For printed information regarding Smoke Alarm Installation and Guides, please click on the links below:

Initially, this program had an overwhelming response from 114 First Nations’ communities throughout the province. The original 5,000 smoke alarms donated by AANDC and Kidde Canada (2500 each), has been increased by four times that original amount. Since 2013, ISC has committed to purchase additional smoke alarms beyond the original 5,000 and Kidde has donated additional smoke alarms. FNESS is continuing to support First Nation communities and we are able to answer questions and respond to concerns regarding the installation of smoke alarms.

The smoke alarms being distributed have convenient features such as:

    • 10 year battery that will power the unit for the 10 year life span of the smoke alarm (at which point the smoke alarm must be replaced)
    • Hush button to silence the alarm in the event of a false alarm, such as from cooking or opening a woodstove door
    • Alarm tamper resistant feature to prevent unwanted removal of the smoke alarm

The installation and regular maintenance of smoke alarms in the home can reduce your chances of dying in a home fire by up to 50 per cent or more.

In order to provide your family with the best chance of surviving a home fire, installing and maintaining smoke alarms is the first step.  The second step is to create and post a home escape plan for each level of your home that will identify two ways out of each room and an outside meeting place that will ensure all family members have escaped safely in the event of a fire.  It is essential that all members of your family practice this home escape plan on a regular basis, just like fire drills practiced in schools.  Studies have shown that merely discussing the home escape plan will not teach you or your children to act quickly to escape and survive a home fire, the home escape plan must be practiced!

If you would like more information regarding fire and life safety please contact the FNESS Fire Services department or take part in one of the many community fire and life safety presentations that will be taking place in First Nation communities throughout BC.