PHOTO: A member of the Victoria Fire Department installs a smoke detector in a home during an “Operation Installation” event earlier this year.
The Victoria Fire Department is continuing its personal, hands-on approach to keeping residents safe.
This Saturday, July 26, staff with the Victoria Fire Department will visit households in the Vista Del Sol neighborhood, going door-to-door to ensure residents have working smoke detectors. If they do not have smoke detectors, the Fire Department will provide and install the number of smoke detectors required at no charge. The department’s goal is to keep the community safe.
The Victoria Fire Department partners with local donors to obtain smoke detectors and distribute them to residents upon request or at community events, such as the Keep Victoria Beautiful neighborhood cleanups.
These home visits are part of “Operation Installation,” an initiative under the Fire Marshal’s Office’s smoke detector distribution program. “Operation Installation” aims to increase the number of distributions by bringing smoke detectors directly to residents.
The Fire Marshal’s Office will not be finished with Operation Installation on Saturday. Staff will be out in the community to help keep residents safe on seven more dates in 2025.
- Aug. 9
- Aug. 23
- Sept. 6
- Sept. 20
- Oct. 18
- Nov. 1
- Dec. 6
The location of the future “Operation Install” visits is yet to be determined. The visits from staff prioritize low to moderate income neighborhoods as well as areas with higher numbers of elderly residents.
Why it matters
About 60% of home fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke detectors, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
“Smoke detectors are one of the most important fire safety tools available,” Ponce said. “When they are maintained properly, they can save lives by alerting occupants to a fire and giving them more time to escape.”
Protect your home
Homeowners who live within city limits can request a smoke detector installation by calling the Fire Marshal’s Office at 361-485-3460 or visiting www.victoriatx.gov/fire.
Residents can also call the Fire Marshal’s Office to donate to the program.