<< Back 8/7/02 Jail to get fire alarm system SMN The Haywood County Jail is getting a $40,000 alarm system after failing three fire inspections in recent months. The 70-year-old jail’s safety came under scrutiny following the death of eight men during a fire in the Mitchell County Jail two months ago. A Waynesville fire inspector detected 23 deficiencies in the jail, and all have been corrected or are in the process of being fixed except the alarm system and lighted exit signs, said Greg Shuping, Haywood’s Emergency Services Director. Shuping said there has been some debate about whether the county was required to install the system in a 70-year-old building. The county is currently awaiting correspondence from the state Department of Insurance regarding that requirement, but Shuping said it is a good idea to go ahead with the installation. “As director of Emergency Services, I want us to go above and beyond,” Shuping told commissioners before the vote. The expenditure was approved unanimously by commissioners.