Yeadon fire chief seeks Red Cross partnership for detectors; council offers grant-writing help

Yeadon’s fire leadership told the council they are working to expand smoke- and carbon-monoxide–detector coverage for residents and will seek grants and partnerships to support distribution and installation.

Shahid Summers, the borough’s fire chief, said the fire company provides smoke detectors but does not yet distribute carbon-monoxide detectors to residents. He said he is pursuing a partnership with the Red Cross to install devices and planned to circulate a sign-up sheet for residents once detectors are available.

“We don't as the fire company provide carbon [monoxide] and smoke detectors, and I'm trying to work with the Red Cross to do that,” Summers said. He added that when detectors are available, “I will have a sign up sheet with every resident to sign up and they will come out and install it for them.”

Council members offered to help find funding. One council member said a grant for volunteer and paid fire departments was available and that borough staff could engage a grant writer named Slay who has a strong award rate. The fire company president, Ethan Simmons, and the chief discussed how the borough could support an application.

Vinnie Zappacosta, introduced as the borough’s new fire marshal, said he would help with outreach and reports and encouraged residents to contact the fire marshal’s office with questions.

The council did not take formal action at the meeting, but members said they would coordinate with the chief and the borough’s administrative staff to pursue grant funding and to schedule distribution/installation when equipment is obtained.