Visitors urge Oak Ridge to adopt SkyBell safety sticker; presenter pledges $1M to train firefighters as EMTs, fire chief support noted

At the Town of Oak Ridge council meeting, visitors from SkyBell explained a reflective safety-sticker program intended to help first responders identify homes with residents who are elderly or have disabilities. Sarah Lark (speaker 7) described the sticker as a "fully reflective sticker that helps to protect people with disabilities and seniors" and said it is designed to be placed on doors or windows to alert arriving responders.

Dr. Edward Haines (speaker 2), who identified himself as a retired Army colonel, said the group has launched the SkyBell Foundation to support training and incentives for firefighters to become certified emergency medical technicians. In public remarks he said, "I'm start I'm taking 1000000 dollars of my own money to start this foundation." He described plans to enroll firefighters for EMT training and to provide a $2,500 incentive payment to trained firefighters who remain active with their department for two years.

Assistant Chief Sam Andrews (speaker 6) earlier in the meeting described recent weather-related calls and equipment updates for Oak Ridge Fire & Rescue: he said the department has received a replacement brush truck and a replacement pickup that had been delayed by COVID-related manufacturing slowdowns, and that a long-awaited replacement engine is in North Carolina for mounting. Andrews also noted the arrival of a fire hydrant in front of the station, saying he was surprised and pleased to see the new hydrant and inviting the public to upcoming apparatus announcements.

Mayor and staff noted that Chief Gibson had asked the SkyBell presenters to speak to the council and that Chief Gibson supports their initiatives; the mayor said Chief Gibson would raise the item with the fire-department board. Council did not take formal action on the SkyBell presentation during the meeting.