Chatham-Kent’s CHIRP (Chatham-Kent, Homes, Informed, Ready & Protected) program is gaining province-wide attention.
During the Nov. 1 session of the Ontario Legislature Oxford MPP Ernie Hardeman referred to the “great work” being done through the program in which Chatham-Kent firefighters provide free home alarm checks to residents.
The objectives of the CHIRP program is to talk to the community about the importance of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their homes; regular maintenance of these alarms; as well as; home escape planning and being prepared for emergencies.
Firefighters from all 19 stations have visited homes and delivered door hangers across Chatham-Kent. As a result, the municipality has been getting daily calls and website referrals for home alarm checks. Five times the number of homes have been reached as during past years.
Chatham-Kent Fire Paramedic Chief Ken Stuebing said the program, developed by public educator Whitney Burk, has received positive feedback from both-full time and volunteer firefighters and has been popular with the public.
“CHIRP is just example of our emphasis on community safety,” Stuebing said in a media release. “We’re committed to public engagement and community fire safety.”
