New Lenox Fire Protection District (NLFPD) recently received a donation to purchase Knox Boxes for their residential Knox Box Loan/Purchase program.

The Family Services Foundation of New Lenox Township donated $5,000 to the Fire District which helped to purchase 30 new lock boxes for residents who reside within the district. The residential Knox Box is a heavy, reinforced steel, high security key safe designed for single family homes that only the fire district can access without forcing entry into the residence.

“When an individual is injured or critically ill and unable to open the door, we may not be able to gain entry right away which can delay our response. If we must force entry, it can make an already worrying situation even more stressful,” said NLFPD Chief Adam Riegel. “The Residential Knox Box program allows us to gain access to the home quickly in an emergency situation, as well as re-lock the door when we leave, which can give a little peace of mind to the resident and their families.”

The residential Knox Box loaner program helps to reduce delays in providing assistance for residents that meet qualifying conditions which would make them unable to open a locked door in an emergency, including homebound/lives alone or spouse/caretaker not often home or without supervision, individual with medical conditions requiring extensive care and/or treatment. Residents that do not meet the requirements to borrow a Knox Box can purchase one through the Fire District. The residential boxes range in cost from $230 to $385 each.

“The donation from the Family Services Foundation of New Lenox Township will allow us to expand our coverage in the community to more of our higher-risk residents,” stated Riegel. “With our growing community, we are thankful to the foundation for helping us purchase the additional boxes which can be paramount to the health and safety of our residents, especially our older adults and those with special needs.”

The Residential Knox Box Loaner/Purchase program began in 2012 after receiving several grants and donations, including one from the New Lenox Township which purchased 12 Knox Boxes for the program, which are still in use today. A total of 110 homes have used the program since its inception. Currently, there are more than 50 homes in the district taking advantage of the program.

For additional information on NLFPD’s Residential Knox Box Loan/Purchase program, contact info@nlfire.com or call (815) 463-4500.