TVFD program to put smoke detectors in more homes

The Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department is working with the American Red Cross to help ensure homes have working smoke detectors and people know what to do in case of a fire.

Jayson Zimmerman with the Red Cross explained the Home Fire campaign through Red Cross, and the intent is to use donations earmarked specifically for smoke detectors and purchase the devices, then form lasting partnerships with local entities such as the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department. These partnerships provide a resource in the community for people to learn about the need for smoke detectors.

From there, Zimmerman said, “we’ll actually go in and do the installation, and we’ll do some home education.” Among the educational components is making sure people know what to do when a smoke detector goes off and what the escape routes from their home are.

“We also do demographics on our Red Cross form that we can then share with the fire department so we can be more aware in the community of people who might need extra help in the event of a fire because of physical or mental challenges they may have,” Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman noted the hope is to find out who needs smoke detectors, and help provide them. “I’m sure it’s an ongoing need,” he said, “and we’re not going to be able to find all of them by sitting at the firehouse or visiting at the restaurant. We need people to come down and say, ‘Hey, we need smoke detectors,’ and they need to know there’s no cost associated with them. The Red Cross does take care of it.”

James Coates with the Thermopolis Volunteer Fire Department said those in need of detectors can send a request via the department’s Facebook page or contact the Chamber of Commerce during business hours. The Chamber will then contact the fire department’s outreach committee, and a committee member will contact the individual and schedule a time to install the detector, explain proper care, maintenance and how to test the device, and have a short conversation about fire safety.

“It really gives a good opportunity,” Coates said, “to get a positive face out there with the public, one-on-one, and make sure we’re having an effective prevention campaign along with getting these smoke alarms into people’s homes. It’s a vital, vital thing.”

Zimmerman added, “If we don’t get the smoke detectors in, then we’re letting people down in the sense that we’re not doing the best community outreach that we can. It’s all about saving lives . . . all we care about is taking care of people so that they’re living safer in their homes.”

Coates added, nationwide, three of every five fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms, and one-third of those occur in homes where there’s not even a smoke alarm present. “Our goal is to cut that,” he said. “By simply having a single working smoke alarm in your home the chance of serious death or injury is cut in half. The department has seen, just in the past couple weeks, smoke alarms, in our opinion, truly save lives.”

With Daylight Savings Time beginning this week, it’s also a good time to change the batteries in smoke detectors, to make sure they are in working order. Now is a good time to “hit the ground running,” Coates said, “to get the smoke detectors in people’s homes.”

Zimmerman pointed out this is not a simple “once and done” campaign, and the Red Cross will join the fire department’s efforts to ensure homes have detectors in good working order and people are educated on fire safety.

Those who need smoke detectors are strongly encouraged to contact fire department through their Facebook page or the Chamber of Commerce at 864-3192. Zimmerman added they have a goal of installing as close to 250 detectors as possible by June.