Fire Safety and Prevention, Top Tier Priority and Response in Spartanburg

City of Spartanburg's Fire Department is rated in the top 1% of both the State and Nation for efficiency, equipment quality, and response time. City Council approved the purchase of 450 Wofford St this Summer, for a new Fire Headquarters-- to update the facility and maintain the department rating. The five City stations overlap in districts that they respond to, as well as aiding adjacent County stations in incident response. The new Wofford St facility will have better containment facilities for cleaning contaminants, additional storage for specialized equipment, updated amenities for female firefighters, and IT capabilities for the City. Building plans and the estimated completion date are not yet set.October 6-12th is Fire Prevention Week, with this year's theme, “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!" This past Sunday, October 6th, the Main Fire Station on Spring Street held their annual Fire Safety Open House, with smoke simulations, hose practice, Emergency Responders' ambulance tours, and tips on how to make your home as safe as possible. (Photos here.)(Photos courtesy of Spartanburg Fire Department social media)Their beeping can be annoying, but functioning smoke detectors are the most important line of home defense. Check them monthly, change the batteries, and make sure children know to recognize the sound. In addition, identify your home's unique escape plan and make sure that family members are familiar with any equipment (ladders, ropes, crowbars, or extinguishers,) to minimize panic in case of fire. More information on home detection and defense can be found at the Fire Department's webpage.Did you know that Spartanburg County has Fire Prevention & Protection Advisory Committee? Find your appointed district representative here.