Firefighters Shun Habitat Home Project
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- Some western Maryland firefighters are refusing to help Habitat for Humanity build a house meant to honor them unless a sprinkler system is added to the plans.
The Herald-Mail newspaper of Hagerstown reports that the Washington County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association is standing firm to make a point.
Volunteer firefighter Blaine Snyder said Wednesday that sprinklers save lives. The fire and rescue association wants local governmental bodies to require them in new homes.
Washington County and the city of Hagerstown require sprinklers for some new construction but not for single-family detached homes like the "Heroes House" that Habitat is planning.
Local Habitat official Sherry Brown Cooper says the "Heroes House" project will proceed, with or without the fire and rescue association's help.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)