Continuing its mission to save lives and protect property, the Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association is proud to partner with the Washington D.C. Fire and EMS Department to launch a public awareness campaign and free smoke alarm give-away program aimed at increasing the chance for occupants to escape a home fire. The campaign targets Washington D.C. homeowners.
The campaign directs D.C. homeowners to the Web site www.freesmokealarm.org to request one of three different types of alarms: a combination smoke/carbon monoxide alarm, a parent voice smoke alarm, or a hearing impaired smoke alarm. A representative from the Washington D.C. Fire and EMS Department will deliver and install the alarm for the homeowner.
Residents will see the campaign featured on both exterior and interior bus posters, as well as twenty metro rail stations throughout the city during the months of October and November.
“We’re excited to have the support of the Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association to assist us in increasing our residents’ awareness of the importance of having a working smoke alarm in their homes,” says Dennis Rubin, Chief of the Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department for the District of Columbia.
“This campaign also serves as a reminder for homeowners who currently have smoke alarms installed in their homes to check the alarm regularly and to replace the batteries twice a year,” says Rubin. “If there is a question, or you need assistance, call 311 and a uniformed fire fighter will schedule a time and come to your home to check it, replace its batteries or install a new alarm – for free.”
The freesmokealarm.org campaign was launched in October, which is National Fire Prevention Month. Funding for campaign marketing is provided by the Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association, and the smoke alarm devices are purchased through grant funding to the D.C. Fire and EMS Department.
The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (DC F&EMS) is a full spectrum life safety agency protecting over 1 million people who live and work in Washington, D.C., the Nation’s Capital. Under the direction of a Fire Chief, the DC F&EMS operates with a budget of nearly 200 million dollars, and is comprised of over 2,200 firefighter/emt’s staffing 33 engine companies, 16 ladder truck companies, and 3 heavy rescue squads, as well as a host of special operation units. Annually, the DC F&EMS units respond to over 160,000 calls for service within the District’s 69 square miles. Almost 80% of the calls are medical in nature.
The Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association is a more than 60-year-old non-profit trade association dedicated to saving lives and protecting property by providing education of a balanced fire protection design. For additional information, including videos, interactive questionnaires and training Web sites about fire safety and protection, visit www.femalifesafety.org or call 216-241-7333. For a complete listing of member companies, visit the Member Profiles page of the association’s Web site at www.femalifesafety.com/member.html.
