SFMO, Unicoi Vol. Fire Department to Install Free Smoke Alarms Saturday
NASHVILLE –The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) and the Unicoi Vol. Fire Department (VFD) will install free smoke alarms in homes throughout northern Unicoi County on Saturday, March 26, 2016. The joint effort is part of the SFMO’s “Get Alarmed, Tennessee!” program which aims to prevent fire deaths in Tennessee’s high-risk areas through the provision of smoke alarms and fire prevention education.
Since the “Get Alarmed” program’s inception in 2012, the SFMO and more than 450 Tennessee fire service partners have distributed over 100,000 smoke alarms throughout Tennessee. Smoke alarms distributed through the program are credited with saving 129 Tennesseans from fire danger so far and helped lower Tennessee’s fire fatality rate to a new all-time low in 2015.
During the Saturday event, crews from both agencies will target over 500 homes in the northern Unicoi area with smoke alarm installations, while also educating residents on crucial fire safety topics. The canvass is the latest example of teamwork between state and local officials to help make the Volunteer State a safer place to call home.
“Our goal is to make sure that every family in Unicoi is protected from fire as much as possible,” said Unicoi VFD Chief Robert Taylor. “I’m proud to support the ‘Get Alarmed’ program and its mission to prevent fire death, injury and property loss in Tennessee.”
Who: The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Unicoi Volunteer Fire Department.
What: “Get Alarmed, Tennessee” smoke alarm installation event. Volunteers are asked to dress in neat, but comfortable fashion. “Get Alarmed Volunteer” orange emergency vests will be used for identification purposes. Refreshments will be provided.
When: 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (EST) Saturday, March 26, 2016.
Where: Volunteers will meet at the Tourist Information Center at 106 Unicoi Village Place in Unicoi.
Contact: If you live in the Unicoi area and need a smoke alarm, please utilize the SFMO’s online alarm request form. If you are interested in volunteering at the canvass event, contact Community Risk Reduction Educator Alex Daugherty at 615-574-0240.
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