Surrey’s fire department has been recognized for a smoke alarm program that’s saving lives in the city and beyond.
In March 2012, the University of the Fraser Valley analyzed almost 50,000 residential fires in B.C., Alberta and Ontario.
The study found that two-thirds of the houses that catch fire don’t have working smoke alarms and that fire damage is reduced by 19 per cent when smoke alarms work.
Perhaps most importantly, the study showed the fire death rate is 74 per cent higher when a working smoke alarm is not present.
This month, the City of Surrey and the Fire Chiefs’ Association of B.C. (FCABC) have been honoured by the Canadian National Collaborated Centre for Injury Prevention for a campaign that’s armed tens of thousands of homes with functional smoke alarms.
Through the campaign, 41,000 smoke alarms have been distributed and installed across the province, with a focus on vulnerable populations such as seniors, First Nations communities and people with low incomes.
“At the heart of the award has been the collaboration between Surrey and the FCABC that shared the common goal of keeping the public safe from injury and death related to fires,” said Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis. “In sharing this award, I would also like to commend Kidde Canada, which has generously shared their corporate knowledge and communications expertise since the beginning of our campaign.”
For more information about the campaign, call Surrey Fire Department at 604-543-6780.
