Saugatuck Township Fire Chief receives Public Educator of the Year award Award, Operation Save A Life, , ,
15
Sep 2016

 

 

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Fire Chief Greg Janik of the Saugatuck Township Fire District in Allegan County was the recipient of the Public Fire Educator of the Year award from the Michigan Fire Inspectors Society (MFIS) at a dinner banquet held at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in East Lansing on Thursday September 15, 2016.

Chief Janik was selected to receive the Public Fire Educator of the Year award from a list of statewide candidates because of his leadership and commitment to delivering year-round public education programming in the Saugatuck Public School system and to the citizens throughout the Saugatuck community.

Saugatuck Fire Chief Greg Janik receives Public Fire Educator of the Year Award

Saugatuck Fire Chief Greg Janik receives Public Fire Educator of the Year Award

Janik joined the Saugatuck Township Fire District on November 20, 2001 as a paid on call firefighter. In 2004, he was hired as a full time fire inspector, firefighter and medical first responder with the department.  That same year, he quickly realized the importance and benefits of delivering age-appropriate fire prevention and education programming to school aged students throughout the community.  He began the public education program that same year in the community’s school system with the goal of having school-aged youth be the fire inspectors in their home and teach family members about fire safety.

On May 17, 2013, Janik was hired as the Chief of the Saugatuck Township Fire District. That same year, the Chief conducted a community risk assessment to identify and prioritize hazards which impacted the community.  It was determined that residents would not only benefit from fire safety education, but also from having smoke alarms installed in homes where they were needed, free of charge.

In 2014, Chief Janik and the Saugatuck Township Fire District were one of the first to join the WOTV Operation Save A Life  program.  Operation Save A Life provides free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to fire departments as well as fire safety information to residents throughout West Michigan.  Alarms are installed in homes by firefighters or the American Red Cross at no cost to residents.  For more information on Operation Save A Life or to schedule your free alarm installation, email [email protected] or call toll free 1-844-978-4400.

E.S.C.A.P.E. would like to congratulate Chief Janik for receiving this prestigious award and thank him for his continued commitment to Making West Michigan S.A.F.E.

 

Smoke alarm safety program provides devices, installation and education for GR families Operation Save A Life, Safety, WOTV 4, , ,
15
Aug 2016

smokealarmhandWOTV

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOTV) – The City of Grand Rapids Fire Department wants to make sure you’re safe in your home!  Carly Munoz, WOTV 4 Women crew member, recently took the time to schedule an appointment to have them come and install free smoke detectors in her Grand Rapids home.  It was such an awesome experience for her and her kids!   Her kids were delighted to see a big red fire engine pull up next to their driveway and to have several firefighters come inside their home.

The firefighters were professional, fun and great with the kids.  Munoz said, “I know what you’re thinking. Firefighters are coming inside my home?  EEK!  I’d have to clean up and what if they see something that maybe we’re doing wrong or is installed wrong… then what?”  It wasn’t like that at all.  They were coming in with the sole intent to keep her family safe.  They talked with the kids, they determined where they alarms needed to be placed and asked for the family’s input on installation locations and options.

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They didn’t care about stepping over the kids toys, or the major pileup of clutter in my furnace room.  They did run through some tips and safety pointers with Carly at the end, which she appreciated.  Quick little bits of information that are good for homeowners to know to prevent a fire.  They told her to make sure to consistently clean her lint trap on her dryer, to maybe push that “clutter pile” back away from the furnace so nothing catches fire, and to make sure the grill is away from the garage when her family barbecues so nothing goes up in flames other than the steaks.  She actually found it really helpful!

They didn’t charge her or expect anything in return.  They even let the kids come out to the fire truck for a tour and pics when they were done!  Bonus!

CarolandEastonGRFD

How to sign up:

REQUIREMENTS:

Reside within the City of Grand Rapids
Be a home owner, residing within the dwelling.
Rentals do not qualify at this time.
Homeowners can ensure their safety by scheduling an appointment. Contact us at 311

Not a GR resident? Call to set up an appointment within your area through Operation Save A Life: 1.844.978.4400

LIST: West Michigan Smoke Detector Installation Programs

Connecting families with valuable resources E.S.C.A.P.E., Early Childhood Resource Fair, Jake the Fire Safety Dog, Maranda, Operation Save A Life, Safety, , , ,
28
Apr 2016

Connecting families to make sure children have a great start. That was the goal of the Play, Learn, Explore Early Childhood Resource Fair.

The fair took place at the Kent Career Technical Center on April 23. Hundreds of families came to see more than 60 preschool and child care centers and 20 vendors that serve families with young children. There were free resources for families to learn about health, dental care, maternity health, children’s development, and more. It was fun for kids too, with plenty of activities, crafts, music, food, and more!

Kids got to visit with mascots from the West Michigan Whitecaps and Grand Rapids Griffins along with Clifford the Big Red Dog and Curious George. The United Dairy Industry of Michigan was there with easy snacks you can make it home that pack a nutritional punch with dairy. The Kent County Oral Health Coalition talked to families about importance of oral health and access to dental care they have through Healthy Kids Dental.

John Ball Zoo spread the word about family memberships and classes for kids ages three up to high school age. Bethany Christian Services talked to families about being refugee parents. Michael McLeieer of E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. and Operation Save a Life educated children about fire safety and the importance of smoke alarms. And Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital’s Injury Prevention Program focused on three safety measures – making sure kids are in proper car seats, wear helmets when riding bikes, and never leaving kids unattended in or around water.

 

Fire safety advocate honored 8West, Award, Operation Save A Life, Safety, ,
08
Apr 2016

For 20 years now, Michael McLeieer of E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. has been teaching children and adults about fire prevention. Now his work and dedication has earned him a national award, the 2016 Fire Prevention and Education Award.

The award, sponsored by Nest, was established in memory of volunteer firefighter and NVFC board member Marc Mueller. Each year, it honors a person who has made a major contribution in the field of fire prevention.

McLeieer founded E.S.C.A.P.E. more than 20 years ago to teach children and adults about fire prevention, CPR, and first aid. He is a regular at Maranda Park Parties every summer, spreading his message of fire safety to more than a million children in West Michigan.

Lt. McLeieer will be recognized at a banquet on May 6, 2016, in Alexandria, Virginia. To read more about his accomplishments and the award, click here.

 

Michigan leads nation in deadly home fires Operation Save A Life, Safety, , , ,
02
Feb 2016

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Michigan and Alabama lead the nation in deadly home fires, according to new data from the U.S Fire Administration.

Between Jan. 1 and Feb. 1, 19 Michigan residents lost their lives in house fires. Three of those deaths happened in West Michigan, including a 57-year-old woman who died in a house fire in Wyoming Saturday, a 77-year-old woman who died in a Muskegon house fireon Jan. 11, and a 9-year-old girl killed in a mobile home fire in Emmett Township on Jan. 10.

MI Map

However, the number of West Michigan home fire deaths is down 40 percent from last year, according to ESCAPE.

Fire departments have recorded at least a dozen instances where West Michigan residents have escaped a burning home because of a smoke alarm installed as part of WOTV 4 Women’s Operation Save A Life campaign.

>>LIST: West Michigan smoke detector installation programs

In 2015, a record 103 people lost their lives in Michigan house fires.

Spotlight on fire safety on EightWest 8West, E.S.C.A.P.E. 20 Years, Fire Prevention Month, Operation Save A Life, Safety, Videos, , ,
09
Oct 2015

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October 4 through 10 is Fire Prevention Week. This year’s fire prevention theme is “Hear the BEEP where you SLEEP! Every bedroom needs a working smoke alarm.” Michigan has seen a dramatic increase in home fires resulting in injury and death. This listing provides numerous opportunities for children and families to learn about fire safety, injury prevention, and smoke alarm maintenance close to Where You Live. If you have questions about fire prevention and safety or need a smoke alarm, e-mail [email protected].

>>> List of fire department open houses

ESCAPE Inc. is celebrating 20 years in West Michigan! See the ESCAPE smoke demonstration trailer and Jake the Fire Safety Dog at Zoo Goes Boo at John Ball Zoo on Saturday, October 17. There will be experts to answer questions and free fire prevention materials between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Preventing fire deaths through Operation Save a Life Fire Prevention Month, Operation Save A Life, Safety, Videos, , ,
09
Oct 2015

Dozens of firefighters from West Michigan joined Daybreak on WOOD TV 8 on Friday for Fire Prevention Week.

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Michigan ranks in the top five states in the U.S. for the most home fire deaths.

This year, home fire deaths in West Michigan are up 44-percent from 2014.

In an effort to prevent fire-related deaths, WOTV 4 Women, Kidde and E.S.C.A.P.E. Fire Safety have partnered together to create Operation Save a Life.

>>LIST: Smoke alarm installation programs across West Michigan

The free program is designed to make sure people in need of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors not only get them, but also have them installed.

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During Fire Prevention Week, which runs from Oct. 4-10, firefighters have been visiting schools and the community to stress the importance of fire safety plans and testing smoke alarms. Alarms more than 10 years old need to be replaced.

 

Operation Save A Life: Keeping West Michigan families safe Operation Save A Life, Safety, , , ,
09
Jun 2015

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].

 

Smoke alarm giveaway aims to save lives Maranda, Operation Save A Life, Safety, , , ,
15
Apr 2015

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].

Operation Save A Life: education and partnership for fire prevention Maranda, Operation Save A Life, Safety, , , , ,
15
Apr 2015

fire-alarms

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].

 

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