Mayor, Fire Commissioner Call for Greater Fire Safety

Source/Contact
Office of the Mayor
Peter K. Cutler
Director of Communications
716-851-4841


Recent Fire-Related Deaths Connected to Lack of Smoke Detectors

BUFFALO – Mayor Byron W. Brown and Buffalo Fire Commissioner Michael Lombardo today called for greater fire prevention safety in residential and commercial structures in the City of Buffalo following a recent spate of fire-related deaths in the city.

“Last week, the City of Buffalo experienced a number of serious fires,” said Mayor Brown. “Four lives were lost in those fires and one person remains in critical condition, and another escaped with no injuries.  In all of these cases there were no working smoke detectors in any of the affected structures.  These $10 items are absolute lifesavers and I urge every resident and business owner to make this wise and potentially lifesaving investment.” 

By NYS Law smoke detectors should be in each bedroom outside sleeping areas and on every level of a residence including the basement.  In new construction structures, the smoke detectors must be hardwired with battery back-up.   

Over the last 5 years 39 fire deaths have occurred in Buffalo 33 of those deaths occurred where there was no operating smoke detectors.

“The Buffalo Fire Department has initiated Project SCOPE (Smoke CO Prevention & Education), a community service venture designed to assist citizens with making their homes safer from the hazards of fire and carbon monoxide,” said Commissioner Lombardo. “We plan to accomplish these tasks through smoke and carbon monoxide alarm distribution and education. The BFD will partner with the City of Buffalo Department of Citizens Services and its various units, and together we will go out into the community to identify appropriate households and to properly install needed smoke and CO alarms.”

Another phase of this program will be a joint venture with the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control to do public safety demonstrations and hand out appropriate literature at many of the city’s cultural and ethnic special events.  The Buffalo Fire Department is purchasing 2,300 smoke detectors and 1,000 CO detectors through this grant to help our community.

Distribution will take place at special events, citizen community action programs, and fire prevention open houses. The BFD has confirmed participation in five major special events that will take place in the City of Buffalo throughout this summer and collectively draw over 1.25 million people. The City of Buffalo has arranged 20 community neighborhood inspections that will address home safety concerns. Finally, Mayor Brown and the Buffalo Fire Department will host the annual fire station open houses throughout Fire Prevention Week, where smoke detectors and CO detectors are distributed and fire safety programs are carried out for children and families.

Last week’s fires were aggressively attacked by the members of the Buffalo Fire Department.  The response time was very good and the crews extended themselves to effect rescues at these incidents.  Below is the response time for the incidents involved? 

Sunday 3/30
Oberlin Street 1:10pm 
Fire Department Response time 2 min 27 sec

Wednesday 4/2
Stockbridge Street 4:25am
Fire Department Response time 4 min 4 sec

Thursday 4/3
Jersey Street  3:47am
Fire Department Response time 3 min 55 sec

Thursday 4/3
Herman Street 11:27pm
Fire Department Response time 3 min 36 sec