Major Donation Aids Philadelphia Fire Department Effort To Install Smoke Detectors
By Mike DeNardo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A big donation from the insurance industry will continue to buy smoke detectors for Philadelphia residents who need them.
"The funds given today will make a positive, and possibly a life-saving difference tomorrow," says Joe Flores of the Citizens for Fire Prevention Committee.
Flores accepted a $45,000 check from the Insurance Society of Philadelphia. Society President Russ Shaner says the money comes from a text-to-pledge event at their annual gala.
"We post the texts on a big screen, so all those that are in attendance can see who's texting and what the text amount is," Shaner says. "And that's what creates a little bit of the competition."
Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer says the money will buy 5,000 smoke detectors.
"Even though 5,000 smoke alarms isn't a lot," he says, "it's still going to help us target that high-risk community or high-risk population that can't afford to buy smoke alarms."
Sawyer says anyone who can't afford a smoke alarm should call 311 and the Philadelphia Fire Department will install one at no charge.