Smoke Alarm Funding Shortfall Impacts Statewide MI Prevention Program

Graafschap Fire Department Continues Its Commitment to Community Risk Reduction

GRAAFSCHAP, MI — August 20, 2026 — The Graafschap Fire Department is notifying area residents that the State of Michigan’s MI Prevention smoke alarm program, administered through the Bureau of Fire Services, is currently experiencing a significant funding and inventory shortfall.

The program did not receive a Fiscal Year 2027 state appropriation, and the standard state-supplied inventory of smoke alarms is largely exhausted. As a result, the state-backed distribution network is currently unable to fulfill new bulk smoke alarm requests from local fire departments.

State Funding Shortfall

The Graafschap Fire Department understands the important role that the MI Prevention program has played in supporting local fire departments across Michigan. The program has allowed departments to reach residents who may otherwise have difficulty obtaining properly functioning smoke alarms.

However, with the current state funding shortfall and limited inventory, local departments are facing challenges in maintaining their normal supply of state-provided alarms.

This does not change the importance of smoke alarms, nor does it change Graafschap Fire Department’s commitment to fire prevention and community risk reduction.

Our Message to Residents

The Graafschap Fire Department encourages every household to make sure it has properly installed and functioning smoke alarms.

Residents should:

• Test smoke alarms regularly.
• Replace alarms that do not function properly.
• Have smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level of the home.
• Replace smoke alarms according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Make sure carbon monoxide alarms are installed on each level of the home.
• Develop and practice a home fire escape plan.
• Make sure everyone in the household knows two ways out of every sleeping area when possible.
• Contact the fire department with questions about home fire safety.

If you have a smoke alarm that is not working, don’t ignore it and contact the fire department so we can maintain an ongoing list of needs. Early warning saves lives. If you can afford to purchase the 10-yr lithium smoke or carbon monoxide alarms, we would be happy to install them for you.

Looking Ahead

While the current state-funded smoke alarm supply is limited, the Graafschap Fire Department will continue to monitor the availability of MI Prevention resources and look for additional funding opportunities to obtain smoke alarms and for our community.

The department is proud that its commitment to Community Risk Reduction began more than a decade ago with a simple idea: help people before they need us.

That mission continues today.

For information about the Michigan MI Prevention program, visit the Michigan Bureau of Fire Services MI Prevention program.

For local fire prevention and Community Risk Reduction information, contact the Graafschap Fire Department.

Graafschap Fire Department
Chief Doug DenBleyker
616 396-4060
4534 60^th St. Holland, MI 49423
www.graafschapfire.com