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
Sheriffs 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
J oppa-Magnolia VFC Supports Edgewood Public Safety I nitiative
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 Harfords past; promoting Harfords future