For Immediate Release
Contact: Randy Smith, Deputy Fire Marshal
Phone: (217) 403-7212 / Cell: (217) 840-9434
Firefighters, staff from the Champaign Fire and Neighborhood Services Departments, and members of several community organizations will be out Saturday, April 16, 2016, installing smoke alarms in the second phase of a targeted-neighborhood fire prevention effort.
This campaign is part of an effort to reach out to residents in two high-risk neighborhoods, bordered by Mattis Avenue to the west; McKinley Avenue to the east; the railroad tracks along Paula Drive to the north; and the railroad tracks along Maple Street to the south. This area was identified using Fire Department response data as the highest fire-risk area within the City of Champaign.
On April 16, 2016, from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, homes in these neighborhoods will be visited and residents will be offered a free smoke alarm inspection and installation as needed. All residences in these neighborhoods will be visited on April 16, but if residents wish to schedule a home visit please call the Champaign Fire Department at 217-403-7200 and speak with Sue or Debarah. An estimated 800 smoke alarms and/or carbon monoxide detectors are scheduled to be installed using funds awarded by a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Fire Prevention Grant.
According to Champaign Fire Chief Gary Ludwig, “Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a key role in reducing the number of fire deaths and injuries.”
Volunteers are still needed to help with this Saturday’s event. For more information about this volunteer opportunity visit our website athttps://champaignil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/4-16-16-Red-Cross-Champaign-Volunteer-HFC-Flyer.pdf
To register as a volunteer, please sign up online at https://volunteerconnection.redcross.org/?nd=form__5462 or call Sue or Debarah at 217-403-7200.
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