Atlantic City Electric Donates Smoke Detectors to County

CREST HAVEN – Cape May County Fire Marshal Conrad Johnson, joined by freeholders, accepted 135 smoke detectors, 10 of for the hearing impaired with strobe lights, from Veronica “Ronnie” Town, senior public affairs manager, Atlantic City Electric Company at the Feb. 12 freeholder meeting.
That donation will benefit those in the county who may not be able to afford smoke detectors. The devices, Johnson noted, “Are the number one life-saving device in the fire service.”
All freeholders joined with Johnson and Town for a photo. Johnson told the board that the utility has donated smoke detectors to the county for 10 years. Records are kept to that it is known where they go, he added, “Just so we can answer questions if asked.”
He said most fire companies keep some smoke detectors in their fire engines and distribute them as needed on fire calls. Most even stock spare batteries, he added. Those new smoke detectors that have been donated should last up to 10 years without need of new batteries, Johnson said.
Town told the board of the utility’s Emergency Service Program that has, since 2000, provided over 21,000 smoke detectors to communities in their South Jersey service area. Of those, 720 have been special needs models.
Atlantic City Electric “appreciates the relationship with the board and (county) Fire Marshal’s office, and those in the fire service,” Town said. “Fire service folks are an asset to our company guiding them through emergencies,” she added.
“Ronnie is there for the fire chiefs and the fire service, 24 seven,” said Johnson, as he thanked Town for how she has assisted the county over the years.
Freeholder Director Gerald Thornton also thanked Town for assisting the county in times of hurricanes and snow storms, for hunkering down in Emergency Management to provide the link with the utility.
“Most people don’t know that about Ronnie Town,” said Thornton. “Time after time, it’s Ronnie Town that responds when we have a problem with electric.”