HomeMy WebLinkAbout1990-10-02 Award
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Iowa City Fire Department
Serving W'th Pride & Professionalism
410 East Washington SI.
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
(319) 356,5260
PRESS RELEASE
FOR m~EDIATE RELEASE
September 28, 1990
Contact: Fire Marshal,
Larry Kinney
Phone: 3S6-SZ6D
The Russ Rlcherdson Family recently rectlved the Stale Fire MarShal's
.SMOKE DETECTOR ON GUARD AWARD" after they escaped serIous Injury when
a fire broke out In their apartment at Z010 Broadway Street and they
were awakened by a smoke alarm sounding an early warning signal.
According to Fire Department officials, the fire occurred when a fIre
broke out In lhelr living room, setting off the smoke detector. The
occupants, Russ and Nancy Richardson and one year old Amber, were
awakened by a smoke detector located In the hallway near the bedrooms,
Mr, Richardson ran Into the adjacent bedroom to get Amber and came back
to the main bedroom where he broke out the window screen and helped his
wife and child to safety.
Fire Marshal Kinney said the buzzing sound of Richardson's smoke detec-
tor allowed them to escape without serious injury, Wtlhout a smoke
detector, It would have been unlikely that the family would have been
able to escape the fire, he explained.
According to lhe Fire Marshal the Rlchardsons are being recognized for
taking proper action when the smoke detector sounded, He edded that he
hopes that this will be an example to the public to realize the Impor-
tance of smoke detectors In their homes. "It Is definite proof that
smoke detectors save lives", he said,
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In a presentation at Iowa City Council Meeting October Z, 1990, the
Rlchardsons will be honored with a certificate which recognizes them
for using smoke detectors as a We-saving device against fires. This
award Is just one component of an educational campaign to significantly
increase and encourage the use of smoke detectors by all Iowans,
Award recipients are nominated by Investigating fire officials and oth-
ers who have knowledge of the circumstances surround the fIre, who can
assure the Individual's use of a smoke detector prevenled serious or
fatal Injury,
State fire Marshal acknowledged that smoke detectors are a life-savIng
asset, havIng just one smoke detector In the home, place of busIness
or other establishments will double the chances of someone escaping
alive should a fire break out,
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