Greeneville Fire Marshal Alan Shipley said on Monday afternoon that Greeneville firefighters have installed about 600 free smoke detectors in homes across the city since May 30.

Greeneville Fire Chief Mark Foulks announced on May 30 that the GFD planned to install, free of charge, 2,000 smoke alarms in the homes of Greeneville residents who need them.

The fire alarms, along with 2,000 fire extinguishers and a fire extinguisher simulator, were purchased with the proceeds of a $112,000 federal Assistance to Firefighters grant, Chief Foulks said on May 30.

The smoke alarms, which are powered by lithium-ion batteries with a 10-year life expectancy, are being installed by Greeneville firefighters in the homes of interested Greeneville residents whose homes either don't have smoke alarms or have an insufficient number of alarms, the chief said on May 30.

On Monday afternoon Fire Marshal Shipley said firefighters quickly used up the first shipment of 500 smoke detectors that the department received and on Monday morning began installing detectors from a second shipment.

He noted that firefighters had been surprised by how many homes had no smoke alarm at all when they went to install the new smoke alarms.

"The guys (firefighters) have been really working hard installing smoke alarms," Shipley said. "We all feel that if one life is saved as a result it will be worth all the work."

Shipley said that with the recent increases in the price of food, fuel, eletricity and other staples, many low-income residents probably would not have been able to afford the cost of installing smoke alarms had the fire department's free program not been available.

"Fire protection would get pushed way down the list of their priorities," he said.

He also noted that firefighters visiting homes to install smoke alarms also have been able to offer residents advice on a number of fire safety matters as well.

"For example, this time of year, many people are operating air-conditioning units using electrical extension cords," Shipley said. "We've being warning them that using extension cords with air conditioners can be a fire hazard."

Fire Chief Mark Foulks also announced on May 30 that his department had acquired 2,000 two-pound fire extinguishers for free distribution to Greeneville residents who complete future fire-extinguisher training sessions.

Individuals, church groups, clubs and other organizations are eligible for the free fire extinguisher training sessions, according to the chief.

He noted that the new fire extinguisher training sessions will be taught using a new computer-based simulator that was also acquired with the same federal Assistance to Firefighters grant.

Greeneville residents interested in either having smoke alarms installed in their homes or receiving free fire-extinguisher training and a free fire extinguisher, should call the GFD's Central Fire Hall at 638-4243 to enroll.