NEBRASKA’S SMOKE DETECTOR CHALLENGE
Smoke detector campaigns are nothing new. In many areas of the country, interested parties are reaching out to increase public awareness, with positive results. Ord, Nebraska (population 2,660) is one such community to take a stand on residential fire protection, but with a difference: It launched an enthusiastic campaign that would reach not only its own residents but those of neighboring towns.
THE CHALLENGE
Ord wanted to become one of the first communities of its size in the state to have 100 percent residential smoke detector coverage.
Dick Riggins, editor of the local newspaper, the Ord Quiz, wholly supported this idea and suggested challenging other similarsized Nebraska communities to beat Ord to the 100 percent goal.
The battle was on: The challenge was issued to the communities of Ainsworth, Ashland, David City, Geneva, Gordon, Minden, Superior, and Valentine. Friendly wagers were made between Ord and Ainsworth newspaper editors—the losing editor would wash a fire truck in the winner’s community—and between David City and Ord editors—the loser would sport the winner’s high school bumper sticker for a year.
Interest rose dramatically when the biggest fire in Ord history destroyed the Sack Lumber Company. The fire started midaftemoon and spread with such swiftness that employees barely had time to escape after summoning the Ord Volunteer Fire Department. Smoke detectors probably wouldn’t have made any difference in the fire’s outcome, but the fire was a graphic illustration of how quickly fire can begin and spread.
SPREADING THE WORD
With the Sack Lumber fire fresh in everyone’s minds, an extensive campaign was kicked off with National Smoke Detector Awareness Week. The mayor issued the proclamation that smoke detectors “can significantly reduce the loss of life from fires.” The battlecry “Get Alarmed” was adopted and spread throughout the community. A “Get Alarmed” banner was stretched across main street, and local businesses displayed the same message.
Posters and smoke detector displays sprang up in stores. Many merchants offered smoke detectors at discount prices, and more than 135 detectors were sold the first week.
FIRE PREVENTION
NEBRASKA’S SMOKE DETECTOR CHALLENGE
Residents whose homes were already protected with smoke detectors sported bright orange badges proclaiming “I’m Alarmed.” Decals displayed on front doors of homes indicated that smoke detectors were installed and operating.
The Ord Quiz followed the progress of the campaign with stories, pictures, ads, cartoons, and editorials. Ord radio station KNLV aired public service announcements urging residents to purchase, install properly, and maintain smoke detectors in their homes. The local cable television station aired a one-hour program featuring a panel discussion with members of the Ord Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office. The NFPA gave permission to show its film Fire: Countdown to Disaster. After the film wired, the phone lines were jammed with callers asking about the smoke detector campaign and fire safety in general.
Ord firefighters and other volunteers canvased the community to determine how many homes were protected by smoke detectors and to provide information and assistance on fire safety and smoke detector installation and maintenance to residents. A sign erected on the courthouse lawn monitored the progress of the campaign.
The campaign generated a great deal of interest and support throughout the community, creating an air of unity and spirit. Community groups such as the Lions, Rotary, Jaycees, and others joined in the promotion and donated smoke detectors to residents who could not afford them.
FIRE SAFETY CAPED CRUSADER
Then a mysterious visitor arrived in town who called himself “Smoke Detector Man.” In nighttime “raids” he left his now-famous smoke detector symbol on store windows, school buildings, homes, and even a flag flying above the police station. His presence created an air of mystery and excitement; everyone speculated as to the identity of this fire safety caped crusader.
During an annual lip-sync contest at the Ord high school, a group of volunteers put together a “Get Alarmed” shuffle to reinforce the smoke detector campaign. Just then Smoke Detector Man made his first public appearance and joined in die shuffle, wearing orange tights, blue shorts, a blue cape with puffs of smoke, an orange and blue cowl, and a smoke detector on his utility belt.
News of the fire safety superhero spread throughout the region and reached the governor’s mansion in Lincoln. Governer Kay Orr invited Smoke Detector Man to Lincoln and bestowed honorary Nebraska citizenship on the caped crusader.
Every spring the Nebraska fire school is held in Grand Island. During fire school a tote board was set up for the communities participating in the smoke detector campaign to post their totals. Both David City and Ord boasted diat 93 percent of their homes had one or more working smoke detectors. Other communities reported totals of anywhere from 55 to 75 percent.
There are always some people who will absolutely refuse to install smoke detectors in their homes. However, because of the campaign, many more homes are now protected by smoke detectors. Those detectors were installed because the people wanted to put them in, not because they had to by law, and hopefully for that reason they will be more likely to maintain them.
It is not yet known how many lives will be saved as a result of this campaign, but if even one life is saved the campaign will be considered a success.
(Photos by author.)
