Our 95th Year             Clearfield, Curwensville, Philipsburg, Moshannon Valley, Pa., Tuesday, May 27,2008        50 Cents

Man seeks help to restart fire alarms program

By Annie Lynn Staff Writer

HOUTZDALE - Robert Johnson of Houtzdale is seeking help - help to get a program off the ground again that he started in the 1980s when he became concerned about the number of fires in the area. He said, "The fires were awful there was one alarm after another." The worst part was that children were dying in the fires. He said to his wife, Patricia, "I can't understand why people don't do something to stop the fires." Her reply was a question, asking him why he didn't do something. Mr. Johnson said he did a lot of praying, asking God to point out someone who could start a program to stop fires.  Then, he awoke one morning and told his wife he was going to start something. That statement was the beginning of the founding of the National Smoke Alarm" For Every Home Foundation.  He went to the Clearfield County Commissioners and explained what he wanted to do, with little results.  He said however, That Beth Fulesday Hallstrom was at the meeting, and she was instrumental in keeping the program before the public eye.  The program was a simple one (get every smoke alarms into every home).  With out much public support in the beginning, Mr. Johnson bought smoke alarms with his own money to give away.  He tried working with the hospital, but it wasn't interested.  He then went to the pediatric nurses and explained his idea, and they were happy to give a smoke alarm to each baby leaving the hospital.  The next step was to contact area businesses, seeking donations with which to purchase smoke alarms.  Many local businesses were more than willing to help, and with the money, he was able to purchase more alarms.  He added he always put the business cards of the donors in with the smoke alarms so that those receiving the alarms could thank the businesses.  But only one out of 25 recipients sent a thank you, and as a result, the businesses felt that the program was not working because of c a lack of response, Mr. Johnson also purchased a little motorized fire truck which he drove in the Clearfield County Fireman's Parade several times to draw attention to the need for fire alarms in every home.  Later, he donated the' truck to the national organization, founded in the 1990s. He also received a national award of $2,000, with which he purchased smoke alarms and donated them to the Clearfield and DuBois hospitals for the giveaway program for newborns.  The program fizzled out around 1992 when Mr. Johnson had open heart surgery and was unable to continue the pace he had formerly kept up. He said the Air Cadets and some fire companies tried the program, adding he welcomed any help he could get.  When Mr. Johnson was unable to continue the work, Michelle Destino-Moran of North Tonawanda N.Y., from whom he had purchased smoke alarms, expressed an interest in knowing how Mr. Johnson had started the program and wanted to start one in New York.  She was able to secure grants for the program, and although the idea lost momentum in the Clearfield area, it took off nationally and is now in operation in about 30 states.  Mr. Johnson was the main adviser for the program for the first several years, and he says he is still on board to help when he can.  According to information, provided by Mr.' Johnson's current wife Shirley, the National S.A.F.E Home Foundation is a publici charity dedicated to reducing the number of preventable fire deaths and injuries do to the tragedy of fire.  Since 1990 the foundation has helped implement fire awareness, and smoke alarm giveaway programs in hundreds of. communities to help fire educators teach the importance of smoke alarm and fire safety, to the parents of newborn babies, pre-school, grade school children, the deaf community, seniors and the disadvantaged to prevent the terrible tragedy of a fire.