Miss-Delectable
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News
A local life saving program is gaining nationwide attention.
The Williamsport Fire Department gave away special smoke detectors for the deaf and hearing impaired. That give-away has ignited calls from other fire departments around the nation.
Twins Monica and Melissa Engle sparked an idea that is catching on nationwide. Their mother Melissa Engle was concerned about their safety. The girls are hearing-impaired and their mom knew they couldn`t hear a smoke detector`s warning signal. So Melissa Engle asked the Williamsport Bureau of Fire for help. They responded with a smoke detector made specifically for the hearing impaired.
"I want to help not just my children but all children and individuals who are deaf and hearing impaired" declared Mrs. Engle.
In addition to sounding an alarm, the special hearing impaired smoke detector also shakes the bed.
Monica Engle continued "I think it`s good so we can hear when there`s a fire. It could save our lives."
Engle and the Bureau of Fire want to buy more smoke detectors. There are now forty people on the waiting list in Williamsport alone. But since they cost $259 each, they need to the community to help.
Williamsport Fire Inspector Tom Swigart said he is looking where ever possible for more funding. "I`m digging for all kinds of resources. Grants or anything we can find to get the money in order to get enough detectors out there."
Fire departments from across the United States are now calling Swigart to find out how they can do the same thing in their communities. "From the phone calls and everything, I guess we`re leading the way with this" explained Inspector Swigart.
Williamsport is the first city in the U.S. to give away these specialized smoke detectors. So far the Williamsport Bureau of Fire has given away four smoke detectors.
If you are interested in getting on the list to receive one, contact Fire Inspector Tom Swigart at 570-327-7589.
A local life saving program is gaining nationwide attention.
The Williamsport Fire Department gave away special smoke detectors for the deaf and hearing impaired. That give-away has ignited calls from other fire departments around the nation.
Twins Monica and Melissa Engle sparked an idea that is catching on nationwide. Their mother Melissa Engle was concerned about their safety. The girls are hearing-impaired and their mom knew they couldn`t hear a smoke detector`s warning signal. So Melissa Engle asked the Williamsport Bureau of Fire for help. They responded with a smoke detector made specifically for the hearing impaired.
"I want to help not just my children but all children and individuals who are deaf and hearing impaired" declared Mrs. Engle.
In addition to sounding an alarm, the special hearing impaired smoke detector also shakes the bed.
Monica Engle continued "I think it`s good so we can hear when there`s a fire. It could save our lives."
Engle and the Bureau of Fire want to buy more smoke detectors. There are now forty people on the waiting list in Williamsport alone. But since they cost $259 each, they need to the community to help.
Williamsport Fire Inspector Tom Swigart said he is looking where ever possible for more funding. "I`m digging for all kinds of resources. Grants or anything we can find to get the money in order to get enough detectors out there."
Fire departments from across the United States are now calling Swigart to find out how they can do the same thing in their communities. "From the phone calls and everything, I guess we`re leading the way with this" explained Inspector Swigart.
Williamsport is the first city in the U.S. to give away these specialized smoke detectors. So far the Williamsport Bureau of Fire has given away four smoke detectors.
If you are interested in getting on the list to receive one, contact Fire Inspector Tom Swigart at 570-327-7589.