Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority
Little Rosie Keith, her grandmother Sarah Keith and Elmhurst member Dechlan Ellis
Elmhurst Fire Brigade volunteers have installed almost 140 smoke alarms across their small rural community after demand for the free service far exceeded expectations.
The brigade began installations in early June, shortly after Smoke Alarm Action Day (1 June), expecting it might distribute one box of alarms. Instead, requests poured in from Elmhurst and surrounding communities.
Elmhurst Fire Brigade Secretary Geoff Penna OAM said the idea was first raised with brigade members about two years ago, before he and fellow volunteers Dechlan Ellis and John Cassell, completed the required training and began visiting local homes.
“I thought if we installed a box of 40 out to residents, we would be doing all right,” Geoff said.
“Then the orders started coming in and one of my colleagues said, ‘Gee, we’d better get another box’, and then it was another box and another box.”
The brigade promoted the program through social media, the local noticeboard and direct messages to residents, with word-of-mouth helping demand grow further.
“We haven’t gone door knocking. People have reached out by sending me a text, giving us a call or telling their neighbour about it,” Geoff said.
“The uptake has been far, far greater than I ever thought it would be, and we’re still getting a few more requests.”
Two volunteers generally attend each installation, walking through the home and assessing where additional smoke alarms may be needed.
“We’ve gone into places that’ve had four bedrooms, a family room and a passageway, but they might have only had two alarms, which isn’t enough,” Geoff said.
The program has been particularly welcomed by older residents.
“We have quite a number of elderly people living on their own in the area, and they have been most grateful,” Geoff said.
“When you tell them the alarms have a 10-year battery and they don’t have to climb up and change the batteries every year, that certainly opens the door.
“The fact they are free also makes a real difference.”
Geoff said the program was particularly important in a rural community where firefighters may have some distance to travel, during an emergency.
“The idea is to wake people up and get them out of the house,” Geoff said.
“By the time we get there with a crew, we may not be able to save the house, but if the people are standing out at the front gate when we arrive, that is what we want.
“We’re very happy to go out and help. Hopefully, we’ve now got a number of homes that are safer.”
CFA recommends smoke alarms be installed in every bedroom, hallway and living area, and that interconnected alarms are used so when one activates, they all sound.
Smoke alarms should be tested monthly, cleaned annually and replaced every 10 years.
To learn more about smoke alarm safety, visit cfa.vic.gov.au/smokealarms.
| Submitted by | CFA Media |
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