CHICAGO
FIRE DEPARTMENT DONATES OVER 500 SMOKE DETECTORS TO DCFS FAMILIES
Gathering
for donation of smoke detectors at DCFS' office on 35th St. are
(from left): Carlos Hernandez, Paramedic, Office of Public Education,
Chicago Fire Department; Commander Joseph Miranda, Public Education
Coordinator of Community Services, Chicago Fire Department; James
Parker, Trainer, DCFS Office of Inspector General; Diane Jackson,
Deputy Director of Communications, DCFS; Eric Butler, Administrative
Assistant, DCFS Office of Inspector General; and Dwayne Blackamore,
Paramedic in charge of training, Chicago Fire Department.
Chicago,
April 25, 2005-- The Chicago Fire Department has generously donated 500
smoke detectors to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.
The donation was made on April 5 at the DCFS office at 10 W. 35th St.,
and a representative from the DCFS Office of the Inspector General was
also in attendance at the presentation. The smoke detectors will be distributed
among Chicago families served by DCFS that don't have the home safety
equipment in their homes.
"In the Chicago Fire Department's continuing efforts to partner with
DCFS on issues of child protection and safety, we viewed this donation
as a meaningful and direct way to support the families that they serve,"
says Commander Joseph Miranda.
DCFS will begin distributing the smoke detectors through caseworkers this
week for families to receive, says Gailyn Thomas, Deputy Director of Child
Protection for DCFS. "April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and
we appreciate the Chicago Fire Department's donation that will additionally
help prevent the loss of life and property among our families," she
added. DCFS also prints and distributes a fire safety brochure for parents.
Further extending their generosity and to promote fire safety, the Chicago
Fire Department distributed smoke detectors during an education and resource
fair during DCFS' Walk and Rally that was held on April 16 in Englewood.
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Diane Jackson
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
312-814-6847
