The Harrison Township Fire Department uses fire hoses to help save lives daily. And now, some of its retired fire hoses will help save lives in an unusual way.
A joint program between the Harrison Township Fire Department and Northridge Local School District has repurposed old fire hoses to add a safety element to classrooms in case of a lockdown situation. Prior to the 2022-2023 school year, Captain Cody King of the Harrison Township Fire Department met with the Northridge Local School District Safety Director Officer Clint Ball to work together to help strengthen the school’s emergency operations plan. Ball first heard of this type of security measure from a training class the school district sent him to called ALICE, which stands for alert, lockdown, inform, counter and evacuate. ALICE Training provides training to residents and organizations statewide, including businesses, government agencies, healthcare organizations and school districts.
So, how does this work? The old sections of the fire hose are cut down into five inch “sleeves” that are then slipped over the hydraulic hardware of doors, locking them in place so they do not open. This will provide an additional level of protection for the students and staff.
"I am very proud of the relationship we have built with the Northridge Local School District." Chief Michael Crist said. "During an emergency, every second counts and by working together we are helping the school to better protect its staff and students."
About twenty sections of retired fire hoses were donated to the Northridge Local School District.
