NL Fire Offers Residential Knox Boxes For Loan

When an individual is injured or critically ill the New Lenox Fire District responds quickly, but if the firefighter/paramedics cannot gain entry right away into a residence it can delay their response.  Most people do not want emergency personnel to force entry into their home, causing an already stressful situation to be even more stressful.

The New Lenox Fire Protection District has established a Residential Knox Box Loan/Purchase Program for citizens that reside in the Fire District.  The Residential Knox Box is a heavy reinforced steel, high security key safe designed for single family homes that only the firefighters can access without forcing entry into the residence.  They simply remove the entrance key stored inside, provide medical assistance and re-lock the door when they leave.  The New Lenox Fire District Knox Box Program is a loan and/or purchase program for citizens with disabling medical conditions that render them unable to open the door for emergency personnel.  Qualifying conditions to borrow the Knox Box for free may include but are not limited to:  wheelchair bound, visually impaired, special needs patients, or patients with medical conditions that require extensive care and/or treatment, residents with medical conditions that are often home alone or live alone.

Residents that do not meet medical requirements to borrow a Knox Box can purchase one through the Fire District.  The cost of the Knox Box is $170.  The Fire District also highly recommends residents obtain a medical alert type unit prior to being eligible for the loan program to help contact the Fire District in case of an emergency.  Residents that qualify for the program and wish to obtain or purchase a Knox Box must meet and interview with someone from the Fire Prevention Bureau to discuss eligibility and fill out the appropriate forms.

The NL Fire District currently has multiple residents with a Knox Box, giving them the peace of mind that in case of an emergency personnel can gain entry easily without force into their homes.