Man, 81, works to keep residents safe from fire
At 81, Jack Carney knows how to relate to many of the Cranberry Township residents who rely on him to help make their homes safer.
He moved to Cranberry from Robinson Township 11 years ago after serving as a firefighter for 40 years. He became the fire safety education coordinator for the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company because, at 70, he was not eligible to serve as an active firefighter.
As the coordinator, Carney trained more than 300 senior citizens to use the fire extinguishers they received from the fire company last year.
“We can't just hand a senior a fire extinguisher and say ‘Good luck.’ If they don't know how to use them, they could cause more harm than good,” Carney said. “When you get old you forget things. I'm on their level."
Many of the seniors thanked him for the instructions.
“They really appreciated it. We had a lot of good feedback,” Carney said.
Two years ago, the fire company distributed carbon dioxide detectors to township seniors. Three years ago, it was smoke detectors.
“We're gearing up for the smoke detector program this summer. We're cycling through again. We're trying to determine how many we can afford and how many we can give away. We will catch the (people) who didn't show up (three years ago) and those who need more,” he said.
The fire company will advertise the giveaway in the spring and distribute them in the summer. The goal is to complete the distribution by Oct. 9, the first day of National Fire Prevention Week.
Before distributing smoke detectors, Carney said he asks how many the homeowner has currently, where they are located in the house and when the units expire so he knows how many they need.
He explains the different sounds a unit makes when it detects smoke and when its batteries are failing, and advises homeowners to check batteries in their detectors and replace them if necessary.
The safe way to dispose of 9-volt batteries that detectors use is also explained. Carney said a piece of electrical tape should be placed over the contacts, because they can ignite a fire.
He said he will help install smoke detectors for seniors who can't do it themselves or don't have a relative who can install them.
“We want (people) to be safe and we want them to use the detectors. But it doesn't do any good if they are not used properly," Carney said.
A township ordinance, which follows a recommendation from the National Fire Protection Association, requires two smoke detectors in each bedroom of a house, he said. The fire department has distributed 800 to 900 smoke detectors in the last three years, he added.
In addition, he has provided fire extinguisher training to township employees and conducts fire safety training for homeowners associations.
On the Cover
Jack Carney, fire safety coordinator, and Mary Kane volunteer with the Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Department.
Photo by Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle
