Several local firefighters have been traveling throughout our communities and schools in conjunction with National Fire Prevention Month. This month they’re out teaching young children about the basics of fire safety, hosting tours of fire trucks, and opening their fire departments to meet and greet the public.

The firefighters, many of whom volunteer, provide invaluable service and help save lives over and over again. The National Fire Prevention Association estimates firefighters save taxpayers roughly $139 billion annually — the monetary value of the firefighter’s donated time.

All firefighters put their lives on the line to protect lives and property, aid families in danger and get them to safety. I’m also impressed with the collaboration between local departments. Local fire departments often call on one another to work together, to more effectively manage larger fires to put them out quickly. This collaboration is tremendous and many of them make it a point to maintain good working relationships with other departments to help the whole community. They are heroes.

While they are the first ones to rush to a fire, volunteer firefighters also the first ones to perform these small, often overlooked deeds of teaching fire prevention. Teaching and reminding the community about fire prevention is perhaps the biggest tool in a fireman’s tool chest. Part of those talks includes raising awareness that every bedroom should have a smoke detector, which is state law. The National Fire Protection Association has launched a new campaign this year called “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep: Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm.” Time and again, smoke detectors save lives.

I was happy to vote in favor of legislation that makes smoke detectors more effective. Starting in 2017, if the bill is signed into law, New York state vendors would be required to sell smoke alarms with non-removable, efficient batteries that lasts 10 years. This legislation will prevent tragedies associated with smoke alarms having weak or dead batteries. New Yorkers would not be penalized for using the old alarms; the bill simply regulates what can be sold in stores. According to the Fireman’s Association of New York, the technology is already affordable and readily available. You can purchase one for around $20.