The Kingsport Fire Department is set to begin its new smoke alarm distribution program.

In a press release, the department says the new program will provide 1,000 dual-sensor smoke alarms with 10-year lithium batteries and 100 hearing-impaired alarms to residents that are seniors and/or have children in the home, who fall under the federal poverty income levels and reside in five targeted areas of Kingsport. Residents in the targeted areas may receive up to two smoke alarms with 10-year lithium batteries that should last the life of the alarm.

The fire department has set up financial guidelines to be eligible for the program. The income for a household of one person is $11,490. The income requirement for a household of four people is $23,550.   

The Kingsport Fire Department smoke alarm distribution program uses the federal poverty income levels that are commonly used as guidelines for health programs. The program is funded in part by a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Fire Prevention grant.

Hearing-impaired alarms will be distributed to eligible residents in the zones who have provided evidence of a medical need.

The Kingsport Fire Department has distributed more than 18,500 smoke alarms since 2006.

For more information on the program please contact KFD’s Public Education Officer Barry Brickey at 423-224-2820