Firefighters going door-to-door checking smoke alarms

Having a functional smoke alarm is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce tragic deaths and injuries from fire. In fact, working smoke alarms nearly cut in half the risk of dying in a home fire.
Starting July 25th, the men and women of the Frederick County Fire and Rescue Service will be in the Spring Ridge community checking smoke alarms and answering questions that residents may have about fire prevention and emergency preparedness.  The personnel will begin around 9:00 a.m. and conclude the checks about noon on each Saturday.  Once firefighters complete the project in Spring Ridge, other areas of the County will be selected for the risk reduction campaign.

So far this year there was one residential fire fatality compared with two the previous year.  All residential fire fatalities have occurred in non-sprinklered dwellings and smoke alarms were not present or not working.

The Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, Inc. (FCVFRA) have been providing smoke alarms for many years towards reducing the risk of injury or death by fire.  The Career Firefighters Association of Frederick County, Maryland (IAFF – Local 3666) and the FCVFRA are accepting donations of smoke alarms and batteries to meet the expected need.  If any organization or business would like to make smoke alarm or battery donations, they can contact:

Career Firefighters Association of Frederick County, Maryland
P.O. Box 371
Frederick, MD 21705
E-mail:  Lt. Dan Yoder @ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association, Inc.
340 Montevue Lane
Frederick, MD 21702
E-mail:  Ms. Diane Sears @ This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Chief Fire Marshal Marc McNeal notes, “The simplest thing a family can do to protect themselves from fire is to have a working smoke alarm on every level of their home and have a fire escape plan.”

As emergencies and disasters can strike quickly and without warning, the Frederick County Fire and Rescue Service and Department of Emergency Preparedness recommend that everyone follow these tips to help prevent fires, deaths, and injuries:

• Install and maintain smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area, and within each sleeping area.
• Develop and practice a fire escape plan.  When the fire department arrives, tell them if everyone is out of your home and safe.
• Plan to be safe!  Learn about Plan 9 and how to protect and prepare your family by discussing important safety tips with public safety officials in your neighborhood. Preparedness is the best way to ensure that your family is safe, comfortable and able to recover quickly after an emergency or disaster!

Fire can spread rapidly through your home, leaving you as little as two minutes to escape safely.  Your ability to get out depends on advance warning from smoke alarms and advance planning—a home fire escape plan that everyone in your family is familiar with and has practiced.

For additional information regarding smoke alarms, you can visit our website at www.co.frederick.md.us/smokealarms and remember, check your smoke alarms!