It was December 2, 2017 when a house filled with smoke in Guthrie. The two people inside were able to escape, thanks to smoke alarms installed just three months prior by the Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation (OkAT) AFG grant and Nick Mueller, OSU Fire Protection alumnus.
Fire Safety Technology program
Originally from Colorado, Mueller came to OSU after taking a concurrent enrolment fire science class during his senior year of high school. This sparked his interest in this field of study and career path. After hearing high praise from professionals about OSU’s Fire Protection and Safety Technology program, Mueller enrolled.
As a student, Mueller worked at Fire Protection Publications as a student smoke alarm installer.
Smoke alarm installer
The equipment installed includes single station smoke alarms and a bed shaker alert device"
“My most prominent role was installing smoke alarms in the homes of those with disabilities whom applied and were accepted by the OkAT smoke alarm program,” said Mueller, adding “The equipment installed includes single station smoke alarms and a bed shaker alert device.”
This was the equipment he installed in a Guthrie home in September 2017. The consumer had low vision and mobility impairment. The smoke alarms Mueller installed alerted her and her caregiver to a fire in December 2017. They escaped unharmed.
Fire protection students
“It is always a pleasure to employ fire protection students at FPP and to involve them in meaningful work related to their field of study,” said Nancy J. Trench, Assistant Director at Fire Protection Publications (FPP). She adds, “It is also a testament to the positive impact of externally funded projects on undergraduate students.”
Now, an OSU alumnus, Mueller is excited and prepared to start his career in the fire service. “I hope to do the most I can to positively affect the community where I will work,” said Mueller, adding “Being at OSU gave me access to a community of fire protection and safety professionals to contact with questions and ideas.”