Fire Prevention PPT

FIR 3303 , Introduction to Fire Prevention 1 Cou rse Learning Outcomes for Unit VI Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to: 4. Define the functions of a fire prevention bureau. 4.1 Identify the five -step process of composing a fire safety education program. 7. Explore opportunities in professional development for fire prevention personnel. Reading Assignment Chapter 10 : Fire Prevention Through Public Education, Awareness, and the Public Forum Unit Lesson While not every fire service jurisdiction in the United States has a Fire Prevention Officer or Bureau, most have some form of fire prevention and safety program. Even the smallest all -volunteer fire departments in our nation have open -house events during National Fire Prevention W eek. This is often the single -most -important event held by the local department. Sadly, as funds become tighter and tighter, this may be the only event a small fire department can actually afford. National Fire Prevention Week was first observed on October 9, 1911, on the 40th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire (Diamantes, 2016). The National observance is held the Sunday through Saturday in Oct ober during the week in which the ninth day falls. This observation has been held since 1922, after President Woodrow Wilson signed the declaration in 1920. The day selected is in remembrance of the Great Chi cago Fire of 1871 (NFPA, 2015). While Chicago certainly suffered a major set -back due to the unintentional fire set in Mrs. O’Leary’s barn by an unsuspecting cow on that fateful day in October, 1871, a much greater fire occurred that very same day having far greater loss of life and property. Yet, man y in the fire service know little or nothing about it. That fire began as a forest fire at Peshtigo, Wisconsin, and before it ended, 16 towns, 1,152 human lives, and 1.2 million acres of land would be consumed (NFPA, 2015). Certainly in the nearly 150 yea rs since these horrific fires, our society has undertaken major changes to ensure that this never happens again. And for the most part, fires of such magnitude have not occurred; however, our society continues its experience of major fires that continue to claim lives. The dramatic reduction between then and now is, for all intents and purposes, owed largely to a formally developed and recognized fire prevention program. Education, is the Second “E” Directly associated to the fire prevention effort in the USA are three elements known as the “Three E’s of Fire Prevention” (Diamantes, 2016). Engineering, education, and enforcement are the elements of the old slogan that continues an e xistence into the 21st Century. It is through engineering of consumer products that the causes of fires has been drastically reduced. It is through enforcement of codes (see Chapter 4, Unit III) that our communities have become safer and fire risk has been reduced. It is, however, the se cond “E” of which we concern ou rselves for this unit of study. Without a well -rounded and presented program of public education, with particular emphasis on the young and elderly, our communities would certainly be far less safe places to live. Why the y oung and elderly? UNIT VI STUDY GUIDE Fire Prevention through Public Education, Awareness, and Forum FIR 3303, Introduction to Fire Prevention 2 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title These two age groups comprise a larger percentage of our population and are the most likely to be at the source of a home fire. Statistically, cooking fires are the number one “leading cause of home structure fires: 2007 –2011” (Ahrens, 2013) . Conversely, “playing with heat sources,” such as children playing with matches, is ranked at the last of the nine sources on Ahrens lists. Ahrens tells us that, “Older adults face a higher risk of dying in a fire than younger people” (Ahrens, 2013, p. 1). W e can safely conclude that, as a whole, through fire prevention education of the public, we realize reduction or risk in the are as of fire, life, and property. Planning Fire Safety and Education Programs If the fire service agency or organization in yo ur own community does not provide a fire prevention program, you would do well to seek out why. Among the reasons — some of which are completely understandable and valid — like finances, lack of available presenters, or a general lack of interest can be overco me. Funding can be made available through various state and national level agencies, such as Fire Marshal’s Office, Emergency Management Agency, Red Cross, and Fire Education grants. Interest should originate with the local fire service as well as local b usinesses and community service agencies. Schools are great starting place for stimulating community -wide interest. Last, but certainly not least, is you! Yes, you! What might prevent you from being that one -in-a-million community -minded resident who under takes both learning and teaching fire prevention? In a single word: nothing! There are five -steps for a successful fire prevention program to be put into place in every community. These five -steps are: identification, selection, design, implementation, an d evaluation (Diamantes, 2016). While you may not be directly associated with your local fire service, you might well be the catalyst for a program, or, perhaps an addition to the presentation of a program. Step One: Identification This step requires th e locating and usage of community fire statistics in order to determine the most likely and serious fire problems facing the community (Diamantes, 2016). In essence, contacting the records keeping official within the local fire department, or, conducting a n online search, will begin to build the foundation upon which a successful program is built. Not every community is the “same” as we might think. In one community, the highest risk might be its industrial occupancies. Another community, known for being a “bedroom community” could see residential occupancies having the greater risk. Know before you begin to formulate your steps based on what you learn during step one. Step Two: Selection Once you have identified the most likely, and potential, source you must next make the selection of your “target audience or audiences” to whom you will present your finished program. As Diamantes (2016) points out, “A key element in the selection process is the identification of available resources, both material and huma n” (p. 169). Such resources are paramount to a well -structured program and delivery of the finished product, the program itself. Step Three: Design Here, you are required to physically develop or design the program to meet the needs of your target audien ce or audiences. Sparky the Fire Dog is a proper design when approaching younger school aged children, perhaps grades K – 5; however, Sparky, while entertaining to adults, might be too immature for older audiences. Specific program design is left to your d evices. You must know your community and potential audiences. Be creative, be innovative, and use resources wisely. Step Four: Implementation When you consider implementation of your program, you must consider when and where your intended audience(s) will be accessible. School age level programs, for the most part, can be presented only during regular school hours. Senior citizens are likely to found at the local senior center, typically in the daytime hours; however, there are those who are open in the late -afternoon and evening. Civic and church FIR 3303, Introduction to Fire Prevention 3 UNIT x STUDY GUIDE Title organizations have varying hours and generally arrangements for a fire prevention presentation must be made in advance. Step Five: Evaluation The success or failure of every program, not just fire prevention, is dependent upon continual evaluation and refining. What you begin with at the first presentation to an audience may require redesign or retool ing of contents. Why? Because you have found, through your presentation, that more specific information is needed. Often, a presentation is created in a generic format, and then we find that a specific group has a need for information relevant to their pur pose and being. Never reject the call for refinement, as this is what will make your presentation more palatable, and, in some respects, universal. Fire Safety: School Education, Commercial Programs, and Adult Learning You will find a number of resources , most can be found online, where you can locate a wide range of educational and teaching materials for a successful fire prevention education program. These materials are geared for age ranges from kindergarten all the way up to senior citizen. Some are o ffered without charge, however, others are for purchase. Perhaps one of the largest resources is the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) located in Quincy, Massachusetts. NFPA is one of the oldest private sector agencies whose mission, since 1896, has been towards research and development of fire and life safety codes and standards. You do not need to be a dues - paying member of NFPA to order materials; however, membership does afford you a discounted price as well as access to a “members only” sect ion of your website. In case you want to learn more about the NFPA, you can visit the association’s website here . In order to create a top -notch Fire Prevention and Fire Safety Program, it takes a bit of innovation, cre ativity, and a computer. Of course, you will most likely need to seek a funding mechanism, and a great place to start is the local business community. Often, the local Chamber of Commerce can steer you in the right direction for grants and other sources of in-kind contributions. References Ahrens, M. (2015). Home structure fires. Retrieved from http://www.nfpa.org/research/reports -and - statistics/fires -by -property -type/residential/home -structure -fires Diamantes, D. (2016). Principles of fire prevention (updated 3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. National Fire Protection Association. (2015). Above fire prevention week. Retrieved from http://www.nfpa.org/safety -information/fire -prevention -week/about -fire -prevention -week Suggested Reading For a brief statistical review of U.S. home fires between 2007 and 2011, read the two -page report found at the following article on the NFPA website. Ahrens, M. (2015). Home structure fires. Retrieved from http://www.nfpa.org/research/reports -and - statistics/fires -by -property -type/residential/home -structure -fires If you have wondered when and why National Fire Prevention W eek was created, you will find more on this topic by following the web link given below. National Fire Protection Association. (2015). Above fire prevention week. Retrieved from http://www.nfpa.org/safety -information/fire -prevention -week/about -fire -prevention -week