Keeping homes safe
Ontario agency steps up detector check agenda
By William Lundquist
Argus Observer
Monday, December 17, 2007 11:19 AM PST
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| Ontario Fire & Rescue emergency medical technicians Todd Higinbotham (left) and Gary Gibbs install a new smoke detector in Ontario Fire & Rescue Department’s annual Smoke Detector Program. |
Ontario - The Ontario Fire & Rescue Department will continue its annual Smoke Detector Program from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday by going door to door throughout the community to replace dead batteries and bad or missing smoke detectors.
Ontario Fire & Rescue emergency medical technicians Gary Gibbs and Todd Higinbotham found that it is sometimes easier said than done when they answered a request from a resident to check her smoke detectors Wednesday afternoon.
First they found that an unusual combination smoke detector/carbon monoxide detector in the garage was not working.
After finally figuring out the secret to opening the battery compartment, they found the detector, unlike any they had seen, ran on two AA batteries. Fortunately, the resident had some replacements, and the EMTs soon had the detector buzzing and, to their amusement, talking to them. Inside, they found it easier to replace the 9-volt battery typically found in smoke detectors, but after replacing the battery twice with fresh 10-year lithium batteries, they found the detector was still giving them the low battery beep signal. Without missing a beat, they simply replaced the entire smoke detector. In December the batteries, smoke detectors and services provided by the agency are free, Ontario Fire & Rescue Chief Terry Mairs said.
In place of their usual training, he said, firefighters take their trucks out into the community every Tuesday night, except on Christmas, of course, and conduct the smoke detector checks. Those who prefer the check be done in the day can call (541) 881-3233 to set up a time to have their detectors checked. Mairs said it is impossible to get to every house every year, but people who want their detector checked can call and the firefighters will be there the next Tuesday night. In addition, Mairs said, the department is always happy to help the elderly install detectors or batteries throughout the year.
“We would prefer to see one working smoke detector in every home in Ontario, especially where kids or seniors are involved,” Mairs said.
The program is jointly funded and conducted by the Ontario Fire & Rescue Department, the Ontario Rural Fire Department and the Ontario Volunteer Firefighters Association. They buy 100 to 150 smoke detectors a year through the bid process, Mairs said. He said he does not have the resources to check or supply detectors in apartment buildings, but Oregon law requires landlords to provide a working smoke detector in each unit.
