East Ridge News Online

Your Local News Source

  • Home
  • News
  • Crime
    • Arrest Reports
    • Court Dockets & Dispositions
  • Opinions
    • Read Opinions
    • Submit An Opinion
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • More
    • Business
    • Community
    • Good Eats
  • Contact US
    • Contact Us
    • Submit A News Tip
    • Submit An Opinion
You are here: Home / Community / ERFD Partners with State Fire Marshal’s Office to Promote ‘Close the Door’ Campaign

ERFD Partners with State Fire Marshal’s Office to Promote ‘Close the Door’ Campaign

February 14, 2019 By Dick Cook and Contributed Article Leave a Comment

Saving a life in a house fire could only require something as simple as closing a door. Experts say that sleeping with a closed bedroom door could hold back flames and smoke long enough for occupants to wake up and attempt escape.

To help raise awareness of this simple but effective life-saving message, the East Ridge Fire Department partnered with the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) in the hopes of saving more lives in Tennessee.The Phoenix, Arizona-based rapid access device manufacturer Knox Company recently joined forces with the SFMO to provide “Close the Door” education materials to fire departments across the state. The ERFD is proud to partner with the SFMO to bring this campaign to the city of East Ridge.

“The ‘Close the Door’ message is simple, but it can have a life-saving impact,” said Assistant Commissioner of Fire Prevention Gary Farley. “We are thrilled that fire departments like East Ridge are partnering with us to take this message into communities across Tennessee. I commend the East Ridge Fire Department for their commitment to helping their community.”

Closing the door reduces fire growth and spread, limits damage to your home and could possibly save lives. A closed door can hinder flames and smoke from spreading to other rooms and can deprive a fire of the oxygen it needs to grow.

“Fires burn faster than ever,” added East Ridge Deputy Chief Mike Flynn. “Closing your bedroom door before going to sleep could buy you crucial seconds to escape in a house fire.”

During a fire remember:

_ Close the bedroom door when sleeping, if possible.

_ Close doors behind you when escaping a room/building that’s on fire.

_ If you are unable to escape a building that is on fire, close all doors between you and the fire. Use towels or sheets to seal the door cracks and cover air vents. Call the fire department to report your exact location. 

_ Keep fire doors closed. These specialized doors are used to compartmentalize a building and prevent the spread of smoke and flames. Never wedge, disable or prop open fire doors in apartments or other buildings.

The SFMO and the East Ridge Fire Department urge Tennesseans to have working smoke alarms inside each sleeping area, outside each sleeping area and on every level of a home. For more tips on keeping your home fire safe, visit https://www.knoxhomebox.com/closethedoor or https://www.tn.gov/commerce/fire-prevention. 

Filed Under: Community, FEATURED POSTS, News, SLIDER

About Dick Cook

Dick Cook has lived in East Ridge since the Kennedy Administration when his parents bought a house on Marietta Street. Dick graduated from ERHS in 1976 before going on to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he studied Political Science. Dick worked for the Chattanooga Free-Press and the Chattanooga Times Free Press for 22 years. Free-Press Sports Editor Roy Exum plucked him out of production in 1989 and gave him a job as a sports reporter. Dick covered everything from prep sports to the whitewater events on the Ocoee River for the 1996 Olympics. When Chattanooga's two paper's merged, he became the Crime Reporter covering both the Chattanooga Police and Fire Departments. He was among reporters who were honored by the Associated Press for the TFP's coverage of the 2002 fog-shrouded crash on I-75 in Catoosa County, Dick and his wife, Cathy, live on Marlboro Avenue where they are seen frequently chasing around their three grandsons.

About Contributed Article


Search Our Site

Will you and your family patronize the new Whataburger coming to East Ridge?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...
  • Polls Archive

Our Sponsors:


Contact Us
Submit A Tip
Copyright Notice
Advertise
Terms of Service
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in