The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are celebrating a significant milestone reached by the "Get Alarmed, Tennessee!" initiative, as it has been credited with its 500th life-saving alert. The program, designed to reduce the incidence of home fire fatalities, facilitates the installation of smoke alarms in residences across the state.
Since its inception in 2012, "Get Alarmed, Tennessee!" has partnered with fire departments and volunteer organizations to not only install but also to educate residents on fire safety. The program's efficacy can be particularly felt in the March 19, 2024 incident, where a smoke alarm installed through the program successfully warned a Pigeon Forge homeowner of a fire, enabling an evacuation and potentially saving a life. In his remarks, captured by the state's website, State Fire Marshal Carter Lawrence said, “’Get Alarmed’ is helping fulfill Governor Lee’s vision for improving Tennessee communities by focusing on improving safety and reducing the loss of life through home fires."
Statistics from the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office reveal that over 306,277 smoke alarms have been distributed, and more than 265,000 installations have been carried out through this systematic campaign. The program tracks its impact by requiring fire departments in Tennessee to report back when an alarm has effectively alerted residents to fire dangers.
The success of the initiative is underscored by a study from the University of Tennessee Municipal Technical Advisory Service suggesting that continued participation in "Get Alarmed" could potentially result in over 50 lives being saved annually for the rest of this decade. The state has seen a notable decrease in fire death rates, a welcome change from its previous high-ranking position for civilian fire fatalities in the USA. "This encouraging trend suggests that efforts by state and local fire officials to minimize fire fatalities have yielded results in the desired direction," the authors of the study noted, according to the state's website.
Interim Assistant Commissioner for Fire Prevention, Marybeth Gribble, expressed her enthusiasm about the program's achievements, stating, “The 500th life-saving alert is a milestone for the ‘Get Alarmed’ program, our Department, and the entire State of Tennessee,” as reported by the state's official announcement. She further highlighted the proactive collaboration with local fire departments that has contributed to making Tennessee a national example in fire safety. Tennessee residents in need of smoke alarms are encouraged to reach out to their local fire departments to inquire about the "Get Alarmed" program.
