BATON ROUGE, LA — January 30, 2018 — In response to the spike in fire-related accidents in the early days of 2018, Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome championed an initiative to distribute free smoke alarms to residents of East Baton Rouge Parish. Mayor Broome partnered with the American Red Cross, the United Cajun Navy, the Cajun Army, the Baton Rouge Fire Department, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal, and faith-based organizations to combat this epidemic. To date, more than 1,000 free smoke alarms have been installed throughout the parish.  

“After the tragic fire on Iroquois Street, I knew that something more must be done to keep our residents safe,” said Mayor Broome. “I commend our partners for their efforts and urge residents to continue to be proactive when heating their homes during winter weather.”

The recent rise in fires has had a devastating effect on the Capital Area, where home fires have claimed nine lives since the beginning of the year.

“In the first nine days of the new year, the American Red Cross responded to nearly 60 percent more home fires nationally than in 2017,” says Joshua Joachim, chief executive for the Louisiana Red Cross. “Having a working smoke alarm can reduce the chance of death or injury during a home fire by nearly half. The Louisiana Red Cross is proud to support the office of Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and our local fire departments to provide smoke alarm installations along with home fire education to the Capital Area community free of charge.”

Smoke alarm installation efforts are ongoing. The Cajun Navy will be distributing alarms and making installations on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday of this week.

“Unity is strength and our volunteers were proud to lend a hand to the residents of Baton Rouge in their time of need,” said Todd Terrell of the United Cajun Navy.

To request a smoke alarm, please contact the Office of the Mayor-President at (225) 389-3100.