2023 ANNUAL REPORT-FINAL

42

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Handle with Care

DFRS continued to be an active contributing partner in the “Handle with Care Maryland” Program. This is a collaborative effort between the Child Advocacy Center of Frederick County, Frederick County Public Schools, Frederick County DFRS, and the Frederick County Law Enforcement Agencies. This program allows Frederick County first responders to alert schools and other child serving agencies when a child witnesses a potentially traumatic incident so the child can quickly receive the support they may need.

Smoke Alarm Program

The Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services, along with the Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Departments, and the Career Firefighters Association of Frederick County, IAFF Local 3666 continue to install 10-year lithium-ion battery-powered smoke alarms. The Smoke Alarms are provided by our wonderful and longtime partners, the American Red Cross. In 2023 we canvassed several communities installing over 30 new smoke alarms that could potentially save over 40 lives. In total we installed 108 smoke alarms county-wide through this collaborative program. Additionally, we installed 27 specialty alarms or bed shakers for the hearing impaired. We are working to establish a growing partnership with Montgomery County to enhance the hearing-impaired portion of this program. We would like to thank the following partners who contributed personal, equipment, media support, and smoke alarms: - The American Red Cross Greater Chesapeake Region - Western Maryland Chapter - Maryland State Fireman’s Association Fire Prevention Committee - Frederick County Public Schools – for getting our message out to students - Career Firefighters Association of Frederick County, IAFF Local 3666 – financial support - Frederick County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association Fire Prevention & Life Safety Committee

For additional information about our program or to schedule an installation you can email SmokeAlarms@FrederickCountyMD.gov or call 301-600-7275.