New Record Set for Smoke Detector Installations

One hundred smoke detectors were installed by Escambia County Fire Rescue in 71 homes in the Lakewood area today, the largest number ever installed by county fire crews in one day.  On Saturday, Dec. 10,  volunteers from First Baptist Church of Warrington and ECFR firefighters walked the neighborhood, knocking on doors and offering to install a new smoke detector with a 10-year battery at no charge.  The Escambia County Commission has purchased over 1,100 smoke detectors since January in hopes of helping our community reach the goal of every home in the county having a working smoke detector. 

Today’s program was so well received by residents, crews ran out of detectors before canvassing the entire neighborhood. ECFR crews will return later this month to offer installation of smoke detectors to the other residents of today’s targeted area - generally north of Barrancas Avenue, east of Old Corry Field Road and south of Bayou Chico. 

Escambia Fire Rescue Chief Patrick Grace stresses the importance of having a properly installed and maintained smoke detector year round, but especially with this weekend’s colder weather by saying, “As residents rely more heavily on heating devices in the colder weather, they will have additional fire risks in their homes. Statistics show that a working smoke detector in your home can make the difference in escaping a fire without injuries and with your life.” 

For information about obtaining a home smoke detector, call 850-595-HERO (4376). Residents within city of Pensacola limits may call 850-436-5200 for smoke detector installation assistance.