Electrical Workers Give Back Through Burn Institute's Senior Smoke Alarm Program

IBEW Local 465 members gathered at the Burn Institute before installing smoke alarms in the homes of seniors.

En español

Drilling dozens of holes into the ceilings of strangers might sound like an odd way to spend one’s Saturday. But for seven members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 465, it was a day well spent.

The men, union members and mechanics from SDG&E, San Diego Transit and San Diego Trolley, were looking for a way to volunteer their time and give back to the community, according to event organizer Arnold Gonzales, San Diego Transit Unit Vice Chairman and longtime Burn Institute supporter. On August 8, they arrived at the Burn Institute bright and early — and ready to help.

After a brief training at the Burn Institute, the men were divided into three teams, loaded up with smoke alarms, dozens of 9-volt batteries, drills, ladders — and then sent packing. Together, they installed more than 40 free smoke alarms into the homes of 17 seniors living in the South Bay, Oceanside, East County and Rancho Bernardo.

"We went to a lot of homes," said Gonzales, who was struck by how truly thankful people were to have the free alarms installed.

"Everybody was offering us bottles of water," he said with a chuckle. "It was really nice."