Special Grant Provides 4,000 Smoke Detectors for Gwinnett Residents

By Joy Woodson

A firefighter assistance grant will enable Gwinnett County to initiate a two-year program, aimed at reaching communities with a high number of calls for help. 

Specifically, the $62,520 grant will go toward providing about 4,000 smoke detectors for elderly residents and low-incomes families, and running a two-year program called "Residential F.A.C.T. (firefighters and communities together)

As part of the program, firefighters will visit homes within 10 communities to raise awareness of fire hazards, install smoke alarms and to communicate proper fire safety practices. Some fire safety educators will be Spanish speakers.

"These grants will help us proactively save lives and protect property in our community," Gwinnett Fire Chief Casey Snyder said in a press release. "We want residents to learn safety measures and interact with firefighters on a non-emergency basis."