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Spots still available for smoke house

Earlier this year, the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department started looking at purchasing a smoke house. The inflatable house is seen particularly at Fire Prevention Week events, at the department’s open house and the annual health fair.

After being inflated, the house is filled with non-toxic theatrical smoke to give people the feeling of being a firefighter going into a smoking building. It’s both educational and fun for kids, as well as adults.

Currently, the department borrows a smoke house from Injury Prevention in Riverton. The house they are looking to purchase has enough space for five 56-inch by 56-inch banner advertisement spots. Firefighter Forrest Coleman-Weisz noted there are already three donors, so there’s still space for another two. He expressed his appreciation to those who have already donated and purchased spaces.

Each spot is $1,400, though the smoke house has a lifespan of 20 to 25 years. Coleman-Weisz added it’s used no less than three times per year. He explained there are a couple things the department does for fire education. The two recently-built “burn rooms” — which simulate how quickly a fire can spread — are effective but take time to move around and set up.

The smoke house, on the other hand, provides a more immersive experience and only takes two people to set up and run. This means it’s more available for community events. “It’s certainly a great tool,” Coleman-Weisz said, “and something that we want to keep pushing for.”

The fire department continues to work with the American Red Cross to ensure homes have working smoke detectors, and are providing 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 fire department.

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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