There is no good time to have a fire at your home or business, but holiday season fires can take an extra emotional toll. That’s why the Fishers Fire Department continues an annual tradition of displaying holiday wreaths, with special meaning.
The wreaths start full of red bulbs. If there is a structure fire in the Fishers Fire Department’s area of protection, a white bulb will replace a red bulb.
“The ultimate goal is not to change any of the wreath bulbs during the holiday season” said Ron Lipps, Public Information Officer for the Fishers Fire Department.
This year there will be a blue bulb in memory of each of the three Indiana firefighters who lost their life in the line of duty in 2006. In years past, a single blue bulb was displayed in honor of firefighters killed nationwide.
“Indiana has had a bad year for fire deaths” said Lipps. “It’s a bit more meaningful, and hits closer to home, when we pay tribute to Indiana firefighters who lost their lives this year.”
Indiana residents have fared much worse. So far about 80 Hoosiers have died in fires, most of them at their home, including two year old Fishers resident Garrison Chamberlain, who died on April 2. A small star on the fire station wreaths, illuminated by a green bulb, is hung in his memory.
By raising the fire safety awareness level during the holiday season, the Fishers Fire Department hopes residents and businesses will take a few minutes to look for, and correct, any hazards that could cause a fire.
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, but during the cold weather season candles and heating appliance incidents rise. Historically, Christmas day is when fires started by candles hit their peak.
The wreaths will be on display at all five Fishers fire stations from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Day.
Comments 1
Hello, I am the mother of Garison Chamberlain and just found this article. I can not thank you enough for honoring him. Do you have any pictures of it? This really means a lot to myself and my family. Thank you so much for the support!