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.

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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

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.

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.

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/.

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.

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.