As part of its regular weekly cable TV programming, the Lake Monticello Broadcast Group will examine ways to enhance fire safety at Lake Monticello and throughout Fluvanna County.

The Broadcast Group will welcome Lake Monticello Fire Chief Richard Constantino and Fluvanna County Fire Chief Mike Brent, with special guest Captain Richard Jones, safety specialist for the Charlottesville Fire Department. These veteran firefighters will talk about how to better protect homes and families, often with little effort and cost. Host Ron Krauss will moderate. “With two house fires of different origins at the Lake within two weeks of each other recently, the question of how simple practices can enhance fire safety should be of interest to all homeowners,” says program producer Jay Neelley.

The Fall fire season runs from October 15 through November 30, as autumn leaves accumulate, but fire can be an issue all year long. The program will cover a variety of aspects of fire safety, including the pros and cons of two types of smoke detectors -- ionization and photoelectric -- that are available on the market, plus how to choose and maintain smoke detectors. Guests will talk about fire hydrant locations within the Lake Monticello community and sources of water for fighting fires elsewhere in the county. Other topics will include tips on safety with holiday decorations and proper disposal of ashes from wood stoves and fireplaces.

The program will air on the Lake Monticello Owners' Association cable channel 10 series “This Week at the Lake” during the week of Thursday, December 3, through Wednesday, December 9, at 9AM and 7PM daily. A DVD of the program will be available at the Fluvanna County Library for public use.


The Lake Monticello Broadcast Group is always looking for new members to assist with production of local programming. The Group is seeking technical help, including camera operators, studio technicians and producers. For more information, call co-chairs Ron Krauss at (434) 589-5209 or Jerry Steffel at (434) 589-6418.