CHAMPAIGN, IL (CHAMBANA TODAY)– Following a devastating house fire that resulted in the heartbreaking loss of their son, Christian Sheehan, the Sheehan family and Champaign Fire Department are committed to ensuring every household is equipped with a functioning smoke detector. Their goal is to promote awareness and prevent further loss of life through proactive measures. Joy, her husband, and the speaker have resided in Champaign for their entire adult and married lives. They will celebrate their 38th wedding anniversary. They have raised five children within the Champaign Community. Despite lacking iconic features like oceans or towering mountains, Champaign’s abundant support and affection exemplify the essence of a caring community.
What does your organization do and why?
“We install free smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors through the Christian Sheehan Smoke Alarm campaigns. We do this to bring good from bad, & to give back to our community. In 2016 we lost our son Christian Sheehan (two days after his 24th birthday) to a house fire in Champaign. A $55 smoke alarm is a small price to pay in comparison to a fatality. Smoke alarms save lives!”
What is your relationship with the Champaign Fire Department?
“CFD has been a huge support since our loss. We collaborate with them annually to raise awareness and educate the community on fire safety and the importance of smoke alarms. People think they would wake up during the night if a fire broke out by smelling smoke. Your sense of smoke shuts off when you sleep. Fire is fueled by oxygen. Sleep with your bedroom door closed. CFD supports our smoke alarm events and does ALL the work to make these happen. From arranging all the details to even volunteering on their time. I know there is so much more they day that I don’t have any idea about. It is a wonderful partnership. Something beneficial to helping the grieving process of losing Chrisitan. CFD has been a very instrumental group allowing us to keep the memory of Christian alive and ongoing. We are very grateful for this.
What does a day of volunteering look like?
People arrive by 8 am at the Douglas Community Center. Groups can form teams of 3-4 people. If anyone does not have a team, we will place them on a team the day of the event. People will check in and then go to their perspective areas for a short training session by Champ Fire Staff. We will then provide tools, ladders, etc. Everything needed to go into the home and start installing free smoke alarms. Everyone needs to register to volunteer. Go to the annual smoke alarm page on FB and follow the prompts. If anyone has any issues with the sign-up process or questions in general they can reach out to me personally on my FB page or call the Champaign Fire Department. WE NEED VOLUNTEERS. Without volunteers, this event cannot happen.
What’s one thing you wish people knew about fire safety?
SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES! Our last smoke event, my daughter team installed 6 smoke alarms in a two-story house. Two months later that house had a fire that broke out and they lost everything. Due to working smoke alarms. Everyone got out safely.
Christian Sheehan Smoke Alarm Blitz 8am-12noon Douglass Community Center 512 E Grove Street, Champaign May 18, 2024
Volunteers will be installing free smoke alarms & carbon monoxide detectors. All are welcome, no experience needed Training provided by Champaign Fire Dept.
