JULY 31, 1998 - The State Office of Fire Safety (OFS) now will get immediate information about important fire safety issues, thanks to a new 24-hour, toll-free "hotline," announced Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services (CIS) Director Kathleen M. Wilbur.

The Incident Reporting Hotline (1-888-231-6340) will be answered by OFS staff between 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. After hours, it will be answered by an informational mailbox where callers can leave pertinent information. The voice-mail system will immediately page on-call OFS staff, who will return the call to the reporting department within 15 minutes to assess the need for an on-site response.

"This hotline will allow Michigan's Fire Service to immediately alert the Office of Fire Safety, any time of the day or night, about real or potential fire issues at state-regulated facilities," said Wilbur. "The safety of Michigan residents is our number one concern, and the hotline will further that safety by facilitating the reporting of facility fires, evacuations and other emergency situations."

OFS-regulated facilities include hospitals, nursing homes and homes for the aged; adult foster care facilities; schools, including colleges, universities and dormitories; and state correctional facilities and city/county jails.

"The hotline is not exclusively for emergency purposes," said OFS Director Tony Sanfilippo. "It also may be used to communicate a wide variety of fire safety issues of mutual concern, which we expect will result in even greater safety measures for state residents."

Read more Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services press releases.