October 29, 2007 - Fire Department set to Receive 200 Smoke Detectors from Local Agency today

Shreveport Fire Department will receive 200 life saving smoke detectors

Today in a 2:30 p.m. presentation at Central Fire Station, 263 N. Common Street, the Shreveport Fire Department will receive 200 life saving smoke detectors from the Lowe-McFarland Ladies Auxiliary.

In the event of a fire, there is unequivocal and irrefutable evidence that a working smoke detector in the home increases the chance of survival dramatically. Detectors improve a family’s chance of escaping a fire without serious injury or death by 80 percent. Children in homes with no smoke detector are twice as likely to die in the event of a fire as children who live with working detectors.

With all of the data and information available - all of the public service announcements, the giveaway programs, that also include installation by firefighters, there are still people in our community that do not have a working smoke detectors in their home. This is just unacceptable when it is not necessary. With the addition of these 200 smoke detectors the department will be able to potentially save 200 individuals and families from the terribly destructive results of a house fire.

The Lowe-McFarland Ladies Auxiliary donates throughout the year to charitable and worthy causes through a series of fundraisers. Janice McBride is their president and the coordinator for this Smoke Detector Donation Project was Beverly Stuart. WESCO provided 100 of the detectors at no cost to the group and the other 100 at cost. The Shreveport Fire Department’s smoke detector giveaway program is intended for those less fortunate and unable to purchase and/or install the detectors through conventional means. Those who are in need of a smoke detector, with or without installation, can call the offices of the Shreveport Fire Department Prevention Bureau at 673-6740. ###