FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 28, 2014

Media Contact: Robert B. Thomas, Jr. at 410-638-3408 or 443-617-1954

Joppa-Magnolia VFC Supports Edgewood Public Safety Initiative

Door-to-door smoke alarm campaign successful

(Forest Hill, MD) - - The Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company (JMVFC)

turned out in force Saturday to support Harford County Government with an

Edgewood Public Safety Initiative. The public safety initiative culminated several

months of planning and preparation by the Department of Administration, the

Department of Emergency Services and Joppa-Magnolia VFC.

The Edgewood Public Safety Initiative resulted from a visit to an Edgewood

community last summer by County Executive David R. Craig, members of the

County Council, State Senator Barry Glassman, Sheriff L. Jesse Bane, and a number

of county department heads. The group toured streets in the Edgewater Village area,

including Grempler Way and Simons Court.

Following the visit, Mary Chance, Director of Administration convened

several meetings with departments of County government, the Harford County

Sheriff’s Office, the County Health Department, Department of Social Services, and

others to address a number of issues related to the community including public safety,

and quality of life.

Due to a number of serious fire incidents in the community, Director Chance

requested the Department of Emergency Services, under the coordination of Director

Russell J. Strickland, to check homes throughout the community to help ensure the

dwellings were equipped with operating smoke alarms and the occupants were

provided with appropriate life safety materials for future reference.

In an effort to gain additional support for the initiative, the Department of

Emergency Services contacted the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company whose

first due response area includes the Edgewood community. Fire Chief Ryan Barrow

of Joppa-Magnolia spearheaded coordination of a door-to-door campaign with his

firefighters and administrative members.

On Saturday, April 26, the joint effort between Harford County Government

and the Joppa-Magnolia VFC to ensure life safety of the residents in the Edgewood

community came to fruition.

( more)

Department of Emergency Services

Joppa-Magnolia VFC Supports Edgewood Public Safety Initiative

April 28, 2014

Page Two

The smoke alarm campaign kicked-off at 10:00 a.m. and concluded approximately two hours

later. Thirty-six JMVFC volunteer firefighters, cadets, and administrative staff canvassed 234

homes. A total of 123 smoke alarms were installed by the volunteers in dwellings that did not have a

working smoke alarm. The Department of Administration and Department of Emergency Services

helped provide funding to purchase the new 10-year tamper resistant smoke alarms.

The door-to-door campaign included single-family dwellings in the following areas:

1700 block of Brookside Drive

1800 block of Brookside Drive

1900 block of Brookside Drive

1800 block of Simons Court

1800 block of Grempler Way

1700 block of Judy Way

1000 block of Waterside Court

The public safety initiative was well received by both volunteer firefighters and residents.

Commenting on the success of the joint effort, Director Chance said, “We are grateful to

Chief Barrow and the dedicated volunteers of Joppa-Magnolia for their service and assistance with

this initiative. The door-to-door smoke alarm campaign is an example of a true partnership between

local government and a non-profit service organization, the Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire

Company who has served the citizens of Edgewood with distinction for many years.”

Director Strickland added, “Partnerships are vital to the success of any significant

undertaking. We were fortunate to have the support of Councilman Dion Guthrie and members of

the Harford County Council as well as Chief Barrow and dedicated volunteers in bringing this

venture to a successful conclusion.”

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“Preserving Harford’s past; promoting Harford’s future”