Started in 1996 in response to a need identified by the fire department, the Calgary Region Homebuilders Association and Calgary Fire Department’s Smoke Detector Program, sponsored by Enmax and ING, reaches out to thousands of Calgarians each year. Many people don’t realize that their batteries have gone dead, or that their smoke detector isn’t functioning. To help protect Calgarians, fire fighters make it part of their duties to visit Calgary homes and talk to residents about their smoke detectors. In many instances, the fire fighters supply batteries, or even a new smoke detector, and they also discuss the home escape plan and other issues. According to Garth Rabel, community safety coordinator for the Calgary Fire Department, this program has saved 10 lives since its inception.

“Whenever a smoke alarm does go off (in the event of a fire), we do make sure to tie it in to our program,” says Rabel, explaining that after a fire takes place, the fire department notes, as part of their investigation, whether or not the smoke detector was installed as part of the program.

Other goals of the program include the installation of hearing impaired smoke alarms, which “shake and wake” the resident and were provided by ING, as well as the juvenile fire starters program, which works with at-risk youth to prevent fires.

Watch out for fire fighters in your neighbourhood (especially in older neighbourhoods) year-round.   NHS