County provides detectors to those in need
San Benito County volunteer firefighters noticed a disturbing
trend in a series of fires they responded to in recent months,
starting with a McCloskey Road fire in December.
”
One thing that was unique was that they didn’t have smoke
detectors, or they had them and had taken the batteries out,
”
said Jim Dellamonica, a fire captain and fire marshal for San
Benito County.
”
On McCloskey, [the residents] could have died had it not been
for an alert neighbor.
”
County provides detectors to those in need
San Benito County volunteer firefighters noticed a disturbing trend in a series of fires they responded to in recent months, starting with a McCloskey Road fire in December.
“One thing that was unique was that they didn’t have smoke detectors, or they had them and had taken the batteries out,” said Jim Dellamonica, a fire captain and fire marshal for San Benito County. “On McCloskey, [the residents] could have died had it not been for an alert neighbor.”
In response, members of the volunteer fire department have decided to start a smoke detector program in the county.
“They said, ‘Hey Capt., why can’t we do a smoke detector program for people that are indigent or elderly?'” he said. “Some of these people are quite elderly and they are the last people we’d want to see climbing a ladder.”
The goal of the program is to give free smoke detectors to homeowners who can’t afford them. Smoke detectors start at $8, so if a homeowner can afford one but can’t install it, the volunteers can help them with that.
Although homes built in the last 10 years have sprinkler systems, many older homes in the county do not have such safety features.
“We have a lot of people in this county who are lifelong residents going back for generations,” he said. “For many of them, they’ve never had smoke detectors before and they don’t have them now.”
The program is reliant on donations from the community. So far the Ladies Auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 9242 has donated 30 new smoke detectors for the program, which will launch in June. Brigantino’s Irrigation has agreed to donate some detectors, too, and Dellamonica said some other businesses have also pledged donations. In order to keep the program going, they will need continual donations of new smoke detectors.
Dellamonica said those interested in donating may call the station, as can those who need a free detector or help installing one. He did note that in rental properties, the property owners are required by law to install and maintain smoke detectors.
“I will call the property owners and explain that,” he said. “The smoke detector costs $9, but if you get smoke inhalation or burns, it will cost you a lot more than that – if you make it – in medical expenses alone.”
To donate to the program or to find out how about qualifying for a free smoke detector or help with installation, call 637-4475. A firefighter will take down the name and address of homeowners interested in the program and a volunteer will call back to make arrangements for installation.
