Camp I Am Me & Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal Partnership reaches major milestone in protecting residents through smoke alarm installations and fire prevention education
Mount Prospect, IL – Camp I Am Me by Illinois Fire Safety Alliance and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM) are proud to announce a significant milestone in statewide fire prevention efforts: the installation of the 50,000th smoke alarm in an Illinois home through the Be Alarmed! Smoke Alarm Installation Program.
Launched in 2018, Be Alarmed! is a collaborative initiative that provides Illinois fire departments with smoke alarms and fire safety education materials at no cost. Through this partnership, local fire departments install smoke alarms in at-risk homes and educate residents on home fire safety, smoke alarm maintenance, and the importance of developing and practicing a home fire escape plan.
Reaching 50,000 smoke alarm installations represents thousands of opportunities to make Illinois homes safer and help prevent tragic outcomes from residential fires. The program prioritizes residents who may face barriers to obtaining or installing working smoke alarms, including older adults, individuals with disabilities, and households with limited financial resources.
“This milestone represents the collective impact of a statewide commitment to protecting lives through fire safety and prevention. Every smoke alarm installed is an opportunity to help a family recognize the danger of a fire sooner and take action to escape safely. We are incredibly proud of what this partnership has accomplished and grateful to the fire departments that make this work possible in communities throughout the state,” said Philip Zaleski, Executive Director of Camp I Am Me by Illinois Fire Safety Alliance.
The success of Be Alarmed! is made possible by the more than 400 Illinois fire departments that bring the program directly into their communities. Participating departments identify households in need, install the provided smoke alarms, and use home visits to share practical fire safety information tailored to residents’ needs.
With the installation of the 50,000th smoke alarm, the program has allowed for:
- 16,293 homes to have new, operating smoke alarms;
- 37,124 residents to be protected and educated in fire safety, and;
- $1,550,000 in smoke alarm equipment to be distributed to participating fire departments.
“This accomplishment reflects the hard work and dedication of fire departments across Illinois to protect and educate the residents they serve,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal Michelle Pankow. “Every working smoke alarm installed and every resident educated about fire safety helps make our communities safer. These efforts not only reduce the risk of fire-related injuries and fatalities but also help protect the firefighters who respond when emergencies occur. We are also grateful to our partners at Camp I Am Me by Illinois Fire Safety Alliance for their continued support and commitment to this program. Their partnership plays an important role in helping us expand our reach and make a difference in communities throughout Illinois.”
As Camp I Am Me and OSFM celebrate this milestone, the organizations recognize the dedication of the participating fire departments and community partners whose continued efforts make this work possible. While the installation of 50,000 smoke alarms is a significant achievement, the mission to expand access to fire safety education, help prevent residential fires, and protect more Illinois residents continues.
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About Camp I Am Me by Illinois Fire Safety Alliance
Since 1989, Camp I Am Me by Illinois Fire Safety Alliance has worked to empower burn survivors and prevent tragedies from occurring. The organization provides year-round support programs for children, adults, and families affected by burn injuries while also advancing fire safety, burn prevention, and education initiatives throughout Illinois.
Through programs such as Be Alarmed!, Camp I Am Me works with fire service partners to help communities access resources that promote safer homes and prevent avoidable injuries and deaths.
To learn more about the Be Alarmed! Smoke Alarm Installation Program, visit www.IFSA.org/alarms.