Specialized smoke alarms distributed to protect children across Chicagoland
Wood Dale, IL – In a collaborative effort between the nonprofit Camp I Am Me by Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, local fire departments, and Child’s Voice School, specialized smoke alarm devices are being distributed to families with young deaf or hard of hearing children.
For nearly three decades, Child’s Voice has been instrumental in transforming the lives of children through the unwavering commitment of their teachers and staff. The school offers crucial education and support to children who are deaf or hard of hearing, teaching them to listen and speak. Students wearing hearing aids or cochlear implants attend from birth through first grade, receiving specialized care and instruction.
“Child’s Voice strives to empower children who are deaf or hard of hearing to be successful in all areas of their lives. This program exemplifies those values by providing families with devices that allow children and adults to be independent and safe in their homes,” said Wendy Deters, Child’s Voice Executive Director.
Since 2018, Camp I Am Me and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal have spearheaded the “Be Alarmed!” Smoke Alarm Installation Program, providing fire safety education materials and smoke alarms to fire departments statewide. Emergency responders then deliver the education while installing smoke alarms in at-risk homes within their communities, all at no cost.
“Having working smoke alarms in homes is absolutely vital, especially as modern construction materials – many of which are synthetic – cause homes to burn faster and hotter than ever before, reducing escape time to two minutes or less,” said Acting Illinois State Fire Marshal Allen Reyne. “Equally important is having a well-practiced fire escape plan that considers the unique needs of all family members, as some may require additional time to safely evacuate during a fire.”
In 2024, Camp I Am Me secured a FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program award of $315,000. This funding not only bolstered the ongoing efforts to install smoke alarms in Illinois homes but also enabled the acquisition of bed shaker smoke alarm devices designed to safeguard the deaf and hard of hearing community.
Camp I Am Me Executive Director, Philip Zaleski, highlighted the importance of expanding the Be Alarmed! program, “The partnerships we continue to build between us, the OSFM, and more than 325 Illinois fire departments has led to more than 42,000 smoke alarms being distributed to protect Illinois residents. Working with Child’s Voice to reach this vulnerable community is allowing our smoke alarm program to evolve and protect even more people across the state. We plan on replicating this effort with more schools like Child’s Voice in the very near future.”
Teachers, administrators, and members of area fire departments gathered at Child’s Voice to greet the students and receive the bed shaker devices. Over the next few weeks, fire service personnel will be working with 16 families to schedule home visits and install the life-saving devices for the students.
“As firefighters, our job is to respond to and mitigate emergencies while taking actions to prevent them from occurring in the first place. Having the ability to provide bed shakers for those with hearing loss or impairment is just another tool that helps the fire service serve our communities even better,” said David Hoppe, Battalion Chief with the Elk Grove Village Fire Department. Elk Grove Village F.D. has already installed four bed shaker devices within their jurisdiction.
Homeowners in need of working smoke alarms or families with a child requiring a bed shaker device due to a hearing impairment are encouraged to contact their local fire department through the non-emergency number.
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About Camp I Am Me by Illinois Fire Safety Alliance:
Camp I Am Me by Illinois Fire Safety Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free programs throughout the year to children, adults, and families what have been affected by burn-related injuries, providing them the much needed physical, psychological, and emotional support they deserve, Since 1989, Camp I Am Me has been providing safe, non-judgmental environments for burn survivors to have the opportunity to build their self-esteem and self-confidence as they experience ethe various programs and activities offered. Camp I Am Me brings support, strength, and happiness to so many children, adults, and families each year.