Testing, testing...

NFPA Journal, Sep/Oct 2004 by Berkshire, Jennifer C

Harrell and her team are also taking their fire safety message to local nursing homes and assisted living communities, educating family members, facility managers, and residents alike.

"Sometimes, the key is to educate the family of an older adult. In a (nursing) home, we're really trying to educate the management. One resident and his or her actions can impact an entire community," says Harrell. "Management recognizes the need for some kind of education."

Harrell notes that, while the fire safety advocates are expanding their efforts in the wake of last year's tragedies, their smoke alarm program has already paid off in a big way: with "saves" that can be directly attributed to the installation of alarms.

"We've had three saves that were because of smoke alarms that one of our teams installed," she says. "That's a good feeling."

Edgewood, Kentucky: An FPW Open House, and Everyone Is Invited

Firefighter Joe Stambush has an open house scheduled for FPW 2004, and you're invited. This year, Stambush, who serves as the chair of the Kentucky Firefighters Association Public Education, will help coordinate eight different open houses, from Edgewood to Paducah.

"We encourage all of the fire departments in the area to hold open houses," he says. "It's a great opportunity for people to stop by during Fire Prevention Week and see what you're doing, plus they receive a safety message."

Visitors to the firehouse in Edgewood-Stambush expects as many as 3,000 residents to drop by-will find a special FPW exhibit highlighting smoke alarm safety. Various kinds of smoke alarms will be on display, from standard household models to ones equipped with flashing lights and blaring horns. But the alarms that Stambush expects visitors to be most "alarmed" by are the ones that made it through a home fire.

"We can show them alarms are that literally melted and explain that this alarm was working right up until it burned. It's a visible reminder of how important that advanced warning is," says Stambush.

Stambush first opened the doors of the Edgewood firehouse back in 1980 to kick off FPW, and after nearly 25 years of coordinating open houses, he considers himself an old hand when it comes to reaching out to the community. But fire departments looking to host their first open house during FPW 2004 don't need years of experience to hold a successful event, says the retired firefighter.

"Open up the firehouse on a Sunday," suggests Stambush. "This is just an easy way for you to introduce yourselves to the community, and FPW is the logical time."

Of course, residents of northern Kentucky don't have to stop at their local firehouse to hear about this year's FPW safety message. Stambush and other fire safety advocates will also be out in their communities, spreading the word about the importance of smoke alarms. Three different fire departments will blitz local neighborhoods, going door-to-door in order to determine who has smoke alarms and who doesn't. Those missing the life-saving devices get them installed for free.