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part of the first year of the program.
Other possible funding sources include local community organizations such as the Elks, Kiwanis, Rotary Clubs, and Women’s Clubs. Support for fire prevention education can be built through teamwork with other stakeholders as well. Real estate
agents and homeowner’s associations may be willing to include fire safety literature in welcome kits for new homeowners. Large pharmacy chain stores or visiting nurse agencies may
be willing to sponsor a senior safety fair, which would include home
fire safety and other home hazard mitigating resources from the local fire department. Adults living in group homes are another demographic that can reached by partnering with social service organizations. The National Night Out annual community event, although initiated originally as a
police community awareness event, is
a great low-cost opportunity for fire departments to partner with police and engage in fire safety education with those in attendance.
If you or your organization would like to step up your fire safety education efforts, you need not feel alone in designing your program. In North-East Ohio in 2020, Angela Potter, mentioned earlier, formed NEOSEN, the North-East Ohio Safety Educators Network. NEOSEN is a group of fire safety educators dedicated to sharing experiences, ideas, and resources related to planning, implementing, and maintaining effective fire safety programs. At
their monthly meetings there is typically a guest speaker, networking opportunities, handouts, etc. The group has committees on training, community engagement, outreach, communications, and support for the Youth Firesetter Taskforce. NEOSEN
has trained more than 394 Ohioans
as community educators and offers professional development as well as program development assistance. If your region of our Great State of Ohio is not served by a similar network, reach out to others through county and regional fire associations and you will no doubt find others interested in sharing their knowledge and support for fire safety education.
Education, Engineering, Enforcement, Economic incentives, and Emergency response are the Five E’s of Community Risk Reduction employed to combat the fire and life safety problems in our communities. Education is first because it has the
greatest potential to reduce the impact of fires and the number of emergency responses. Large or small, career, part time paid, or volunteer, resources
and ideas are available, and coupled with inspiration and a little effort, all Ohio fire departments can save lives through life safety and fire prevention education.
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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 • www.ohiofirechiefs.org I n C o m m a n d 13
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