Environmental Committee: Fireplace Checkup

Note: A copy of the Dec. 2022 email sent to the Harrisburg NAACP Environmental Committee follows. Titles to related updates added for Reference.

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<Redacted>:
 
Seasons Greetings!
 
Earlier this month, I had a cold after nasal congestion from seasonal allergies migrated to my chess. I think the lack of direct sunlight, exercise, and shortening daylight hours during that shut-in period left me lethargic.
 
But I'm better now. Please allow me another week to reply to all the environmental justice articles you sent me in recent weeks.
 
<Redacted>, you raise a good point.
 
There were no objections to my expressed desire to license the fire safety cartoon to the branch. During the next executive meeting, I'll ask if a motion on that is necessary or appropriate.

Also see Environmental Committee: Fire Safety Cartoon, III below.
 
In regard to optimizing grant funds for volunteer fire companies, HB1178 passed the state House and in October made it to Committee in the state Senate (VA and Emergency Preparedness). In January, I'll have the script for any subsequent consideration of the bill by members of the state Senate Committee in the 2023-2024 session.

Also see Environmental Committee: Volunteer Firefighters in Pa. below.

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Ever lived in or nearby a house with a chimney?
 
Apparently, running fireplaces with chimneys are fire hazards if not cleaned and -- for structural integrity -- imaged (yep, pictures). And the sound of their burning firewood seems to be one indicator.
 
Burning wet firewood and burning dry firewood have different sounds, according to Joseph Ochal, chimney sweep and founder of Chimney Scientists in Conshohoken. A chimney catching fire quite another sound -- like a freight train, Ochal said.
 
Unless it burns gas logs, I get the impression that chimneys are like a built-in space heater; they're for temporary use only.

Also see Environmental Committee: Black History Month - Recognizing Former EPA Whistleblower below.
 
In addition to a recent scare in his own home, Ochal shared necessary tips for fireplace maintenance in The Inquirer this week.
 
Gotta go, <Redacted>.
 
Enjoy your New Year's Eve!
 
Jubalyn ExWilliams
Chair | Environmental Committee
Harrisburg NAACP
XXX-XXX-XXXX

Dalmatian near fireplace (Credit: "Fireplace Jones" by J. Chris Vaughan)

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The founding Environmental Committee of the Harrisburg NAACP popularizes awareness for fire safety & prevention in the City of Harrisburg. Upon its formal conception in March 2021, the Committee has been developing a free educational product for young learners about non-arson house fires.

Would you like to join the Harrisburg NAACP and help shape the Environmental Committee, or another committee? Contact the Greater Harrisburg Area NAACP at hbgnaacp.com, its first website in 5 years.

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Related: Environmental Committee: Volunteer Firefighters in Pa. (Sept. 2022)
Related: Environmental Committee: Fire Safety Cartoon, III (Oct. 2022)
Related: Environmental Committee: Black History Month - Recognizing Former EPA Whistleblower (Feb. 2022)
Related: Environmental Committee: Remaining Plans (Nov. 2022)
Related: Environmental Committee: Reactions, I (Jan. 2023)
Related: Environmental Committee: Reactions, II (Feb. 2023)
Related: Environmental Committee: Proposal on Harrisburg Fire Safety, Prevention (Mar. 2021)