Emporia Fire Marshall Stephen Beemer is impressed with the response to the department’s fire and carbon monoxide alarm giveaway program announced last week.
On KVOE’s Morning Show on Monday, Beemer says this is actually an effort through the Office of Kansas State Fire Marshal. Emporia Fire has been involved in the past and Beemer is glad this is available again to local residents.
Beemer says there is an online form available through the City of Emporia website, emporiaks.gov/getalarmed. The application includes basic information like name, address, phone number and email address, as well as information like whether residents own or rent, the number of bedrooms and levels in the home and number of current smoke detectors. There is also certain demographic information requested — and Beemer says that’s done for a reason.
Emporia Fire will install the combination fire and carbon monoxide alarms at no cost to residents. There will be a confirmation email immediately sent out to applying residents, but it may be up to two weeks before the alarms are installed.
With the alarms using long-life lithium-ion batteries, and with Fire Prevention Month next month, Beemer says the batteries are convenient, which means their use has grown significantly the past few years. One concern Beemer sees is proper charging.
Emporia Fire says the plan is to keep the alarm giveaway going until further notice.
Emporia Fire is also getting ready for a special Fire Prevention Week community event Oct. 11 at the Lyon County Fairgrounds. Beemer says there will be demonstrations and giveaways as part of a family-friendly event.
