Kyneton community benefits from the Smoke Alarm Installation Program

Nic Hanna conducting Kyneton Fire Brigade's first smoke alarm installation.

 

North West Region has kicked off the Smoke Alarm Installation Program with Kyneton being one of the brigades that has opted to participate.

 

Designed to support CFA members visiting the community in their home, the program enables them to provide a smoke alarm installation service targeted at people who cannot obtain, install, or maintain smoke alarms.

The overall program outcome is to produce behaviour change through a personalised and facilitated service by CFA members assisting members of their community.

Kyneton Fire Brigade Community Safety Coordinator Cathryn Portelli commented that “I can see the enormous value in this program for the more vulnerable members of our community".

"By installing smoke alarms with a 10-year lithium battery, these households are now protected.

"From our perspective, we are helping community members stay safe and I'm extremely honoured to be part of this.”

The first installation undertaken was at the home of Kyneton resident Mrs Enid Fielding whose late husband Laurie was a CFA member for 70+ years, including as captain for 15 years. Mrs Fielding has been a long serving member of the brigade's Auxiliary for over 60 years and was very pleased to have a new smoke alarm installed for her.

On the day of the installation, she couldn’t thank the CFA members enough for assisting with this small task and wanted to say,“thank you Kyneton brigade for keeping us safe in our community."

Brigade member Nic Hanna who undertook the installation for Mrs Fielding, reinforced the value of the program.

“Showing up at a home to see no working smoke alarms and being able to give a solution for this to people in our community that need help, makes this program so worthwhile to me and the community really sees value in it,” Nic said.

Smoke alarms with a 10-year lithium battery give you the security of knowing you and your family are protected, while also ensuring you’re not interrupted every year with a nagging smoke alarm that needs the battery changed.

In North West Region, referrals for the Smoke Alarm Installation Program can be made by emailing the Community Engagement Team at nwr-commeng@cfa.vic.gov.au or by phoning the Fire Safety Outreach number on 0499 416 941 and leaving your details.

 

Submitted by	Paul Tangey