Expo is a new tradition
While it might be questionable to claim an event that is four years old a “tradition.” The West Haven Fire Expo has quickly become one of fall’s premier events. Only the fourth edition of the Expo set for this Saturday from 11-4 at 6 Rock Street, thousands of residents have taken part in the various interactive exhibits and learned about fire safety and home protection.
The job of our first responders is a difficult one, and over the decades many innovations have been made to make the public and those tasked with protecting the public safe from harm. Each year the Expo itself gets more exhibits.
This year the event will offer:
A Police and Fire Department drone demonstration;
An interactive “smoke-filled room” with escape;
Use of fire extinguishers to put out actual fires;
Use of residential sprinklers in actual conditions;
Several police and fire displays.
The event also boasts displays of antique apparatus, always a fun thing for Expo-goers, and shows off the modern equipment that makes our fire services among the best in the state.
The event is unique because it allows residents to learn and understand the workings of our first responders. Things such as 911 calls and other “behind the scenes” activities will be shown. It serves, also, as a way of showing what is entailed in the professions of local fire and police services.
Many young people may find the jobs interesting and investigate making them their life’s work. Nothing could be more important professionally than to work to protect others, either as a member of the Police Department, or as a firefighter or emergency medical technician.
The Fourth Annual West Haven Fire is sponsored by the city’s three fire services, West Haven Fire Department—Center District, City of West Haven Fire Department – Allingtown, and West Shore Fire District, the West Haven Police Department, Health Department, 911-Emergency Reporting Service, the Civilian Emergency Response Team (CERT), the University of New Haven Fire Science Club, and the West Haven Emergency Management Office.
Pay a visit Saturday and learn the ways our first responders keep us safe!
Gates are a good move
For many years, the city has tried many options to protect the public in times of flash flooding. This is particularly true along the many railroad viaducts that course within our borders. The deep trenches below the viaducts have been susceptible to flooding during serious storms, and have presented a danger, which resulted in at least one death in the last few decades.
Originally, the railroad right-of-way was at street level, old photos attest to the fact that the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad ran trans even with various thoroughfares. Eventually, the roads were raised, bridges built, and the ground underneath dug to allow traffic. But those presented low spots that flooded easily.
Over the decade, sawhorses and police tape were used to halt traffic during dangerous intervals. Now gates are being installed that will ensure motorists will be prevented from crossing. This is a needed step.
The gates were installed over the last few weeks and will protect drivers and passengers from attempting to gauge the depth of the water. A bad decision could be a fatal one. This takes the decision-making away from the individual driver.
It took more than 100 years for the idea to come about, but the public should be pleased a proactive plan has been put into place.