The Chautauqua Safety Village and Jamestown Fire Department are giving away free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Submitted photo

A partnership between the Chautauqua Safety Village and Jamestown Fire Department may have helped save the life of a city woman. The episode was detailed by the fire department, and comes amid an ongoing educational push that includes fire safety tips and the distribution of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to the public.

A public service announcement by the two groups on carbon monoxide poisoning led a woman believed to be stricken by the odorless and colorless gas to seek treatment.

Firefighters were alerted Monday to a “possible carbon monoxide incident,” the fire department’s union noted in a message posted to Facebook. While the woman’s apartment was all-electric, a propane-fuled heater had been placed in the basement to thaw out frozen pipes.

“Upon investigation it was found that the tenant had been treated at the hospital for CO poisoning several days prior to the incident,” the fire department said in its message. “The tenant stated that she had heard about carbon monoxide poisoning on the radio, which prompted her to seek treatment due to the symptoms she was experiencing.

“She further stated that the ad she heard on the radio very well could have saved hers and her pets’ lives. The partnership between the Jamestown Fire Department, Chautauqua Safety Village and FEMA made this possible.”

The Safety Village and fire department this week announced the receipt of a $2,000 grant through the Lake Shore Savings Bank Community Reinvestment Fund to purchase smoke and carbon monoxide detectors for free distribution to Chautauqua County residents.

The fire department will distribute the detectors to city residents; those outside the city will be distributed by the Chautauqua Safety Village.

“We are so happy that we can continue this great program and we appreciate the support of Lake Shore Savings Bank Community Reinvestment Fund,” said Jessica Dayton, Chautauqua Safety Village executive director. “We would like to see every home in our community equipped with a working smoke and carbon monoxide alarm as we know working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms save lives.”

“Once again the Safety Village has come through for the residents of the city, as well as the county,” said Rob Smith, Jamestown Fire Department’s fire prevention officer. “Since the beginning of our partnership in December 2020, 138 smoke alarms and 16 CO alarms have been given to 88 city residences, all from Jessica’s effort. We cannot thank her enough for her dedication to the community.”

To receive a free smoke and carbon monoxide alarm for your home, city of Jamestown residents can contact the Jamestown Fire Department at 716-483-7597. If you live outside the city of Jamestown, contact the Chautauqua Safety Village at 716-338-0170.