Battery replacement by Fire Dept
 

I had heard that they would replace batteries in Smoke Detectors. Having high ceilings and a too short ladder, I took advantage of their service last fall.

Was told they would replace them if I was home and had the new batteries available. They arrived in a full size fire truck, with 3 firemen. They looked at the locations of the detectors and asked if I had a ladder. I told them that my ladder was too short for me to safely reach the detectors (that is why I asked them to do it). They advised me that their ladder might cause damage to my walls (apparently my guess that they would come out with an 8' step ladder was incorrect). I noticed that one of the firemen was 6" taller than me and would be able to do the replacement with my ladder. And he did.

I am telling this story not as a complaint about the firemen. They were pleasant and helpful. My surprise was/is that the Fire Dept sent a large vehicle and 3 guys to a job which could have been done by 1 guy and an 8' step ladder. With all the assets and investments made in TV, I still find it hard to believe that they lack the simple tools to efficiently provide a very useful service.

Edited 9/18/2015

If TV wants to provide services such as changing batteries and lightbulbs in high ceilings do not use firemen and their trucks/ladders to do it. Staff 2 or 3 people with cheap vehicles and 8 ft ladders to handle these tasks. If necessary, charge users a fee Of $10 (approx). I would gladly pay for such a service.


Got to be lots of others who have had this experience.

Does the Fire Department also replace the smoke detectors? I am curious about this. Thanks.

Having been married to a firefighter, this is how they answer a call: The firefighters on duty take a engine to any calls, and the group on duty goes together. Reason for this is if they get a call (emergency, fire, medical emergency), they are all together and respond to the call. This saves precious seconds, minutes and perhaps a life. If you think about it, it's common sense and maybe you might have been the one on the other end of that emergency!

The fire department does this as a public service. Most fire apparatus do not carry a stepladder, as it is not a type of ladder they would use for their primary job....putting out a house fire.

They do carry ladders that would do the job, but because the ladder would typically touch the wall, I'm sure they must warn folks that it "might" leave a mark on the wall. My guess is that this happened once and the homeowner complained and wanted the whole room painted and paid for by the department.

As a inspector I inspect over 400 new homes in The Villages every year. I see many of these detectors blocked by big entertainment centers, desks, fake trees, etc. It is not always an easy job. I'm sure those guys would rather stay at the station, but they know it is important to help the people they serve...the last thing they want is a citizen breaking a hip or worse up on a ladder.

As to showing up with 3 personnel, they need to keep a minimum amount of staffing on the truck. What if they got a fire call during your battery installation? They need to be able to respond DIRECTLY from your home to save time and possibly lives. If YOUR home was on fire, would you want one guy to take the time to drive back to the station, get his gear, then drive to the fire to meet up with the fire truck, leaving the remaining guys short staffed to pull a line, catch the hydrant, do a search, get the pump in gear, find the seat of the fire and put it out....?

An understaffed truck is worthless. Those fireman are getting paid (and not enough mind you...) whether they are at the station training together, cleaning the truck together, responding to a call, doing much needed driver and street training, or helping you with your smoke alarm batteries.

Fire companies use this type of call to train newer guys to drive the truck, learn the streets, learn where the hydrants are, etc. It is NOT a waste.

Sending one guy in a small vehicle IS a waste and a unsafe practice.

I know this subject well, as I am a retired career firefighter, medic and former New York State EMS instructor for well over 20 years. It was a great career and I sometimes miss it. I know I made a difference, saved some lives, etc. The only bad part of the job was folks telling me I was overpaid, had it made, etc...oh well. I know you were not saying this, and forgive me if I sound a tad defensive. As we get older, the chance of needing these guys increases everyday.....my hat goes off to them.

I hope I did not offend. Just wanted to give another perspective. These guys are one of the many reasons we are so blessed....

Frank (formerly IAFF Local 896)

Joan, you said it better than I did....

What a truly helpful post. Welcome to this forum. Please stay and post often.

I have used this service and really appreciate it along with all the other duties they perform!!

Good response. I'm also married to a Firefighter, retired after 32 years. I'm very proud of him.

Have had the Firemen respond to an emergency, alarms having fits, batteries replaced for myself and neighbors and they couldn't be more kind, caring, professional...I could go on and on, they are the best, but I never thought of questioning how they respond to various situations. I just figured they know what they are doing. Thank you to the posters who explained the need to send a fully manned truck, makes perfect sense to me.

Hats off to all Firefighters out there.

One year we had the firefighters out for a problem we had with one of our smoke detectors. For some reason, I forgot they would arrive with their extremely long truck...;). The crew was very helpful, finally determining we had an un-fixable device, and it had to be replaced. We walked to the front door with the departing crew and saw their truck....lol. We offered our thanks for their help, said a quick goodbye because the phone immediately started ringing. Many calls from our dear friends and neighbors. We still chuckle when we remember that very beautiful, shiny, LONG fire truck. Our thanks to all the firefighters here in TV....and our thanks to all the firefighters who put their lives on the line, every day for the benifit of others.

Amen! That is just one of many reasons we chose to buy here. Those guys have a top-notch rating. A little security blanket for the coming years.

Still, it seems that they could have a better system set up for just this service.
An off duty fire fighter who would like to get a couple hours of overtime for example. Schedule several of these calls once a week.

My understanding is that the costs involved every time a truck goes out is enormous. I'm surprised that I see them picking up lunch. Am I wrong about this? Would paying a few hours overtime once a week be less expensive than sending a truck out every time someone calls?

My kids are firefighters and they do stay together as a crew with their truck for the reasons mentioned. Sometimes, they have to abandon the groceries they are purchasing for their own dinner and respond to a call. Most of our local grocers will push their cart into the walk in cooler until they can return for it. Thanks to every firefighter and paramedic who shows up quickly whenever we call to help us!

I am a snowbird but I would like to give my experience. About a month ago, I heard a loud bang and immediately looked around my house. Went to the front door and smelled smoke, ran out and up the driveway. At that point I could see that a SUV had hit a tree, head on, in front of my neighbors house. I ran down and the neighbors son, home on collage brake, was trying to get the driver out of the SUV which was on fire. I was trying to help but is was not easy with all the smoke ,seat belt on and air bag deployed. The vehicle was full of smoke but we managed to get her out with help of a few others that stopped. All this happened less than 300 yds from a fire station, manned with 2 huge trucks and 2 men. So, where were they??? A week later I read in the paper, the log report. They were out on a call because someone was locked out of their house. Does this make sense? A fire truck to change batteries? Also, what is the financial cost when the schools are a disgrace.