Following on from the success of phase one of the Community Smoke Alarm Scheme earlier this year, where 250 households received two smoke detectors, a further 384 households will benefit from this scheme by early January 2009. Therefore a total of 634 households in Donegal will have benefited from this smoke alarm scheme.
The importance of having a working smoke detector fitted in our homes cannot be over emphaised. As was the case in Raphoe recently where an elderly man had a narrow escape when a fire engulfed his home. It was noted that there was no smoke detector fitted in this house.
Most deaths caused by house fires can be prevented if a working smoke alarm is installed in the home. On average 46 people die in fires nationally each year. Statistics show that 20% of households do not have a working smoke alarm installed. Speaking at the event, Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Bobby McMenamin stated that ‘it is very important for neighbours visiting older people to check if the smoke alarms are operating or need a battery’.
In 2007/2008, Tony Killeen T.D., Minister for State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, sanctioned funding for the installation of smoke alarms in vulnerable households nationwide.
In Donegal, the personnel in the Community & Enterprise of Donegal County Council, in consultation with the Chief Fire Officer is responsible for administering the scheme.
Earlier this week, the Mayor of Donegal, Cllr, Gerry Crawford acknowledged the assistance of the community and voluntary sector in the roll out of the Community Smoke Alarm Scheme in Donegal.
Mr. Michael McLoone, County Manager, Donegal County Council acknowledged the important contribution of the community and voluntary sector, stating ‘that it is the community and voluntary organisations who have the intelligence on the ground of the needs of their community and they were of great help to Donegal County Council in identifying the vulnerable households for this particular scheme’.
A total of 26 community and voluntary organisations submitted applications for smoke alarms, with the number requesting smoke alarms far exceeding the number of alarms available in phase one of the scheme. In early 2008, the community and voluntary organisations, installed two self contained battery operated smoke alarms in 250 households throughout Donegal and a further 400 households will benefit from the scheme by early January 2009.
This scheme has been a resounding success in other parts of the country and we in Donegal are delighted to have the opportunity to build on this success and to contribute to fire safety in the home. Smoke alarms can save lives.