SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – The Seminole County Fire Department, in collaboration with the American Red Cross, dedicated its Saturday to enhancing community safety.

Volunteers alongside firefighters visited approximately 300 homes near Eastmonte Park, aiming to install new smoke detectors for residents who wanted them.

Sammi Conneen, mass care coordinator for the Red Cross’ Greater Orlando Chapter, emphasized the importance of the initiative.

“This is a program that we’ve been doing for quite some time because we’re trying to save lives,” Conneen said.

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The teams, comprised of Seminole County firefighters, Red Cross members and community volunteers, distributed smoke detectors to those interested.

“We actually come around the whole community and see them on a Saturday morning and give them something safe in hopes that we’ll never have to meet them in the middle of the night when something isn’t quite such a good experience,” Conneen added.

After training, the volunteers and firefighters canvassed the neighborhood, knocking on doors to distribute smoke detectors. For those not at home, educational door hangers were left to ensure residents still received vital information.

Seminole County Fire Department Lt. Jon DiVita noted that the area has experienced tragic events and fires in the past. He highlighted that the age of the homes might be a reason why some residences in this area may not have working smoke detectors.

“It could be one aspect,” DiVita said. “But I think since they were built so far — a long time ago — people either forget to replace the smoke detectors that were originally installed in the house, or they didn’t come with smoke detectors. So it’s kind of one of those things that we just want to make sure they have the opportunity to get them if they want them.”

To learn more about SCFD’s smoke detector outreach program, click here.

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