Last year, Christine Dorsey took on the role of Waitaki co-ordinator for Neighbourhood Support with the aim of connecting the community and creating a safer place to live.
Through that process she learned about the local Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) fire safety home visits, run by community readiness and recovery adviser Ali Carroll.
In the home visits, Ms Carroll would talk to people about their fire safety needs and install or replace smoke alarms.
It was an exciting initiative to Mrs Dorsey, so she offered to include an option for it on her Neighbourhood Support sign-up sheets, thinking a few people may be interested in the visits.
In reality almost everybody wanted a visit, creating a big influx all at once, she said.
Together they teamed up and have done about 60 visits this year, including seven yesterday.
Ms Carroll said there was a lot about fire safety that people did not know, such as replacing smoke alarms every 10 years.
The pair went out on visits together. Ms Carroll installed alarms while Mrs Dorsey spoke to the residents and developed a personalised fire safety plan based on how many people lived there and what the home was used for.
For her efforts, Fenz has awarded Mrs Dorsey with a certificate for community engagement.
Fenz Waitaki group manager Mike Harrison said the pair had "done an amazing job".
"There is absolutely no doubt that the installation of all the smoke alarms and fire safety advice will save lives."
Those interested in a house visit are encouraged to contact Neighbourhood Support.
