With the help of FEMA’s Fire Prevention and Safety Grant, the Lafayette Fire Department (LFD) is offering smoke alarm systems designed to alert eligible deaf and hearing impaired City of Lafayette residents of a fire.
LCG says that the “Hearing Impaired Safety Solutions for Lafayette” program was created to distribute and install free smoke alarms with Lifetone bedside alarm clock and bed shaker, as well as provide fire safety information, to Lafayette city residents with hearing impairments beginning January 2019.
These devices alert homeowners using light, sound and movement unlike traditional smoke detectors, which only use sound.
The Lafayette Fire Department says it believes in the lifesaving potential of the program.
“We are very excited about our Hearing Impaired Safety Solution Program and the positive impact it will have on the deaf and hard of hearing community,” Lafayette Fire Chief Robert Benoit says. “Smoke alarms save lives. However, ordinary smoke alarms are not practical for our citizens with hearing disabilities. The special fire safety devices to be installed to those qualifying City of Lafayette citizens will provide assurance of early detection in case there’s a fire.”
To qualify for the program, one must be a City of Lafayette resident with documented proof of hearing impairment and complete the following steps:
- Complete an application form—print application or online www.lafayettela.gov/firedepartment
- Provide documentation of the hearing impairment (Proof of disability may include a letter from a doctor, therapist, case manager or other medical providers, or a copy of driver’s license stating the disability.)
- Return the application to Lafayette Fire Prevention Division
Distribution of the smoke alarm systems begins in January and will continue as long as supplies and funding is available.
For more information, please contact:
Fire Prevention Division
2100 Jefferson St., Bldg. B
Lafayette, LA 70501
Phone (337)291-8704
Fax (337) 291-5531
Email: FireSafety@lafayettela.gov
