On Tuesday, August 6, the Teaneck Fire Department will be holding a side-by-side burn demonstration in Votee Park that will showcase the devastating and quick-moving pace with which a fire can tear apart a house. Starting at 8 p.m., as part of the Teaneck Police’s National Night Out event, the demonstration will also feature the importance of smoke alarms and other fire-safety technologies in the household and include a discussion about how they can save lives. The demonstration is open to the public and all are welcome and encouraged to attend. The National Night Out will be running from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and will feature train rides, giveaways and more.
According to reports, more than 80% of fire deaths occur in the home. The Teaneck Fire Department has been working diligently to combat that statistic since its inception in the early 1900s. Currently, it has over 90 employees, a few of whom are volunteers. Jordan Zaretsky is the current chief of the department, and speaking with The Jewish Link in an interview he elaborated on the event and spoke about its importance in all communities.
“This demonstration is about showing people how dangerous fires can be and the potentially life-saving benefits of having smoke alarms and a home fire sprinkler system in place,” Chief Zaretsky shared. “For the demonstration we’re going to be having two rooms set up side by side, one with a sprinkler system, one without. Both will be set on fire and people will be able to see first-hand the incredible difference the technology can make. Teaneck is a growing town, and one of the questions we often hear about is how people can take proactive approaches to keep their homes safe. This is just the event for those such questions, and we’ll also have literature available for those looking to learn more.”
The Teaneck Police’s National Night Out is an ongoing yearly event that offers entertainment, fun and information. The event is a community favorite, featuring a number of attractions, including additional demonstrations, open informational discussions, inflatables and more. For Chief Zaretstky, while it’s a great opportunity to have fun and enjoy with friends and family, it’s also great for the information it provides the public and the fact that for attendees it puts a face to the important safety departments.
“The Teaneck Fire Department takes our jobs very seriously,” Chief Zarestsky noted. “We’re always concerned for our citizens’ safety. The more people can learn from events like this the better. On a personal level, what drives me to keep doing events like this is that the fire code does not require builders to have sprinklers in all sections of large buildings. I can’t influence the code, but I can show you the value of sprinklers and why I believe all houses should have them. If we can bring this to enough people’s attention, maybe we’ll be able to make them change the code so more people can be safer living in these larger buildings.”
If you would like to learn more about the Teaneck Fire Department, you can do so at https://www.teanecknj.gov/fire. Additionally, you can call them for non-emergencies at 201-808-8080. To learn more about the National Night out, you can email [email protected] or call 201-837-8759.
In the event of an emergency, dial 911.
By Adam Samuel
Adam Samuel is a journalist from Teaneck. He blogs at www.adamssoapbox.com.�
