It’s a move so simple and so profound, said B.C.‘s justice minister, that it will reduce provincial fatalities.
Shirley Bond was at Vernon Fire Rescue Services’ downtown hall Tuesday to announce the provincial government is again throwing its support behind a campaign to have every home in B.C. equipped with a working smoke alarm.
“The issue of having and maintaining a working smoke alarm is critical to everyone in our families,” said Bond, accompanied at the Vernon fire hall by Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick, Vernon fire chief Keith Green, Mayor Rob Sawatzky and Victoria fire chief Jeff Lambert, representing the Fire Chiefs’ Association of B.C.
“The goal has been set by the Fire Chiefs Association of B.C. and the goal since the campaign began is to have everyone in B.C. having a working smoke alarm.”
In May 2012, smoke alarm manufacturer Kidde Canada and Black Press – owner of The Morning Star –jumped on board the campaign by contributing more than $400,000. Kidde Canada provided 5,000 smoke alarms for distribution to vulnerable areas such as households in low income areas, rural areas and First Nations reserves.
Black Press, owner of The Morning Star, put together a strategic multi-media investment to help the campaign reach its readers.
Vernon Fire Rescue Services teamed up with Silver Star Rotary and Johnston Meier Insurance to provide and install free smoke alarms in two Vernon mobile home parks last September and November.
“The reason we chose those places, is that we know seniors and children are at most risk to fire injury and fatalities,“ said Green.
“We wanted to hone our efforts where we’ve had very tragic circumstances with fires in the past at modular homes. I thought it was a good launch point. The community was very appreciative.”
The campaign will continue in 2013 with Green announcing that Okanagan Restoration has climbed on board as a sponsor and will help with installing and replacing alarms that have been hard-wired into homes, as opposed to battery-operated smoke detectors.
“I am encouraged that people in Vernon are leading grass roots efforts to offer their neighbours help by installing and testing fire alarms,” said Bond.
“The smoke alarm campaign is one of the simplest ways to protect your family and neighbours. It’s a family and community-led effort.”
Bond said fire data research from B.C. and Canada is staggering.
She said 70 per cent of homes that caught fire in B.C. between 2006 and 2011 did not have a functioning smoke alarm, and that a working smoke alarm can reduced fire deaths by as much as 32 per cent and 76 lives across Canada every year.
The alarm campaign also encourages people not to just to install the devices but test the alarms at least twice a year.
Along with announcing ongoing support for the smoke alarm campaign, Bond presented Kelowna fire service mentor and advocate Ann Hancock with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Hancock was recognized for her 20 years of fire service leadership. She has, for the past 14 years, been the administrator for the Fire Chiefs’ Association of B.C.
