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RIVERSIDE
Fire dept. visits used to promote safety
Firefighters are offering to install smoke detectors and help people with their escape plans.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
RIVERSIDE — The Riverside Fire Department is committed to having the city's residents protected by smoke detectors — even if they have to put them there themselves.
"Our research shows you can hand them out (smoke detectors), but that doesn't mean they get installed, or installed properly," firefighter/medic Paula Balcom said. "And many people don't realize smoke detectors need to be replaced every 10 years or that they need one for every level in the home."
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In Riverside, residents who need smoke detectors or want the ones they have checked can simply call for help. Fire department employees will go out to the home and check or install smoke and/or carbon monoxide detectors on request for free. If your smoke detector just needs batteries, they will bring them and put them in.
The service is available to homeowners and renters of single-family and duplex or condominium type residences. Large multi-unit apartment complexes are governed by state laws and landlords need to provide and maintain smoke detectors in those buildings.
Firefighters also do a post-fire walk. Crews walk the neighborhood following a fire, talking to residents about their fire protection and safety plans.
"There is nothing like a fire in your own neighborhood — and then it hits home," Balcom said. "We go out within a week of a fire and walk the area, knock on doors and if someone's home, we talk to them about detectors and their fire escape plan."
If no one's home, they leave pamphlets on fire safety and let people know help with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors is available through the fire department.
From 2005 through January of 2007, in walks following 14 fires, the department has contacted 473 households, talked to almost 200 residents and installed 26 smoke detectors, 10 carbon monoxide detectors and replaced two batteries.
"It's a big program for us," Balcom said. "We plan to continue doing this after every fire we have."
Battalion Chief Joe Greil said the department's efforts have been supported by the city's Health and Safety Commission, which donated 100 smoke detectors, and $3,457 from the federal Assistance to Firefighters fund.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2235 or vwarren@DaytonDailyNews.com.
