The Philadelphia Fire Department held a fire drill yesterday to help families plan their escape in case of a fire. Pictured above, Engine 58 and Ladder 34 put out a fire on the 15000 block of Kovats Drive in Somerton. MARIA POUCHNIKOVA / TIMES PHOTO
Engine 58 and Ladder 34 rushed down the 15000 block of Kovats Drive early Wednesday evening and firefighters went right to work.
To applause.
Neighbors, who had lined up on the Somerton street to watch the Fire Department stage a drill in the DeWitt family home, cheered as the trucks arrived on location.
Moments before, at about 6 p.m., smoke began pouring out a second-floor window. The home’s smoke alarms could be heard outside, and five members of the family safely got out of their house and calmly walked to a meeting place across the street.
A call was placed to 911, and the firetrucks soon arrived.
Members of the engine company quickly got out their hoses as the ladder company’s crew braced their truck and began positioning the big ladder so a firefighter could get to the roof.
It all happened within minutes, and neighbors applauded again.
The Fire Prevention Week fire drill certainly was well-staged — it was even narrated by firefighter Antonia Donnelly as Fire Department brass looked on — and all of it done with the intent of increasing fire safety awareness.
There are things you can do to make sure you and your loved ones survive a fire in your home. Fire Commissioner Derrick J.V. Sawyer ticked some of them off before the first wisp of smoke was seen in the DeWitt home:
• Be aware that most fires occur at night;
• Always have two ways out of your house;
• Sleep with your bedroom door shut;
• Arrange for a place for family members to meet if they have to leave a burning home;
• Have, as required by law, 10-year lithium battery-powered smoke detectors in your home;
• Get your home heating system checked;
• Keep portable heaters at least three feet away from anything that could catch fire.
“The most important part of your home escape plan is practicing the plan with your family,” Sawyer said.
During the drill, Donnelly said the DeWitt family held monthly fire drills and regularly tested their smoke alarms.
The faux fire was caused by a squirrel that had chewed through electrical wires. As smoke poured through a window and smoke alarms sounded, the DeWitts touched the knob of their bedroom door to make sure it wasn’t hot and fire wasn’t on the other side. They gathered family members, went through the safest exit and across Kovats Drive.
As firefighters arrived, they entered the home to search for the fire.
Michael Richey, battalion chief of the Fire Prevention Division, said the department — which was conducting citywide fire drills last night — annually picks a home to hold a demonstration drill. It is a purposely public event. The idea, he said as he looked at assembled neighbors, is for them to talk about what they’ve seen.
To find a family willing to host the drill, department employees are asked to suggest friends or relatives. The Dewitt family present last night — Ray Rajchel, Thomas and Leanne DeWitt and their children, Tommy and Grace — are related to a department employee, Richey said.
On hand, too, Wednesday night, were members of the Philadelphia Second Alarmers, who had water and treats for the neighbors who had come out to watch. ••
For more information about fire safety, visit www.freedomfromfire.com.
The DeWitt family escapes from their home on the 15000 block of Kovats Drive during a faux fire on Oct. 8. Engine 58 and Ladder 34 responded to the fire drill, which was held during Fire Prevention Week. Philadelphia Second Alarmers were also on scene.
The DeWitt family escapes from their home on the 15000 block of Kovats Drive during a faux fire on Oct. 8. Engine 58 and Ladder 34 responded to the fire drill, which was held during Fire Prevention Week. Philadelphia Second Alarmers were also on scene.
Engine 58 and Ladder 34 responded to the fire drill, which was held during Fire Prevention Week. Philadelphia Second Alarmers were also on scene. MARIA POUCHNIKOVA / TIMES PHOTOS
