Archives
 By  Staff Reports Published 
3:06 pm Sunday, October 19, 2008

Taking fire safety seriously

By Staff
Melissa Cason
The Russellville Fire Department held a fire drill at the Village Square Apartments, and they invited me along for the ride.
I got to see first hand how the public deals with the threat of fire.
The residents were warned about the drill, but many of them participated. However, some did not.
Fire drills are essential for every home and maybe even more soin homes with small children and those living in apartment buildings.
Residents need to know the proper procedure to follow during a fire.
Knowing what to do and when to do it could mean the difference between life and death.
Fire fatalities are rare in Russellville. Nobody thinks it could ever happen to us until a six-year-old boy reminds us differently.
I hope those who did not participate in last week's drill at the complex were not at home, and I hope that should a real fire occur, they will leave the building immediately without regard to what they are leaving behind.
I know the Russellville Fire Department will do everything they can to make sure everyone is out of the building including risking their own lives.
October is Fire Safety Month and the Russellville Fire Department is working hard to get the message out about having working smoke detectors, exit drills in the home, and making sure every home is well protected from the threat of fire.
Even though October is the month nationally recognized for this purpose. The guys in Russellville spent time getting the message out about fire safety all year long.
So regardless of the season, the guys are working hard to educate homeowners about the dangers of fire and potential risks.
I hope everyone will change the batteries in their smoke detectors, and make sure you have fire drills in the home especially if you have small children.
Let your children hear the smoke detector go off and let them know not to hide or be afraid.
Show them the best two ways to get out of every room, and practice, practice, practice.
It is my sincere home that none of you will wake up with your house on fire, but if you do my prayer is that you and your children will know what to do in order for everyone to be kept safe.

Also on Franklin County Times
Scientist connects classwork to careers
Main, Z - News Main
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 31, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Middle school students recently got a hands-on look at how classroom lessons connect to real-world careers during a visit from an Aubur...
Fire department searches records to find its history
Main, News, Phil Campbell, ...
By Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
December 31, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — The Phil Campbell Volunteer Fire Department is digging into its past as it works to confirm when the town’s first fire service was off...
Club ends year with giving, reflection
Columnists, Opinion
HERE AND NOW
December 31, 2025
The GFWC Book Lovers Club came together at the beautifully decorated home of Patricia and Don Cox for its final meeting of the year, celebrating the s...
A December revolt for change
Columnists, Opinion
December 31, 2025
Imagine going to visit a relative in another country and discovering they had things that your own country did not. Not only were goods available for ...
Hidden treasures hang on Christmas tree
News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 31, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — For Jam Lee TePoel Saarinen and her husband, Jeff Saarinen, some of the most meaningful Christmas gifts are not found under the tree b...
Anglers hold first outreach effort
Franklin County, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 31, 2025
R U S S E L L V I L L E — Franklin County Anglers delivered holiday stockings to residents at Arabella Health and Wellness as part of their first comm...
Thigpens win garden club lighting contest
News, Red Bay
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
December 31, 2025
RED BAY — A climbing ivy “Christmas tree,” decorated with ornaments and carolers from “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” runs along the side of Wesley and D...
Turning hair loss into hope for kids
News
Chelsea Retherford For the FCT 
December 31, 2025
When Harper Berryhill began to lose her hair during chemotherapy, she was reminded that she was not facing her diagnosis alone. In a gesture rooted in...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *