PEPCO DONATES SMOKE ALARMS

PEPCO DONATES SMOKE ALARMS

MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930

mebrady@co.pg.md.us     @PGFDPIO

PEPCO donated 500 10-year smoke alarms to the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department today. The donation occurred in front of the Fire Fighter/Medic Line of Duty Death Memorial at the Cranford-Graves Fire Services Building in Landover Hills this afternoon.  The location of today’s event was to remind everyone that a working smoke alarm in your home could save your life and potentially keep the name of another firefighter from being etched into the memorial stone.

For the past 10 years, PEPCO has annually donated a large quantity of smoke alarms to the Fire/EMS Department. Bashoor stated, “Knowing the importance of having a working smoke alarm in your home, PEPCO has continued to be a partner in helping us keep Prince Georgians safe by allowing us to install these life-saving devices into homes free of charge. On behalf of every resident of Prince George’s County, I offer our sincerest thanks for this donation.”

Pete Pedersen, PEPCO Emergency Services Partnership Coordinator, said, "PEPCO truly appreciates the dedication of the men and women of the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department and hopes that our annual donation in some small way contributes to the life-saving work they do every day for the residents of Prince George's County." He further stated, "This donation is a great way to support an initiative that is so important to our customers and communities, as well as strengthen the partnerships that exist with our first responders.”

The Fire/EMS Department is asking residents that can afford to purchase their own 10-year smoke alarm to please do so.  Residents that do not have the resources or ability to purchase and install smoke alarms should contact our Safety First Smoke Alarm program at 301-864-SAFE (7233).  A firefighter will come to your home and install a working smoke alarm for you, free of charge. 

Keep in mind the new law requires a working 10-year smoke alarm on every level of your home.  The Fire/EMS Department can only provide and install one alarm per home; residents will be required to equip their home with additional devices. 

Apartments and condo homes are also required to have the appropriate alarms in place and working.  Management is responsible for this function.  If management is not maintaining your smoke alarms appropriately, call our Fire Prevention Office at 301-583-1830.