WESTFIELD–The American Red Cross, along with the city’s fire department and the Westfield Council on Aging, joined together to help deliver and install smoke detectors and other safety-related items to residents at the Hampden Village yesterday.
The 55-and-over community received the items as part of the “Retire the Fire” campaign that has been put forth by both the Council on Aging (COA) and the Westfield Fire Department. The detectors, as well as carbon monoxide detectors in some residences, were put in place in 30 homes by Red Cross volunteers, in addition to File of Life magnet packets and fire and winter safety tips, including fire escape plans.
The American Red Cross, Westfield Council on Aging and Westfield Fire Department teamed up to help seniors with fire and winter safety. From left to right: Prudy Maloni, Red Cross safety educator; Marie Richard, Hampden Village resident; Eric Bishop, Deputy Chief for Westfield Fire Department
“This makes me feel a lot better because I’m alone,” Joelle Thibodo, of the Hampden Village, said. “I think it’s a great program. There’s a lot of single older women here and it’s hard–you want to feel safe.”
Thibodo, whose husband of 40 years, Raymond, died about two and a half years ago, lives alone with her cat Bugsy.
Joelle Thibodo, Hampden Village resident and recipient of supplies from the Red Cross, along with her cat, Bugsy
Thibodo’s home was one of the 30 residences that received the equipment, and her home had the same detectors inside of it that were there when it was purchased 23 years ago, she said. This was the case in other homes as well, where other smoke detectors were found to be out-of-date.
According to Westfield Fire Deputy Chief Eric Bishop, the process for this particular project began in January, when he spoke with some of the residents and asked how many did not have working smoke detectors.
Several hands went up.
“It came down to how many don’t have detectors,” Bishop said. “We extrapolated that it may be up to a third of detectors that could be out-of-date.”
So, the fire department and COA worked together to gather how many detectors would be needed. The COA canvassed the village, handing out flyers to notify residents if they may need detectors. Then, they created a list and the American Red Cross supplied 10-year battery-sealed smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, files of life–a packet of vital information, such as medical conditions and medications taken, that is left in the open for first responders–tools, fire safety plans, winter safety tips and volunteers to help with the distribution of materials.
Bill Pruyne, Red Cross volunteer, installs a carbon monoxide detector in a home in Hampden Village
And this all culminated yesterday, when three groups, compiled of members from each of the three organizations, went out to the 30 homes.
“I’m really happy with it,” John Sobczyk, resident and program beneficiary, said of the program. “We don’t think about it. We don’t have a problem so we think, ‘next year, next year,’ and put it off, but I’m glad they came because it had to be done.”
For more information, Tina Gorman, executive director of the COA, suggests that you contact her organization, which can provide you with information filling out files of life at the Westfield Senior Center, as well as keep you informed of additional similar programs happening in the city.
