For Immediate Release: January 18, 2008
Contact: Karen Clifton
Phone: (559) 445-5532

Fresno, CA – Tragedy struck the small community of Calwa early last year when a house fire claimed the lives of two young girls.  Sadly, those deaths could have been prevented just by installing a smoke detector.  As a result of this terrible tragedy, Assemblymember Juan Arambula (D-Fresno) is partnering with the Fresno County Fire Protection District to ensure that nobody else loses their life in a house fire.

Assemblymember Arambula announced legislation today that will generate new funds to help firefighters provide smoke detectors to low-income homes throughout California.

AB 1812, authored by Assemblymember Arambula, will establish a tax check-off for California taxpayer to voluntarily give funds to local fire departments for fire alarm safety programs.  The funds generated by the tax-check off will help firefighters provide functional smoke detectors to low-income families in their communities.  The funds would be distributed through grants offered by the Office of Emergency Services.

“Currently, the state already collects contributions made through state income tax forms for such program as breast cancer research and Alzheimer’s disease research,” said Assemblymember Arambula.  “This is a wonderful opportunity to raise funds to provide functional smoke detector to low-income families, as well as, help save lives from devastating house fires.”

The bill was introduced as a result of Assemblymember Arambula learning of the Fresno County Fire Protection District’s “Early Detection Program.”  The program, that provides smoke detectors to low-income homes, was created in response to the deaths of Ruvi Escalante, 8, and Ana Nicole Romero Escalante, 9, who were killed in a house fire in Calwa on February 7, 2007. 

According to Keith Larkin, Fire Chief for the Fresno County Fire Protection District, since the programs inception in March of 2007, firefighters have installed more than 1100 smoke detector in homes and have contacted more than 1600 home owners in four communities.  The program’s main goal is to install working smoke detectors in every home within the district’s service area which covers 15 rural communities. In addition to installing smoke detectors, the program will also send out reminders to homeowners when it is time to replace batteries in their smoke detectors.

“Smoke detectors are a very important means of preventing house and apartment fire fatalities by providing an early warning signal so you and your family can escape. Smoke alarms are one of the best safety devices you can buy and install to protect yourself, your family, and your home,” said Chief Larkin.
Larkin also stated that Sylvia Escalante, mother of Ana Nicole and Ruvi, has been a huge supporter of the Early Detection Program.  Sylvia has become an advocate for smoke alarm education and even volunteers her time to install smoke detectors in low-income communities with local firefighters.

“The Early Detection Program is a shining example of the type of programs that will be funded through the passage of AB 1812.  I commend the Fresno County Fire Protection District for taking the initative to create a program that is effective and save lives.  It is my hope this bill will allow the program to grow and will create more Early Detection Programs throughout the state,” Arambula said.

AB 1812 will allow taxpayers to make contribution on the Franchise Tax Board’s 540, 2EZ, 540 A, 540, 540 R long or short form, or 541 Schedul C tax form.