[Madelaine Amee]

A similar thread ran some considerable time ago and at that time there were some comments about “there being much better things for the Fire Department to do than change batteries”.

Well, yesterday I found out what an absolutely incredible service this is. My other half is two weeks out from having a complete joint replacement and is obviously totally incapacitated. Yesterday morning, Sunday, at approximately 6am, one of my smoke alarms started to chirp – oh goody what on earth am I going to do on a Sunday morning with smoke alarms chirping. I called the number and got a recorded message that they were closed until Monday and I should leave my name and number and they would get back to my on Monday. I had a minor panic and then decided to call our own Community Watch – the nicest guy ever answered the phone, I explained my problem, he gave me another number to call and then asked if I needed any help with my husband, and if I did just call them and someone would be here ……………. I cannot tell you how many times I have thought they were useless …………… not so any more.

Thank goodness for the dreaded WalMart store being open at that time in the morning – went down and purchased all new batteries. The fire truck arrived within 5 minutes which livened up the neighborhood to no end, a young woman and a young man came in, changed all the batteries, checked the system, asked if I needed any help with my other half. I asked if we could make a donation and was told absolutely not, this was a service to the residents of TV.

Say what you will – this was a life saver for me. Just another example of an excellent service provided for the residents of TV.