Smoke Detector Program

The Washington State Department of Health has provided a grant to South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue and Pend Oreille Fire District No. 4 to distribute 300 lithium smoke detectors and safety information to any families requesting them. The new smoke alarms, powered by a lithium battery, only need to be cleaned on a regular basis. The battery source is intended to last at least eight to 10 years. One goal of this program is to provide working smoke detectors for each sleeping area, free of charge, in community member’s homes.

Household fires took the lives of 3,380 people in 2002, according to a study by the Federal Emergency Management Agency's U.S. Fire Administration.
Statistics point to a 50-percent reduction in fire fatalities since the introduction of smoke alarms into the home. Sixty percent of fatal fires occur in homes without smoke alarms or smoke alarms with dead or missing batteries. According to the FEMA report, structure fires accounted for 74 percent of the fatal fires in 2002. Of these fatal structure fires, 94 percent occurred in residences. Arson was the leading cause of fatal residential structure fires at 22 percent, followed closely by smoking at 21 percent.

Along with working smoke detectors, South Pend Oreille Fire & Rescue and Pend Oreille Fire District No. 4 encourage the community to practice fire safety. Families should have a prepared and practiced fire escape plan. Pend Oreille County fire districts will be glad to come to residents’ homes and deliver a new smoke detector. Also, firefighters can provide additional information on the correct installation and maintenance of a smoke detector in the home. To get a smoke detector or replacement battery, call or stop by the local fire district or call 509-447-5305.

» Free Smoke Detectors

For more information on how to receive a free smoke detector or replacement battery for your home, call or stop by the Diamond Lake Fire Station. While there you can fill out a request form to schedule home delivery of your free smoke detector or replacement battery. The phone number at Diamond Lake is 447-5305; our office hours are Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

509-447-5305

South Pend Oreille Fire and Rescue

325272 Hwy. 2

Newport, WA 99156

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