Public Education

Model Programs For Reducing Fire and Injury

by Michael O'Brian on May 6, 2012

Leaders Demonstrate Life Saving Programs

Have you ever sat in a room of your peers and wonder “Why didn’t I think of that” or  ”how did they have time to get it done?” That ahh ha moment came multiple teams this weekend as I participated in the Models in Fire Prevention Symposium put on by the great folks associated with Vision 20/20.

The three day program highlighted programs from across the United States that are part of a community risk reduction strategy.  Some of the presenters where some of the most talented folks in our business.  Highlights included:

  • The art and science of developing a prevention culture by Chief Zikmund
  • People with profound hearing loss, partnering in community risk reduction
  • ITM, regulating and managing qualifications of contractors and their employees
  • Reducing nuisance [click to continue…]

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Jumpstart Your Fire Prevention Efforts

RIT the Public Educator

by Michael O'Brian on November 28, 2011

Three key elements for invigorating public education programs

This is a special post from Bobby Clark

Fire prevention is the front line offensive assault unit of firefighting. The officers who fill these ranks are proactive, stubborn, righteous and creative; they face almost hopeless odds, but they persevere. They must maintain vigilant awareness in an environment that would overwhelm the average person. That is what makes them and this profession unique. Unfortunately, complacency has infested certain areas of fire prevention, specifically public education.

Public education, it seems, has morphed from a vibrant, proactive concept into a seldom-thought-about item, something that’s included in the department’s mission statement, but merely to check a box. But here’s the thing: Public education is the most important program a department can invest in. The mission of every department is life safety and property conservation, and the only way to truly accomplish that is through a regular, creative, robust public education program.

Don’t get me wrong; time is, as we all know, our [click to continue…]

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Live Webcast on Fire Prevention

by Michael O'Brian on June 29, 2010

Vision 2020

Vision 20/20 Offers Access to Model Performance In Fire Prevention Symposium

Have you ever wondered what are the model fire prevention programs in the United States?

Well you can tune in today and be apart of history.  The vision 20/20 symposium is on its second day of sharing the best ideas across the United States.  The free web-cast will allow you to tune in and see some of the exciting programs that are being discussed

View the web-cast

Todays symposium includes [click to continue…]

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Preparing for Fire Prevention Week: The Open House

by Michael O'Brian on September 17, 2008

A special post from Tom Kiurski

If you work for a fire department that has an existing open house that is held in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week (the most common time to have the Open House, although you can have one at any time), then consider yourself lucky.  Much of the groundwork necessary to undertake this monumental task has already been laid.   Your role is to take part in the Open House by helping out before the event, working the event itself and helping out afterwards.  Let’s take a look at the stops involved, to see if you can start your event or make it better.

You probably wouldn’t wake up one morning and head out the door on a vacation without some advance planning.  Where to go, reservations and packing are all essential parts of the process.  The Open House is no different…without planning, your chances of having a successful, smooth-running event are quite slim.  Start well in advance, preferably a full year ahead of time.  Get the fire department administration and the firefighters to help out.  If your firefighters are anywhere near as crafty as ours are, then you will have some great talent to help you out.  Break down the work into smaller parts, such as publicity, props and partnerships.

The publicity group needs to be involved in scheduling the event and doing any advertising to get crowds to attend your event.  Flyers are a [click to continue…]

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