Public Education

Life Saved!

Life Safety is at the top of priorities for firefighters. Last article, we spoke about the great work that the community of Morris was doing to protect their Ret. OKC FD residents. They canvassed their entire community and installed smoke alarms for those who were without. In January, the OSFA Public Education Committee received a message from Chief Stewart stating that they had responded to a house fire. The occupant was awoken by the smoke alarm that had recently been installed by the Morris FD and community members. The result is that man is alive today! The occupant also stated that he never had a smoke alarm in his residence before the canvassing. We may not save the structure, but we can save lives. These smoke alarms were donated to Morris Fire Department as part of the Public Education Committee alarm program. Special thanks to committee member Stephen Mixon (Tulsa Fire) for assisting the Morris Fire Department!

“Wind & Fire” Supporting Smoke Alarm Program!

Catastrophic Fires in Philadelphia & New York are Important Reminders for Ongoing Fire Prevention Education

Like the title from the Earth, Wind & Fire song “Gratitude,” we are grateful to the “Wind & Fire” Motorcycle Club Heartland Heat Chapter 65 for their recent donation of $8,000 to the Public Education Committee. The funds will be used to purchase additional smoke alarms to support our communities in Oklahoma. Wind & Fire ride to provide for those that have been affected by smoke and fire. For more info, check out www.facebook. com/windandfire.mcokc/

The investigation for the cause of the fire in Philadelphia is ongoing, but the culprit for the fatalities in New York has been identified. According to the NFPA: “The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) confirmed that a space heater was responsible for the start of this tragic fire. Heating equipment is the second-leading cause of U.S. home fires and the third-leading cause of home fire deaths and injuries. “Overall, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 48,530 fires involving heating equipment per year in 2014-2018, accounting for 14 percent of all reported home fires and 19 percent of home fire deaths. These fires resulted in an annual average of 500 civilian deaths, 1,350 civilian injuries, and $1.1 billion in direct property damage. Space heaters are the type of heating equipment most often involved in home heating fires. Between 2014 and 2018, space heaters annually accounted for more than two out of five heating fires and the majority of heating fire deaths (81%) and injuries (80%).” Please visit nfpa.org for valuable information on space heater safety, as well as many other safety tips.

What’s Happening & Special Dates from Public Education Committee

• We are finalizing a smoke alarm document to assist fire departments with canvassing their community. • Selection of speakers for the next Public Education Summit has begun. • Discussion on marijuana fire safety education for our residents is taking place. • We are working on boosting our prevention education through social media sites and PSA’s. • Feb. 22-24: Vision 2020 Symposium, Murfreesboro, TN. Committee member and Oklahoma Vision 2020 State Representative, Cody Banks (Tulsa FD) will be attending www.strategicfire.org • April 8-9: Ride to Remember (see info above) • April 11-13: 100th Oklahoma Fire Chiefs Association Conference in Moore • May 7: Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, www.nfpa.org/Events/Events/ National-Wildfire-Community-Preparedness-Day • May 12-15: OSFA State Fire School • June 6-9: NFPA Conference, Boston, MA. They will again be offering a “Spotlight on Public Education” (SOPE) www.nfpa.org/conference • June 7: 41st ORFA Convention, Enid • June 8-11: 128th OSFA Convention, Enid (Hosted by Ringwood FD) • Early August: Oklahoma Firefighters Burn Camp, Tahlequah www.okffburncamp.com • Sept. 20: 3rd Annual Oklahoma Public Education Summit in Tulsa. • Oct. 9-15: Fire Prevention Week