By Gina Morton
MIFFLINBURG -- If you see the Mifflinburg Hose Company firefighters and their trucks coming to your house, don't be alarmed.
Fire Chief John Heiges Jr. said members of the station soon will be going door to door, offering batteries and smoke detectors to residents. The group also will check existing smoke detectors to make sure they are working properly.
Heiges said the company gets free smoke detectors each year, and about 80 were received this year.
"The reason for this is firefighter safety," he said. "They are being killed at an unbelievable rate."
This year alone, 26 firefighters have been killed across the nation.
Tod Steese, president of the Mifflinburg company, said at least 18 fire-related deaths have occurred during the past several months in central and northeastern Pennsylvania.
"It's very frustrating to us as firefighters when there are no working smoke detectors in a home where lives can be saved," Steese said. "We all know this. It's a fact lives can be saved with working smoke detectors."
Heiges said specific dates haven't been set for when the group will venture out.
"We want to let the public know to not just let anyone in," he said. The volunteers will wear their uniforms, and a fire truck will be visible.
"When people see a fire truck in their area with a bunch of firemen, don't be afraid," Steese said. "We want them to come out and talk to us. We are here to educate. If we save one life, it's worth it."
Heiges said the International Property Maintenance Code recommends one smoke detector on each floor of a home, with the exception of an unoccupied attic. There should be one detector in the second-floor hallway adjacent to the bedroom and one in each bedroom.
If a detector continually goes off, Heiges said it's probably in the wrong location.
"People say every time they make toast and shower, it goes off," he said. That's a good indicator it's in the wrong spot.
"We just want to bring it to the forefront so people are aware and remember how important it is to have smoke detectors," Steese said. "The smoke is what kills, not the fire."
The company is accepting donations of batteries and smoke detectors for the distribution. Anyone interested in making a donation may call the station at 966-1591.
The Mifflinburg Hose Company has the largest coverage area, 120 miles over six municipalities, in Union County. The station has 40 active members and a total of about 110 members.
