Illinois e-News Release

January 22, 2026

Contacts: Philip Zaleski, Camp I Am Me Executive Director

(847) 390-0911  [email protected]

JC Fultz, Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal PIO

(217)685-2041 [email protected] 

Springfield, IL – In a collaborative effort between the nonprofit Camp I Am Me by Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal, Springfield Fire Department, and Springfield School District 186, specialized smoke alarm devices are being distributed to families with young deaf or hard of hearing children. 

This initiative addresses a critical life-safety need. Bed shaker alarms alert individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to fire emergencies by vibrating when a smoke alarm is activated. Historically, the high cost of this equipment made widespread distribution prohibitive. Through this new collaboration, the partner organizations are now able to remove that barrier and deliver this essential safety technology to students who need it most.

District 186 is proud to partner with these agencies to provide bed shaker alarms to eight families with deaf or hard of hearing children. These alarms offer families greater peace of mind during fire emergencies, and we are honored to connect our families with trusted community and state resources that support safety, accessibility and an improved quality of life.

Since 2018, Camp I Am Me and the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal have spearheaded the “Be Alarmed!” Smoke Alarm Installation Program, providing fire safety education materials and smoke alarms to fire departments statewide. Emergency responders then deliver the education while installing smoke alarms in at-risk homes within their communities, all at no cost. 

“Having working smoke alarms in homes is absolutely vital, especially as modern construction materials – many of which are synthetic – cause homes to burn faster and hotter than ever before, reducing escape time to two minutes or less,” said Illinois State Fire Marshal Michele Pankow. “Equally important is having a well-practiced fire escape plan that considers the unique needs of all family members, as some may require additional time to safely evacuate during a fire.”

In 2024, Camp I Am Me secured a FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program award of $315,000. This funding not only bolstered the ongoing efforts to install smoke alarms in Illinois homes but also enabled the acquisition of bed shaker smoke alarm devices designed to safeguard the deaf and hard of hearing community. 

Camp I Am Me Executive Director, Philip Zaleski, highlighted the importance of expanding the Be Alarmed! program, “The partnerships we continue to build between us, the OSFM, and 375 Illinois fire departments has led to more than 52,000 smoke alarms being distributed to protect Illinois residents since 2018. Working with Springfield School District 186 to reach these vulnerable students is allowing our smoke alarm program to evolve and protect even more people across the state.”

“The Springfield Fire Department has provided thousands of smoke detectors to our community over the years,” said Todd Taylor, City Fire Marshal. “With this partnership, we are now able to better serve a segment of our community that had previously been underserved. We are excited for this opportunity to make a real difference and help ensure every student has access to life-saving fire safety equipment.”

Homeowners in need of working smoke alarms or families requiring a bed shaker device due to a hearing impairment are encouraged to contact their local fire department through the non-emergency number.

Camp I Am Me by Illinois Fire Safety Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing safe, non-judgmental environments for burn survivors to have the opportunity to build their self-esteem and self-confidence as they experience the various programs and activities offered throughout the year. Camp I Am Me provides free programs throughout the year to children, adults, and families that have been affected by burn-related injuries, providing them the much-needed physical, psychological, and emotional support they deserve.