Memorial Service to Remember Those Who Died by Fire on March 7th

March 7, 2009 will be the 19th anniversary of a tragic fire that took placeat 21 Florence Street in which four people perished.  Each year on March 7ththe Main South Alliance for Public Safety commemorates not only thisterrible disaster but all fire-related deaths since 1986.  The large blackgranite memorial at 1020 Main Street will again be the site of this year'smemorial.In 1990, 28-year old Ethel Baisden and her three children - Francis, age 3;David, age 23 months; and Paul, age 7 months - died when flames sweptthrough their apartment at 21 Florence Street.  The fire began when thebaby's blanket was ignited by a gas space heater.There are now 46 names inscribed on the monument.  This year one name willbe added:George A. BerganAge:     91 Died:    December 24, 2008The goal of the Main South Alliance for Public Safety's original placing ofthe memorial, its maintenance, and its annual memorial service is to serveboth as a reminder to the community of fire safety in general and to promoteproactive solutions to fire prevention, in particular the importance ofhaving hard-wired smoke detectors in each residence.  Five years ago the Alliance added  mandatory reduced ignition cigarettes toits advocacy efforts.  The Commonwealth enacted such legislation in 2006 and"fire safe" cigarettes were introduced beginning January 2008.  This yearthe Alliance is focused on the dangers of fire as a result of the housingforeclosure crisis.  The Alliance is working closely with the City in itsS.A.V.E. Our Neighborhoods effort to see that all vacant buildings arequickly identified and properly secured.    District 4 City Councilor Barbara Haller and present Chair of the CityCouncil's Standing Committee on Public Safety has participated in eachannual memorial service.  Councilor Haller encourages the public to continueto work with our Fire Department to reduce fire tragedies:  "Unattendedspace heaters, poor quality and overloaded extension cords, candles, andsmoldering smoking materials continue to be sources of house fires.  We willcontinue to work with Fire Prevention to bring public awareness to thesehazards."Please join us in this year's memorial service as we remember those who diedby fire.Saturday, March 7, 2008** 1:00 p.m. **1020 Main Street (corner of Main and Agawam streets)Worcester, MA 01610

SAVE THE CHILDREN.For further information, contact:     William T. Breault  (508) 397-1075Councilor Barbara Haller (508) 414-0266