Barry County United Way - Smoke Detector App

Smoke Detector Program & Application

The Barry County Fire Association and Barry County United Way would like to remind residents that the free smoke detector program is still going on throughout our community. “This program can provide the first alert to getting out of a home when fire is eminent”, says Hickory Corners Fire Chief Mark Iles. A grant from the Pennock Foundation and Hastings Kiwanis made these detectors available for free to qualifying households.

The applications will be available at MainStreet Savings Bank, Township Offices, Commission on Aging, Coleman Insurance Agency, The Chamber of Commerce, The Barry County United Way office, and your local fire departments or use the form located on this page. You may also access an application on-line at www.bcunitedway.org or www.hastings.mi.us. Once the application is filled out and returned to Barry County United Way or your local fire department, firefighters will call to set a time to inspect your home for smoke detector placement. While there they will install additional smoke detectors as needed and check the batteries on current detectors. The firefighters will leave a brochure with the home owner explaining how to set up a fire escape plan. “The smoke detector will provide the first alarm, but knowing how to get out and where to go are just as important,” says Freeport Fire Chief Jim Yarger.

“We have been surprised by the number of homes with one or less detector. In the last year 327 homes have been inspected, 799 devices installed, and 26% of the homes had no working detector. These are much larger numbers than anticipated when the grants were applied for,” states Lani Forbes of the Barry County United Way.

“It’s great that we received these grants to provide this program, if we can save one life it will be wonderful!” says Dave Middleton, Thornapple Fire Chief. According to the NFPA, the vast majority of fatal fires (60%) occur in homes without smoke alarms. A majority of those deaths that occur in homes with smoke alarms are a result of dead or missing batteries.

The Barry County Fire Association would like to also remind you of a few other fire related issues.

With heating bills soaring this winter there is a concern about using alternative heat sources that are not safe. The Fire Association reminds you to make sure that any alternative heat sources that you may use are rated for use indoors and are properly vented.

When you change your clocks this Saturday, don’t forget to change the batteries and test your smoke detectors.

Home Smoke Detector Program Application
This program is designed to assist families that are in need of smoke detectors in their homes. By completing this form below you are requesting your area fire department personnel to enter your home and provide an evaluation of your current smoke detectors and install additional smoke detectors as deemed necessary. By completing this form below, recipient agrees to read and follow the smoke detector instructions found in the owner's manual at all times. By completing this form below, recipient and anyone acting on his/her behalf knowingly and willingly agrees to fully release, hold harmless, defend and indemnify Barry County United Way, Hastings Kiwanis, Pennock Foundation, all fire departments listed above and its employees, together with the officers, employees, agents, successors, assignees, subsidiaries, divisions, and affiliates of these entities from all costs, claims and liabilities which in any way may be related to recipients referral, acquisition and use of the smoke detector provided to him/her as part of this offer.

First & Last Name *
Street Address *
City *
Zip Code *
Phone Number
Best time to reach you
Your Responding Fire Department
Age of residents in home
Age of home
# of smoke detectors currently in home
Do You Own Or Rent Your Home
Have you had a child born at Pennock Hospital in the last 3 years
Is the smoke detector you received currently installed in your home?
Please Agree To The Information Submited	Yes I, the homeowner/renter of this home at the above address understand the information I have been given and agree to keep smoke detectors in working order.
Submit This Form