The Get Alarmed, Tennessee! program, launched in 2012 by the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office, provides free 10-year smoke detectors to residents through partnerships with local fire departments. In Putnam County, this includes the Putnam County Fire Department, Cookeville Fire Department, Baxter Fire Department, and Algood Fire Department, which collaborate to ensure homes in their service areas have working smoke detectors installed at no cost. These devices are proven to save lives by providing early warnings in the event of a fire, and the program emphasizes proper professional installation by firefighters to place them in the safest and most effective locations.

Residents needing smoke detectors should contact the fire department serving their specific address:

• Putnam County Fire Department (via their online form at https://uc.readyop.com/fs/4huO/5632961f)
• Cookeville Fire Department (https://www.cookeville-tn.gov/FormCenter/Fire-9/Fire-Education-Event-Request-73),
• Baxter Fire Department (call 931-858-2621)
• Algood Fire Department (https://uc.readyop.com/fs/4huN/29d37a58)

For those in Monterey, reach out directly to the Putnam County Fire Department for assistance.

After submitting a request, a representative will contact you to schedule a visit for installation. The detectors must be installed by the fire department personnel and cannot be picked up or self-installed.

As of February 2026, the statewide program has distributed over 342,000 free smoke alarms, with more than 295,000 installed, and it has been credited with saving 524 lives through timely alerts. This initiative highlights the critical role of simple, properly installed smoke detectors in preventing fire-related tragedies, and eligible residents are encouraged to request them without delay.

(Note that as of early 2026, the program has expanded to also include free carbon monoxide detectors in some cases, though the primary focus here remains on smoke alarms.)