NYSAFC Smoke Alarm Project Concludes
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Suzanne M. Syzdek
NYSAFC Grants Administrator
NYSAFC recently partnered with 20 fire departments throughout New York state to conduct a Smoke Alarm Installation and Fire Safety Education Project. This initiative targeted older adults aged 65-plus, as well as those with hearing impairments or deafness. A total of 2,641 smoke alarms were installed, which included 75 specialty smoke alarms designed for the deaf or hard of hearing.
During smoke alarm installation activities, fire departments removed old and non-functional smoke alarms and replaced them with new long-life battery photoelectric smoke alarms. These alarms are equipped with a hush button feature so that recipients can silence nuisance alarms. Fire department personnel also took the opportunity to educate the recipient household members about fire safety, smoke alarm maintenance, home fire escapes, and home fire sprinklers. Participating fire departments reported that they were able to share fire safety tips that were specific to the risks found in each home, which made the time spent on the project more effective.
NYSAFC conducted a follow up evaluation with all recipients aged 65-plus. This follow-up found that, to date, the project-installed smoke alarms alerted residents to smoke or fire hazards a total of 65 times. In addition, 65 percent of the recipient households reported that they continue to check their smoke alarms regularly to make sure they are functional, and 77 percent reported that they have a fire escape plan.
This year’s participating fire departments were from the following communities: Amenia, Little Falls, Johnstown, Gloversville, Valley Stream, Springwater, Auburn, Poughkeepsie, Lenox, Cadyville, Plattsburgh, South Plattsburgh, Thornwood, Massena, Rochester, Wassaic, and Pleasant Valley. In some communities and towns, more than one department participated, which allowed a greater portion of the area to be reached by the initiative.
Funding for this project was provided by a grant from the FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grant program. This was the association’s fifth FP&S-funded smoke alarm installation project in eight years. Through these five projects, NYSAFC has provided more than 12,000 smoke alarms to almost 100 fire departments throughout New York.
NYSAFC Grants Administrator
NYSAFC recently partnered with 20 fire departments throughout New York state to conduct a Smoke Alarm Installation and Fire Safety Education Project. This initiative targeted older adults aged 65-plus, as well as those with hearing impairments or deafness. A total of 2,641 smoke alarms were installed, which included 75 specialty smoke alarms designed for the deaf or hard of hearing.
During smoke alarm installation activities, fire departments removed old and non-functional smoke alarms and replaced them with new long-life battery photoelectric smoke alarms. These alarms are equipped with a hush button feature so that recipients can silence nuisance alarms. Fire department personnel also took the opportunity to educate the recipient household members about fire safety, smoke alarm maintenance, home fire escapes, and home fire sprinklers. Participating fire departments reported that they were able to share fire safety tips that were specific to the risks found in each home, which made the time spent on the project more effective.
NYSAFC conducted a follow up evaluation with all recipients aged 65-plus. This follow-up found that, to date, the project-installed smoke alarms alerted residents to smoke or fire hazards a total of 65 times. In addition, 65 percent of the recipient households reported that they continue to check their smoke alarms regularly to make sure they are functional, and 77 percent reported that they have a fire escape plan.
This year’s participating fire departments were from the following communities: Amenia, Little Falls, Johnstown, Gloversville, Valley Stream, Springwater, Auburn, Poughkeepsie, Lenox, Cadyville, Plattsburgh, South Plattsburgh, Thornwood, Massena, Rochester, Wassaic, and Pleasant Valley. In some communities and towns, more than one department participated, which allowed a greater portion of the area to be reached by the initiative.
Funding for this project was provided by a grant from the FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grant program. This was the association’s fifth FP&S-funded smoke alarm installation project in eight years. Through these five projects, NYSAFC has provided more than 12,000 smoke alarms to almost 100 fire departments throughout New York.
