HARRISBURG – While working to beat back a fire death rate well above the national average, fire departments across Pennsylvania also are struggling with limited budgets to support fire prevention education. Now they are asking the community for help.
“Firefighters work every day to save lives and protect property,” said State Fire Commissioner Ed Mann. “A strong fire education program at the local level can help prevent fires and, ultimately, save lives.”
Fire Prevention Week materials are used in trainings for young children, the elderly and others. But with tight municipal budgets, the supply of these materials is at risk. With the help of an online tool, fire departments now are able to invite others to purchase materials they need.
The online tool, Sparky’s Wish List, works much like a modern bridal registry. Fire departments register for the items they need (DVDs, posters, stickers, etc.) and others go online to make the purchases. The materials ship directly to the fire departments.
Pennsylvania has the 18th highest fire death rate in the nation. In 2009 Pennsylvania had 13.4 deaths per million, as compared to the national average of 11 deaths per million 1. Children under five are at the greatest risk from home fire death and injury.
Twenty-seven Pennsylvania fire departments from all across the state already have created wish lists, with the cost of individual items starting at $12.50.
“The impact of a fire is felt for years after the smoke clears and the victims have moved on,” said Mann. “Teaching people how to prevent fires in the first place is just as important as teaching firefighters how to put them out.”
“Fire prevention education saves lives,” said James M. Shannon, president of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the program’s sponsor. “Educational materials are essential for fire departments to spread their message of safety to classrooms and beyond, and this registry enables community members to come to the aid of fire departments asking for help.”
For more information, visit http://www.sparkyswishlist.org/give.
NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building and life safety. Sparky® and Sparky the Fire Dog® are registered trademarks of NFPA.
1 Data credited to the U.S. Fire Administration
