Message from the Director of Emergency Services

Good Afternoon!

The American Red Cross needs your help in passing along information on their new program, Home Fire Preparedness. Red Cross team members will set up appointments with residents to install new 10 year smoke alarms in their homes and provide lifesaving preparedness information. There is no cost for this service and only takes about 20 minutes. We will also check existing alarms, replace batteries and install new alarms where there are alarms over 10 years old. It is estimated that for every 1000 smoke alarms installed one life will be saved! That is pretty important!

Red Cross decided it was important to actually help install the alarms vs giving them out, so families don’t need to focus on the tools, correct placement, or struggle with the actual installation. We all know how easy it is to say “I will get to it tomorrow” and leave the alarms sitting in the box! In most communities we are working with the local fire departments to identify target areas, share install information and even help with the installs. Some local Fire Depts already have a program in place and often times we partner up to install more.

So far we have installed over 1700 alarms in Eastern CT since the program began in 2015. Pretty Amazing. I am asking that you help us pass the word to your town employees, community residents, friends, family and anyone that would benefit from this service. Attached is a flyer to help spread the word. Here are some ideas that have worked in other communities.

Many towns across the State have added the link to their websites to encourage their residents to take advantage of this free
program.

Having flyers available at Sr. Centers, Schools, Town Hall Etc.
Placing the flyer in Tax Bills, Utility Bills
Having the information in Park and Rec Booklets, Town wide newspapers etc.
Emailing residents, staff members or other groups

Questions? Let me know! Thanks for helping to save a life!!

Sue
Sue Rochester-Bolen
Sr, Director of Emergency Services

American Red Cross
200 Boston Post Rd / PO Box 640
Waterford, CT 06385
Mobile: (860) 625-0825
Fax: (860) 447-0053
Email
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