The Benton Fire Department is committed to providing the City of Benton and its visitors with superior customer service and emergency response to any situation that threatens life, safety and well-being of person and property. This commitment is accomplished through fire suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescues and fire prevention/education.
It is our priority to provide the best customer service with compassion, professionalism, honesty and integrity to all the citizens and visitors to the City of Benton. Our firefighters may risk their lives to save a life and put themselves at serious risk to save property.
The Benton Fire Department's goal is to provide an excellent service to the growing population and commerce within the City of Benton through education, training and an exceptional work ethic. These goals must be met by being an adaptive and proactive department as the needs of our customers both increase and change.
During this period of time it was known the mayor and council had been in discussion about an organized fire department, but had not acted due to a lack of funding. So on Tuesday, September 25, 1916 an organizational meeting was held and Bob Ashby was appointed Fire Chief. A fund drive began with the Benton Hardware company donating the first $50.00 for the newly formed Fire Department.
A fire alarm system upgrade can be a huge investment, especially in a commercial building. However, with newer technology constantly entering the market, it can be easy to keep up to date with the latest measures, systems, and regulations to keep your business safe.
Smoke and fire detection: You can't be everywhere in your commercial establishment at the same time to monitor fire hazards and the potential of a fire breakout. A fire alarm alerts you of fire, smoke, or heat in other building areas.
Audible and visual signal: As a life safety system, one of the fundamental purposes of fire alarms is to alert anyone in the building of danger so they can escape before the condition escalates further.
Activate fire suppression system: Fire sprinklers, foam systems, and other automated fire suppressants activate based on information from the fire alarm system. These devices can make the difference between salvaging your building and watching it burn to the ground.
The most significant risk of an outdated fire alarm system is that it will not work effectively when you need it most. The end goal of a fire detection system is to alert occupants to the beginnings or presence of a fire, allowing them to react in time before the risk becomes life-threatening.
Poor management and maintenance of fire systems will expose your business to serious risk. 80% of businesses fail within eighteen months of a serious fire incident. In addition to the potential loss of expensive assets, as a business owner, you could be liable for a fire in the workplace. If records show that the correct fire safety measures were not carried out before the incident, you can face hefty fines and possible jail time.
An outdated fire alarm can also become a day-to-day nuisance. False alarms account for the largest number of incidents recorded by the Fire and Rescue services each year. These false alarms become increasingly more common with age, causing disruption to business operations and taking precious time away from rescue services.
After ten years of use, a detector will have dropped below 70% of its initial light output, which causes it to stop operating within its designed specification. Additional electric components will also begin to change over time, affecting the sensor's sensitivity.
Increased sensitivity will lead to a higher number of false alarms. In contrast, a decreased sensitivity can significantly lower the reaction time in detecting a fire, putting people inside the building at serious risk.
When it comes to fire alarm system upgrade vs. replacement, it's becoming increasingly common that systems that are more than ten years old are no longer manufactured. Due to this, it may prove much more difficult to replace existing alarms as you can no longer access spare or additional parts.
Nonetheless, if you are fortunate enough to find that the products and parts in your system are still available, considering an upgrade is still in your best interest, as you will inevitably find that software updates and patches no longer support older systems.
If your current fire protection system is over ten years old, consider getting a fire alarm system upgrade. There are advances in fire protection technology that you need, and your existing unit might also be less effective than it was when it was first installed.
As technology changes, older systems become obsolete. The price for parts for obsolete systems can also skyrocket and be difficult to source. Some older technology may no longer be supported in a system of this age, and the manufacturers also stop offering support for these older systems.
Another sign that you need a fire alarm system upgrade is the need for frequent repairs to keep it functioning. Some older systems become too sensitive, causing frequent false alarms, while others may become too insensitive.
Even when your fire protection system is functioning properly, it is worthwhile to replace it. You might hear about new technology that would be beneficial for your business. In that case, getting a fire alarm system upgrade will be a worthwhile investment.
This is something to consider as new smart technology becomes available. Smart devices can help you manage many different aspects of your business and can be especially beneficial in protecting against fire hazards.
You shouldn't just add a new fire alarm system to the extra space. You'll want one system that monitors and protects your entire business. That connectivity will help you respond to fire more efficiently, no matter where the fire starts.
If your fire detection system is outdated and needs replacement, you'll reap more benefits from a fire alarm system upgrade than simply replacing the same tech with a newer specification. Here are the top benefits of a fire alarm upgrade:
A fire alarm system that has existed for many years may be unreliable and malfunctioning, leading to potential disasters. Malfunctions can be caused by outdated technology, faulty wiring, or normal wear and tear. In any case, a malfunctioning fire alarm system can result in fire damage or even loss of life. A fire alarm system upgrade will ensure that your business has the latest and most reliable technology to detect potential fire hazards.
New fire alarm systems have more advanced features than older systems. For example, many new systems can detect fires more accurately, reducing false alarms. They also offer remote monitoring, enabling you to track the system's status and receive alerts even when not on site. Some systems can even integrate with your building's automation systems, allowing for seamless control of the fire alarm system and other systems.
Over the years, fire safety regulations have become more stringent. You may face hefty fines or other legal repercussions if your fire alarm system does not meet current regulations. Upgrading your fire alarm system will ensure that you meet all the necessary regulations and that your business is safe from potential legal action.
Although upgrading your fire alarm system may seem like a significant expense, it can save you money in the long run. New systems are more energy-efficient, reducing your energy costs. They also require less maintenance, saving you money on repair costs. Additionally, upgrading your fire alarm system can lower your insurance premiums, as insurance companies often offer discounts to businesses with modern fire alarm systems.
After knowing the benefits of a fire alarm system upgrade, don't hesitate to have this essential system installed on your property today! Reach out to us here at A1 Fire & Security Equipment for a reliable and high-quality fire alarm system upgrade service!
The official forest fire season in Greece extends from May 1 to Oct. 30. A fire on the island of Andros in the Aegean Sea on April 4, 2001, burned about 500 hectares of low shrubs and agricultural cultivations under strong winds and was stopped the next morning with the help of rain.
The purpose of the policy was to avoid fatalities at any expense. The emphasis on evacuation was the result of heated political clashes in the aftermath of the East Attica fire of July 23, 2018, in the settlements of Neos Voutzas and Mati, which had caused 102 fatalities.
Following that disaster, the opposition had accused the government of failing to evacuate people in an orderly and timely manner. In 2019, the main opposition became the new government, and avoidance of firefighter and civilian fatalities became a central objective.
Contracted aerial resources, especially in the fire season of 2021, were strengthened impressively, to try to reduce the chance of devastating fires, while ordering evacuations during early stages of a potentially serious fire became the norm.
On May 19, 2001, at a time of the year when grasses are still largely green, a fire started under very strong wind near the Schinos settlement in Corinthia, 60 kilometres west of Athens. The vegetation was mainly pine forest. First responders focused on evacuation of people and the protection of homes. The fire spread through the night and, given the delayed response on the ground and limited aerial support next morning, became large, burning both forest and agricultural cultivations.
After four days, the burned area reached 6,964 hectares. There was considerable debate in the media about the reasons, with some local authorities calling for more aerial resources to be available year-round.
Currently, only a small portion of national aerial firefighting resources are available outside of the fire season; the bulk of the contracted resources arrive in June and operate until the end of September. The use of 112 for early warning over a broad area, the emphasis on early evacuation of villages (even when they were not threatened by the fire), aiming to eliminate the risk of fatalities, and a defensive stance by firefighters for the same reason, became apparent as policy cornerstones for the rest of the fire season.
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