Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas announced plans Monday to educate more Angelenos about fire safety and the importance of installing working smoke alarms in their homes, as well as look into ways of preventing fire-related fatalities.
The fire department has been running a smoke alarm giveaway at each of its 106 fire stations since March, with home security company First Alert donating 500 alarms a month to the city.
Terrazas was joined at a news conference by Mayor Eric Garcetti, who reminded the public of the ongoing smoke alarm giveaway, saying “smoke alarms save lives, so we are spreading the word and making sure Angelenos know that we have smoke detectors available for free.”
The department also plans to expand a pilot smoke alarm education program citywide; form a task force to investigate factors that contribute to fire deaths; and start a partnership with the American Red Cross to raise public awareness and hand out smoke alarms.
Of the 20 fire-related deaths so far this year, 16 took place in buildings that lacked working smoke alarms, fire officials said. Chances of survival go up 50 percent with working smoke alarms installed, according to studies from the National Fire Protection Association.
“While there are many contributing factors to residential fire fatalities, it’s a simple fact that smoke alarms save lives,” Terrazas said. “The LAFD is committed to continuing the critical task of keeping Angelenos safe and working with the community to increase fire safety awareness and the availability of smoke alarms.”