DC Fire and EMS Donate Hu...

DC Fire and EMS Donate Hundreds of Smoke & CO Detectors to DC Housing Authority

DC Fire and EMS Donate Hundreds of Smoke & CO Detectors to DC Housing Authority
Ongoing DCHA-FEMS partnership includes fire prevention education

WASHINGTON, D.C. [Oct. 31, 2024] - The DC Housing Authority is honored to be the recipient of hundreds of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that were donated by DC Fire and EMS as part of Fire Prevention Month, which is observed in October. The 350 hardwired, combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms will help offset equipment costs and support the maintenance of safety infrastructure throughout DCHA's residential portfolio.

The donation, valued at approximately $21,000, will expand DCHA's surplus of hard-wired detectors, which will be used to replace existing equipment as it reaches the end of its lifespan. The generous gift will further aid DCHA's ongoing fire safety efforts.

"On behalf of our public housing families, thank you to DC Fire and EMS for this generous donation," said Keith Pettigrew, DCHA Executive Director. "Ensuring the safety of our residents is vital toward our mission to provide livable housing to support healthy and sustainable communities. We are grateful to DC Fire and EMS for sharing our values."

"DC Fire and EMS is steadfast in its mission to reduce fire deaths. Understanding that smoke alarms save lives, we are honored to partner with the DC Housing Authority to ensure that affordable housing is safe housing. We are confident that this donation of Combined Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms will further our commitment to keeping our residents safe," said Chief Edward Kauffman, Fire Marshal for the District of Columbia.

As of May 2024, DCHA completed conversion of all battery-powered combination detectors throughout the public housing portfolio to hardwired equipment. The hardwired devices are more reliable, as they are powered by the property's electrical supply and the 9-volt battery serves as a backup should a utility outage occur. They also connect directly to the building's fire safety system, which sounds throughout the property if any individual unit detects smoke or carbon monoxide. This gift provides DCHA with additional hardwired detectors and will allow the agency to readily and quickly replace detectors as needed.

The donation comes as DCHA and DC Fire and EMS continue their longstanding partnership to educate public housing families on fire prevention and safety. In coordination with DCHA, DC Fire and EMS hosts fire safety seminars for staff and residents of each public housing property. The ongoing series of events, which included 12 seminars in 2024, rotates through each DCHA public housing community to ensure the latest best practices are made available to as many residents as possible.

Any District homeowner who is unable to afford a smoke detector can have one installed by contacting the DC FEMS Fire Prevention Division at 202-727-1614 or by e-mail at [email protected].

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About DC Housing Authority

The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) is committed to providing safe, affordable, and quality housing to the residents of the District of Columbia. The agency emphasizes fostering a collaborative work environment to meet the highest expectations of the affordable housing industry. With a focus on innovation and community development, DCHA strives to improve the lives of individuals and families by creating sustainable and thriving communities. To learn more about DCHA and the work that the agency is doing to impact the residents of Washington, D.C., visit our website at https://www.dchousing.org.