Lexington Fire Department asking for donations to keep smoke alarm program going

Lexington, Ky. (WTVQ) – The Lexington Fire Department is asking for donations to get smoke detectors in more homes.

The department says it has installed nearly 8,000 smoke alarms in Lexington homes since 2013, but the work may have to be put because of funding.

“We really have a need for this in Lexington,” says Lexington Fire Department Battalion Chief Joe Best. “We’ve had three fatal fires resulting in six deaths in Fayette County this year. Unfortunately, there weren’t working smoke alarms in those homes.”

Nationwide, three out of five home-fire deaths occur without working smoke alarms. The most vulnerable groups are children under 12 and the elderly, according to the department.

“Sadly, we are mirroring the national statistics. Four of our six losses are from the most vulnerable groups,” said Best.

However, for the first time since the program began in 2013, the department says demand has exceeded its ability to supply the alarms.

The fire department says it has used money from five different grants to purchase smoke alarms over the years. It receives a weekly supply of free smoke alarms from the American Red Cross. Additional donations from various sources also supplement the program.

Despite this support, the department says it is down to a two-week supply.

Best said the Department estimates it will need $14,000 to cover the homes it has scheduled between now and the end of the year.

The Lexington Fraternal Order of Firefighters is seeking donations to support the program. It has a link on their webpage where people can use PayPal to make FOF Alarm Donations.

Those who don’t have access to PayPal can mail checks to the Fraternal Order of Firefighters, 1405 Old Frankfort Pike, Lexington, KY 40504. Donors should write “smoke alarms” in the memo section of the check.