Welcome to Marion Township Fire Department Inc.

Hello all,

It is October already! A few things going on this month, and a few things that have been cancelled. Our big fire prevention program that we put on in the schools isn't going to happen this year due to COVID 19. This doesn't mean we are going to slack off on Fire prevention and keeping our citizens safe. 

If you look at WBIW.com we were featured this week as a Fire Department for fire prevention week. If you read the article we have smoke detectors to hand out to those that need them. Obviously we would like to get these out to families that are in need or do not have any smoke detectors in their residence. We were able to receive these smoke detectors through a grant from the Lawrence County Community Foundation grant application. The smoke detectors were purchased locally through Ace Hardware. We will try to distribute the smoke detectors through the month of October during the fire prevention month. Due to COVID 19 the department has developed a plan to distribute them. There is an online survey for the homeowner to fill out. If you click on the "Info" button at the top of the page you will see a link to the "Smoke Detector Survey". Please complete the form and hit submit. It's that easy. After a short review period we will deliver them with a drive by type drop off. If you asked for help with an escape plan we will do that while we are there as well. Due to the limited amount of smoke detectors this will be a first come first serve basis. 

Properly installed and maintained smoke detectors provide the entire household an early warning to a fire. Years ago you had up to about 10 minutes to escape a home once it caught fire. With today's items in a home that has dropped to 3 to 5 minutes to escape. A smoke detector gives you the early warning increasing your response to remove everybody from the home and doubles your likelihood of survival. 

If you already have smoke detectors in your home, now is an excellent time to change the batteries in them. Keeping a fresh battery in your smoke detector every year will keep it maintained and insure that it will work should you need it. Especially now as people are starting to fire up the heat as the weather turns colder. Now is the time to be Fire Smart with your heating and alternative heating and help us help you. With so many using wood stoves and space heaters or firing up that furnace for the first time, we need everybody to think about what they are doing and to check everything twice. The data from the last 4 years shows from October to March is our peak time for structure fires. Last year 87 Hoosiers died in house fires, 1 is too many when it is easy to prevent. The earlier you are alerted the quicker you can escape and call 911 and the faster we can arrive and mitigate the emergency. 

As always, be safe

Paul D. Gillespie 

Fire Chief 

Marion Twp. Fire Dept.