Today, Mayor Bill Finch and Fire Chief Brian Rooney held a press conference to recognize the achievement. The program, which partners with AmeriCorps, began in 2005 and reached a milestone on Tuesday; They installed their 40,000 smoke alarm. City leaders say they spend about $160,000 a year keeping the program alive.
“We have well over 142 documented incidents where our smoke alarms actually alerted the residents of this city – got them up and got them of the house safely,” said Bridgeport Fire Chief Brian Rooney.
Mayor Bill Finch said, “I encourage all cities and towns to put this in their budget.”
The mayor installed celebratory smoke alarm number 40,000 in a house on Brooks Street.
“There’s no city in the U.S. that has installed more smoke detectors,” Finch added.
The smoke detectors remain free, with installation included. Bridgeport residents who want a new smoke detector are asked to call the city’s special service line at 203-576-1311.