VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Fire safety is important for everyone, especially those in the deaf community or who are hard of hearing, and the Virginia Beach Fire Department is making sure those in need get a special fire alarm made specifically for them.

Jessica Xenakis’ job focuses on the safety of everyone in the Virginia Beach area.

“Make sure they have something that works in their home that will alert them in case of a fire emergency in the evening, in times when they pull out their hearing aids, things of that nature,” Xenakis said.

She’s excited to finally be able to offer those who are hearing impaired a special device that relies on a person’s sense of touch to alert them to a fire.

“You can feel it through the pillow, or definitely through the bed,” said Master Firefighter Ned Lowery. “But it’s with the smoke alarm. Once the smoke alarm activates, it takes three beeps, three to five sometimes, and then the magic of all that stuff works.”

The device can be placed under a pillow or mattress. Lowery said he makes sure his dad uses one.

“He lost his hearing flying aircraft in the military and everything, so he’s the type of person that, along with all the other people using these, that would not hear a regular smoke alarm,” Lowery said.

The fire department applied for a grant through FEMA and waited two years before being approved,” Lowery said, “giving them the funds to purchase and install these fire alarms in dozens of homes across Virginia Beach. It’s something that actually gives these guys more peace of mind as well.

“And I just love playing a part in knowing that people are going to get that early detection and that we can saves lives,” Xenakis said.

Said Lowery: “It’s another opportunity for the homeowner or occupant to get out safely and allow us to go in there to fight the fire instead of having to search for someone.”

To apply for a free device, go to https://www.vbfdlifesafety.com/ and go to the smoke alarm page and the link is at the bottom.