OPVFD talks fire safety, fundraising drives

(March 26, 2024) Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department President Joe Enste spoke on Saturday about fire safety and recent fundraising efforts.

Addressing the Ocean Pines Board and a gathering of homeowners, Enste said staff and volunteers are working hard to raise funds to renovate the aging South Fire Station.

Those efforts include a personalized brick fundraising campaign, where people can purchase a 4x8" brick for $100, or an 8x8" brick for $200. The bricks will be used to build a feature at the new south fire station.

Additionally, donations of $1,000, $5,000, $10,000, and up will be recognized on plaques at the new station.

Enste said OPVFD is also hosting a cash bingo on April 18, and less than 80 tickets remain.

“So please, quickly purchase your tickets if you're interested,” he said. “We also recently launched a ‘Queen of Hearts’ raffle that allows our community members to purchase tickets for just $5 at a chance for winning the growing jackpot. We're currently in week four and the jackpot is now $2,513.

“We also will continue our vehicle raffle, with a few updates that will now allow us to cover all the winner’s taxes, tags and title … anything associated with all raffle and event,” he continued. “Tickets can be purchased through our website, opvfd.com. And you can always contact the Fire Department directly with any questions, or if you need any assistance with purchasing.”

Enste said the community experienced a serious house fire a week ago that saw one person transported to the hospital and claimed the life of several pets.

With that in mind, he stressed the importance of fire safety and having working smoke alarms.

“Fires can happen unexpectedly and spread rapidly, posing a significant threat to lives and property,” Enste said. “However, there's a simple, yet powerful tool that can make a lifesaving difference. That's a smoke alarm.

“These small devices are like silent guardians constantly monitoring the air for any signs of smoke,” he continued. “When they detect even the slightest hint of danger, they'll sound the alarm and give us precious time to escape to safety.”

Enste said simply having a smoke alarm isn’t enough.

“It's crucial to ensure they are in good working condition,” he said. “Regularly test your smoke alarms to make sure that they're functioning properly. And remember, a smoke alarm with a dead battery is as good as not having an alarm at all.”

Enste said it’s also important to have an escape plan in place. He said everyone in the household should be aware of the details of the plan.

“Know the quickest and safest way out of your home in case of fire, and practice your escape plan regularly,” he said. “Fire Safety is a shared responsibility. By taking a simple yet essential step like installing and maintaining smoke alarms and having an escape plan, we can better protect ourselves and our loved ones. Let's work together to make Ocean Pines a safer place for everyone.”

For more information on OPVFD, including details on fundraising and raffle campaigns, visit opvfd.com or call 410-641-8272.