Now in the permanent possession of the Roanoke Rapids Fire Department, which used the fire safety house the most during the days of the sharing program, the mobile fire prevention tool, commonly referred to as the smokehouse, received a facelift today with supplies and volunteer labor from the Lowe's Home Improvement Heroes program.

“It's been here as long as I've been here and that's 23 years,” Roanoke Rapids Deputy Fire Chief Mike Clements said as he and other firefighters, along with Lowe's employees, did rehab work on the smokehouse.

Over the years the interior of the mobile home became worn from children crawling through it to learn how to exit properly, how to put out cooking fires and how to call 911. “It deserved a facelift,” Clements said.

Hawkins, right, and Jayme Shelburne work on floor paneling.

Rehab work to the smokehouse includes replacing doors, putting in a new air conditioner as well as replacing the old smoke detection system.

The rehabilitation comes as the fire department prepares for fire prevention month in October when numerous children across the area — mainly first, second and third-graders — will learn the basics of fire safety.

“It's made a tremendous impact,” Clements said. “It let's a child learn in a small version of their own home.”

Battalion Chief Billy Allen said the smokehouse is a valuable tool and he has seen a difference in the number of calls and injuries involving children. “Anything we can teach to help save a life goes a long way. We're mighty appreciative of Lowe's for doing this.”

Livesay works on trim.

Store Manager Eliot Smith said the donation of supplies and help was a way to give back for what the fire department does for the community.

Steve Livesay was one of the Lowe's employees helping in the rehabilitation. “It's giving back to the community for everything the've done. It's the satisfaction of giving back.”

Connie Hedgepeth, human resources manager, said the store supplied paint, an air conditioner and even special ordered a door for the project. “I'm thrilled. This is something we do once a year,” she said of the Heroes program.

The idea came when the fire department brought the smokehouse to an event for Lowe's employees and from a conversation with Clements, the store decided it was a project worthy of the program.

The truck that tows the smokehouse will also get a facelift.

The smokehouse isn't the only thing to get a facelift, Clements said.

The Roanoke Rapids Senior Club has donated the funds to have to the truck that tows the house painted to match the scheme of other vehicles in the fire department's fleet, Clements said.

Lieutenant Kevin Hawkins led that effort and said the funds will help sand the truck down and fix bad spots, which will be done by firefighters.

Joli Denton paints on the inside.

Davis Body Shop will do the work gratis to detail the truck and help it match the rest of the fleet. “This will make it look better and more presentable. We're really appreciative of Lowe's, the Jo Story Senior Center and Davis Body Shop,” Hawkins said.

“It's really kind of a partnership to make the fire safety house better,” said Clements.