The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) and the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) have announced a significant donation from Kidde, North America’s leading home fire safety brand. Kidde has contributed over $38,000 worth of fire extinguishers and carbon monoxide detectors to support fire departments impacted by Hurricane Helene.
The donation, comprising 400 fire extinguishers and nearly 900 carbon monoxide alarms, was delivered by SFMO staff to the Unicoi County Emergency Management Distribution Center in Erwin. The equipment is now available for fire departments to collect.
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Kidde is known for producing 10-year sealed battery smoke alarms, which have been integral to the SFMO’s “Get Alarmed, Tennessee!” program since 2021. This initiative has successfully saved over 500 lives in Tennessee through the installation of smoke alarms by volunteers.
Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Carter Lawrence expressed gratitude on behalf of the affected fire departments and communities for Kidde’s donation. He highlighted Kidde’s longstanding support since 2012 and emphasized the importance of such contributions in the wake of the storm’s devastation. Lawrence expressed confidence in the resilience of Tennesseans to overcome challenges and rebuild.
Residents of Tennessee can request free smoke alarms by visiting the SFMO’s website.
Stephanie Berzinski, Fire Safety Educator at Kidde, reiterated the company’s mission to protect and save lives. Berzinski noted the increased risks following Hurricane Helene, particularly with the use of generators and the approaching cold weather. She expressed hope that the donated safety equipment would alleviate some of the community’s concerns during the recovery phase.
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