Senior Apartment Complex Receives Donation of Fire Extinguishers

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November 2011

A few weeks ago, a small kitchen fire scared a number of residents at the Sunrise Garden Apartments near West Sahara Avenue and Valley View Boulevard in Las Vegas, Nevada.  They contacted City Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian to see if it would be possible for the residents to receive training from Las Vegas Fire & Rescue on what to do in the event of a fire and how to use a fire extinguisher.  

There are 248 units in the complex that share common areas, which consist of a kitchen and living room.  There are 62 kitchen areas that residents use.  In each kitchen area is a common, dry-powder fire extinguisher.  But senior citizens do not operate them because they are sometimes difficult to use because of limiting medical conditions or they forget how to use them.   

Working with Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, Councilwoman Tarkanian was able to arrange for a donation of 62 new aerosol fire extinguishers, which are much easier for seniors to use.  The extinguishers were donated by First Alert and are known as Tundra.  The fire extinguishers are much smaller, contain a new type of fire extinguishing agent that is biodegradable and are very easy to use.  It is like using a spray can or hair spray.  The extinguishers are capable of extinguishing all three classes of fires.  

In addition to receiving the fire extinguishers, the residents also received fire safety training from Las Vegas Fire & Rescue.    "Helping to make our senior citizens feel more secure and safe is very important," Councilwoman Tarkanian said.  "We know many have limited capabilities and we need to help them as much as possible."  

Fire Chief Mike Myers added, "Preventing fires and helping people from getting hurt is extremely important. We are grateful to First Alert for this donation in helping to keep our city's senior citizens safe."  

The program is coordinated by the Las Vegas Fire Prevention Division, Office of Public Education & Information.  Call 702-229-0145 for more details.



Author:Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Press Release