by fire safety professionals to demonstrate to children and adults fire prevention and home escape techniques. Included in the house is a living room, kitchen, bedroom and control room.

  Bard, who was instrumental in securing the grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development, said a fire safety house is necessary in preventing fire deaths, particularly in single family dwellings.

"Because it looks like a real house, instructors can teach children about numerous fire hazards in a setting familiar to children," Bard said.

The lawmaker cited the following statistics:

• eighty percent of lire fatalities occur in single family dwellings;
• most fatal fires occur between the hours of 11p.m. and 6 a.m.;
• one out of every five fatal fire victims is under the age of six.

The fire safety house, which baa a price tag of approximately $36,000, will be displayed at the state Fire Expo in Harrisburg May 19 and then shipped to Abington the following week.

Bard said the remainder of the grant will be used to purchase equipment, including  a self-contained breathing apparatus, $36,000; a propane burn and sound simulator, $11,900; and a power point projector, $7,500.