When the firefighters come to town, Indianapolis pulls out all the stops. In this time lapse video by David Khey, a fire apparatus rolled into the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown to celebrate the start of FDIC International.
Firefighters across West Michigan are participating in a program to help families stay safe in the event of a fire. Operation Save A Life is a new program through WOTV 4 Women, Kidde, Home Depot, and E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. that offers free smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, installed in homes by trained firefighters.
Fire deaths are up dramatically in West Michigan, and the first line of defense is early warning from smoke alarms. A smoke alarm should be installed on every level of a home and inside and outside each bedroom. Smoke alarms should be tested once a month. Non long-life battery operated smoke alarms should be changed twice a year, and any smoke alarm should be replaced every ten years. Carbon monoxide alarms should be installed on every level of your home.
>>> Fire safety tips from E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc.
Fire departments take the message of fire safety directly into West Michigan school to teach children what to do in case of a fire. Those messages include stop, drop, and roll, home escape planning, practicing fire drills, calling 911, and the importance of working smoke alarms. Community outreach is just as important. Fire departments partner with cities, counties, and organizations like the American Red Cross to spread the word about fire safety.
For a complete list of West Michigan smoke alarm installation programs, call your local fire department or click here. If your community is not listed or you have questions about smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, or home fire safety, send an email to [email protected].
Fire prevention starts with education and partnership. That was the key message when Maranda stopped by Walker Fire Department’s Station #2 in Grand Rapids to talk about Operation Save A Life which will be featured on “Maranda Where You Live” on April 15 at 7 p.m.
Operation Save A Life is the public service campaign that WOOD TV8/WOTV 4 Women kicked off in March thanks to a partnership between WOTV 4 Women, E.S.C.A.P.E Fire Safety, The Home Depot and Kidde, the smoke alarm manufacturer that so generously donated 2,500 smoke alarms and 500 carbon monoxide alarms.
Firefighters from all across West Michigan were on hand to talk to third graders from Zinser Elementary School in Kenowa Hills. The kids made the special field trip to learn all about fire safety and smoke alarms. They also got an up-close look at the fire apparatus and met Jake the Fire Safety Dog!
Maranda also talked with State Fire Marshal Richard Miller who emphasized how having working smoke alarms in your home can cut in half your risk of dying in a fire. He also talked about how important partnerships are between fire departments and companies such as Kidde for fire education and prevention programs, noting a similar statewide program, Michigan S.A.F.E. (Smoke Alarms for Everyone) that launched last year. Olivet Fire Department Lt. Michael McLeieer, who is also the founder of E.S.C.A.P.E. and the program coordinator of Operation Save A Life, opened the show explaining just how the program came about and how it will positively impact the area.
Thanks to Operation Save a Life, participating fire departments from five West Michigan counties are busy installing smoke alarms in homes where they are most needed. The area was particularly hard hit this winter with a high number of home fires and related deaths.
For a complete list of West Michigan smoke alarm installation programs, click here. If your community is not listed or you have questions about smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, or home fire safety, send an email to [email protected].
Jake the Fire Safety Dog and Firefighter Michael McLeieer, founder of E.S.C.A.P.E. will be featured at the Kalamazoo Home & Garden Expo inside the Kalamazoo Expo Center and Fairgrounds, 2900 Lake Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49048 on Friday March 13, 2015 from 4-6pm.
Stop by the EPS Security booth # 137-138, have your questions answered regarding smoke alarms and escape plans and learn other vital fire safety information designed to keep you and your family safe.
Bring your smart phone or iPad and have your photo taken with Jake!
E.S.C.A.P.E.‘s founder Firefighter Michael McLeieer joins Jeremy Lawrence in the WKZO AM 590 studios this morning. Together they talk about fire safety and share the upcoming appearance of Jake the Fire Safety Dog at the Kalamazoo Home & Garden Expo Show Friday March 13th inside the EPS Security booth #137 & 138 from 4pm – 6pm.
Firefighter Michael McLeieer and Jake The Fire Safety Dog stopped by FM 106.5 to talk fire safety with Ken and let everyone know they can meet Jake at the Home Expo Friday 4-6pm at the EPS Security booth

(left: Fire Marshal Ted Karnitz, Norton Shores Fire Department right: Fire Inspector Mark Nicolai, Muskegon Charter Township Fire Department)
Monday morning, two representatives from Muskegon County area fire departments received 1,000 smoke alarms donated by Kidde through the Operation Save A Life program, a partnership between WOTV4Women, Kidde, The Home Depot and the non-profit fire safety charity E.S.C.A.P.E. The alarms will be distributed to Muskegon County Fire Departments and will be installed in at-risk homes.
Fire Marshal Ted Karnitz from the Norton Shores Fire Department and Fire Inspector Mark Nicolai from the Muskegon Charter Township Fire Department will be facilitating the program throughout Muskegon County.
“The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms,” said Karnitz. “Programs like Operation Save A Life and Michigan S.A.F.E. (Smoke Alarms For Everyone) allow fire departments throughout Muskegon County as well as other areas of Michigan to place a combined effort on installing smoke alarms in homes and providing fire safety information which will reduce fire-related injury or death.”
For more information about the Muskegon County smoke alarm installation program, please contact:
Muskegon Charter Township Fire Department – 231-773-4316
Norton Shores Fire Department – 231-799-6809
or email [email protected]





