Real Hero Report | December 2018 | 21
In 2016, the Georgia Fire Fatality Task Force (GFFTF) was
the state since 1995, as 154 people lost their lives that year. This
partnership of the Georgia Association of Fire Chiefs (GAFC), the
Insurance and Safety Fire Commission, the Georgia Public Safety
and the Georgia Fire Inspectors Association agreed to the need for
The GFFTF was formed through the efforts of the GAFC in
can prove to be catastrophic. The GFFTF assembled a traveling
the Fire Fatality Shoe Memorial, which is displayed each year
Appreciation Day at the Georgia State Capital.
In 2017, through the efforts of the GFFTF and the State of
Reduction Guide (UCRRG) was adopted as a living document
departments across the state. The UCRRG went through a process
program. The UCRRG has become a valuable tool in unifying the
provide a week-by-week program for messaging.
The UCRRG sets a standard in the way it has been constructed
by including Georgia school systems educational standards by
and emergency services.
Examples are given throughout the UCRRG that show how
history, and among other classes. The UCRRG is also a sales tool
safety information for multiple departments across Georgia.
providing an array of topics for each week on a calendar which
This training can then be used in each territory to help identify
community risks with which each station in a department may be
faced. Then, each station can use the information to reach out to
the community and offer training to the citizens. This connects
the dots and bridges the safety message, making communities as a
whole safer.
departments of Georgia as a whole. The Georgia Public Safety
Educators Association has engaged district representation across
time paid, combination paid/volunteer and volunteer departments.
This network provides stronger support to departments with
tighter budget restraints. The development of the specialized
class, approved by Georgia Standards and Training, Basic
Community Risk Reduction Educator (an 8-hour class), has
streamlined the Fire Safety Educators Class (a 40-hour class)
process for community risk reduction and outreach programs.
for the Fire Chiefs Association. A presentation at the 2018
Southeastern Fire Chiefs Conference in Montgomery, AL,
has strengthened with talks of unifying the Community Risk
Reduction programs across the Southeast. This is the ultimate
goal! Bringing all of the Southeast together, speaking one
strengthen communities of all types. Consistent messaging is a
where you can move from one county to another, or even one
messaging.
A multitude of tools have and are being developed to promote
safer cities, towns and neighborhoods. Fire Safety is and should
be everyone’s concern. Communities are only as strong as
the people who take a strong stand for their community. So I
challenge you to start with your own home, then reach out to
your neighbor and then your neighbor’s neighbor. Follow these
simple guidelines: 1. Test your smoke alarms once a month; 2.
If your smoke alarms are more than 10 years old, replace them
batteries in the smoke alarm once a year; 4. Blow candles out
with a sturdy screen; 6. Have your heating system inspected once
Make sure your address is posted clearly; 9. If gas appliances are
in your household, have properly-placed carbon monoxide alarms
installed; and last but not least, 10. Practice E.D.I.T.H.–Exit Drills
In The Home.
for both adults and children alike. Fire departments looking
to streamline your community outreach program can visit
directly at Jacade.long@rockdaelcountyga.gov.
Turn your
prevention!
Pictured right
is State Fire
Marshal’s
Educator/
Vice President
GPSEA Karla
Richter (left)
and President
GPSEA/
Fire Safety
Educator Laura
Coleman
(right).
link