State Fire Marshal’s Office Commemorates East TN “100 For 100” Departments
NASHVILLE - The Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) recently recognized the work of seven fire service organizations who collectively installed over 500 smoke alarms in their communities as part of the SFMO’s “100 For 100” smoke alarm challenge.
Begun in 2015, the “100 For 100” canvasses commemorate the SFMO’s 100th anniversary and showcase local fire departments who have accepted the SFMO’s challenge to test their limits to install at least 100 free smoke alarms in just one day.
An awards luncheon was held recently in Kingsport in conjunction with a meeting of the Northeast East Tennessee Fire Chief’s Association to honor the departments. State Senator Steve Southerland (R-Morristown), State Rep. David Hawk (R-Greeneville), and State Rep. John B. Holsclaw Jr. (R-Elizabethton were on hand to recognize the local fire departments participating in the “100 For 100” challenge.
Departments receiving awards at the ceremony included: South Greene (VFD): 108 alarms; Town of Mosheim (FD): 156 alarms; Cocke County (FD): 102 alarms; Midway (VFD): 168 alarms; Piney Flats (FD): 143 alarms; Unicoi (VFD): 50 alarms; and Sneedville (VFD): 225 alarms.
“Each alarm that volunteers install is another chance to help reduce Tennessee’s fire death rate,” said Deputy Commissioner Gary West. “I’m grateful for the dedication of these departments, and I am challenging other departments across the state to continue the ‘100 For 100’ successes.”
Alarms installed through the overall “Get Alarmed” initiative are credited with saving at least 147 lives since the SFMO’s program launched in 2012. The program has distributed more than 120,000 free smoke alarms to more than 470 partnering fire departments across the state.
Tennesseans in need of a smoke alarm can utilize the SFMO’s online alarm form to request a free installation.
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