After Fatal Ky. Fire, Smoke Detectors Distributed

Jan. 24--PIKEVILLE, Ky. -- A total of 250 Pike County homes will have smoke detectors installed by way of a partnership between the Kentucky Public Protection Cabinet's Division of Fire Protection, the Pike County Firefighter's Association and the Kidde Company.

A press conference at the Pikeville Fire Department Training Center detailed plans for the initiative, with multiple people noting the program's importance.

"Your job is the same as mine," Pike County Judge-Executive Wayne T. Rutherford said to those in attendance, the majority of them being firefighters. "We have to keep the citizens of Pike County safe, and that is why we are here today."

A fire that killed four children, their father and seriously injured their mother earlier this month in the small community of Jonancy brought attention to the dangers of living in a house without a smoke alarm.

Kidde, which is a brand and division of United Technologies Corporation, is a manufacturer of fire safety products including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers. The Melbane, N.C.-based company donated 250 smoke detectors for the county-wide initiative.

Pike County Emergency Services Director, Doug Tackett, who is also the county's fire department coordinator, said the free smoke detectors were another step toward safety and education.

"We know fires are going to happen," Tackett said. "What we are trying to do with the fire safety trailer, going into schools and now the smoke detectors is to try and educate people and take preventative measures so in the event of a fire, the likelihood of a casualty or casualties will be drastically minimized."

William Swope, Director of the Division of Fire Prevention, thanked Kidde for "stepping forward to provide these smoke alarms and for helping increase awareness of the importance of installing smoke detectors in residences."

"We are about to embark on an initiative that is vital to preventing loss," Swope said.

He also noted that smoke alarms were just one component in a complete fire safety home escape plan.

"Kentucky families should take time together to map out a plan for escaping a home fire that includes two emergency exits and then practice the plan," Swope said.

He also noted the dangers in using heating equipment during the winter months, including furnaces, fireplaces, wood stoves and portable heaters.

"Keep anything that can burn at least three-feet away from heating equipment and remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed," he said.

In order to receive a free smoke detector, contact your local fire department in any way -- phone calls, e-mail, facebook -- and simply request a detector. Your name will then be added to a list and that list will be taken to Randy Courtney, President of the Kentucky Firefighters Association, and disbursed through local fire departments.

Taking the safety one step further, a member of your local fire department will install the smoke detector for those who receive one, to ensure proper location and installation.

Contact the following department that serves your area:

--Sycamore React Volunteer Fire Department

10381 Elkhorn CRK

Ashcamp, KY

(606) 754-4698

--Ferrells Creek Area Volunteer Fire Department

Ferrells Creek Road HWY

Belcher, KY 41513

(606) 754-8135

--Belfry Volunteer Fire Department, LTD

25370 US HWY 119 N

Belfry, KY 41514

(606) 353-8026

--Big Creek Volunteer Fire Department

17397 E Big Creek RD

Canada, KY

(606) 353-9409

--Dorton Volunteer Fire Department

PO Box 250

Dorton, KY 41520

(606) 639-8165

--Kimper Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department

104 Fire Station RD

Kimper, KY 41539

(606) 631-9617

--Lookout Volunteer Fire and Rescue

PO Box 56

Lookout, KY

(606) 754-8691

--Phelps Volunteer Fire and Rescue

ST HWY 632 E

Phelps, KY 41553

(606) 456-3642

--Coal Run Village Volunteer Fire Department, Inc.

93 Church ST

Pikeville, KY

(606) 432-5801

--Gulnare Volunteer Fire Department

55 Sycamore Mt. RD

Pikeville, KY 41501

(606) 432-8502

--Hurricane Creek Volunteer Fire Department

2981 Hurricane Creek Rd.

Pikeville, KY 41501

(606) 478-2222

--Hurricane Creek Volunteer Fire Department Station 2

75 red bird layne

Pikeville, KY 41501

(606) 478-2222

--Island Creek Volunteer Fire Department

2687 Island Creek RD

Pikeville, KY

(606) 433-9777

--Johns Creek Fire Department

8094 Meta HWY

Pikeville, KY

(606) 631-1826

--Millard East Shelbiana Volunteer Fire and Rescue, Inc.

5200 East Shelbiana Rd.

Pikeville, KY 41501

(606) 432-3443

--Pikeville Fire and Ambulance Service

104 Chloe Road

Pikeville, KY 41501

(606) 437-5120

--Upper Pond Creek Fire Department

3663 Upper Pond Creek RD

Pinsonfork, KY 41555

(606) 353-9775

--Marrowbone Volunteer Fire Department

Regina, KY

(606) 754-5511

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