T-L Photos/SHELLEY HANSON THE WOLFHURST Volunteer Fire Department is gearing up for a campaign to install free smoke detectors in homes. From left are Chief Matt Otto; Tim Callahan, Red Cross disaster program manager; and EMT Matthew Weed.

WOLFHURST — The Wolfhurst Volunteer Fire Department is teaming up with the American Red Cross in an effort to save lives.

Starting at about 10 a.m. Nov. 9, members of the VFD and Red Cross plan to knock on doors in the Presidential Estates mobile home park to offer the free installation of new smoke detectors in people’s homes. Fire Chief Matt Otto said the neighborhood will serve as a pilot area for the project. If it is well received, the program may be expanded to other neighborhoods.

“We’re going to try and get as many smoke detectors in as many residences as we can get,” Otto said.

He noted there are about 130 residences in Presidential Estates. Tim Callahan, Red Cross disaster program manager, estimated that between two and three detectors will be installed in each home, depending on the trailer’s size.

People will also be educated about some aspects of fire safety, such as limiting use of extension cords and choosing a “rally point” outside for family members to meet in the event of a fire. Having one meeting place prevents people from going back inside to look for family members they believe are lost in the fire.

Callahan said the program is dubbed “Sound the Alarm.” Since its inception nationally, 650 lives have been saved because of the installation of the free detectors, he said.

For Otto, this program hits close to home since his parents’ house caught fire in 2001. That morning, his mother left the house with friends to eat breakfast. His father, who was still sleeping, woke up to the smell of smoke. The house did not have smoke detectors. Otto’s father also did not realize his wife had left the house earlier; her vehicle was still in driveway.

“It wasn’t until 45 minutes later that we realized that she wasn’t even in there. … That’s why this is so important to me. I’ve seen what it looks like. The fire was really, really big before my dad even woke up. If he wasn’t in the rec room sleeping, if he was in his bedroom sleeping, it could have been a really different situation,” Otto said.

Callahan said for residents of Presidential Estates who are not home Nov. 9, a note will be left on their door handle letting them know about the free program, along with a telephone number to call to make an appointment for a later date.