Free smoke detectors from Shoreline Fire
Published 6:18 am Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The Shoreline Fire Department is a 2004 recipient of a Washington State Department of Health “Fire Safe Families” grant that will provide 400 free smoke detectors to families with young children. The grant includes $4,000 that will be used to enhance the Fire Department’s preschool and kindergarten fire prevention education efforts.
“This grant will mean that we reach more families with fire safety messages — through the public and private schools in Shoreline,” said Fire Chief Ron Mehlert. “Because children under the age of 5 are at risk for fire injury and death, we continue to emphasize fire escape planning for families, and assuring that all children are protected by a working smoke alarm near their bedroom.”
Knowing what to do when the smoke alarm goes off is an important part of every family’s emergency planning. The grant will mean the Department can purchase several teaching props that can be taken to schools to help children understand the importance of getting out when their hear the “beep” of their smoke detector. Preschool and Kindergarten teachers will be asked to assist in identifying families who could benefit from the smoke detector program.
The Department plans to use specially trained CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) volunteers to help install the detectors in Shoreline homes. The CERT volunteers will work with neighborhood schools to identify families who need the detectors and assistance in fire escape planning. The CERT program, new to Shoreline in 2003, puts citizens to work assisting the fire department in the event of a major disaster. Because such events are uncommon, CERT team members are helping with fire prevention education — which is a direct response to the President’s call for citizens to volunteer in their communities.
If you have children aged 5 or under, you are eligible for the free smoke detector and fire escape planning guidance. Call 206-533-6564 and leave your name, address and phone number. You can also e-mail the Community Education specialist at Shoreline Fire, mgranfors@shorelinefire.com.
