Fostering awareness, building preparedness: fire safety at AHEPA Senior Living
                     Fostering awareness, building 
preparedness: fire safety at 
AHEPA Senior Living
 The safety and well-being of residents is always our top priority at AHEPA Senior Living. This year 
across communities in Iowa, Texas and Florida, our communities partnered with local fire 
departments, police officers and sheriffs to deliver fire safety prevention classes and related training 
designed to empower older Americans with the knowledge and skills they need to protect 
themselves. These programs both highlight the essential role of community partnerships in 
safeguarding senior housing environments and strengthen emergency preparedness of our 
residents. In this blog, we’ll discuss some of what we’ve learned.
 Fire safety starts with education
 One of the most important aspects of fire safety is ensuring that our residents know how to respond 
in the event of a fire. At Penelope 38 Apartments in Ankeny, Iowa, residents had the opportunity to 
practice with a community-wide fire drill.
 The Ankeny Fire Department led residents through the process of exiting quickly and safely while 
reminding them to keep their “File of Life” documents current. This tool (a card listing medical 
conditions, emergency contacts and medications) can be lifesaving in an emergency when every 
second counts.
 The session underscored the value of a connection between residents and local first responders. In a 
touching moment, one resident presented the fire department with a framed Dalmatian puzzle on 
behalf of the community. The gesture reflected both gratitude and trust. Sometimes, safety education 
can feel overwhelming, but experiences like this show that when the lessons are grounded in 
kindness and respect, they resonate more deeply.
 Similarly, staff at Penelope 54 Apartments in Houston, Texas, collaborated with the Houston Fire 
Department as they provided residents with fire safety training tailored to their needs. Sessions 
focused on prevention, safe evacuation and the importance of preparation. For older Americans, 
understanding how to react quickly in an emergency is essential, and the Houston Fire Department 
emphasized clear, actionable steps that could save lives.
 Additionally, in Daytona Beach, Florida, residents of AHEPA 410 Apartments kicked off the new year 
with a comprehensive safety program that brought together law enforcement and fire officials. The 
Volusia County Sheriff spoke about scam awareness, the Daytona Beach Police offered tips on 
navigating the community safely and the Daytona Beach Fire Department capped off the day with a 
fire safety demonstration. Through combining resources from multiple agencies, the program gave 
residents a well-rounded understanding of how to protect themselves in daily life.
 In North Miami, the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue team emphasized two critical safety measures for older 
Americans: staying alert during a fire and maintaining smoke detectors. Residents were given 
practical reminders about the importance of testing alarms regularly and replacing batteries, as well 
as the value of staying calm and attentive in emergency situations.
 Although, in North Miami, the highlight of the day was almost certainly the hands-on fire truck tour, 
which allowed residents to connect with first responders in a memorable and interactive way. A 
follow-up training session on “Fire and Fall Safety for Older Adults” is already planned, ensuring that 
education is not a one-time event but an ongoing commitment. By bringing seniors face to face with 
the professionals who serve their community, these events help break down barriers and make safety 
education approachable and engaging.
 AHEPA’s commitment to resident safety
 What unites these programs across different states and communities is AHEPA Senior Living’s 
steadfast commitment to safety as a foundation of our approach to senior housing. By partnering with 
local fire departments, police officers and sheriffs, we are working to ensure that residents receive 
the knowledge and support they need to thrive in a great community.
 Fire prevention strategies such as maintaining smoke detectors, practicing evacuation drills and 
keeping emergency documents up to date may seem like small steps, but together they create a 
culture of preparedness that can save lives. For residents, these events are about building 
confidence, forging trust with local first responders and building into the community spirit. By 
providing the training in an engaging way with local first responders, these experiences leave lasting 
impressions that make safety lessons easier to remember and apply.
 Moreover, our commitment to fire safety is also recognized by the public. We’re proud to share an 
article from iAdvance Senior Care on fire safety strategies following the Gabriel House tragedy, which 
highlights how senior living communities can better protect residents in emergencies. The piece 
features insights from our very own Ardra Reed, MPH, Quality Assurance Manager.
 Ardra emphasized the heightened risks faced by senior communities, including mobility and cognitive 
challenges that can impede evacuation. She underscored the importance of:
• Conducting regular risk assessments
• Maintaining strict oversight of electrical equipment
• Ensuring robust staff training through scenario-based drills
• Partnering closely with local emergency responders
 Her message is clear: this isn’t just about meeting codes—it’s about safeguarding lives. We thank 
iAdvance Senior Care for shining a light on this important conversation and for including AHEPA 
Senior Living in the national dialogue about fire safety in senior living communities.
 Conclusion
 Fire safety prevention classes at AHEPA Senior Living exemplify what can be achieved when 
communities and local first responders work hand in hand. Through fire drills, scam prevention 
workshops, hands-on demonstrations and follow-up training, our residents are gaining the tools they 
need to stay safe and independent. Just as importantly, these events highlight the power of 
partnership, reminding us that safety is not an individual responsibility but a shared commitment.
 Find a community here, or for more information, contact us!
Get in touch with us
Penelope 38 Senior Apartments Penelope 54 I & II Senior Apartments
717 NE 5th Street, 8111 & 8113 Creekbend Drive,
Ankeny, IA 50021 Houston, TX 77071
(515) 965-5987 (713) 271-2987
(713) 778-8060
[email protected] [email protected]
AHEPA 410 Senior Apartments AHEPA Senior Living North Miami
575 N. Williamson Blvd. 350 NE 141st Street,
Daytona Beach, FL 32114 North Miami, FL 33161
(386) 258-6100 (305) 899-8587
[email protected] [email protected]