WESTFIELD–When an emergency happens, seconds count. And those seconds can turn into precious minutes if first responders are looking for the right house number.
That’s why the Westfield Council on Aging’s “Retire the Fire” program, in conjunction with the Westfield Fire Department, is providing improved house numbering for seniors who qualify. The program is being sponsored by the Massachusetts Senior SAFE Program.
“When people have an emergency we want to be able to quickly find their house,” Westfield Fire Deputy Chief Eric Bishop, who is helping to head the project, said. “When seconds count we don’t want to be guessing.”
The program is targeted exclusively toward those who are 60 and older and who have numbers that are obstructed, not easily visible, too small, written out rather than numerical or are missing. Additionally, the program will aim to replace mailbox numbers so first responders have additional ways of spotting a home.
“The whole program is about being more fire safe for seniors in Westfield,” Tina Gorman, executive director of the Council on Aging, said.
According to the State Fire Marshal’s office, a clearly visible house number will have numerals that are at least 4 inches in height and are under lighting with a contrasting background. Numbers must also never be obstructed with plants. Additionally, for homes with longer driveways, numbers should be placed on both sides of the mailbox, also clearly visible.
This is the third year that Council on Aging has done a program to assist senior citizens in fire and emergency response safety. Two years ago, the program provided 40 homes with smoke, carbon monoxide and heat detectors, or any combination of the three, and last year year brought stovetop automatic fire suppressors to 73 households.
This year they received $3,115 from Senior SAFE to fund the project.
Gorman said that if you are unsure whether or not the numbers are clearly visible, have someone else go outside and look at the number. If it is not easily seen, or if during the night time the numbers are not visible, then you probably qualify for the program. Currently, the program is targeting those who received meals at home or are known to be homebound, but is also trying to reach out to other senior citizens in the city that may not be aware of the program. For them, Gorman suggests friends and family notifying them and looking to see if the numbers are easily visible.
Gorman said that she hopes to have a list of potential candidates by the end of August, then they will purchase the necessary materials and the Rotary Club will install the numbers.
If you or someone you know may be eligible for the program or have any questions, you can call the Council on Aging at (413)562-6435 for more information and how to apply.
