Town Considers Extinguishing Fire Prevention Program in Schools

East Hampton Town officials are considering the elimination of the fire prevention program it administers to school students, a situation that has left volunteer fire department officials concerned.

In the 1980s, the office of the town fire marshal started giving talks to classes about what to do in a fire emergency; everything from "stop, drop and roll" to Exit Drills In The Home, a nationally recognized program known as EDITH.

Fire marshals set up a mock bedroom with a cot and a full-size door and window. They run students through the actions to take when the smoke detector sounds. They show kids how to crawl out of bed and what to do when they feel the door for it to be cold or hot, among other scenarios and demonstrations.

But, the town, which is still looking for ways to cut back in dealing with a $28 million deficit after the McGintee administration, no longer has the personnel in the fire marshal's office to support the program like it has for the past 25 years or so.

"We are making various staffing adjustments as we're in the world of financial uncertainty and it's under review," Town Supervisor Bill Wilkinson said of the possible program elimination.

David (Buzzy) Browne said that while he thinks the program is worthwhile, the manpower just isn't there. "I'm down to two guys," he said, including himself, as fire marshals. At least three fire marshals have retired in the past year and there are no plans in the budget to replace them. 

His office not only investigates fires from Montauk to Wainscott, with the exception of East Hampton Village, but also reviews site plans, mass gathering and tent permits, inspects sprinkler systems and other building features.

"We don't have the staffing or the money in the budget to move forward with it at this time," Browne said. "The money savings is the resources of the manpower," he added.

He said it takes anywhere from 30 to 35 working days to run the program across the five school districts in the town, from the start of fire prevention week in October through the winter.

The program is not state or county mandated, according to Browne. "It's just always been something we've done for the schools."

Still, Chief Ray Harden, who is also the president of the East Hampton Town Chiefs Association, said doing away with the program is a mistake. At an association meeting last week, the consensus was to send a letter to the East Hampton Town Board expressing their concern.

"It's really the only way of getting the information to the kids," Harden said. "We know what a great job Buzzy does with the kids."

Montauk School Principal Jack Perna agreed. "The program reaches the kids in a different way than we do, they enjoy the program, and it can save lives," he said on Tuesday night. "If you ask me, it is a big mistake to cut this program."

Asked if the chiefs of the various departments could pick up the slack, Harden said finding the time is the problem for the volunteers. "It's tough for us all, having regular jobs, to ask your boss for time off in the middle of the day to teach the kids. It's almost impossible," he said.

The supervisor hasn't shut the door on the program completely.

"I understand that during financial uncertainty that accountabilities and job requirements are reviewed. We have to make a determination on whether or not these services can still be provided," he said, adding that he will look into whether an administrative assistant or perhaps Town Safety Officer Ed Michels could continue the program.

In the meantime, the chiefs association is going to discuss the matter further to see what can be done.

Principals from the various elementary schools did not immediately return a call for comment.