“The $16,600 grant from the Westbrook Foundation is doing so much good for so many people,” says Cliff Spencer, Westbrook Fire Chief. “ When you can talk safety and at the same time simulate an actual dangerous real life environment, people remember what to do if they face an emergency.” The Fire Safety House has the ability to demonstrate through the use of modern technology what a room or house will smell, touch, taste and feel like to someone inside. Spencer has had children as young as age 3 learn to feel a hot and cold door, escape down a ladder and learn to use 911. Older children and adults are exposed to a non toxic smoke condition.

Over the course of a year, the Surrey Fire Safety House gives demonstrations at day care centers, elementary and middle schools, Middlesex Memorial Hospital, the local YMCA, and special events such as healthy kid’s day and the town picnic. “Since school started this September, says Spencer, “more than 1,000 kids have learned about fire prevention inside our House.”

The fire chief says that another benefit of the House to Westbrook is its use by the fire department as an incident command vehicle at the scene of an emergency.

John Hall, Chairman of the Board of the Westbrook Foundation says “the Fire Safety House is an ideal example of what Barbara Spencer sought to accomplish, supporting organizations and actions that would help ensure the quality of life of our residents.”

Since 1985, the Westbrook Foundation, Inc. awards scholarships to local students and grants to town organizations involved in medical, social, cultural, recreational and civic endeavors. Founded by lifelong Westbrook resident and educator, Barbara Spencer, in memory of her father, the Foundation is a non-profit organization administered by a volunteer board of townspeople.