Free smoke detectors available to residents
Local and area residents may apply to receive free smoke detectors.
The City of Marion applied for and received a FEMA grant and purchased 500 First Alert smoke detectors.
"The target population are the elderly on a fixed income and low income residents," said David Mayfield, city administrator.
Residents within the city limits and those who reside in Grant, Centre, Gale, and Wilson townships are eligible to apply.
"The detectors will be distributed to low income and fixed income people first," Mayfield said. "If there are any left, anyone else who needs one may receive one."
The detectors have a 10-year, lithium battery which does not need to be replaced for 10 years.
Residents also may receive more than one detector.
Applications are available at City of Marion office, 208 E. Santa Fe.
Local volunteer firefighters will review applications and distribute detectors. Firefighters also will assist with installation, if necessary.
The total project was $7,500 with FEMA providing $6,750 of the funds.
In the grant application, Mayfield used portions of a story from the Marion County Record about the Troy Hett family being saved by a smoke detector when their home burned.
"This is an important program," Mayfield said, "because it could save someone's life."
Mike Regnier, Marion fire chief, also supports the program.
"This is a good deal for residents," Regnier said.
For more information, contact the city office at (620) 382-3703.
