| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 14, 2016
CONTACT: Kevin Walters
OFFICE: (615) 253-8941
SFMO, Red Cross Join Jackson Officials to Install Free Smoke Alarms
4 Fatalities in 4 Weeks Prompt State, Local Officials to Plan March 19th Event
NASHVILLE –The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO), the American Red Cross, and the Jackson Fire Department will install free smoke alarms in homes throughout Jackson on Saturday, March 19, 2016. The joint effort is part of the SFMO’s “Get Alarmed, Tennessee!” program which aims to prevent fire deaths in Tennessee’s high-risk areas through the provision of smoke alarms and fire prevention education.
Since the “Get Alarmed” program’s inception in 2012, the SFMO and more than 450 Tennessee fire service partners have distributed over 100,000 smoke alarms throughout Tennessee. Smoke alarms distributed through the program are credited with saving 129 Tennesseans from fire danger so far and helped lower Tennessee’s fire fatality rate to a new all-time low in 2015.
During the Saturday event, crews from all three agencies will target over 300 homes in the Jackson area with smoke alarm installations, while also educating residents on crucial fire safety topics. The city-wide canvass was planned in response to two fatal house fires in the community this winter: One on Jan. 18, 2016 that took the life of a man on Chester Street, and the other on Feb. 17, 2016 that claimed the lives of two adults and a 12-year-old boy on B Street.
“Four fire fatalities in Jackson in only a month’s time is a tragedy that must not be repeated,” said Rep. Jimmy Eldridge, R-Jackson.“I’m proud to support the ‘Get Alarmed’ program and its mission to prevent fire death, injury and property loss in Tennessee.”
Who: The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office, Jackson Fire Department, and the American Red Cross.
What: “Get Alarmed, Tennessee” smoke alarm installation event. Volunteers are asked to dress in neat, but comfortable fashion. “Get Alarmed Volunteer” orange emergency vests will be used for identification purposes. Refreshments will be provided.
When: 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (CST) Saturday, March 19, 2016.
Where: Volunteers will meet at the Jackson Civic Center at 400 South Highland Avenue in Jackson.
Contact: If you live in the Jackson area and need a smoke alarm, please utilize the SFMO’s online alarm request form. If you are interested in volunteering at the canvass event, contact Community Risk Reduction Educator Alex Daugherty at 615-574-0240.
About the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance: TDCI is charged with protecting the interests of consumers while providing fair, efficient oversight and a level field of competition for a broad array of industries and professionals doing business in Tennessee. Our divisions include the Athletic Commission, Consumer Affairs, Tennessee Corrections Institute, Emergency Communications Board, Fire Prevention, Insurance, Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy, Peace Officers Standards and Training, Regulatory Boards, Securities, and TennCare Oversight.
To check a license of a professional regulated by the Department, go to http://verify.tn.gov/.
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