Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Horry Horror Ignites Fire Safety in SC

A recent house fire in Horry County turned horrific when the dispatcher inadvertently delayed a call reporting a fire and then accidentally transferred it to the wrong jurisdiction. It didn’t help matters that the first call came after the initial fire was well underway and that the call was made to the South Carolina Department of Forestry rather than 911.

Per protocol, the Carolina Forest fire department that received the call dispatched an engine. For all they knew, the local fire department had its hands full with multiple emergencies. However, since the call came through the forestry department, they expected a brushfire and arrived with a brush truck, which is standard protocol for that type of call.

When the first engine arrived, it was 5:17 p.m., a full nine minutes after the initial call was made. Seeing the home engulfed in flames, the firefighters immediately knew that they were underequipped and called for backup. By the time backup got there, the entire home had burned to the ground, but the firefighters were at least able to prevent the fire from spreading to other homes in the neighborhood.

Monitored Fire Detection

Cases like the one in Horry County illustrate why it is so important for optimal fire safety in SC to have a monitored system. Consider how much different the situation in Horry would have been if that home had a modern security system. The top South Carolina security systems would have detected the fire as soon as it started, and the monitoring station would have dispatched the appropriate emergency services. With time on their side, the firefighters would have saved that house.

Human Error

The Horry incident also illustrates the potential risk of human error. Standard smoke alarms require you to hear them and then respond. We all have a plan in mind, but when a real emergency happens, plans can be difficult to execute. Why did the untrained caller call the Department of Forestry rather than 911 or the local fire department? It is impossible to say, but in all likelihood, it was simply a mistake caused by the pressure of the moment, a mistake that a professional alarm monitoring agent would not make.

Priority 1 Security

Priority One Security is a leading monitoring service and installer of South Carolina security systems, and it has earned an impeccable reputation for integrity and customer service. Priority One is a First Alert provider and a Honeywell authorized dealer. Its flagship product is Honeywell’s Total Connect, which is the best way to ensure optimal fire safety in SC.

Total Connect

Total Connect is a networked and interactive system that can be customized to the specific needs of the home and client. Core features include intrusion detection, fire detection, remote control and push notifications. Other services include thermostat control, lighting control, entry access control, intercom and CCTV cameras with video feeds that are accessible remotely via your smartphone or computer. The system is redundant, able to identify issues before they become faults or failures, and Priority 1 is able to guarantee uptime. www.priority1security.com.

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