Grant covers purchase of 1,000 smoke detectors

HAZLET - Township Fire Official John Beslanovitz has received a $4,000 corporate grant in order to buy smoke detectors for trailer parks in the area.

International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF) offered the grant to Beslanovitz after he called several businesses asking for help.

The reasoning for the smoke detector grant stems from a Sept. 3 trailer park fire that claimed the lives of three Hazlet residents, including a 9-year-old boy. There was no smoke detector found in the home, according to authorities.

With the grant, Hazlet fire officials were able to buy 1,000 smoke detectors that will be handed out to trailer parks throughout the township.

"We went to four trailer parks one day, three another, then two just handing out smoke detectors," Beslanovitz said. "We are sending out letters to towns and knocking on trailer parks doors to secure more money."

The letter is asking for 80 more smoke detectors and 25 batteries.

The fire chiefs of North Centerville, West Keansburg and Hazlet are all seeking donations to help put smoke detectors in the trailer parks so that no more people's lives or safety are risked. Hazlet residents interested in donating to the effort are asked to call their local firehouse.

Beslanovitz presented his case in front of the Township Committee on Sept. 17. Mayor James DiNardo agreed with the fire official, and told the people in attendance what he planned to do when he got home.

"Check your fire alarms," DiNardo said. "Make sure it wakes you up."

- Jamie Romm