
Smoke Alarm/via Wynd Technologies
A new program launched by the City of Kamloops through the Kamloops fire department is set to provide free smoke alarms around the city and Tk’emlups.
The FireSafe Program is run through the Office of the BC Fire Commissioner, and will use KFR and census data to target at-risk houses.
“Age of homes. If there’s seniors or children in the homes. Older homes that don’t necessarily have smoke alarms in the first place, or they’re older than 10 years, so now they need to be replaced. We’re knocking on those doors,” said Lyle Weninger, Chief Fire Prevention Officer for Kamloops Fire Rescue.
Weninger, says locals won’t need to do anything, as KFR personnel will just show up if your home has been flagged.
“We’re knocking on doors in those areas, where the higher-risks homes are. If nobody’s home at the time, we’re leaving them some information.”
Weninger says the program will target around 3,000 to 5,000 single-family homes over the next four to six weeks, with apartment and condo blocks not on the list.
The program is free, and will be run out of the various Fire Halls throughout the city.
“The FireSafe initiative is a testament to our commitment to the well-being of our residents,” said Kamloops Fire Rescue as part of a news release announcing the program. “Residents who are not home at the time of a visit can expect to see program information left behind with the opportunity to connect with Kamloops Fire Rescue and to arrange installation of a smoke alarm if they choose.