Properly installed smoke alarms along with ensuring they are in proper working order is an important step to making your home and family safer from fire.
It is important to have enough smoke alarms in your home. Fire research has demonstrated that with today’s modern furnishings, fires can spread much more rapidly than in the past when more natural materials were used. Because of this, having a sufficient number of properly located smoke alarms is essential to maximize the amount of available escape time.
"Be Alarmed!" is a fire safety education and smoke alarm installation program administered cooperatively between the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance (IFSA) and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal (OSFM). The program distributes fire safety education materials and 10-year sealed battery ionization technology smoke alarms to fire departments in the state of Illinois. The fire departments then deliver the education and install smoke alarms in residential dwellings within their communities. Although this program is available to residential dwelling only, The Macomb Fire Department will be happy to assist or direct landlords and businesses with any compliance questions or concerns.
The Macomb Fire Department is excited to take part in the “Be Alarmed” program. It is our goal to ensure that all residents of Macomb are adequately protected by the proper quantity and installation of residential smoke alarms. What is more exciting is that the program is FREE to eligible residential dwellings. It is simple to enroll in the program and smoke alarm installation is provided by the Macomb Firefighters – FREE!
FAQ
No, The Macomb Fire Department would be happy to assist you with any compliance questions or concerns.
Smoke alarms have an expiration date, currently every 10 years. Enrolling in the program will afford an opportunity to have your detectors dates checked and current recommendations provided.
The International Fire Code states that you should include a smoke alarm:
- Outside every sleeping area.
- On every level of the home (including basement).
A 10-year sealed battery ionization technology smoke alarm with hush button. These detectors are generally more responsive to flaming fires. Since these detectors are a sealed battery style there is no need to worry about replacing the battery. After 10 years, however, the detector will need to be replaced.
Yes. Different types of alarms are available for different applications. For example, photoelectric detectors, which are generally more responsive to slow moving or smoldering fires. Interconnected detectors communicate with each other – if one detector activates all of the detectors that are interconnected will activate as well. Combination detectors include carbon monoxide detection in addition to smoke detection. These types of detectors are not included in the “Be Alarmed” program.
No. These detectors need to be wired to the house wiring.
If you choose to use a different type of detector you can still enroll in the “Be Alarmed” program. The Macomb Fire Department will be happy to assist you with the installation. The detector(s) would need to be purchased and provided by the resident.
You can still enroll in the “Be Alarmed” program. The Macomb Fire Department will be happy to assist you with the installation. The detector(s) would need to be purchased and provided by the resident. The detector would also need to be direct plug in to the home wiring and not require wiring retrofitting or modification.
It will depend on how much planning is necessary and how many detectors will need to be installed. It is anticipated to take approximately 10 minutes per detector.
The way the program has been designed the detectors cannot be handed out. They MUST be installed by a representative of the Macomb Fire Department.
What to Expect
Smoke alarm installations will be scheduled as planned with the resident. In most cases, the installation will be performed by on-duty firefighters. When the firefighters arrive at your location to perform an installation they will arrive in an emergency vehicle, in uniform, and with proper identification. Installers will discuss the intended installation needs and locations with you prior to beginning the installations. They will also provide education on smoke alarm maintenance, home fire safety, and home fire escape planning. Once the installations are completed, the firefighters are required to complete a brief Installation Survey with the resident.
**Please understand that because the installations will be performed by on-duty firefighters, emergency calls will take precedent over the installation and may delay or create the need to reschedule an installation.
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The Youth Fire Setter Program was established to provide an educational opportunity for youth who have experienced destructive fire related behavioral issues. The program consists of two meetings with the youth and parent(s) or legal guardians.
Educational / informational material is presented and the student assigned homework to be completed and returned during his/her second visit. Referrals are generated from various sources, including the youth parent(s), fire/police investigators, court appointed probation officers and other outside sources.
Program instructors are required to complete approved State of Illinois training.
The Macomb Fire Department, in partnership with the Illinois Office of State Fire Marshal, has committed to reducing the severity and frequency of the tragedy and trauma caused by children and their fire-related activities through specialized youth programming.
The Youth Fire Setter Intervention Program (YFSIP) is a program that features highly trained intervention specialists. Working in teams of two, they assist at-risk juveniles by interviewing, educating, offering guidance and providing referrals to other agencies for further assistance when needed.
Identification is what brings the child to the attention of the YFSIP program. This may be accomplished through a number of ways: teachers, parents, guardians, fire service personnel, law enforcement personnel and other agencies or community members. Anyone may refer a child as possibly being in need of an intervention. If you suspect or know that a child has been involved in fire-related behavior or activities, please contact the Macomb Fire Department at 309-836-7800 and ask for an Interventionists. They will gather more information and perform all necessary follow-up.
