Mobile home owners in West Chester Township have greater peace of mind this Fire Prevention Month thanks to the work of a Lakota high school student.

Drew Zehring, member of the Lakota West Class of 2025, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout by installing new smoke detectors inside about four dozen private residences at Princeton Crossing, a community of manufactured homes located off Port Union-Rialto Road.

“This took maybe a year and a half to finally execute,” Drew said. He worked with West Chester Fire Department officials to plan and implement his project in the spring.

Drew said he started by reaching out to about 20 different community organizations before deciding on what type of project to pursue. His goal was to make the greatest impact, and he said the West Chester Fire Department jumped at the chance to work together on something with the potential to save lives.

“I’d say it was a success,” Drew said. He networked with the Princeton Crossing HOA to register residents who were interested in free smoke detectors, and he distributed fliers across the neighborhood to promote the opportunity ahead of workdays.

Drew estimates his volunteer team of family, friends and fellow Boy Scouts installed about 90 devices for 50 residents over three Saturday afternoons in May 2024 with support from West Chester Fire Department crews. Drew thanked Loss Prevention Bureau Chief J. Scott Brooks on making his Eagle Scout project possible by connecting him and the local chapter of the American Red Cross during one of their numerous planning meetings.

“When [the American Red Cross] found out about my project, they were willing to give me free supply of however many smoke detectors I needed,” Drew said. “They were the ones to supply me with tools, the detectors – all the equipment I needed for this project to go down as a success.”

Drew is a West Chester resident and member of Boy Scout Troop 940 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. He competes with the Lakota West Firebirds cross country and track teams, and he’s also a member of the National Honor Society as well as involved with a school leadership club.

Now halfway through senior year and with his Eagle Scout Project completed, Drew said applying to colleges is keeping him busy these days. While Drew remains mostly undecided on a future career path to follow, he said he’s not ruling out the possibility of a life in the fire service.

To connect with West Chester Fire & EMS, visit www.WestChesterOH.org/Fire.