Saving Lives Campaign provides smoke alarms
Mother of boy lost in June fire partners with local fire department to provide smoke detectors to residents.
NORTH COVENTRY » You can never take too many precautions when it comes to fire prevention.
That’s the idea behind the Saving Lives Campaign started by Norco Fire Company.
“The campaign is aimed at putting smoke detectors in everyone’s homes who can’t afford them in North Coventry Township. It came about after Evan Shaner was killed in a fire in East Coventry in June,” explained Norco Deputy Chief Chuck Hipple.
The fire department partnered with Lowe’s and First Alert as well as North Coventry Township fire marshals to get the campaign going. The department received 300 smoke detectors and 300 kitchen fire extinguishers from First Alert and Lowe’s. Residents who are in need of smoke detectors or extinguishers can apply to have them installed through the township website.
“The applications are sent to the fire house. We go out and inspect the home, see where they need to be, how many they need and set up a date to go and install them. It’s going to go all year round. Fire prevention is one week out of the year. Fire safety is 365 days a year,” said Hipple.
So far, the campaign has put smoke detectors in 12 homes and is currently working on 15-20 more applications.
“I want to make sure anyone who needs or cannot afford them, gets a smoke detector. If they can afford them and don’t know where to put them, contact us. Or if they want to buy one we’ll even install it for them. The program is 100 percent donation and grant funded,” said Hipple.
The campaign, which began several months ago, came about after 9-yearold Evan T. St.Clair died in an accidental fire that broke out in his family’s home on Buckwalter Road in June. Evan had been sleeping in his bedroom when the fire started and was unable to make it out.
Evan’s mother, Tracey St.Clair-Shaner, said that fire prevention was something she had always taken care to be aware of. However, following the family’s tragic loss, it’s something that’s on her mind even more.
“We were very vigilant because we always knew it could happen but most people think it could never happen to them. We’re thinking about it 10 times more now than ever before. It is something you need to think about and make sure you’re prepared for. You want to be sure that your family has the best chance to get out. I don’t ever want another family to go through what we go through every day,” said St.Clair-Shaner.
That’s why, St.ClairShaner said, she felt she needed to do something to help.
“I knew I had to do something and I started a 5K and a campaign for a Day of Kindness. When Chuck called me about the campaign I said, ‘Absolutely, I’d be honored.’ My son was an amazing little boy and always out doing the right thing. I knew he would want me to make sure this didn’t happen to another family, his friends or anyone outside of that. He wouldn’t want this to happen. He’d want to save them. It’s an amazing program and I feel so blessed and honored to be a part of it,” said St.Clair-Shaner.
St.Clair-Shaner says the program appears to be working and that she’s pleased with how seriously community members are taking fire prevention.
“The community has really been amazing. People are starting to think about fire safety and awareness. At one of the houses, the father pulled the fire marshal aside and asked what the best ways to get out of the house were in case of a fire. It was amazing he was willing to take time out and think about it,” said St.Clair-Shaner.
St.Clair-Shaner and Norco Fire Company are hoping that the campaign will spread to communities outside their own. St.Clair-Shaner said she has also planned another 5K and Day of Kindness for July 21.
Anyone who needs a smoke detector or fire extinguisher can fill out an application online at northcoventrytownship.com to receive a free smoke detector and set up a time for the fire company to come and install it.
“I just want to be sure that everyone understands how many people are affected when something like this happens; the first responders, the friends, the community. So many are affected and it’s so preventable. It’s something we can control so why wouldn’t we? The program is offering it for free, why wouldn’t you take advantage of it,” said St.ClairShaner.