Draper Fire Dept. offers key box to residents, prevents damage to homes in emergencies
Oct 5, 2021, 11:36 PM | Updated: 11:41 pm
DRAPER, Utah — The Draper City Fire Department is handing out 100 lockboxes through their “Home Entry Lockbox Loaner Program,” which is aimed at helping firefighters gain access to residents who are disabled or injured in an emergency.
“If they can’t get to the door and the door’s locked, we always try to find a way in — whether that’s through a broken window or last resort, we try to force the door open,” said Draper City Fire Marshal Don Buckley.
Forced entries can cause damage to the home, and the cost to repair it, unfortunately, falls on the homeowner.
“It is an expensive fix, so that’s what generated, what I felt, was a need for this program,” said Buckley.
The HELLP program will supply homeowners with a lockbox to hang on their front.
The box can only be opened by fire captains with a secure master key found on each fire engine.
This isn't your average lockbox!
Coming up at 10:00, how the @drapercity Fire Department says these can help residents who are disabled or injured in an emergency…while also saving them money @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/vfjNaAksX4— Ashley Moser (@AshleyMoser) October 6, 2021
“So, if they arrive on scene, they can punch in a code, pull out the key and use it to open the box, just like we do for commercial buildings,” said Buckley.
The department has already signed up 20 families and is looking to fill 80 more spots.
“Even if it is temporary — you have knee surgery, you live by yourself and you’re afraid that you may have to call 911 — you can get on the list for one of these,” said Buckley.
To apply, click here.
