FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) -- Fort Wayne first responders announced new steps apart of the 2020 Public Safety Plan.

Representatives from the Fort Wayne Fire and Police departments met in Mayor Tom Henry’s office Jan. 28 to announce the new initiatives and to provide a safety recap of 2019.

Along with the addition of new drug testing equipment, FWPD will be expanding its partnership with Fort Wayne United’s TenPoint Coalition. 

“In the Oxford neighborhood where we have had an active TenPoint Coalition program there were zero homicides in 2019,” said Mayor Tom Henry.

FWPD hopes this initiative will serve as an appropriate response to the increase of home shootings to start the year.

“They know who they are hoping is behind that wall, who they may be looking to target,” said Police Chief Steve Reed. “But if there are little kids, other innocent folks, maybe someone has moved out and someone else moved in… they don’t care and that's quite concerning.”

Additionally Police will implement the new Hope and Recover Team (HART).

The initiative will connect adults who have experienced a nonfatal overdose with treatment and recovery services.

In addition to contributions from FWPD, the Fire Department will apply their recently awarded Fire and Prevention Grant towards installing smoke detectors for those who do not have them.

The grant was used to purchase 750 smoke detectors, 1,750 Carbon Monoxide detectors and 60 combination hearing impaired detectors. The FWFD will install the detectors at no cost to citizens.

“Our continued commitment to protecting lives and making a meaningful difference in the community is critical as we serve the public,” said Fire Chief Eric Lahey.

Mayor Henry was impressed with the new initiatives and is willing to take additional steps to ensure the community’s safety.

“We have to make sure that we have an adequate number of police officers and firefighters to address the needs, wants and desires of our community,” Mayor Henry said. “I think we are well on our way.”