Boy Scouts of America Troop 46 from Elkton was honored in ceremonies today for their life saving efforts in support of the Get Alarmed, Virginia! Smoke Alarm Installation and Education campaign. Eagle Scout Brandon Dyer was recognized for his individual achievements in conjunction with the campaign. Due to the efforts of Troop 46, 5 lives were potentially saved during a fire at a Mount Crawford residence on June 9.
The ceremony included remarks and award presentations from Mark Jackson of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Douglas Larsen, director of the Central Shenandoah Health District, and Willie G. Shelton Jr., executive director of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. Jackson, Larsen, and Shelton each spokeon overall injury prevention, public fire and life safety education, and the Get Alarmed, Virginia! campaign, including local efforts coordinated by the Rockingham County Volunteer Firefighters Association. A group award was presented to Troop 46. Dyer received an individual award.
Since it was created in 1998, the program has documented over 106 lives possibly saved or injuries averted in Virginia, as well as prevented millions of dollars in property loss during those eleven years. It is funded through a grant by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and managed by the Virginia Department of Health, Division of Injury and Violence Prevention with assistance from the Virginia Department of Fire Programs. Since its inception, 38 local communities throughout the state have partnered with the Division of Injury and Violence Prevention to implement the program. Because of their efforts, approximately 50,271 alarms have been installed, including over 500 smoke alarms for the hearing impaired, and 29,077 Virginia homes have been fully protected.
For more information about the Get Alarmed, Virginia! program, including a list of past and present program participants, visit www.vahealth.org/injury.
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