Lentol to hold fire safety forum in Williamsburg

March 9, 2016 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Assemblymember Joseph Lentol (third from left) says a smoke detector installation drive sponsored by leaders of Williamsburg civic organizations was successful. Photo courtesy of Lentol’s office

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In the wake of a successful smoke detector drive sponsored by leading Williamsburg civic organizations in which alarms were installed in hundreds of homes in the neighborhood, Assemblymember Joseph Lentol said he will co-host a fire safety forum on March 10.

Lentol ((D-North Brooklyn) is teaming up with officials from the FDNY, representatives of the Mayor’s Office and local lawmakers to present fire safety tips on Thursday, March 10, at St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Academy, 12 Newell St., starting at 6:30 p.m.

The forum comes on the heels of a major smoke detector installation drive sponsored by four groups — the United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg (UJO), American Red Cross, Williamsburg Shomrim and Hatzolah of Williamsburg — which took place on Feb. 28.

Working together, the organizations installed 250 smoke detectors in homes throughout Williamsburg, according to Lentol, who said the UJO was instrumental in establishing a partnership between the various organizations to work on the project.

In addition to installing the smoke detectors, the organizations also educated residents on how to prevent fires and reduce injuries.

“With over eight million people in such a small place, fires are bound to happen. Fortunately, there are many things we can do to prevent fires,” Lentol said in a statement. “The smoke detectors that the UJO, American Red Cross, Williamsburg Shomrim and Hatzolah of Williamsburg provided these families are essential to reducing fire related deaths and injuries.”

In the past few months, North Brooklyn has seen a number of fires that have caused deaths and injuries and displaced families.

“With the rash of fires in the neighborhood, I thought it would be appropriate to educate my constituents on the importance of fire prevention measures. I am hopeful that this fire safety presentation will save lives. Luckily, we have the best first-responders in the nation,” Lentol said.

But even in cases where fires do not result in deaths or injuries, blazes can still be devastating, Lentol said. “Losing one’s belongings can be overwhelming,” he said.

For information on how to receive a smoke detector from the UJO, email the organization at [email protected].