Fire Department Credits Red Cross for helping reduce fire deaths to lowest level ever
Fire deaths in Philadelphia are down 42 percent in the last three years, and the Philadelphia Fire Department is thanking the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter for its help in getting the life-saving message out about fire safety.
Thirty people died in fires in 2009, the lowest number in city history, the fire department said in its annual report. After reaching a high of 52 deaths in 2005 & 2006, the number fell to 47 in 2007 (a 10% decrease from the previous year), 39 in 2008 (-17%) and then 30 in 2009 (-23%). Overall, fire fatalities fell by 42 percent from 2006 to 2009.
During that time, the American Red Cross has partnered with the Philadelphia Fire Department on an innovative fire safety walkthrough program that has reached more than 50,000 families in our region. In the wake of every fatal fire, Red Cross staff and volunteers team up with firefighters to blanket the affected neighborhood the following day with fire safety materials, new smoke detector batteries, and in many cases, new smoke detectors.
“Our strong partnership with the American Red Cross continues to play a major role in reducing fatalities and injuries caused by fire,” Commissioner Ayers said.
“We’re proud to be working with Philadelphia’s bravest on such an important program, and we’re equally proud that it’s making such a difference,” Red Cross CEO Tom Foley said.
