Smoke detectors save lives!  It is a simple yet important message that most people know.  However, if smoke detectors are not functioning because of dead batteries, they cannot do their job and the results could be catastrophic.   While Camano Island Fire and Rescue reminds people every year to change their batteries when they change their clocks, this year they are taking one more step to promote public safety.  Partnering with local Boy Scouts, firefighters will be in the Madrona and Country Club neighborhoods on Saturday, March 21^st, and the Camaloch and Utsalady neighborhoods on Sunday, March 22^nd, to change resident's smoke detector batteries.

Working with the Boy Scouts to change smoke detector batteries on Camano Island was the idea of new Volunteer Firefighter Rusty Pfeiffer.  "I heard about the idea from friends in other communities and thought this was something the Island could really benefit from" said Pfeiffer.  "It's a great idea because we have so many community members that are unable to change their batteries on their own" said Assistant Chief Levon Yengoyan.  "Canvassing neighborhoods to change batteries for anyone that needs it, is just another way that we can serve our community."

In order to accomplish their mission, Pfeiffer enlisted the help of fellow firefighters and reached out to the local Boy Scout community.  Scouts from Troop 289 and Troop 86 eagerly rose to the challenge of public service and signed on to help.  The scouts will ride in fire engines around each neighborhood.  Under the supervision of firefighters they will provide batteries and also change batteries in people's homes. Important information will also be provided on the importance of smoke detectors and their maintenance.

In addition to the personnel needed to change the batteries, this effort could not move forward without the batteries themselves.  While CIFR was able to provide some of the funds necessary to purchase batteries, another partner was needed to enable the program to continue.  This partner was found in the Camano Plaza IGA, which has agreed to provide the matching funds needed to obtain 500 batteries.

CIFR firefighters and the Boy Scouts will be in the neighborhoods from 1pm to 5pm on each day.  If you would like your batteries changed, please contact the Administration Office at 360-387-1512 or simply let the crews know when they are in your neighborhood.  "We welcome everyone to stop the engines and ask them to change your batteries, give a quick tour of the engines to the kids, or just say hello to the crews!  It's what serving our community is about" concluded Yengoyan. 

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For more information about the fire district operations, or to schedule a meeting with Fire Chief Mike Ganz, please call Assistant Chief Levon Yengoyan at the administration office at 360-387-1512.