- June 25 – Lamar Park, Wyoming
- July 9 – Berlin Raceway, Marne
- July 16 – Kollen Park, Holland
- July 23 – Smith Ryerson Park, Muskegon
- July 30 – Northwestern Middle School, Battle Creek
Recent statistics show the number of fire-related deaths are on the rise in Michigan. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, from Jan. 1 to June 2, 2015 the number of fire deaths were up 25-percent from 2014. A total of 61 people died in fires across the state. Twenty-three of those deaths were in West Michigan which is a 48-percent increase over this same time last year.
Operation Save A Life is working to save lives by providing free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to fire departments in West Michigan where they will be installed in high risk homes by trained firefighters.
“We’re finding the majority of fire fatalities are occurring in homes that don’t have working smoke alarms,” said Michael McLeieer, program coordinator for Operation Save A Life.” We want to make sure that families have working smoke alarms.”
“Electrical fires seem to be one of the major issues behind this. Unsafe use of extension cords, things of that nature. Be attentive to anything you’re doing with the stove,” said Fire Marshall Ted Karnitz of the Norton Shores Fire Department.
Nearly 3,000 smoke alarms have been installed throughout Muskegon County since Jan. 1.
There will also be a big push for fire safety education at all five Maranda Park Parties this summer.
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].
Join Jake the Fire Safety Dog and visit the E.S.C.A.P.E. smoke demonstration trailer as E.S.C.A.P.E. joins the Calhoun County Early Childhood Connections and Celebrates the Day of the Child, Thursday April 30th from 4pm – 6:30 pm at the Multi-Sports Complex at the Battle Creek YMCA, 182 Capital Avenue, NE. All families in Calhoun County with children birth to five are encouraged to attend this free event.
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].
Jeremy is joined in studio by Michael McLeieer(w/ E.S.C.A.P.E.) & Elliott Jones (w/ The American Red Cross).
E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety’s Michael McLeieer and Team Firestoppers Project Manager Elliot Jones updated efforts and preview the April 18th Global Youth Day of Service fire safety education initiative.
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.