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Montgomery group homes seek help from county for fire safety
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A group home in Bethesda on Thursday. More than 40 group homes in Montgomery County are not in compliance with fire safety standards.
The county’s answer: Supply the buildings with sprinkler systems as a fire-prevention tool.
The County Council’s Public Safety Committee recommended on Thursday setting aside $250,000 to fund the installation of sprinkler systems in the group homes.
“We want the homes to stay open to continue providing the services that they do,” said Phil Andrews, chairman of the county’s public safety committee. “But we also want them to be safe.”
The 42 group homes include 25 that serve the developmentally disabled, 15 that are assisted-living homes for the elderly and two that serve minors. Bedroom windows in the buildings were not large enough to accommodate easy emergency exits.
Committee member Mike Knapp said the county was in a difficult situation.
“We got caught in a quandary because we had code enforcement personnel identifying legitimate things that needed to be fixed, and group homes that are getting fewer dollars from the state in funding. ...” Knapp said.
Kitty Salahuddin, director of residential services of the Association of Retarded Citizens of Mongomery County, said the fire codes have been in place for years, but inspectors have ramped up enforcement efforts recently.
“It’s nothing new,” Salahuddin said. “Of course as providers we want to comply because we want everybody to be safe. We just don’t have the funding to do it.”
Michael Love, a division chief for Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services, said the county was getting a good deal.
“One way or another, the county is responsible for these people,” Love said. “I think it’s a pretty good compromise to set aside $250,000 for sprinkler system. You’re getting a lot of bang for your buck and of course the safety of group home residents, which is the most important thing.”
Andrews said he expected the full council to vote on the funding in July.
kmiller@dcexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
5:42 PM MST on Thu., Jun. 26, 2008 re: "Fire could summon 14th-century fear"
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12:16 PM MST on Thu., Jun. 26, 2008
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10:06 PM MST on Tue., May. 20, 2008
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12:14 PM MST on Sat., Apr. 5, 2008
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10:53 AM MST on Fri., Dec. 7, 2007
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Albert Franklin said:
75,000,000 died during the Black Plague starting with 1354! What percent of this were European Christians? How does this play with America's and West Indian's Christians who were also exterminated because of their Christianity? What dreaded diseases brought them down from San Francisco to Gilroy and who is responsible other than France? If October 31 marks "All Saints Day" in Europe, why do we call Mexico's "Days of the Dead," not "All Saints Day" when it begins on the following day: 1, 2, and 3 November?
9 agree | 6 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
This story reveals yet more fear mongering propagated by the media. The real story here is not the possibility of a plague, but the desperation of an Examiner reporter looking to scoop a story. Give me a break.
12 agree | 10 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
he should have let it burn ... only section 8 drug dealers and illegal aliens lived in the apartment
456 agree | 9 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
that's too bad. wish him the best of luck
11 agree | 9 disagree
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Seven said:
In the Mission, the surprise would be if they DIDN'T find marijuana.
11 agree | 9 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I live just one block from the Valencia fire i would like to give massive credit to the SFFD for the way they handled this fire.. Way to go guys and gals...
18 agree | 11 disagree
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Eddie House said:
I would like to know why the police & fire department refused to investigate and take action against the tenants that discarded cigarettes onto my boat cover, on the dry grass area around my stack of firewood. On two occasions I found burned wood laminate strips placed on my deck and dry grass near the boat. But most of all want to know why after 12 or more false calls of burning trash “ and the city knows damn well they were FALSE CALLS as they broke into my home only to find firewood in the EPA woodstove” WHY DID YOU CONTINUE TO HARRASS ME ? AND NOT TAKE ACTION ON THE TENANTS THAT MADE THESE FALSE CALLS OF TRASH BEING BURNED?
495 agree | 11 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
When your being evicted from your apartment, you go out with a blaze of glory ? Or just another attempt to set fire to his boat that went all to wrong ? No cleaning or security depost refund for you ! But you are entitled to free room & board at the county jail !.
277 agree | 9 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I better watch out! I'll try not to cry... When Santa Claus comes to town I'll be wearing a frown when reporters get wind that; Citizens "took" gifts...instead of ; Citizens "received" gifts... Geeze!
181 agree | 189 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Very interesting and informative article. In Nashville Tn group home providers with less than 8 clients with disabilities are now required to have sprinkler system and many will close due to a lack funds. Who can I contact to get assistance? Perrion Gordon
197 agree | 197 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
i am allans daughter kaitlyn and i just wanted to say that he will be forever missed and that he loved doing wat he was i never loved any one theway a daughter loves a father. love, kaitlyn roberts
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Examiner Reader said:
Who cares?
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Examiner Reader said:
Why is this a story? It was $1,200 and the city reviewed and approved. Sounds like someone is trying to make something out of nothing. Shame on you.
508 agree | 364 disagree
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Precious Jenkins said:
i am one of the nieces of the decreased and the cousin of the mother. this is and was a terrible fire that took 5 members of our family. annette was my father's youngest sister and one of my godmother. my father just had lost a sister 1 year and 4 days before. and now he only have one sister. this fire made our family feel that life to short to be walking around and not talking and loving your family members. a family that prays together says together!!!
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