Project F.O.C.U.S.: Saving lives, one smoke detector at a time

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- One faulty smoke detector and one floor with no smoke detector at all, that's what Milwaukee firefighters found when they stopped by Richard Koss' house.

So they installed brand new smoke detectors for free to help protect Koss and his family.

"I feel safe now. I can sleep soundly through the night otherwise I wake up every 2 hours," said Koss.

Koss is one of thousands of people impacted by the Milwaukee Fire Department's Project F.O.C.U.S., which stands for Firefighters Out Creating Urban Safety.

The MFD is targeting high call volume neighborhoods and going door to door checking and installing smoke detectors.

"Make sure you have at least one in the bedroom areas and one on each floor so in case you do have a fire that you can get out quickly," said Milwaukee Fire Chief Mark Rohlfing.

Fire officials say having a working smoke detector is the most effective way to prevent fire deaths.

Last year, Milwaukee only had 2 fire deaths, which is the lowest number of fire fatalities in the city in recorded history.

But that number is already higher this year.

"This year through today, we have recorded 3 fire fatalities. The first one for certain had no working smoke detector and we`re still trying to determine whether the other 2 had them," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

The Milwaukee Fire Department plans to visit more than 9,000 homes for Project F.O.C.U.S. throughout the year, and people like Koss are very grateful.

"I love them in the neighborhood, that`s why I wouldn`t move I`ve been here all my life 89 going on 90. They`re a good bunch of guys," said Koss.

For more information on having the Milwaukee Fire Department check or install a smoke detector in your home call their hotline at 414-286-8980.