TORRINGTON – Torrington volunteer firefighters were battling not fire, but hunger, Monday and spreading the message of fire safety and prevention, with the help of the local Domino’s Pizza franchise.
The crews partnered with the local eatery, offering free smoke detector checks to people who ordered pizza delivered. If their smoke detector worked when the firefighters arrived, customers received their orders for free.
“This helps bring awareness to the importance of smoke detectors,” TVFD Chief Lance Petsch said. “It helps people think about getting a schedule to change out the batteries in the detectors, make sure they’re functional.”
This is the 10th year Domino’s has partnered with the National Fire Protection Association and local fire departments during or near National Fire Prevention Week to spread the message. It’s the second time Torrington firefighters have worked on the project with the local restaurant.
“The most important part is to help people remember to check their fire alarms,” said Mike Hackett, who owns the local restaurant with his wife, Erika. “It’s a way for us to partner with the fire department to try to get the word out about fire safety.”
Customers who ordered pizza for delivery Monday got the added surprise of a whole crew of firefighters and a fire engine, complete with flashing red lights, pulling up to their door. Erika Hackett would offer the customer the opportunity for the firefighters to check their in-home smoke detectors and change out the batteries, if needed.
But, if the detector worked when checked, the entire pizza order was free. And, if there were no smoke detectors in the home, firefighters were ready to provide one to the customer, free of charge.
“And the customers don’t know about this ahead of time,” Mike Hackett said. “We just show up at their door with the firefighters.”
The fire department provides the smoke detectors and batteries. Domino’s and the Hackett’s cover the cost of any food that’s given away during the event.
The last time the firefighters partnered with the restaurant was this past summer, when they went out on about a dozen deliveries. Petsch said he first learned of the program when one of the members returned from a national fire meeting where it had been discussed.
A quick call to the local restaurant and the program was under way. In addition to promoting their regular fire safety message, the program is a great public relations vehicle for the department, Petsch said.
“With a volunteer department, this helps us get out into the community, let people know who we are,” Petsch said. “That really helps any volunteer organization.”
On the first two deliveries, firefighters were able to give the pizza customers smoke detectors. And getting detectors into homes that didn’t have them before made the evening a success, regardless of what else happened all night, Petsch said.
“I think this is a great idea,” Mike Hackett said. “It’s a great community-involvement thing, a win-win for everybody.”
