Wednesday, December 9, 2009

New Fire Safety Hidden Picture Puzzle by Artist Liz Ball


The Keep Kids Fire Safe Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of a new fire safety hidden puzzle picture by artist Liz Ball! Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog and Firefighter Dayna Hilton enjoyed working on the project with Liz with the goal of helping spread the fire safety message in a unique way among children and their caregivers.

Liz is the author/illustrator of the popular Hidden Treasures hidden picture puzzle books. More than 3000 of her hidden pictures are published in over 100 newspapers, magazines and publications throughout the U.S. and internationally.

Click on the picture below to go to the page!


Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Fire Evacuation Video by Michael, 4

This video was sent to me by Greg from Everyday EMS Tips.

Greg shared with me that over the weekend he and his son, Michael, 4, picked up the free book, "The Great Safety Adventure Home Safety Fun Book" by the Home Safety Council at Lowes.
Michael was paging through the book doing the coloring activities and asked his mom about the activity "Fire Escape Plan Worksheet." They read the instructions and did the activity together last night. Michael was very proud to show his plan to his when he was done.

Greg is a paramedic and his wife is an ER nurse so they find it only natural for to talk to their children about fire safety and prevention.





Michael says, "To learn more about safety and injury prevention visit my Dad's website http://everydayemstips.com"

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Participate in Lowe’s Safety Saturday

Home Safety Council and Lowe’s are teaming up with local fire departments to sponsor Safety Saturday events at all Lowe’s locations across the nation. A kickoff event for Fire Safety Month in October, Safety Saturday will take place on September 26 and will provide an opportunity for members of the community to learn about fire safety from local emergency responders. Learn more about Safety Saturday and how you can participate at www.homesafetycouncil.org/SafetySaturday/sat_safetysaturday_w001.asp.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Firesafetyeducator.com visits the PARADE Conference



The Prevention Advocacy Resources and Data Exchange (PARADE) program is a regionally based network designed to foster the exchange of fire-related prevention/ protection information and resources among Federal, State, and local levels of government. The PARADE network is modeled in approach and mechanism after the National Fire Academy's highly successful TRADE (Training Resources and Data Exchange) program.

PARADE was initiated in 2003 to better assist the Nation's fire marshals in implementing effective prevention programs and materials and to conduct other networking activities. The collaborative relationship between the USFA and the PARADE network enables the prevention/mitigation/risk-reduction community to better address issues of safety for the American people.

The PARADE network consists of the 50 State Fire Marshals, fire marshals from the Nation's largest fire departments, and one representative from each of the 10 Federal regions appointed by International Fire Marshals Association (IFMA) leadership to represent smaller jurisdictions. Metropolitan fire department PARADE representatives are from the largest fire departments in each State or those fire departments that protect populations greater than 200,000, and/or have more than 400 uniformed personnel.

The next National PARADE conference is scheduled for Spring 2011 on the Emmitsburg, Maryland campus.

To learn more about PARADE, click HERE.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Firesafetyeducator.com Interviews Dr. Angela Mickalide from the Home Safety Council

Fires and burns are a big problem in America for preschool-aged children. Each year, thousands are injured or killed from accidents in the home that could be prevented. The Home Safety Council has teamed up with Weekly Reader Custom Publishing on Start Safe: A Fire and Burn Safety Program for Preschoolers and their Families.

Firesafetyeducator.com recently visited with Dr. Angela Mickalide from the Home Safety Council to learn more about this important program.



To learn more about the Start Safe Program, click HERE.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

7th Annual Texas Summer Showcase

Received this note from Bryan Jarvis about the 7th Annual Texas Summer Showcase

Dear Fire Educator -

We're pleased to announce the 7th Annual Texas Summer Showcase! It will be held August 27 & 28 at the Denton Civic Center in Denton, Texas.

This is the Seventh year for this exciting event, and it's a great way to get a tune up of your program before going "live." And, if you don't havea program it's a great way to come and get ideas.

We invite you to bring your program - it doesn't need to be polished - and share it with your peers. You'll get valuable critiques and maybe even new ideas to add to your program.
Sign up today and we look forward to seeing your program!

For more information, contact:

Bryan "Ashes" Jarvis Jarvistraining@lifeandfiresafety.com

Cell: (972) 768-2002http://www.laughingj.com Fax: (972) 353-3169 http://www.lifeandfiresafety.com

Monday, June 15, 2009

NFPA Firework Video

According to the National Fire Protection Association, each July Fourth, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks - devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death. The Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks is a group of health and safety organizations, coordinated by NFPA, that urges the public to avoid the use of consumer fireworks and instead, to enjoy displays of fireworks conducted by trained professionals.



See this video and some great fact sheets on the NFPA website HERE.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Home Safety Council Releases New Educational Program: Start Safe: A Fire and Burn Safety Education Program for Preschoolers and Their Families

Today I was excited to learn that the Home Safety Council released its newest education program for preschoolers and their families. Start Safe: A Fire and Burn Safety Education Program for Preschoolers and Their Families.

Fires and burns are a big problem in America for preschool-aged children. Each year, thousands are injured or killed from accidents in the home that could be prevented. The Home Safety Council has teamed up with Weekly Reader Custom Publishing on Start Safe: A Fire and Burn Safety Program for Preschoolers and their Families.

Funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Office of Domestic Preparedness, Start Safe provides resources for preschool teachers and administrators to work hand-in-hand with a local fire department. Working together, using developmentally-appropriate teaching tools from Start Safe, teachers and local fire safety experts can deliver life-saving lessons to the preschoolers. Perhaps even more importantly, they can also reach parents and caregivers with key safety messages and help them take action to reduce the risk of fires and burns at home.

Tools for Educators

Additional program materials will be added in the coming weeks.

A national Start Safe training program was conducted by HSC in Orlando, Florida, on April 26-28, 2009. Funded in part through a generous donation from Tyco International, the training brought together 12 teams of Head Start teachers, parents and fire and life safety educators to introduce them to the Start Safe program and provide best practices for implementation.

The Home Safety Council will formally evaluate the Start Safe program during a 10-week pilot test and use the findings to revise the guidance materials for program implementation. Start Safe will be distributed to 6,700 Head Start preschool classrooms across America, and in August 2009, the free program will be offered to the fire service through HSC’s Expert Network resource: www.homesafetycouncil.org/expertnetwork.

According to Meri-K Appy, President of the Home Safety Council, "Safety Saturday" will be held September 26 at local Lowe's stores. More information on the national event will be coming soon.

NFPA Kicks Off National Electrical Safety Month

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is kicking off National Electrical Safety Month (May) by reminding the public to be aware of the risks associated with the use of electricity, and providing safety tips to assist individuals in taking steps to reduce the risk of experiencing a home electrical fire.

In recent years, an average of 53,000 home electrical fires have been reported per year. These fires resulted in an average of 500 deaths, 1,400 injuries, and $1.5 billion in direct property damage per year. One of every seven home fires was an electrical fire. Any type of equipment that uses electricity may be involved in an electrical fire. Some type of electrical distribution equipment such as wiring, light switches, outlets, cords, and plugs or lighting equipment was involved in roughly half of the home electrical fires. There are also many home electrical fires involving air conditioners, fans, clothes dryers and appliances.

"Whether you are actively flipping a switch, inserting a plug, or simply enjoying all the electric-powered appliances in your home, the risk of fire may not be on your mind," said Lorraine Carli, NFPA's vice president of communications. "Most electrical fires can be easily avoided. The first step in preventing them is to be aware of the danger, the second is to learn the rules of fire safety and then put them into practice."

NFPA has resources for educators HERE.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Home Safety Council® Presents 2009 Dr. Anne W. Phillips Award


Patricia Mieszala, RN, Recognized for Lifetime of Commitment to Reducing Burn Injuries and Juvenile-Related Fires

The Home Safety Council presented the third annual Dr. Anne W. Phillips Award for Leadership in Fire Safety Education to Patricia Mieszala, RN, at the Congressional Fire Services Institute’s (CFSI) National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner in Washington, DC on April 2, 2009.

Throughout her 40-year career, beginning with ten years of service as a psychiatric burn nurse clinician at Cook County Hospital’s Sumner L. Koch Burn Center in Chicago, Mieszala has earned national and international recognition for her tireless commitment to reducing burn injuries and juvenile-related fires through public awareness, education and intervention programs.

A long-standing member of the American Burn Association, Mieszala served on the ABA Board of Directors in the late 1970’s. Working with Dr. Anne Phillips and others, she was instrumental in moving the organization to include prevention in their overall mission. Mieszala served as a charter member of the coalition that successfully lobbied Congress and established the first week in February as National Burn Awareness Week. 2009 marked the 24th anniversary of the effort to reduce burn injury through a concerted public awareness and education campaign.

“Pat Mieszala has devoted her career to helping fire and life safety educators across North America protect children, older adults, and people of all ages and abilities from fires and burns through the power of education and action,” said Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council. “Especially as we mark Dr. Phillips’ recent passing, I am honored, through this award, to recognize how Pat’s distinguished contributions to our field deepen and extend Anne Phillips’ inspiring legacy.”

Mieszala is passionate about improving methods to identify and treat youth who set fires. For more than 20 years, she has managed juvenile firesetting and arson prevention grants and contracts from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Fire Academy. Mieszala was one of the original authors of the FEMA/USFA Juvenile Firesetter Handbooks and has produced child firesetter and juvenile arson instructor training packages through a grant from the FEMA National Arson Prevention Initiative.

She also worked with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to develop and oversee the nationwide implementation of the Learn Not to Burn ® elementary and middle school curricula and continued as a contract NFPA Field Advisor for the Risk Watch® Injury Prevention and Natural Disasters school curriculum. For the past ten years and continuing today, Pat works with communities and states that use the Risk Watch program as part of their ongoing fire and injury prevention efforts at the local and state level.

Currently, Mieszala travels throughout the United States and Canada as a public education advisor for NFPA and assists in implementing the Association’s public education programs on disaster preparedness and fire, fall and injury prevention. For the past nine years, Mieszala has served on the NFPA Education Section’s Board of Directors and has been an active participant in the NFPA’s Educational Messages Advisory Committee since its inception in 2004.

About the Dr. Anne W. Phillips Award
Named after Dr. Anne Wight Phillips, the award honors Dr. Phillips’ outstanding achievements as a champion of fire safety education and celebrates her role as a leader whose exemplary work in fire safety education has had a lasting impact on the nation's safety. As a member of the National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, Phillips authored the 1973 Minority Report as an appendix to the Commission’s landmark report, America Burning, pushing the Commission to recognize the important role of prevention in reducing fire injury and death. Throughout her life, Dr. Phillips demonstrated an unwavering dedication to fire prevention and preparedness, as the basis to strengthening fire safety education across the country. Having established the award in her honor in 2007, the Home Safety Council aims to keep the example and spirit of Dr. Phillips alive well beyond her passing in 2009 by celebrating those whose own work has made a meaningful contribution to protecting society from unwanted fire.


Wednesday, April 8, 2009

USFA Announces Arson Awareness Week Theme for 2009

EMMITSBURG, MD - The United States Fire Administration (USFA) announces the theme for the 2009 Arson Awareness Week: "Arson for Profit". USFA and its partners will use the week of May 3rd to the 9th to focus public attention on the alarming statistics about Arson for Profit and hopes to expand the resources and support necessary to reduce this crime.

Arson for Profit, or economic arson, is when businesses or individuals set fires to reduce financial loss, recoup initial investments, or dispose of depreciated assets usually for a payout from insurance companies. The USFA is partnering with the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI).

"Each year firefighters and innocent civilians are needlessly put in danger, injured and killed as a result of arson fires," said Glenn A. Gaines, Acting United States Fire Administrator. "We are pleased to partner with the law enforcement community on efforts to reduce the crime of arson."

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2005 an estimated 323,900 intentional fires reported to U.S. fire departments resulted in 490 civilian fire deaths, 3 firefighter onduty deaths, 1,500 civilian fire injuries, 7,600 firefighter onduty injuries and $1.102 billion in direct property damage.

"Arson is a costly crime that's being fanned by the flames of recession. Firefighters and innocent families are endangered when desperate people illegally torch their homes, businesses and cars for insurance bailouts," according to Dennis Jay, Executive Director, Coalition Against Insurance Fraud. "Arson also is raising insurance premiums at a time of great stress on honest people's pocketbooks. All Americans are victims of arson, and we all must work to ensure fewer arson matches are ever lit."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's 2007 Uniform Crime Reporting statistics showed the average dollar loss for all types of arson was $17,289. For structures, arson damages were $32,364 on average and $7,890 for motor vehicles. Arsons of industrial and manufacturing structures resulted in the highest average dollar losses--an average of $114,699 per arson.

"Arson is one of the most heinous crimes imaginable. When the arsonist unleashes fire, he does so with a callous disregard for what the outcome will be. He cares not a whit about the firefighters that will risk their lives responding to the fire, the innocent victims that may be disfigured or killed, the neighboring residents or businesses that may suffer damage or destruction, the blight his deeds will leave on a community or the financial costs that burned property imposes on society," said Ken Finley, IAAI-CFI, President, International Association of Arson Investigators. "Please join us in our never ending fight against those who use fire as a vicious tool for their own gain."

The USFA's National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) states the two leading causes of civilian deaths are arson, at 28 percent, and smoking, at 18 percent. Arson is, by far, the leading cause of property loss, at 26 percent. Arson is an enormous problem in the United States, especially to outside and nonresidential structure properties.

David M. Wulf, Chief of the ATF's National Center for Explosives Training and Research adds, "In view of the economy and uncertainty within the housing market, arson for profit presents an increased concern to both fire service and law-enforcement agencies."

For more information, including a media kit for the 2009 Arson Awareness Week campaign, go to http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/aaw/

Friday, March 20, 2009

Update on Novelty Lighter Legislation in Florida

This update on the Novelty Lighter Legislation in Florida was received by Steve Peavey, Deputy Fire Marshal from the City of Altamonte Springs. Thanks for the update, Steve!

Senate Bill – 806
Passed the Senate Commerce Committee unanimously on 03/17/2009
Currently in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee

House Bill – 471

  • Passed the House Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee unanimously on 03/06/2009
  • Passed the House Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee unanimously on 03/19/2009
  • Currently in the House Criminal & Civil Justice Policy Council Committee

Thanks for the update Steve and good luck to everyone in Florida!


Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Governor Beebe Signs Senate Bill 154 which Bans the Sale and Distribution of Novelty Lighters in Arkansas


On Tuesday, 10th March 2009 in Little Rock, Arkansas, Governor Mike Beebe signed into law Senate Bill 154 which bans the sale and distribution of novelty and toylike lighters. The Bill by Senator Sharon Trusty, R-Russellville was backed by Attorney General Dustin McDaniel and sets a fine between $25 to $500 for retailers selling the lighters. On September 25, 2007, 15-month old Peyton Edwards and 2-year-old Breydon Edwards of Russellville, Arkansas, died after setting fire to their apartment with a motorcycle-shaped lighter. Twenty cities in Arkansas had already passed local ordinances banning the lighters.

In the photo are Front: Senator Sharon Trusty, Governor Mike Beebe, Representative George Overbey and Back: Lt. Mark Shoemaker, North Little Rock Fire Department, Assistant Chief Wayne Gately, West Memphis Fire Department, Dayna Hilton, Arkansas Fire Prevention Commission and Johnson County RFD #1, Jimmy Parks, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Chief Frank Hill, Sherwood Fire Department.

Firesafetyeducator.com's video of Governor Beebe signing the bill, along with an interview with the Governor, is below:







Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Upcoming Safety Talk Radio Segment Scheduled for February 25th

Join Firefighter Dayna Hilton as she interviews Lori Moon, Program Coordinator for Fire Corps. Lori will share tips on how Fire Corps can enhance your fire safety education program.

For more information, please click HERE.

Please note: If the novelty lighter legislation happens to fall on the same day, the program will be re-scheduled.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Arkansas Senate Passes Novelty Lighter Ban Bill 34-0

On Thursday, February 19th at the State Capitol in Little Rock, Senate Bill 154 (An ACT to Protect the Health and Safety of Arkansas’s Children; and to Prohibit Sales and Distribution of Novelty Lighters) passed unanimously in the Senate.

Firesafetyeducator.com was at the Capitol and covered the proceedings during the vote on the Senate floor, interviewed Little Rock Fire Department Assistant Chief Don Kinney and Attorney General Dustin McDaniel.



Below you will find an article written by the Associated Press

The state Senate has approved legislation that bans the sale of novelty lighters.
By a 34-0 vote Thursday, the Senate approved the bill that bans lighters resembling items recognized as appealing to children, such as cartoon characters, toys or animals. The bill sets a fine of between $25 to $500 for retailers selling the lighters.

Sen. Sharon Trusty, R-Russellville, sponsored the bill. Trusty said 13 other states and 20 cities in Arkansas already ban the lighters.

In September 2007, investigators attributed the deaths of 15-month-old Peyton Edwards and 2-year-old Breydon Edwards of Russellville to the boys playing with a lighter.

The bill now heads to the state House.

*Note from firesafetyeducator.com~ To date, 2 states have passed legislation, Maine and Tennessee

-------------------------------

The bill is scheduled to go before the House Committee on AGING, CHILDREN AND YOUTH, LEGISLATIVE & MILITARY AFFAIRS. Firesafetyeducator.com will post information on when the committee will meet as soon as the information becomes available .

For more information about the novelty lighter initiative or for other questions that you may have, please call me at 479.979.7328 or email me at daynark@gmail.com. You may also contact Lt. Mark Shoemaker at 501-812-5942 or email him mshoemaker@northlittlerock.ar.gov


Other important links:

SB 154: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/SB154.pdf

SB 154 Status: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Pages/BillStatusHistory.aspx?measureno=SB154

No Novelty Lighters Website
http://www.nonoveltylighters.com

Video from KATV Channel 7 Little Rock
http://cfc.katv.com/videoondemand.cfm?id=34004

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Arkansas’ Novelty Lighter Ban goes to Senate for Vote on Thursday

On Wednesday, February 11th, at the State Capitol in Little Rock, Senate Bill 154 (An ACT to Protect the Health and Safety of Arkansas’s Children; and to Prohibit Sales and Distribution of Novelty Lighters) passed unanimously in the Senate Judiciary Committee. SB 154 was then returned by the Committee to the Senate, with the recommendation that it Do Pass.

Firesafetyeducator.com interviewed Senator Sharon Trusty, Lt. Mark Shoemaker (NLR Fire Department), Jimmy Parks (Arkansas Children’s Hospital) and others after the Senate Judiciary Committee. The video is below:



Below you will find an article written by Doug Thompson of the Morning News on February 11th:

Bill To Ban Novelty Lighters Advances
By Doug Thompson

THE MORNING NEWS

LITTLE ROCK -- A bill to ban novelty cigarette lighters that resemble toys was recommended by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.

"This little frog's eyes blink, it makes a 'ribbit' sound and sets your house on fire," Attorney General Dustin McDaniel told the committee while testifying for Senate Bill 154 by Sen. Sharon Trusty, R-Russellville. Trusty, McDaniel and Rep. George Overbey, D-Lamar, were all working on legislation to prohibit lighters shaped like small animals, cars, airplanes and other toylike appearances. They discovered each other's efforts early in the session and agreed to back one bill, Senate Bill 154. All three appeared before the committee Wednesday.

The chief concern of the bill's supporters is that children playing with what appears to be a toy could unintentionally start fires, the committee was told.

The bill defines a novelty lighter as a lighter with "entertaining audio or visual features that depict or resemble in physical form or function articles commonly recognized as appealing to or intended for use by children 10 years of age or younger, including without limitation, lighters that depict or resemble cartoon characters, toys, guns, watches, musical instruments, vehicles, toy animals, food or beverages, or that play musical notes or have flashing lights, or other entertaining features."

McDaniel, Trusty and Overbey were supported at the meeting by representatives from 23fire departments from around the state who were ready to testify in favor of the bill.

No one spoke against Senate Bill 154, which now goes to the Senate.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

SB 154 is on the calendar for Thursday, February 19 at 11:00 (time is subject to change).

To date, Arkansas has led the way with more local ordinances passed than any other state and is one of 19 other states considering bans.

For more information about the novelty lighter initiative or for other questions that you may have, please email me at daynark@gmail.com. You may also contact Lt. Mark Shoemaker at 501-812-5942 or email him mshoemaker@northlittlerock.ar.gov

Other important links:

SB 154: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Bills/SB154.pdf

SB 154 Status: http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2009/R/Pages/BillStatusHistory.aspx?measureno=SB154

No Novelty Lighters Website
http://www.nonoveltylighters.com

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Children's Fire Safety Webpages Launched

Firesafetyeducator.com Press Release

Clarksville, AR-- Two children’s fire safety websites have been launched for children and their caregivers by Fire Safety Educator Dayna Hilton. The Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog and Firefighter Dayna websites are designed to share valuable fire safety tips in a fun and interactive way.

"According to the United States Fire Administration, the very young (those under 5) have a much greater risk of death than other children. In fact, that age group accounts for 12% of [all] fire related deaths – the highest proportion for any age group,” said Hilton. She went on to say that the site is geared toward that age group as well as children up to age eight and their caregivers.

Hilton described the sites stating, “Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog loves helping teach fire safety and her website (http://www.sparklesthefiresafetydog.com) features activities for children, including fire safety videos, activity sheets, fire safety tips and much more.”

She went on, “Children can meet Sparkles’ friends and see photos of Sparkles at work and at play. Children are welcome to submit their fire safety videos and coloring pages to Sparkles, send Sparkles a fire safety question, or ask Sparkles a question about being a fire safety dog or a firefighter.”

Hilton shared that Firefighter Dayna’s website (http://www.firefighterdayna.com), “is an interactive fire safety site for children and their caregivers that includes fire safety videos, coloring pages, activity pages, fire safety craft ideas and much more.”

In addition, “Children are invited to submit their videos, coloring pages and fire safety craft ideas. Children are welcome to send fire safety related questions and Firefighter Dayna will individually answer each question” according to Hilton.

To learn more, contact Firefighter Dayna Hilton at daynark@gmail.com.

Friday, January 30, 2009

Deadline Approaching: Submit Your Nominations Now for the Fire Prevention Award

There is still time to nominate an outstanding volunteer firefighter for the NVFC Fire Prevention Award. Recognize the fire prevention efforts and achievements of a volunteer firefighter you admire by nominating them for this prestigious national award. Nominations must be received by February 13.

Sponsored by First Alert, the NVFC Fire Prevention Award annually honors a volunteer firefighter for remarkable efforts made in the area of fire prevention. The award was established in the memory of volunteer firefighter and NVFC Board member Marc Mueller, who energetically promoted the causes of volunteer firefighters and supported all efforts to elevate the volunteer fire and emergency services to their highest level.

To nominate an individual for the NVFC Fire Prevention Award, submit a nomination packet including:nomination form a background sheet or resume containing an overview of the individual's experience, education, and other pertinent information letters of recommendation supporting the nominee.

Use the online nomination form, or email submissions to rachel@nvfc.org, fax to 202-887-5291, or mail to:NVFCAttn: Fire Prevention Award7852 Walker Drive, Suite 450Greenbelt, MD 20770The recipient of the Fire Prevention Award will be recognized during a special presentation at the 2009 NVFC Spring Board Meeting on April 3 in Alexandria, VA. Travel and arrangements for the recipient and a guest will be provided.

Visit www.nvfc.org/fire_prevention_award for more information, including award criteria and a nomination form.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

NFPA offers conference scholarships to safety educators

NFPA Announces the Following:

Attention fire and life safety educators: we want as many of you as possible to attend the NFPA Conference and Expo in Chicago, IL, this June. We've got some great educational opportunities designed just for you, as well as some outstanding networking opportunities in the works.
To make getting to Chicago easier, NFPA is awarding up to 30 scholarships for fire and life safety educators. Here's what you'll get:

free conference registration
three nights lodging
some meals

Here's what you'll be responsible for:
airfare
airport transfers
some meals
miscellaneous expenses

Don't delay -- only 30 scholarships are available. Download the application (PDF, 67 KB) and return it to NFPA by March 20, 2009.

Application Period to Open for DHS Fire Prevention and Safety Grants

The Department of Homeland Security has posted the FY2008 Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) Grants Program Guidance on the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) Program Website. The application period is scheduled to begin on February 2, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Applications for these grants must be received by March 6, 2009, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).

FP&S grants support projects that enhance the safety of the public and firefighters from fire and related hazards. The grants are competitive, and their primary goal is to target high-risk populations. Grant awards are made in order to mitigate high incidences of death and injury and to carry out research for improving firefighter safety. Examples of the types of fire prevention projects that are supported by FP&S include smoke alarm installation, fire prevention and public safety education campaigns, juvenile fire setter interventions, media campaigns, and arson prevention and awareness programs. Organizations that are eligible to apply under the research activity should consult the Program Guidance for detailed information on priorities and areas of emphasis.

An applicant tutorial for the fire prevention activity will be available through the www.firegrantsupport.com Website. The tutorial will provide you with valuable grant information and will walk you through the preparation and submittal of competitive applications. In addition, the applicant tutorial will provide an overview of the fire prevention funding priorities and evaluation criteria. Applicants who have questions regarding the Fire Prevention and Safety Grants opportunity should contact the help desk as soon as possible at 1-866-274-0960 or at firegrants@dhs.gov. During the application period, the help desk will operate Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (EST), but is prepared to revise hours of operation based on volume, demand, holidays and urgency to complete the FP&S Grants application period and processing for FY08.

The AFG Program is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Grant Programs Directorate in coordination with the U.S. Fire Administration.

FY08 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants Program Guidance - visit www.firegrantsupport.com/fps/guidance/. FY08 Fire Prevention and Safety Grants FAQs - visit www.firegrantsupport.com/fps/faq/08/.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Novelty Lighter Ban Bill Submitted in Arkansas

Sen. Sharon Trusty, R-Russellville, filed the bill Monday to ban selling and distributing novelty lighters in Arkansas. The proposal sets fines between $25 and $500 for anyone who sells the lighters, which are often found in convenience stores and gas stations.

Click HERE to learn more.

See a copy of the bill HERE.

Follow the status of the bill HERE.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Firesafetyeducator.com visits with Michael McLeieer from the Merrimac Fire Department (MA)

Michael McLeieer, Director of Public Education for the Merrimac Fire Department in Merrimac, Massachusetts, shares tips on firesafetyeducator.com concerning how to develop and deliver fire safety programming for children ages three through five and older children in a community.





Fire departments or organizations wishing to share their fire or life safety program or initiatives, upcoming safety event or news are welcome to showcase and share their efforts on the site. To learn more contact Firefighter Dayna Hilton at 479.979.7328 or daynark@gmail.com.

View press release HERE.