Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fire Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Volunteer fire chiefs report 597 smoke alarms installed in 133 homes under county program
Summary
North Coffee, Hillsborough, Summitville and Houston station chiefs reported progress and equipment purchases tied to a county smoke‑alarm program: 597 alarms in 133 homes over five years, recent purchases of SCBAs, turnout gear, a cascade system and new trucks.
Volunteer fire officials told the Coffee County HWR Committee on July 28 that a county program to install residential smoke alarms has produced measurable results and helped departments modernize equipment.
"For 5 years, we've put in 597 smoke alarms in a 133 homes," said Greg Rydham, chief of North Coffee Fire Department, giving the program's five‑year total and saying the effort averages roughly 26 homes per year. Rydham listed major purchases funded in part through the program, including SCBAs, cylinders, battery‑powered ventilators, turnout gear, pagers and thermal imagers.
Melissa Carter, Hillsborough Fire Chief, said department records show the town installed 52 detectors in 2024, 17 in 2025 and 21 so far this year, and that funds were used to equip a recently purchased truck. "In 2024, it shows we installed 52 detectors ... and so far this year we've already installed 21," Carter said. Michael, assistant chief of Summitville Fire, said Summitville put in about 17 alarms this year and used program funds to buy a cascade system and a brush truck.
Sean Nichols, assistant chief at Houston (Hickerson) Station, reported 48 alarms installed this year across 13 homes and said the station bought new turnout gear, ladders, hose and other loose equipment. Chiefs and committee members stressed that purchases and installations are documented through the county purchasing process and PO receipts.
The committee asked departments to bring smoke‑detector paperwork to the next meeting so records can be consolidated. Chair (speaker 2) said the program has helped departments replace aging equipment more quickly and free other local funds for additional needs.
