Chief Dennis L. Rubin launches Operation SAVU on July 21.

(Washington, DC) – Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, City Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray, and DC Fire and EMS Chief Dennis L. Rubin launched the most aggressive smoke alarm coverage program in the city’s history, visiting more than 600 homes and installing more than 100 smoke alarms. As part of the Smoke Alarm Verification and Utilization (SAVU) Program, firefighters and inspectors go house to house in the District to ensure the presence of a working smoke alarm.  If no smoke alarm is present, a device is installed free of charge.

At the SAVU kickoff event July 21, Mayor Fenty touted the program as the most comprehensive strategy to date in the protection of city residents from fire. Joining with Chairman Gray, who has been instrumental in securing funding for the SAVU program, Ward 7 Councilmember Yvette Alexander and Chief Rubin, Mayor Fenty observed crews installing the devices in the 1100 block of 50th Street, Northeast near Antioch Baptist Church, where the historic program was launched.

“We are also pleased and excited to announce our partnership with Signal One Corporation, which is providing smoke alarms for this effort,” said Chief Rubin, who also detailed new technology introduced by Signal One that is aimed at further protecting children from house fires. Conventional smoke alarms activate with a series of loud beeps that continue in short, rapid succession. The Signal One “VOCAL” smoke alarm, by contrast, supplements the high-pitched beeps with spoken instructions recorded by parents. Studies have shown that a familiar voice, particularly a mother’s voice, is 99 percent effective in waking children, as opposed to the 57 percent effectiveness of a standard beeping alarm. The Signal One Vocal Alarm is the only alarm that uses this method.

First Alert, maker of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and other home safety devices, has been a long-standing partner with the DC Fire and EMS Department, donating thousands of devices to the department. First Alert has again come through for the safety of city residents with another large donation of combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms for the SAVU Program.

Having a working smoke alarm of any type in the home is the best personal protection against fire. Studies have shown a working smoke alarm increases a person’s chances of surviving a fire by 50 percent.

“Having a smoke alarm in your home is great, but it has to be installed properly and maintained,” said Chief Rubin  “That’s why our professionals in the Fire and EMS Department will conduct monthly installation events, where we can eventually get to every home in the city.”  The SAVU Program will occur on or about the third Saturday of every month, with the longterm goal of having every resident in the city can rest assured their family is protected with a working smoke alarm provided by the DC Fire and EMS Department.

Learn more about the Smoke Alarm Verification Utilization (SAVU) Program.