Traditionally, fire prevention education has been the role of the fire department, but help from other agencies isn't uncommon.

The American Red Cross, best known for its disaster relief and educational programs, such as learn-to-swim, CPR, baby-sitting safety and first aid, is an example of an organization willing to lend a hand. The Western Colorado Chapter of the American Red Cross, long active in providing support services for fire personnel and victims, began a multi-agency community smoke-detector program in October 1999 that still continues today.

According to Grand Junction (Colo.) City Fire Department statistics, from July 1999 to April 2000 there were 57 house fires in the area with three major injuries, 26 children displaced from their homes and two infant deaths due to smoke inhalation. National statistics show nearly 5,000 people die in fires annually.

Keeping such numbers in mind, the American Red Cross designed a program to increase the use of household smoke detectors as the easiest and cheapest method of prevention available. The targeted populations were senior citizens and households with very young children.

Recruiting local businesses

Recognizing Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s past dedication to community service programs, American Red Cross representatives approached the local Wal-Mart store for help. As a result, Wal-Mart donated 1,000 smoke detectors to the program and convinced the Energizer battery service representative to donate 1,000 batteries for the devices.

Next, the Red Cross recruited the Grand Junction City Fire Department, a local photographer and an area television station for help in planning and creating service delivery as well as public service announcements and posters. Midway through the campaign the American Red Cross and the fire department split the cost of a large smoke detector banner displayed in downtown Grand Junction.

To implement the program, 125 Western Colorado American Red Cross volunteers were recruited, as well as 25 volunteers from a local bank that allows employees time off with pay for community service.

Volunteers placed posters in supermarkets, senior centers, child-care centers, public health offices and hospitals. Public service announcements with the telephone number of the local American Red Cross were aired on television. Once residents called, volunteers worked to install smoke detectors in homes within 24 hours of the request.

Campaign called a success

The smoke-detector program has been well received, with the posters readily distributed, accepted and displayed throughout the area. The public service announcements' prime-time television placement contributed to the rapid installation of 1,000 smoke detectors in the area.

The Denver Fire Department was impressed with the program and donated 750 smoke detectors to the Grand Junction campaign. Also, the Wal-Mart employee safety group donated 250 additional smoke detectors to the program. The Rocky Mountain Health Maintenance Organization agreed to put a copy of the prevention poster in its June 2000 billing.

The campaign's effectiveness was far-reaching. Success stories include people who, after receiving smoke detectors, were inspired to purchase carbon monoxide detectors. One man said his carbon monoxide detector went off immediately after being installed, and later credited the American Red Cross and the GJCFD with saving his and his family's lives.

The program encouraged maintenance on existing smoke detectors as well. Of detectors inspected by the American Red Cross, 25% lacked batteries.

The program's success demonstrates the importance of multi-agency involvement in a community fire-safety effort. The various chapters of the American Red Cross have their strengths in community involvement, volunteer training, grant writing, fund-raising, disaster support services and community education. This complements fire departments, which are well versed in emergency settings and life-safety education.

Through this partnership, the common goals of fire safety awareness and saving lives were accomplished without overburdening the resources of any single organization. Many organizations are similarly well-equipped and would be motivated to work on such programs if given direction and a goal.

Plans for the second phase of the program include the fire department and American Red Cross delivering instructional talks in schools to encourage the installation of smoke detectors in homes and proper battery installation.

For additional information on implementing this program in your community, contact Tammy Cowgill, Western Colorado Chapter of the American Red Cross, 506 Gunnison Ave. Grand Junction, Colo. 81501; 970-242-4851.

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Raymond J. Taylor is the chairman of the board of directors for the Western Colorado Chapter of the American Red Cross. During the smoke detector education program, he served as the liaison between the Red Cross chapter and the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Grand Junction, Colo., where he is currently employed in medical services. Dr. Taylor has a Ph.D. in community health psychology from the Union Institute Graduate School in Cincinnati and a master's degree in social work from San Diego State University. This article was co-written with Robert Fiedler, MS, chief executive officer, Western Colorado Chapter of the American Red Cross; Tammy Cowgill, disaster manager, Western Colorado Chapter of the American Red Cross; and Jeff Brown, Grand Junction City F.^d. The authors would like to thank David A. Taylor, assistant chief, Clark County Fire District No. 6, Vancouver, Wash., for reviewing the manuscript.