Lynn Fire launches billboard campaign, Web site

LYNN – Sparky the Fire Dog, an icon of fire prevention awareness for decades, will have to make room in Lynn for the competition – a billboard campaign and new Web site launched this week by the Fire Department.According to Fire Capt. Robert Bourke, head of the Fire Prevention Bureau, the department has identified key factors that contribute to both the number of fires in recent years and the spread of fire in some of those incidents.The billboard messages are simple. Among them: When fire strikes, get out and close the door behind you.Billboards bearing this advice are erected on Washington Street near the corner of Liberty Street and on Commercial Street near the corner of Alley Street. Another billboard on Boston Street near Federal Street warns: Remember space heaters need space. Keep 3 feet away from all objects.A similar billboard, its words in Spanish, stands on Union Street near Burchstead Place.On Broadway, near Parkland Avenue in Wyoma Square, yet another billboard recommends testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly.”In an effort to reduce the incidents and severity of these types of fires, the department is increasing our public fire safety efforts through an awareness campaign using both billboards and the Internet,” said Acting Fire Chief James Carritte, noting that the Web site www.Lynnfire.org displays images of the new billboards as well as more detailed fire safety information.”Our efforts are motivated to some extent by the current economic crisis facing our nation. In a time of declining government revenues and resources available for public safety, we believe it is essential that we find new ways to fulfill our mission to protect the public from dangers associated with fires and other hazards,” Carritte said. “Our billboard and Internet campaign is a first step in what we intend to be an aggressive program to promote fire safety in all of the communities of this great city.”Carritte said several local residents and organizations were instrumental in making the billboard and Internet campaign a reality, including Ralph Sevinor of Wayne Alarm Co., and Vinny Carvalho and Richard Hahn of Richard Hahn Associates, who worked on the Web site. Clear Channel Outdoor, and Rochelle Cowan in particular, also assisted the project by providing billboard space.Besides Carritte and Bourke, Inspector Israel Gonzalez helped develop the local fire safety program.The department Web site offers many tips on how to prevent fire, including inspecting home heating systems, planning a family escape route and gathering point in case of fire, keeping children from playing with matches and lighters and installing smoke alarms.