The Park Forest Fire Department has installed more than 55 smoke alarms in local homes as part of a statewide safety campaign and is encouraging more residents to sign up for free installations.
The effort is part of the Be Alarmed! Smoke Alarm Installation Statewide Blitz, a coordinated initiative involving hundreds of fire agencies across Illinois. The program, held Oct. 19–25 during National Fire Prevention Month, aims to increase the number of working smoke alarms in homes and educate the public about fire safety.
Deputy Chief Taylor Bordewyk said the response from Park Forest residents has been positive, but the department still has plenty of alarms available.
“The blitz has been fairly successful so far — we installed over 55 detectors last week and have more on the books for this week,” Bordewyk said. “The residents were very appreciative and said it was comforting to know they were protected. We still have plenty available, so we’d love to send that message out again and get more installed.”
The statewide initiative is organized by the Illinois Fire Service, Camp I Am Me, the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, and the Illinois Community Risk Reduction Coalition Task Force.
In 2024, the Park Forest Fire Department responded to 5,189 emergency calls, including 1,287 fire responses. Of those, 53 were structure fires, according to the department’s annual report. Fire officials noted that several of those incidents involved missing or non-operational smoke alarms.
Residents who participate in the program will also receive safety information on how to test and maintain their smoke alarms.
Those interested in receiving a free smoke alarm can contact the Park Forest Fire Department at 708-748-5605.
Bordewyk reminded residents that rental properties and apartments are typically not eligible for the program, as landlords are required by law to provide and maintain working smoke alarms.