Citing three separate fires in Portland, St. Francis and Caribou in the past three weeks that claimed the lives of 11 people, Gov. Paul LePage Thursday announced a plan to help ensure every Maine residence has a working smoke detector.

"As your governor, a father and a husband, I do not want to see another life lost as a result of a fire," said LePage is a press release. "More than one-third (37 percent) of home fire deaths result from fires in which no smoke alarms are present. The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms."

In an effort to get working smoke detectors into homes, the State Fire Marshal's Office, the Maine chapters of the American Red Cross and local fire departments are working to provide free smoke detectors to those who do not have them in their home.

The focus, LePage said, is to get smoke detectors into every home in the state.

"State Fire Marshal Joe Thomas has been able to get 1,000 smoke detectors at no cost, to get the program started. Ongoing donations of smoke detector supplies are being worked out with the American Red Cross and Kidde smoke detector manufacturer," said LePage.

Red Cross volunteers are also being trained to go door-to-door with local fire department personnel to educate the public, and help install the detectors where needed.

"The goal is to ensure Mainers have the protection of smoke detectors in their homes," said LePage. "And I would be remised [sic] if I did not emphasize the importance of making sure your alarms always have working batteries. Don't take them out and if you do so for any reason, replace them immediately. Smoke alarms truly save lives and that is why our administration is committed to the full five-year strategy of the American Red Cross to this effort."

Midcoast fire chiefs are heeding the governor's call to action and are ready to answer calls from residents in need of smoke detectors. All you have to do is pick up the phone, or stop by your local fire department, and make a request.

If anyone is interested in learning more about the program or donating to cover the costs of the detectors, call the Fire Marshal's Office at 626-3870 or the Portland Chapter of the Red Cross at 874-1192.