Community Links

Back to ECLink

Last chance to get free smoke
alarms for JC homeowners

It took just 15 minutes and two free smoke alarms to protect William and Jane Poole’s home in the Big Point Community from the threat of fire. County firefighters installed an alarm in the Poole’s hallway and one near the laundry room. William called and registered for the free smoke alarms after learning the program was about to end.

“I didn’t want to miss out on the program, so we called,” Poole explained. “You can’t beat the price and the firefighters do the installing. The house does feel safer now with the two new alarms.”

There is just three weeks remaining for county homeowners to receive free smoke alarms and installation according to Ray Watson, Jackson County’s Fire District Coordinator.

“To receive a new smoke alarm, residents just need to call their local fire department to register. This safety program is going to end mid-June and this is first come, first served,” Watson said.

So far, more than 600 smoke alarms have been installed in Jackson County homes since the program began in late-February. The smoke alarms are available to all homeowners but priority will be given to low income households, the elderly, disabled, and families’ with children under 14 years old.

“After you register, a firefighter from your local department will come to your home and install as many alarms as needed at no cost. Homeowners will be asked to fill out a short safety survey/waiver form.”

The Poole’s know first hand the importance of home fire protection after a close call a few years ago. Hot grease splattered onto the cabinets after Jane finished frying okra for dinner. Within moments the entire kitchen was on fire.

“It happened so fast,” Jane said. “I turned my back to the stove for just a minute and when I turned back around the cabinets were on fire. Every home needs smoke alarms and this program is an easy way to get one.”

A $500,000 federal grant is making the program possible in an effort to reduce the number of fire related deaths throughout Mississippi.

“Mississippi still ranks as the worst state in the nation in the number of fire related deaths per capita. The most troubling part, many of these deaths were preventable if a smoke alarm had been working,” Watson said.

Sixty-five percent of “home fire deaths” resulted from “fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms” according to a recent report from the National Fire Protection Association.

The free smoke alarms are high quality from a nationally respected fire prevention company and each has a 10 year battery. Additionally, the alarm is equipped with a “hush” button to silence the alarm in case of an unintentional alarm. This same smoke alarm would cost $20 at the local hardware store. The alarms will be installed by uniformed firefighters, wearing identification and driving official vehicles. A list of every participating fire department in Jackson County is below.

• East Central VFD…588-3800
• Escatawpa VFD…475-2912
• Fontainebleau VFD…875-0620
• Fort Bayou VFD…818-0370
• Gautier FD… 497-1656
• Gulf Park Est. VFD…872-5341
• Forts Lake/Franklin Creek VFD…474-2421
• Latimer VFD…396-2082
• Moss Point FD…475-8848
• Ocean Springs FD…875-4063
• Pascagoula FD…762-1901
• Three Rivers VFD…588-3306
• St. Andrews VFD…872-5341
• Vancleave VFD…826-4206
• West Jackson County VFD…392-9040