A heritage of public safety

A working smoke alarm could provide the all-important advance warning that could save a life in a structure fire. In her nine years of service as the secretary of the Willow Springs Fire Department (WSFD), Kim McCormick has noticed a theme in most fire calls at someone’s home or building. Most of the locations do not have working smoke alarms.

 

And she set out to change it. 

 

“Fire is indiscriminate and can strike any home, any place, any time.  Smoke alarms give the additional time to evacuate that might make the difference between life and death,” McCormick told Howell County News.

 

“Public safety is truly in our blood. My dad served the fire service for forty years, retiring as an assistant chief. I grew up thinking monthly smoke alarm tests, random midnight fire drills, alarm tones day and night and interrupted holidays was normal,” she said.

 

McCormick married into public safety as well. Her husband, Paul, is a retired police officer. They passed on a culture of public service to their children. 

 

Their youngest daughter joined WSFD at 15, obtained a fire science degree, and is currently employed by the United States Forest Service as a wildland firefighter.

 

Growing up and staying close to the fire service, McCormick saw many examples of departments handing out free smoke alarms, and she wondered why the program did not exist in Willow Springs. 

“Over the years, I have posed this question, but it has never been a program that was pursued,” she said. 

 

She asked again recently, and this time – the answer was yes. It took about seven months of phone calls, waiting, and logistical challenges, McCormick said, but at long last, WSFD announced the program for the first time in June 2024. 

 

Free smoke alarms are available now and ready to be installed by a firefighter, and the program is open to all city and rural members.

 

It was a triumph for McCormick – and for public safety, but there has been very little interest.

 

“Knowing that we can provide each home with a simple tool that has the potential to save a life is truly exciting… We have had very little response at this time, but I think it is more because people aren't aware we offer this program. It is something new, and it isn't expected or common knowledge,” she said. 

 

If you want a free smoke alarm installed, email wsrfpa@gmail.com or wsfd@willowspringsmo.com or call the city of Willow Springs 417-469-2107.  WSFD will set up a time to have a firefighter come out and install a new smoke alarm. While the firefighters are in the home, they can do a safety inspection and point out potential hazards.

 

“This is a low-key unofficial conversation where they might just point out a potentially hazardous situation. It also gives them an opportunity to see the layout of the home should we ever have to respond and then they are familiar with the layout and location of bedrooms where they would look for missing persons. We do this routinely with commercial buildings and it is very helpful to roll-up on scene and know what they are working with. The smoke alarm will be installed, and a short conversation will follow on how it works,” McCormick explained.