In a vital collaboration to protect homes from the rise in fires, the Navajo Department of Emergency Management (DEM), Kayenta Chapter, and the American Red Cross (ARC) have rolled out a smoke alarm installation initiative across Navajo Nation. Detailed in a report from the Office of the President and Vice President of the Navajo Nation, on May 8, volunteers converged at the Kayenta Chapter House to install life-saving devices, providing not just equipment but also essential education on fire safety to residents.
During this event, 12 teams of volunteers, among them individuals from the Indian Health Service (IHS), N.A.T.I.V.E., and Kayenta Boarding School diligently fitted a total of 43 alarms in 17 homes. “We didn’t just show up, install the alarm, and leave,” said Sharen Sandoval, director for NDEM. “We sat with the families and coached them on fire safety. What it is and why it’s important,” she told the Navajo Nation's publication. Sandoval also highlighted the concerning frequency of house fires in the Nation.
Accolades for the initiative also came from Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, who has routinely shown support for NDEM’s community safety programs. "Education is key when it comes to fire safety, and our first responders are doing what they can to not only help in the case of an emergency, but give our communities tools to stay safe," he stated in the Navajo Nation's publication.
This proactive life-saving campaign follows on the heels of a visit in April by ARC leadership to Window Rock, aimed at refining the responsiveness to emergencies on Navajo Nation. Notable advancements from this visit have included establishing a direct line to ARC, speeding up response times and the creation of culturally attuned materials, such as safety guides in Diné. Moreover, NDEM was able to secure a grant from Arizona Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, further bolstering these community protection measures. With candid simplicity, President Nygren captured the sentiment: “Protecting our families starts with simple steps," and "Something as small as a smoke alarm can mean the difference between life and death," as noted by the Navajo Nation's publication.
