SOUTH ST. PAUL, Minn. – (February 2, 2012) – The South St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) recently completed a project designed to enhance fire safety for two high-rise apartment buildings. The improvements were made possible by a Fire Prevention and Safety Grant of nearly $530,000, awarded to the organization in June 2011 by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In 2010, approximately $780,000 in Fire Prevention and Safety Grants were awarded to Minnesota organizations.
The South St. Paul HRA provides safe and affordable housing, and other ancillary services to more than 300 residents. Fifty percent of South St. Paul HRA residents are seniors aged 62 and older, and 30 percent of its residents require mobility assistance.
“The South St. Paul HRA is committed to fire safety,” said Branna Lindell, executive director, South St. Paul HRA. “These improvements enable us to further our mission of providing affordable housing to residents, while also keeping the families in our community safe. In challenging economic times, funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) continues to decline, making grants such as this one incredibly important.”
The South St. Paul HRA enlisted Johnson Controls, a global leader in delivering solutions that increase energy efficiency in buildings, to help obtain the FEMA grant by providing auditing services, grant-writing expertise, and management tools. In 2002, Johnson Controls helped implement an energy-savings program at the housing facilities, which is expected to save more than $1.25 million over a 15-year period.
Funded by the FEMA grant, smoke detectors designed for the vision- and hearing-impaired, and new cooking systems were installed to help prevent fires in the buildings. Fire-safety seminars are also being provided to residents by the South Metro Fire Department.
“These technologies and educational seminars will greatly reduce the risk of fires at the buildings,” said Linda McMillan, fire marshal, South Metro Fire Department. “In its drive towards fire safety, the South St. Paul HRA is a model to other housing authorities across the country.”
Innovative technologies are behind the fire-safety enhancements at the South St. Paul HRA. Smoke detectors with flashing strobe lights have a visual-signal. When smoke is detected, a bright 100-candela strobe light and 90-decibel alarm will signal. Innovative cooking systems greatly reduce the risk of kitchen fires. The cooking systems are electronically-controlled solid cover plates that are installed on stovetop burners.
Johnson Controls oversaw the implementation of the fire-safety technologies, which began in December 2011.
About South St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority
The South St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) manages 298 units of low rent public housing as well as 302 housing choice vouchers. The HRA is also responsible for community and economic development for the city.
About Johnson Controls
Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries. Our 162,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles. Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat. Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful. In 2011, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #1 company in its annual "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list. For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com.
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For more information, please contact Kari Pfisterer at [email protected]