Peoria Fire Department Offers Free Smoke Alarm Installations

The program aims to improve home fire safety and survival rates in the community.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:24pm

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An abstract, impressionistic photograph showing the blurred silhouette of a firefighter's hand installing a smoke alarm, surrounded by soft, warm pools of light and color, conveying the caring, community-focused nature of the fire department's safety initiative.The Peoria Fire Department's free smoke alarm installation program aims to improve home fire safety and survival rates across the community.Peoria Today

The Peoria Fire Department is providing free smoke alarm installations for residents year-round. The department has installed over 1,000 alarms valued at $25,000 to date, with the goal of improving fire safety and survival rates in homes across the city.

Why it matters

Working smoke alarms can increase a person's chance of surviving a home fire by up to 60%. However, the fire department estimates that more than half of homes in Peoria do not have functional smoke detectors, putting residents at greater risk.

The details

Peoria residents can now request a free smoke alarm installation online, with crews usually able to schedule an appointment within a month. The fire department focuses on installing alarms in the East Bluff and South Side neighborhoods, where they have seen higher emergency call volumes. Each home receives alarms on every level.

  • The Peoria Fire Department has installed over 1,000 smoke alarms since launching the program.
  • Residents can now request a free smoke alarm installation online, with appointments usually scheduled within a month.

The players

Peoria Fire Department

The local fire department providing free smoke alarm installations to improve home fire safety in the community.

Nathaniel Rice

The Division of Fire Prevention Chief for the Peoria Fire Department, who oversees the smoke alarm installation program.

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What they’re saying

“It's by doing something proactive and helping somebody before they have that problem and before they're stuck in a burning building, then it's vitally important we do that for them.”

— Nathaniel Rice, Division of Fire Prevention Chief, Peoria Fire Department

What’s next

The Peoria Fire Department will continue offering free smoke alarm installations to residents throughout the year, with a focus on neighborhoods with higher emergency call volumes.

The takeaway

The Peoria Fire Department's proactive smoke alarm installation program is a valuable community service that can significantly improve fire safety and survival rates for local residents, especially in areas with historically lower rates of working smoke detectors.