County fire officials offer free in‑home smoke‑alarm installations and bring festival to Dorville

Dicab County Fire Rescue briefed Dorville’s council on a federally supported smoke-alarm program and upcoming public-safety outreach on Aug. 13, highlighting free in-home installation and a fall festival in Dorville.

A county presenter said the fire-rescue public-education unit partnered with a nonprofit, ATLytics, to model residential fire risk by census-block group and used that analysis to win a FEMA Fire Prevention & Safety grant. The grant funded purchase and installation of nearly $100,000 in smoke alarms and funded the installation of almost 1,000 alarms in two target areas during the grant’s performance period. The county now plans to deploy remaining alarms countywide.

Deputy Chief Thomas Burrell described the installation protocol: alarms are not merely handed out but are installed by fire personnel who schedule visits at residents’ convenience and place alarms on each occupied level of a home. “Our goal is to put them in the basement as well,” Burrell said, noting the program typically installs two to three alarms per home depending on levels.

County staff also publicized the 22nd annual Fire Safety Festival, which will be hosted in Dorville in October at BrandSmart USA; last year’s event drew roughly 650 residents, county staff said. Council members praised the program as a low-cost, high-impact public-safety initiative and encouraged outreach to Dorville neighborhoods.

Next steps: County staff will provide outreach materials and a sign-up route (QR code / form) for Dorville residents; council asked staff to ensure the flyer and sign-up link are posted on the city website and social channels.