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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:
November 23, 2005
Contact: Derrick Crawley, Kitsap County Fire Marshal
Phone: (360) 337-4442
No. 05-27
Local Board Seeks Funding to Jump-Start Fire Prevention Education Program
PORT
ORCHARD, WA—Six
years ago, Derrick Crawley, Kitsap County Fire Marshal, resolved to do more
to prevent another disaster like the Kona Village apartment fire in
Bremerton that claimed the lives of four elderly residents, left 150 people
homeless and caused approximately $7.5 million in property damage in
November 1997. Vowing to educate the public on how a large fire can
devastate families and the community, Crawley set out to encourage the
community to examine and identify fire safety conditions in existing
apartment buildings that endanger the safety of citizens and firefighters
beyond acceptable risk levels.
Based
on a report prepared by Crawley, the Kitsap Board of County Commissioners
established the Kitsap County Fire Safety Advisory Committee in 1999. The
21-member committee, including 13 board-appointment members and eight
ex-officio and honorary members representing government and community groups
throughout Kitsap County, set out on a mission to “promote and enhance the
fire and life safety of our community in an efficient, accessible and
effective manner.”
According to a county ordinance adopted by the commissioners, the group is
charged with installing smoke detectors in apartment units, developing
emergency evacuation plans, providing building floor plans to fire services
to assist in incident planning, inspecting buildings, developing a
classroom-type training program, providing lock-box access to fire services,
providing recognition for buildings that are inspected and determined to be
“fire safe” and enhancing public awareness of the importance of fire
prevention and life safety using multiple outreach strategies. Other
proposed initiatives include installing fire sprinklers and fire alarm
systems.
“Since
1999, a number of community awareness activities have been underway that
need to continue or to be enhanced, including fire safety events, activities
for children, information booths at community events, developing and
distributing fire safety handouts and fliers, visiting schools and talking
to the kids, sending out household fire safety bulletins and establishing a
website specifically dedicated to fire prevention and life safety,” said
Fire Marshal Crawley. “However, to further enhance the community awareness
program, additional funding is needed to generate the momentum necessary to
ensure that the program becomes viable.”
In
conjunction with
Kitsap
County,
the committee would like to launch a “Spouty Fire Safety” website based on a
proposed new mascot developed by Chris Britton, an advisory committee
member. The proposed Spouty, the fire safety whale, will spread the word
about fire safety.
The website would provide basic information on fire safety and prevention in
a user-friendly format for children. Information about community and school
events would also be included, as well as black and white drawings of Spouty
that parents and teachers could download for coloring. Funding is also
needed to develop an advertising campaign, literature (i.e., posters,
stickers, door hangers) and other communications vehicles. Procurement of a
Spouty costume, which would be useful for public appearances, photo
opportunities and parades, is also needed to heighten awareness among
parents and children about fire safety and prevention.
“This
program is expected to quickly grow beyond the committee’s ability to
administrate it using volunteers,” said Crawley. “Funding is needed to hire
a full-time program administrator to coordinate program activities, supplies
and equipment, and to take the program to the next level.”
A
part-time coordinator is also needed to ensure the countywide program can be
initiated and to coordinate fundraising events to raise funding beyond grant
awards. Other needs include a portable computer, software and audiovisual
equipment for countywide presentations and event booth costs.
Currently, Kitsap County is seeking a $250,000 Fire Prevention and Safety
Grant (FPSG) from the Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program of the
US Department of Homeland Security’s Office for Domestic Preparedness. The
purpose of these grants is to enhance the safety of the public and
firefighters with respect to fire and fire-related hazards. The grants are
specifically focused on reaching high-risk target groups in order to
mitigate the high incidences of death and injuries. There is no cost share
requirement for the FY 2005 FPSG. In FY 2005, Congress appropriated $650
million to the AFG Program. The appropriated funds are available until
September 20, 2006. No less than $32.5 million of the total appropriation
has been reserved for the Fire Prevention and Safety Grants.
For more information about the Kitsap County Fire Safety Advisory
Committee, or the FPSG grant request, contact Derrick Crowley, Kitsap County
Fire Marshal, at 360-337-4442, or email: dcrowley@co.kitsap.wa.us.
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