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Fire department to buy smoke house

In the course of a year, Thermopolis is home to a multitude of events, and attendees might get a chance to see a quite prominent feature at them, with the smoking house hosted by the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department.

Firefighter Forrest Coleman-Weisz said the inflatable house is set up at least three times a year — during Fire Prevention Week, the department’s open house and the health fair — but there is the potential to use it much more during the year.

Currently, the department is borrowing the inflatable from Injury Prevention in Riverton but is looking to obtain its own to have here.

For those who have never experienced the smoke house, Coleman-Weisz explained it’s inflated, then filled with theatrical smoke to give people the feeling of what it’s like to be a firefighter going into a smoking building. Of course, this is fun for children, but Coleman-Weisz noted it’s also educational for adults and he’s heard many comment, after they’ve gone through, about difficulty seeing inside.

The smoke house is an educational tool, Coleman-Weisz said, and can help reduce the risk of people without smoke detectors or escape plans in case of fire.

Obtaining a local smoke house also provides an opportunity for businesses. Coleman-Weisz explained the house is 14 feet tall, 24 feet wide and 12 feet deep, and there is enough space for five 58-inch by 58-inch banner advertisements, designed by the businesses that purchase them. The fire district has committed to one spot, and two of the four remaining have been committed to by businesses.

If all of the advertising spots are purchased soon enough, the new smoke house could be unveiled at the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department open house in August. Coleman-Weisz further pointed out the smoke house has a “life span” of about 15 to 20 years.

Having a local smoke house means it can be used at any number of community functions. Coleman-Weisz noted the educational structure-burning demonstrations the fire department has put on, the most recent during the 21 Days of Christmas, and the costs associated with them. Having the smoke house would allow education to continue with defrayed costs.

Coleman-Weisz also pointed out the house could be set up by just one person, and members of the community could volunteer to help operate it if they chose.

Also, with regard to community education, the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department continues to partner with the American Red Cross to ensure homes have working smoke detectors. To that end, the organizations are providing smoke detectors, with installation, at no cost.

The detectors, which are good for 10 years with no maintenance, are from the national Red Cross office, donated by Kidde Alarms and Granger Alarms with no cost to the Wyoming Red Cross or the Thermopolis fire department.

Coleman-Weisz noted they can be installed in places where they are effective, and where homeowners would like them.

To obtain a smoke detector, go online to the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department Facebook page and click on the posted link.

 
 

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