Salus donated 36 smoke alarms and 36 carbon monoxide detectors to Ridgetown Station 11, Orford Station 10 and Blenheim Station 18 to distribute to residents in their areas who sign up for a Chatham-Kent Homes: Informed, Ready & Protected (CHiRP) home inspection.
Vanessa Sloan, Marketing and Branding Coordinator for Salus, said the company’s commitment to community safety is the reason for their donations. “Safety first, and of course, we want to help the local volunteer firefighters,” Sloan said, as smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are available for sale in Salus branch offices in Ridgetown and Blenheim.
“But you guys are the pros; you can make sure they’re installed and working safely,” Sloan said to the CKFR members in attendance, which included Henry VanderGriendt of Ridgetown Station 11, Ken Labonte, CKFR Assistant Chief, and Whitney Burk, CKFR Community Safety Officer.
“We really, really appreciate the generous donation,” Burk said. “We have gone through an abundance of smoke alarms this year through our CHiRP program.”
The CKFR offers free CHiRP home inspections, during which firefighters ensure that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in working order, installed in the proper locations, and not expired.
Burk said over 800 alarms have already been installed by CKFR personnel on CHiRP inspections across Chatham-Kent in 2024.
With homeowners’ approval, all CKFR stations recently conducted random home inspections during the recent CHiRP Day in CK on Oct. 19.
Residents can receive free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms by signing up for a free CHiRP home inspection. Appointments can be booked online at www.ckfire.ck by clicking on the ‘Booking & Events’ icon on the home page and scrolling down to CHiRP Home Alarm Check or by calling 519-360-1998 and asking for a CHiRP inspection. Firefighters from the closest station will conduct the alarm check and educate the public on fire safety and prevention.
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Photo Caption:
Salus Mutual Insurance donated smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to area fire stations. The detectors were presented at the Ridgetown Fire Station #11 last week. Ken Labonte (CKFR Assistant Chief), Whitney Burk (Community Safety Officer), Jeff Derksen (Agent - Salus Mutual), Skylar Des Rosiers (Agent - Salus Mutual), Elyse Kilbride (Agent - Salus Mutual), and Henry VanderGriendt (Firefighter - Station 11).
