Fire alarm unveiled for Milwaukee deaf, hard of hearing residents

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee residents who are deaf or hard of hearing can now receive a special device that would alert them in a fire. It is thanks to the donation of 100 LIFETONE HL Bedside Fire Alarm units from the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation. 

On Wednesday, April 17, the Milwaukee Fire Department introduced a bedside fire alarm. Officials say the units are not independent smoke alarms. The HLAC151 works in conjunction with an existing smoke alarm. It can detect a smoke alarm several rooms away. 

The alarm delivers emergency alerts and other instructions with combinations of audible (low-pitched tones, plus voiced announcements), visual, and tactile stimuli.

"We need better systems, but they're not cheap. They're quiet expensive and that's a huge barrier for us," said Jeffrey Bronks from the Wisconsin Emergency Management for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. "I know individuals who have died from fires. I remember a deaf couple who had died; another individual who was deaf from another state that died from a fire."

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"The best possible outcome is this works and the deaf or hard of hearing person is alerted early and self-evacuates and does not require rescue," said Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski.

Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski

A news release says the units will be available for distribution to any resident in the City of Milwaukee who is deaf or hard of hearing by calling the Milwaukee Fire Department Smoke Alarm Hotline at 414-286-8980. 

On Saturday, May 4, the American Red Cross will be hosting their Sound the Alarm event. From 8 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., Red Cross volunteers and organizers will provide smoke alarms at the Milwaukee Safety Academy (6680 N. Teutonia Avenue).