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Last updated on Thursday, January 7, 2016
(INDIANAPOLIS) - The state of Indiana has seen a decline in the number of deaths related to fires, a figure that dropped from 84 in 2014 down to 73 for 2015. The Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS) Division of Fire and Building Safety is praising local first responders across the state for their efforts in working to make Hoosiers safe.
"While we never want to see anyone injured or killed in a fire, we're encouraged to see that fewer people were affected this year," said Indiana State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson. "We applaud the first responders throughout the state who have worked tirelessly, day and night, to not only protect those in danger, but also to better educate their communities on fire safety."
In an effort to better protect Hoosiers, local departments across the state have continued to make smoke detectors available to their communities. Many departments, including the Gary Fire Department, Frankfort Fire Department and the Indianapolis Fire Department have worked alongside the American Red Cross to help install working smoke detectors in Hoosier homes, as well as provide educational material on fire safety. Collectively, the Red Cross has helped local fire departments install more than 5,700 smoke detectors throughout the state since October 2014.
IDHS has also continued working alongside State Farm, which provided grant funding in the amount of $7,000 in 2015 for the purpose of purchasing and distributing smoke detectors throughout the state. The partnership has helped provide nearly 1,000 smoke detectors to Hoosiers over the last two years.
The Indiana State Fire Marshal oversees the IDHS Division of Fire and Building Safety.
For more information on fire safety, visit GetPrepared.IN.gov.
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