ERVING — Police and firefighters can have easy access to Erving homes — without having to break down doors and windows — through a new program involving front door-mounted lock boxes holding the key to the home.
When a resident enrolls, the Fire Department installs a locked box on the home’s front door, which holds a house key. The master key to all the boxes in Erving is held by the Fire Department and Police Department. This way, emergency responders can easily access the house in case of an emergency, without having to break windows, push in air conditioners or damage doors.
“We’ve done those things before and caused property damage for false alarms,” said Erving Firefighter and EMT Brandon Breault.
For now, the program is primarily geared toward seniors and people who are physically disabled — those who are most at risk of requiring emergency medical response in their own homes, Breault said. The program will become accessible to others after the Fire Department contacts those high-priority residents, Breault said.
Since announcing the program about two weeks ago, about 12 residents have expressed interest, Breault said. The Fire Department installed its third lock box Monday at the home of Kitty Cordery, who said she has lived in her house for 56 years. Her husband, Leo, who died in 2014, had served on the Erving Fire Department for 25 years, Fire Captain Brian Betters said.
Erving’s program uses “Knox Box” brand lock boxes, which are typically used by landlords of commercial buildings, Breault said. Knox Box has only been marketing its products for residential uses for about two years, Breault said. Firefighters involved with the program were fairly confident that Erving is the first town in Franklin County to offer a program of this type, and the three selectmen agreed.
The program is free for residents because the town owns the lock boxes, Breault said. Erving initially purchased 16 Knox Boxes, and the Senior/Community Center is expected to donate at least a few more later this week, he added.
Especially eager residents can purchase their own Knox Boxes and have them set to the town’s master key. Depending on the style, a lock box costs $167 to $183, and comes in three shades: antique white, linen and dove.
“I’d love to see anyone who wants one to be able to just call up and get one,” said Selectman Scott Bastarache.
For more information or to inquire about joining the lock box program, call the Erving Fire Department at 413-422-2800, ext. 1221.
Reach Max Marcus at mmarcus@recorder.com or 413-772-0261 ext. 261.