Highlighting the critical life-saving value of early fire warning devices following a devastating local blaze, Selectman Walter J. Dempsey is pushing forward with a municipal proposal to provide a full town subsidy for smoke detectors in every Norwood household.
Local Fire Incident Inspires Safety Push
The renewed focus on home fire safety follows a severe early-morning fire on June 25 that inflicted over $50,000 in damage to the Burnley Road home of Frank Clark. Mrs. Elizabeth Clark recalled escaping the dense, blinding smoke just in time after waking spontaneously, noting that while her husband was overcome by fumes, the family survived. The Clarks’ home lacked smoke alarms at the time—though they had used them previously on Fulton Street—and the family is currently living in a trailer in their backyard while rebuilding.
Remarking on the terrifying ordeal, Mrs. Clark noted that all their neighbors immediately purchased smoke detectors following the disaster. The Clarks now have two detectors guarding their temporary quarters and plan to install them permanently once reconstruction is complete.
Financial Subsidy and Insurance Benefits
Selectman Dempsey argued that for a smoke detector program to achieve total effectiveness and widespread adoption, the town must absorb the full cost, warning that even a minor out-of-pocket expense could cause some residents to ignore the opportunity. “If you really and sincerely believe in it, all you have to do is put a price on it,” Dempsey remarked.
While fire protection commissioner Norwood Clark questioned whether beneficiaries should share in the expense, he acknowledged that spending roughly $150,000 to equip town homes is a worthwhile investment when weighed against the town’s $1 million fire department budget. Dempsey noted that smoke detectors provide crucial surveillance during the vulnerable hours between midnight and 6:00 a.m. when natural human senses are asleep, and pointed out that most insurance companies offer a 2 percent premium credit for approved detectors. Dempsey suggested officially launching the proposal in October during National Fire Prevention Month.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
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Norwood Police Department On Memorial Day 1954-This Day in Norwood History-June 3, 1954
June 3, 1954-Norwood Police Department On Memorial Day 1954
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In Memoriam-Louis F. Parker
LOUIS F. PARKER The townspeople were saddened on the afternoon of March 10, 1953 when they learned of the sudden death of Deputy Chief Louis F. Parker. He died in the performance of his duties. Louis F. Parker was born in Norwood October 16, 1895, appointed to the Fire Department May 16, 1926 and promoted…
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Deputy Chief Louis F. Parker Dies Directing Men at Norwood Fire-March 10, 1953
Three Others Hurt as Blaze Damages Bird & Son Plant STRICKEN AT BLAZE—Deputy Chief Louis F. Parker. NORWOOD, March 10 — Deputy Fire Chief Louis F. Parker, 56, collapsed and died while directing operations during a general alarm fire about 3 this afternoon at the Bird & Son plant here. The veteran of 25 years…
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Heavy Bail Set For Pair Captured By Police At Gunpoint In Roadside Stand-This Day in Norwood History-January 17, 1950
Two Newton men who were captured at gunpoint in Perrell’s Restaurant early Saturday morning by alert Norwood police, and a companion who drove away from the scene when the police approached and was arrested later at his home, were each held in $10,000 bail by Judge Gilbert W. Cox and their cases continued until Friday…
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Police Save Dog From Drowning After Plunge Through Ice-This Day in Norwood History-January 6, 1949
Police, Firemen Join Forces To Rescue Struggling German Shepherd At Dunn’s Near exhaustion from struggling in three feet of icy water after he plunged through thin ice while crossing Dunn’s Pond off Nahatan street, a gray and brown German shepherd dog was rescued from drowning by police and firemen on Sunday morning as dozens of…
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Police Chief Lydon Invents New Finger-Printing Machine-This Day in Norwood History-March 29, 1947
Gadget Will Be Submitted To The FBI For Inspection INVENTS FINGER-PRINTING MACHINE—Norwood Police Chief Thomas C. Lydon (right) holds finger-printing machine which he has invented and which will be turned over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for inspection. At the left is Joseph M. Lamb, electrical engineer, who assisted in the perfection of the…
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Sgt Lydon Appointed Chief of Police Department-This Day in Norwood History-April 19, 1946
Sergeant Thomas Lydon has been appointed Chief Norwood Police Department to succeed Chief William H Sullivan, effective June 1, it was announced this morning by Manager Francis W. Smith. The appointment by the General Manager of the new chief received the unanimous approval of the Board of Selectmen last night. Sgt. Lydon, who will give…
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Norwood Votes Two-Way Police Radio for Town-This Day In Norwood History-March 27, 1941
NORWOOD, March 27 — Norwood citizens, in an 80-minute town meeting tonight at the State Armory at which not one dissenting vote was cast, passed an annual budget of $1,546,747.19. Appropriations included funds for a two-way police radio. The meeting voted to raze the 50-year-old Beacon School and to accept a gift from W. Cameron…
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Sergeant Curran Helps To Capture Slick Safecracker Hiding In Town-This Day in Norwood History-July 14, 1939
This Day in Norwood History-July 14, 1939-Sergeant Curran Helps To Capture Slick Safecracker Hiding In Town
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Police Department Schedule Revamped-This Day In Norwood History-February 4, 1939
New Assignments Given To Officers A new schedule for the Norwood Police Department became effective yesterday with the posting of new assignments for members of the force. While new assignments have not been made for some time, in the Norwood department, many departments find it good policy to rearrange the schedule from time to time.…
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