2007 First Line of Defense Award

Vector Security’s Persistence Saves Couple's Home

On the evening of July 6, Vector Security’s northern central station, based in Wilkes-Barre, Penn., received a fire alarm signal from the residence of Murray and Elly Miller, long-time residential customers.

Vector Security operator Teri Price received the signal and immediately telephoned the Millers to inquire about the signal before dispatching the fire department. Murray told the operator that no fire condition was being experienced and attributed the activation of the smoke detector to the existence of cleaning chemicals that were being used in the basement after a recent flood.

Concerned with the accuracy of the homeowner’s response, Price said she felt the fire department should be dispatched, even though the customer felt it was unnecessary. Price asked the Millers to leave the home until the fire department arrived.

The Trucksville volunteer fire department was notified and investigated the Miller house. The fire department noted the faintest smell of smoke in the basement and contacted a neighboring fire department from Jackson Township to assist. The Jackson Township Fire Department had at its disposal a thermal imaging camera, capable of detecting a hidden smoldering fire.

The camera indeed recognized the existence of a hot spot above the basement ceiling, burning in a floor joist located near a main support beam. Additionally, the fire had made its way to a natural gas line before being extinguished by firefighters and the pipe itself showed signs of damage from the fire. The fire was attributed to a problem with the electrical wiring serving a receptacle in the basement. Both responding fire departments agreed that, had the fire successfully burned through the natural gas line, the Miller home would have experienced a significant fire.

“We believe that the facts surrounding the incident itself, along with the superior performance of our central station operators and two local fire departments truly reflect our industry’s core value to those who employ our services,” said Pamela Petrow, executive vice president, Vector Security. “This is also a great example of how an alarm company and a responding authority can work together to help save lives and property.”

In a letter to Vector Security, the Millers wrote, “We extend heartfelt thanks to the dispatchers on duty at the time of our emergency. We were told that in another three to five minutes our home would have been totally engulfed. In addition, a gas line was singed so we know that a catastrophe may have been averted thanks to their quick response and actions. Not only was our home saved, but possibly our lives as well.”