Football team helps install smoke detectors
PARIS, Tenn. — The Henry County high school football team teamed up with the Paris Fire Department to make the town a little safer. Together they were able to install nearly 70 free smoke alarms to those in need. Head football coach, James Counce, says it’s great to see his boys out helping the community. “You know if we can do this and save a life it’s well worth it,” Counce said. On this Saturday the players spent their day off the field and in homes helping possibly save lives. Chief Michael Williams Sr. of the Paris Fire Department says the state of Tennessee is trying to reduce the number of fire fatalities by giving out smoke alarms with a ten year battery. “That’s what this program is designed to do. Not to outfit the whole house, but just so you can get out alive,” Williams said. They targeted the elderly, low income, and disabled citizens as well as high risk areas. He says the state of Tennessee has come up with this pilot program to give out free smoke alarms and Henry County high school is one of ten schools in the state to participate. Cody Hunter is a senior and says it’s the team’s way of giving back, “the community gives a lot to this program and this is just out way of giving back.” Marvin Diggs was one of the residents given a new smoke alarm. His neighbor’s house recently caught fire and is now a complete loss. because it didn’t have working smoke detectors. He feels grateful. It makes me feel great especially the Henry County football team that they came and put that up,” Diggs said. Chief Williams says they’ve had a program like this for two years, but is the first time high school students have been involved.
