The Effingham Fire Department is out and about as part of an outreach program to ensure that every residence in Effingham has a working smoke and carbon monoxide detector. According to Fire Chief Joseph Holomy, the program is in its eighth year.
The Department budgets for the program each year, but also applies for grants and donations. This year Ameren provided a grant to cover the cost of the new detectors.
As part of the program, two uniformed Firefighters go door-to-door to ask residents if they would like their detectors checked. They will then provide any necessary maintenance or simply install new detectors. They also leave a note a on the door of each home in case they miss the resident. The Fire Department is currently knocking on doors in the area north of Fayette Avenue to Temple Avenue, but will continue in other various parts of the city throughout the rest of the summer.