By Lily Leung
Arizona Republic
Copyright 2007 The Arizona Republic
SURPRISE, Ariz. — Prompted by the death of a paramedic who was the brother of the Surprise fire chief, a Phoenix businessman is calling on companies in Surprise to help get smoke detectors into older homes and mobile homes.
Mike Shabkie, managing partner for an emergency products company, donated $2,500 to go toward purchasing smoke detectors. He is also encouraging other businesses to join him and the Surprise Fire Department in the campaign.
Shabkie is touting the cause in honor of Steve D. White, 47, a paramedic for Southwest Ambulance who died in July after a fire swept through his Peoria mobile home, which did not have a smoke detector.
White, who died of smoke inhalation, was the younger brother of Surprise Fire Chief Mike White.
Shabkie, formerly the West Valley vice president for Southwest Ambulance, now owns Priority One Enterprises. He donated enough money to buy 500 smoke detectors.
He said he hoped this would “set the standard” for donations from other companies.
It also is the first step in what Shabkie hopes will become a “viable program for years to come.” The program will be in full swing by Oct. 7, the start of Fire Prevention Week.
Shabkie is working with the Northwest Valley Chamber of Commerce to publicize the campaign. The next step is identifying a program coordinator, he said.