On May 28, the Mount Prospect Fire Prevention Bureau, joined by 12 paid-on-call firefighters, installed 107 new smoke alarms in 29 homes across three manufactured home communities in unincorporated areas of Elk Grove Township: Oasis MHC, Blackhawk Estates, and Willoway Terrace. The initiative marks the second round of smoke alarm installations made possible through funding provided by Elk Grove Township.
The need identified through the program was significant. Before installation day, the 29 participating homes had a combined 36 smoke alarms, but only three were operational, and those three were expired. Ten homes had no smoke alarms at all. Following the installations, all 29 participating homes had functional smoke alarm coverage consistent with applicable safety standards, providing residents with reliable early warning protection in the event of a fire.
“This partnership is a great example of how local government agencies can work together to make a direct and meaningful difference in the lives of residents,” said Elk Grove Township Supervisor John Scaletta. “By providing the funding and working alongside the Mount Prospect Fire Department, we were able to help ensure these families have an essential layer of lifesaving protection in their homes.”
Beyond installing new alarms, the program focused on giving residents the knowledge and resources needed to remain safe. Each participating household received fire safety and home escape planning information in both English and Spanish. Approximately 41 percent of participating households identified Spanish or bilingual language preferences, making accessible education and communication an important component of the outreach effort.
The Mount Prospect Fire Department worked closely with property managers to connect with residents and coordinate voluntary appointments in each of the three manufactured home communities. Fire personnel then assessed each participating home, removed or replaced non-functioning and expired alarms, and installed new alarms based on current safety standards.
“We are extremely grateful to Chief Tom Wang, the Mount Prospect Fire Prevention Bureau, and the firefighters who helped bring this program directly into these communities,” Scaletta added. “The Township is proud to support an initiative that not only provides an immediate safety benefit, but also gives families the tools and information they need to help protect their homes and loved ones well into the future.” The May installation builds upon the continued partnership between Elk Grove Township and the Village of Mount Prospect Fire Department to address fire prevention and life safety needs within the community. The Mount Prospect Fire Prevention Bureau plans to conduct another round of smoke alarm installations in fall 2026, continuing the effort to reach residents who may lack adequate fire protection in their homes.
