DCFD Teams with American Red Cross for “Smoke Alarm Installation Blitz” across DeKalb County

May 22, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

It’s a message we’ve heard before, smoke detectors save lives.

On Saturday the American Red Cross and the DeKalb County Volunteer Fire Department teamed up for a “Smoke Alarm Installation Blitz” to make sure homes around DeKalb County had these life saving devices.

According to County Fire Chief Donny Green, new smoke alarms were installed at 130 addresses in just one day.

One of the stops was at the home of Clay and Sharon Farler who live on South College Street in Smithville.

“This means a lot,” said Clay. “Up until about a year ago, we had fire alarms and then all of a sudden, they quit working and I just never had a chance to put them back up (replace them) and then I saw the announcement about this project on WJLE and thought this would be a perfect time to get them back in. It’s a life saver. We are really glad to have them,” said Clay Farler.

Cindy Pankowski of Sparta, a new American Red Cross Volunteer, said this was her first project with the Red Cross. “I am a new volunteer, and this is actually my first outing. Its been very rewarding. The people have been so gracious to let us in their homes and I am happy to know they will be sleeping better tonight knowing that they are safer in their homes,” said Pankowski.

Chief Green said the smoke alarm installation project has been a regular effort of the DeKalb County Fire Department for several years.

“We have been in the smoke alarm installation business for a long time. We got a grant in 2004 and put in 1,000 smoke alarms in one year. Ever since then we have been partnering with the Tennessee Fire Marshal’s Office and now with the Red Cross, who obtained these smoke alarms through a grant in partnership with the Fire Marshal’s Office. We have called this a “Smoke Alarm Blitz” where we have gone all across the county. WJLE advertised this for us as we reached out to the community to get names of households and we put it in the local newspaper and on social media and we had a large outpouring of requests for these smoke alarms. Today we have been averaging installing about five alarms per address so by the end of the day we will have exceeded 500 smoke alarms installed across the county. That is a tremendous number and it’s a huge benefit for the safety of our community and that is what we are here for,” said Chief Green.

These smoke alarms are built to last a long time, according to Chief Green.

“They have 10 year lithium batteries in them which means they don’t have to be changed every time the clock changes in the spring and fall for Daylight Saving Time like we did with those smoke alarms that were powered by the nine volt batteries. These last for up to 10 years. They have a sensor in them which alerts when they are nearing the end of their life expectancy. At that point, you just throw the alarm away and if you need more you can call us and we will arrange to get more alarms out to you,” added Chief Green.

May 22, 2022
By: Dwayne Page

The Smithville Municipal Swimming Pool will open for the summer on Friday, May 27.

As in the past, opening day is Report Card Day and admission to the pool is Free for school aged children in DeKalb County. Pool capacity is 350 persons.

Due to the lack of available lifeguards, the pool will not be open seven days a week this year. Pool hours will be from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and Sundays from 1 until 5 p.m. The pool will be open on Memorial Day, May 30. Admission is $3.00 per person but those age 2 and younger will be admitted free. Anyone under age 13 must have a parent or guardian accompany them to the pool.

The pool currently has 12 lifeguards on staff and nine of them are on duty each day.

The pool will stay open until school reopens.

May 22, 2022
By: Bill Conger

Faculty and staff celebrated a change of life for three of the veteran teachers and longtime kitchen worker at DeKalb West School. 7th grade teacher Vicki Wilson, who taught English Language Arts and Social Studies, is retiring from the profession after 16 years. 7th grade teacher Martha Damron has decided to retire from teaching after 20 years as a Math and Science teacher. Kindergarten teacher Jalene Vanatta, who was also a longtime Educational Assistant before fulltime teaching, has retired after over 22 years of service. Former cafeteria manager and kitchen worker Beverly Starnes has also decided to start enjoying the golden years.

Principal Sabrina Farler recently presented the ladies with plaques for recognition of their service. Workers, family, and central office staff dropped by the school for a special luncheon honoring the women for their years of service.

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