Fire Safe 802 Program

OVERVIEW:

FIRE SAFE 802 is a Vermont Community Risk Reduction home fire safety improvement program. The program was launched in 2017 with funding support from a FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Fire Prevention & Safety (FP&S) Grant.

The program is a comprehensive statewide program that works with local fire departments and other community volunteers, to build on past fire prevention efforts and prevent fires in high-risk single-family homes before they happen and if one does occur, we make sure the residents have working smoke and CO alarms for early warning and provide education to provide the knowledge to escape.

During the first few years of the program teams have made immense progress in conducting home safety surveys, providing fire prevention education, and installing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in homes that need them. But there is more work to be done. In 2022 we were awarded a 2^nd grant to commence phase 2 of the program, this will allow us to support our existing teams, expand partnerships and broaden this life saving program to more departments, reaching additional high-risk sections of the state.

All Fire Safe 802 resources and supplies are free to fire departments and teams to pass along to the community. We are now in the process of ordering supplies and equipment to support phase 2.

Fire Safe 802 Program Aims To:

To empower local fire departments and other community volunteer teams to conduct home safety surveys, identifying and correcting home fire hazards and identify any additional needs.
Provide free in-home fire safety prevention education and perform home safety visits to ensure each home is equipped with working home safety devices and assist with installing them on site.
Provide special devices and assistance for older Vermonters and people who are hearing impaired.
Perform additional studies and detailed risk assessments, to develop CRR plans and other resources that can support local teams' continued prevention efforts.

SPECIAL NOTES:

This program is designed for owner occupied single-family homes only. It is not designed to fulfill insurance policies requirements or code inspection requirements. Residential buildings that are classified as rental property, Rooming and Lodging or other types of occupancy may require additional fire detection and fire and building code measures that the Fire Safe 802 program is not designed to provide.

In light of the COVID-19 situation, many departments have put their “door to door” programs on hold to keep responders and residents safe. Fire safety education and working alarms are still essential in keeping our families safe from fire. We have provided temporary changes and additional safety guidance to allow the teams to preform emergency home safety visits. or provide homeowners with the needed equipment and safety information