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Springfield fire division offers free smoke-detector installation, urges escape plans after recent fires

Springfield Fire Rescue and Springfield Police Department (City of Springfield) · October 31, 2025

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Summary

Chief Jacob King said the fire division will provide free smoke detectors and installation to city residents and emphasized testing detectors and practicing escape plans, including at night. He cited a recent West Side structure fire and a Wittenberg University incident as examples where alarms and preparedness aided response.

Fire Chief Jacob King said Springfield Fire Rescue offers free smoke detectors and installation to any city resident and can help households develop escape plans. “We offer free smoke detectors to any of the residents in the city, and we'll come out and install them for you,” King said, directing residents to call Fire Station 1 or submit a request through springfieldohio.gov/fire division.

King emphasized placing detectors outside bedrooms, testing them regularly and using events such as daylight-saving time to change batteries. He urged families to practice escape routes at different times of day and to include night drills: “You should do definitely, work on practicing your escape plans at different times of the day and especially try one at night,” King said, noting reduced visibility and different dynamics after dark.

King described a recent West Side house fire where occupants evacuated safely because smoke detectors alerted them and they had an escape plan; crews upgraded the response en route and contained the fire. He also said crews responded to a significant lower-floor fire at Wittenberg University following a fire alarm.

The chief said prevention messaging and school outreach will continue, and staff plan to distribute safety information at upcoming community events. Residents requesting free smoke detectors should contact Fire Station 1 or the fire division request form on springfieldohio.gov.