The City of Reading, Department of Fire and Rescue Services encourages all citizens to have working smoke detectors in their home.

The Office of the Fire Marshal is again sponsoring a fire safety program involving smoke detectors. The program is modeled on the national “Operation-Save-A-Life” program which is a free smoke detector giveaway and installation program available to home owners(owner/occupied) residing within the City of Reading. The fire department will provide free smoke detectors,fire prevention literature,as well as complete the simple temporary installationof the smoke detectors. The program is designed to reduce incidents of fire injuries and death in residential owner/occupied homes.

As in past years, the program will be facilitated through the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM), and interested homeowners can contact the OFM at 610-655-6080 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.requesting program participation.

There are some qualification requirements for program participation:

→The dwelling must be OWNER/OCCUPIED(Rental and Lease to Buy properties are required by code to have smoke detectors furnished by  the landlord/owner –this program WILL NOT provide smoke detection for these types of dwelling units. If you live in a rental property which lacks smoke detection, please contact the Citizen’s Service Centerat 1-877-727-3234 to report this dangerous condition).

→ The program is dual funded with an emphasis on providing smoke detectors in owner/occupied homes.If an owner of a dwelling requests program participation, devices will befacilitated on a first come first serve basis, and will continue until all smoke detector supplies have been exhausted.

→Smoke detector installations will normally be done between the hours of 10AM and 3PM pending emergencies, weather conditions, etc....

→Homeowners requesting program participation will be required to complete an application and sign a waiver prior to a schedule installation.

→In addition to providing free smoke detectors, the fire department will also provide fire prevention literature for home owners to review (e.g. Home Fire Escape Planning, Kitchen Fire Safety, etc...).

Comprehensive Fire Prevention techniques & tips are an occupant’s first line of defense against fire. Working smoke detectors provide occupants crucial early warning that a fire has occurred and are vital for reducing injuries and death due to fire by providing occupants time to escape!

On average, occupants have less than three minutes from the time the first smoke alarm sounds to escape a fire. The sooner you hear a smoke detector, the more time you will have to get out!

CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR YOUR FREE SMOKE DETECTORS

Thank you for your time, efforts, and assistance.


JEREMY L. SEARFOSS"
Fire Marsha