SEMINOLE COUNTY, FL - This year, the Seminole County Fire Department was awarded a $177,000 federal grant to provide and install free smoke alarms in homes. Just this year, more than 1,000 free smoke alarms have been installed throughout Seminole County.

The Seminole County Fire Department recently partnered with the Lake Mary Fire Department and the American Red Cross in Central Florida to install more than 100 free smoke alarms.

Part of that grant also provides 700 smoke alarms for the deaf and hearing impaired – called “bed shakers.” These special alarm systems are activated by the sound of the smoke alarm and vibrate the bed/pillow.

“Our Seminole County Fire Department is working hard to let any deaf or hearing impaired Seminole County resident know, regardless of age, about the availability of this free lifesaving resource we have,” said Seminole County Fire Department Chief Otto Drozd III. “Serving all residents with special needs is imperative in fire prevention and we want to ensure everyone we proudly serve in Seminole County has fire prevention education and the tools they need.”