Community Corner

Palatine Boy Scout Creates Fire Prevention Program That Lives On

Jaxon Stout's Eagle Scout Project involved installing smoke detectors in Palatine homes inhabited by senior citizens and the disabled. The program created by the incoming junior at Fremd High School, will continue on starting this fall.

Jaxon Stout, whose 16th birthday happens to be Monday, June 17, had a truly successful Eagle Scout project – one that will now continue and become a program supported by the Village of Palatine.

Stout, who is a member of Palatine Boy Scout Troop 209, decided early on he wanted to work with two populations he felt he could help. His Eagle Scout project involved identifying homes in Winston Park and in downtown Palatine owned by either senior citizens or the disabled, and installing working smoke detectors for them. 

One reason the choice was a smart, and strategic one, is that both groups represent the highest percentage of fatalities in home fires.

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“Jaxon decided to target the elderly, and handicapped – both are most times physically unable to install smoke detectors themselves,” said Rick Marek, Palatine Fire Marshall. “These two groups are hit hardest with major life losses, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

The project began in the fall of 2012, when Stout got some assistance from the American Legion and First Alert.

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Stout said the American Legion helped cover the cost to mail out 3,400 flyers to Palatine residents about the program, and First Alert donated in all, more than 150 brand new smoke detectors to be installed in the homes.

Stout said his strong relationship with his grandparents was part of the reason he decided to focus his project on these specific populations.

“I wanted to find a way to help them, initially I thought it was going to be a lot harder than it was,” Stout said.

He said he after more than 70 residents responded to the mailer, he scheduled times for smoke alarms to be checked in the homes, and installed if new detectors were needed.

Under Stout’s leadership, according to Marek, he trained 14 Boy Scouts and five adults to help install the detectors.

“You can be a little nervous going into a strangers house, but in cases where I installed the detectors, my Mom would come along and talk to the people while I was working,” Stout said.

The program will now continue this fall, Marek said, and Boy Scouts who participate will achieve required service hours. The Palatine Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) also will help to lead to the effort.

“It was a very impressive type of program that Jaxon put together for the community, and he did find many residents with non-functioning smoke detectors, or none at all,” Marek said.

Stout's program wrapped up in early June, and he said he is more than satisfied with its outcome.

“I’m very happy with my choice, we technically helped to save lives, and I am very proud of that,” he said. 


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