Full Notification

It's been a while since Patricia Brown checked to see if her fire extinguisher works.

She plans to now after using one Tuesday night in a class where she had to knock down a small simulated blaze set up by the Newark Fire Department.

"If I didn't do that, I wouldn't know what it would be like,'' Brown said. 

That was the point Firefighter E. Irizarry wanted to get across to Brown and her classmates, who are Newark residents enrolled in the city's Public Safety Academy. The program, now in its seventh week, was created by the Newark Department of Public Safety to give residents an up-close look into how the Police and Fire Division operate daily.

This particular exercise, however, struck a nerve for residents because it was practical and it could really happen when they're at home. 

"You guys have got to try this. It could one day save your life,'' Irizarry said. 

They aimed the fire extinguisher hose at the base of the fire, sweeping low from left to right, taking comfort that they would be prepared if faced with a fire at their residence. A fire extinguisher, they now know, should be in the kitchen and checked every year.

"Now we know what to do,'' said Catherine Combs Smith. "Without having done this yourself, you wouldn't now." 

The hands-on lesson came after they learned about four classes of fires that can range from wood and grease to electrical and combustible. Deputy Chief J. Burke introduced residents to the fire service and its structure, methodically explaining that the city has battalions with engine and ladder companies.

He covered a lot of ground talking about the department's specialties, including the hazmat, marine, and foam tanker units. During his presentation, Burke told residents how firefighters are trained in urban search and rescue. They prepare, he said, with simulated drills that could involve a light rail crash underground or a bridge that has collapsed.

"We are all well trained,'' Burke said.
#newarknj #publicsafety #academy #firefighters #community #partnership #newjersey #BackTogetherAgain