Updating Smoke Alarms One House at a Time

After a house fire in Berrien Springs took the life of a three year old child in November 2011, the Berrien Springs Oronoko Fire Department has been helping the community install smoke alarms where needed. Over the years, the department has found less than 35% of the homes they respond to have enough working smoke alarms. To address this need they applied for a Fire Prevention and Safety Grant from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, they received $110,000. That money has gone to aiding residents with working smoke alarms free of charge. The effort is ongoing, the department will check your current smoke alarms and replace any that fail to work or are nine years and older. Alarms are still available, contact the Berrien Springs Oronoko Fire Department for details.