Burglar Swipes Fire Safety Training Gear Used to Educate Children

Anyone with information is urged to call the Oregon State Police at 1-800-452-7888.

(SALEM) - The theft of fire safety gear over the weekend will not only cost local taxpayers a good piece of change, it also means that programs in effect to keep kids alive during a school or house fire are compromised.

Most would agree that's being in bad form, even for a thief.

A number of items used to teach kids about fire safety was stolen from the Oregon State Fire Marshal's storage yard on Portland road in Salem late Saturday night.

State Police say a burglar broke through a containment fence and made off with equipment used to teach children about fire safety; things like VCR's, a PA system, and even a generator.

Investigators say the thief also broke into a hazardous materials response vehicle stealing additional tools and equipment. Initial estimates place the value of equipment and damage at more than $20,000.

"This is very unfortunate for all Oregonians," states Chief Deputy Fire Marshal Randy Simpson. "This new safety trailer was to be used to teach the youth throughout the state about fire safety. Now, we'll have to start over from square one."

Stolen equipment includes:

• Hand tools
• TVs
• DVD players
• VCR player
• Speakers
• Public address system
• Honda generator

Anyone with information is urged to call the Oregon State Police at 1-800-452-7888.