CEO Corner April 2024

We are excited to have been able to complete the first step on a long journey for improving the quality of life for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community with our installation of over sixty alarm systems in March.

ABF has a goal to install 1,000 of these alarm systems over the next 24 months. These alarms will provide the sense of safety needed by community members and their families in case of a fire occurring while they are asleep.

We all have heard that working smoke alarms save lives, along with the fact that a resident has two minutes to vacate a house fire before the chances of survival start to be jeopardized. With our specialty alarm system that includes the standard alarm, Bluetooth connected to a strobe light, and then that is also connected to a bed shaker will give a hard of hearing resident that warning they need to be able to make it out in the two-minutes.

These alarms, along with practicing with each member of the family the importance of knowing two exits out of your room in case the fire is blocking the main door, will ensure you are giving yourself and your loved ones the best opportunity to survive just in case of a home fire.

As we continue to identify eligible residents to install alarms, we are asking each of you to look to assist us in this endeavor. If you or someone you know would like to see if you are eligible for an alarm system, please do not hesitate to contact us. Secondly, these alarms are provided free of charge to residents. If you would like to support our mission, please consider making a donation to the program. More information can be found at www.azburn.org. Lastly, if you would like to volunteer in your neighborhood to install an alarm system, please let us know. We can collaborate with you to get you trained in the installation, and you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are bringing peace of mind to one of your fellow residents.

Stay safe everyone, and I look forward to hearing from you and seeing you soon.