Letters: Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Lloyd Ayers: Yes, indeed, smoke detectors DO save lives

FIREFIGHTERS Local 22 President Bill Gault hasn't been shy about stating his views of the Fire Department's management of its resources during tough economic times. In most cases, we've chosen to ignore Mr. Gault's hyperbole.

But, recently, Gault asserted that "smoke detectors are just an aid, they don't save lives. The professional Fire Department saves lives."

Gault's trivialization of the important role of residential smoke alarms is both irresponsible and counterproductive to the safety of the citizens we serve. Don't believe the hype. Don't be hoodwinked.

Although fire deaths increased in Philadelphia in 2010 by three compared with the record low loss of 30 lives in 2009, 14 of the 33 fatalities - nearly half - occurred in properties that didn't have smoke alarms or had dead or missing batteries.

Smoke alarms do save lives; they also reduce the chance of injury through early warning. The number of fire-related injuries last year dipped from 237 to 201.

And the chance of our firefighters becoming injured or dying is reduced by the fact that those we are sworn to protect are out of harm's way through the activation of a smoke alarm.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, from 2003-2006, almost two-thirds of residential fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working alarms. In the 2007 edition of NFPA 72 (the National Fire Alarm Code), it is required that there be smoke alarms in every bedroom outside each sleeping area and on every level.

Many other experts also agree that smoke alarms save lives.

In October, President Obama proclaimed Fire Prevention Week with the theme "Smoke alarms: A sound you can live with." The International Association of Firefighters, along with many of its affiliates, participated to spread the message of the importance of having smoke alarms.

Sharon Gamache, NFPA director of high-risk outreach programs, said, "working smoke alarms give you early warning to help you escape a fire."

It appears that IAFF Local 22 President Gault stands alone in his assertion that smoke alarms don't save lives. I urge any citizen who doesn't have working smoke alarms and cannot afford them to call our Smoke Alarm Hotline at 215-686-1176.

I believe that installing and maintaining smoke alarms, practicing and using home-escape plans and the home fire safety checklist will ultimately help us achieve our goal of zero fire deaths.

Lloyd Ayers

Commissioner

Philadelphia Fire Department

City didn't shell out a dime for fireworks

It was actually SugarHouse casino that paid for BOTH fireworks shows, not the city.

Stick to things you know, like jughandles, before making such outrageous statements. For years, this city has supported the Mummers!

Annmarie Marcellino, Philadelphia

Garden-variety response in Kensington

I appreciate that an effort is being made to clean up Kensington. However, the idea that picking up trash will deter some homicidal maniac from killing again is absolutely ludicrous!

Rob Boyden, Drexel Hill

Keystone State jackpot

Jim Acton, Collegeville