The Stamford-based American Homeowners Association, where Ramona Holliday was employed before her death in the March 29 fire, Thursday announced a yearlong, nationwide smoke alarm safety campaign. The project will distribute $5 million worth of smoke detectors in her name.

"Ramona Holliday was special to all of us," AHA founder and President Richard J. Roll said in a press conference at City Hall Annex, standing near a poster-sized photograph of the woman and her daughter.

Roll said Holliday, her father Javis Holliday, and her daughter, Trisha, died needlessly. Properly installed and working smoke detectors, which are required by state law, are known to save lives, he said. They cut the risk of dying in a house fire by half, he said.

Roll said homeowners and landlords often don't buy the life-saving detectors or they forget to change the batteries. Others deactivate the detectors, annoyed when the ear-piercing alarms are triggered by conditions other than fires.

"Those irritating sounds are what alert you to get out. If that irritating sound was there [on March 29] to alert them I believe that they'd still be here today," said Javis Holliday Jr., Ramona's brother.

He declined to comment on whether he would take legal action against Jose Echevaria, the homeowner.

No criminal charges have been filed in the case to date.

The Hollidays' death brought to 10 the number of fire fatalities in Bridgeport in less than a year.

"We've had our share of tragedies. One is too many," said Mayor John M. Fabrizi.

With the city's Safe Asleep program, which distributes and installs smoke detectors at no cost, Fabrizi said there is no excuse for any house, condominium or store to lack the devices.

"All it takes is a phone call," Fabrizi said.

Provisional Fire Chief Brian Rooney added it's not enough to have working smoke alarms. Families also need escape plans, he said. Several co-workers and friends of Ramona Holliday attended the press conference, saying she would be honored by the effort to save others in her name.

"If it helps landlords comply with the rules and regulations they should be complying with, she would be happy because it could save other people's lives," said Jeannette Morales of Norwalk, a customer service representative and one of Holliday's co-workers.

It is not necessary to be a homeowner to be eligible for the free alarms. The AHA, a homeowner membership and advocacy group, is also providing a free alert service to remind people to periodically test their smoke alarms and change the batteries.

For information about the Ramona Holliday National Smoke Alarm Safety Campaign or to obtain a free smoke detector, a $20 retail value, check www.ahahome.com/saveme. A processing fee of $1.95 will help defray the cost of shipping and handling.

To order free smoke detectors from Bridgeport's Safe Asleep program, call 335-8835.