4 February 2025
A Silvera resident is the first hearing impaired Calgarian to receive a specialized smoke and carbon monoxide alarm from the Calgary Fire Department through a new program to provide and install the assistive devices for free for eligible Calgarians.
The new alarms provide bed or pillow shakers that vibrate to wake people during emergencies. The alarms also flash strobe lights and loud, low-pitched audio signals, intended to help individuals recognize emergencies no matter the time of day.
Eileen Levie, a resident at Silvera’s Gilchrist Commons community, was the first Calgarian to receive the new device in December.
Levie says the device was “life changing.”
In the past she had a flashing strobe doorbell to alert her.
“I would just be guessing most of the time. I didn’t know what was happening. I certainly didn’t know what kind of emergency it was,” Levie said.
Door hangers and stickers will also be provided to residents who are a part of the new program. It will help first responders make sure everyone is evacuated safely in the event of an emergency.
More information about the alarms can be found in the news articles below:
Deaf and hard-of-hearing Calgarians can get free specialized smoke, CO alarms – CTV Calgary
New smoke alarms available for deaf and hard of hearing Calgarians – CBC Calgary