Fire Canvassing Event - Independence, MO

On February 21, 2015 an Independence, MO family lost their home, possessions and only child to a house fire. 5 year old Kai-Lynn was among three people injured after the fire broke out at the 10000 block of Winner Road at around noon on Saturday. Kai-Lynn was rushed to Children's Mercy Hospital with serious burns and heavy respiratory injuries. Kai-Lynn succumbed to her injuries on Monday February 23, 2015. 

Kai-Lynn

The family had just moved in to the house the day before. The fire has since been ruled accidental. The home did have smoke detectors but the Fire Department was unable to determine if they were working at the time of the fire. 

In response to this fire and 2 others in the Independence area recently in which no working smoke detectors were present in the house, Independence Fire and the Red Cross have partnered up to give out free smoke detectors and educate the residents in the immediate area about fire safety. 

On March 7, 2015 Independence Fire Station #3 (located closest to the fire on Winner Road) teamed up with the Red Cross, CERT and the local Emergency Management team to canvass the area near Winner Road and Ash Avenue. Teams of 2 or more walked the neighborhood talking to people about having working smoke detectors in the home, testing them monthly, changing the batteries when changing clocks for Daylight Savings Time as well as developing a fire escape plan with the family. Those residents who did not have working smoke detectors in their home were signed up to have one or more installed on March 21, 2015 when the Red Cross and Fire Department would partner up again to install smoke alarms for residents in need. Residents who were not home at the time of the canvassing were left a door hanger with information about how to call and schedule an appointment to have a smoke detector installed in their home.

While this canvassing event was in response to a fatality fire, residents don't have to wait for a disaster to happen to get a free smoke detector. Smoke alarms are given to Independence homeowners based on need. Homeowners can apply for one at the Independence Fire Station 1 at 950 N. Spring St. at the west entrance. For information about the smoke alarm program, call 816-325-7121.

“Every home should have at least one smoke alarm on every level of the home, preferred in every sleeping area and outside of every sleeping area,” Independence Fire Department said in a release. “Never take the battery out of your smoke alarm, except for replacement. Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke detector.”


Here are some pics from the canvassing event on March 7:

City of Independence Fire Station #3

Along with the Fire Department, Red Cross partnered with local CERT and Emergency Management Teams.

JoAnn Woody, Program Specialist with Red Cross helped organize the event and at the conclusion of the event took the opportunity to work on her photography skills. 

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, more than 4,000 Americans die and an estimated 20,000 are injured in fires annually; many of which could be prevented with working smoke detectors. I have been through a devastating fire myself and if that weren't a reminder enough to check my smoke detector regularly and to change the battery every 6 months, stories like the sad one above surely are a somber reminder. Be safe!

Red Cross Community Event 09/27/2014

Seems like I haven't done much with the Red Cross lately. That isn't too uncommon during the summer months as we tend to see less fires during the summer than during the winter. Winter will be here soon enough and unfortunately our calls to house and apartment fires will increase and I won't likely be able to say I haven't done much. I have been on call regularly over the past few months so it's not that I haven't tried to be active, I just haven't been needed and like I say... that is a good thing! I never wish for a disaster, I just appreciate being able to help when one does occur. I did get a chance to participate in a community event this weekend. The NAACP held a picnic for it's members at Shawnee Mission Park. And wow did they have some nice weather for their picnic! I helped with community education and first aid. We didn't have any injuries so it was quiet in that regard. We did get some folks to stop by our table and pick up literature about emergency preparedness. We got to speak with several folks about ways to be prepared for things such as fires, tornadoes, floods, etc that can occur in our area of the country. I even spoke with a lady who received assistance from the Red Cross after a flood several years ago. She was quite excited to tell me her story and it was nice to hear how volunteers were able to help her!

I know I have said it before but I can't say it enough.... I really enjoy volunteering for the Red Cross! It's been a blessing for me and something I hope to continue to do for a long time!

Here's a pic from this weekend's event:

Steve, Melvin, me... and not pictured is Kim because she refused to be in front of the camera instead of behind it!