In a nationwide effort to educate the community about home fire sprinklers the Hagerstown Fire Department participated in a demonstration for the first time at several Lowe's Home Improvement stores and Home Depot locations. Officials said fires are burning a lot faster and hotter. The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition, and the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition-Canada are initiating the Home Fire Sprinkler Day. They said having a sprinkler system is close to having a firefighter in your house. "Sprinklers work in conjunction with a smoke alarm. They operate independently so a smoke alarm does not set off a sprinkler system but a sprinkler system will allow you more time to get out of the house during a fire," said Deputy Fire Marshall John Crist, Hagerstown Fire Department.