Oneida County Distributes Over 400 Fire Extinguishers to Residents

County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. announced today that the Oneida County Child Fatality Review Team distributed 432 fire extinguishers to residents in October through local fire departments and community agencies.

The initiative was implemented by the county’s Child Fatality Review Team as part of Fire Prevention Month and targeted safety and prevention on behalf of children. Those who receive the fire extinguishers must be a caretaker for a child in some capacity.

“The safety of our children is something that cannot be compromised,” Picente said. “Our Child Fatality Review Team is helping to ensure that this vulnerable population is protected through initiatives like this. The distribution of these fire extinguishers will help encourage safety in the home and prevent needless injury and death.”

The First Alert Home1 Fire Extinguishers, and accompanying fire prevention education literature from the Oneida County Department of Family and Community Services, were supplied to the following for distribution:

• Utica Fire Department (100)
• Rome Fire Department (100)
• The Center (52)
• Boonville Fire Company, Inc. (24)
• Camden Volunteer Fire Department (24)
• Verona Volunteer Fire Department (24)
• Waterville Volunteer Fire Department (24)
• Bridgewater Fire Company (20)
• Deerfield Vol. Fire Co. Inc. (20)
• Forestport Fire Department (20)
• Westmoreland Volunteer Fire Department (20)
• Mohawk Valley Perinatal Network (4)

The fire extinguisher distribution initiative was funded through a $15,000 grant from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

The Oneida County Child Fatality Review Team is comprised of several team members from a variety of disciplines and community agencies. The team collaboratively shares and reviews information pertaining to child death and events for a child resident of Oneida County. The purpose of these reviews is to improve policy and practice, prevent future deaths from occurring and to promote child safety and overall well-being.