MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Chief James Saletta, Huntley Fire Department

From the January 2011 newsletter...
The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance enjoyed another successful year in 2010.

In June we celebrated our 20th anniversary of Camp “I Am Me”. Over 80 campers participated this year and over the last 20 years hundreds have benefited from the camp experience. Every year we continue to improve thanks to our many volunteers both at camp and in fundraising. It is especially noteworthy that in our 20th ear, we have 6 volunteer camp staff that has been to camp every year. A special thanks to Dottie Ahbe, Randy Ahlgrim, Kathy Haage, Mike Herbert, Terry Pluta, and Mike Proebstle. Through the service of hundreds of volunteers over the years we have been successfully providing a meaningful camp experience for burn survivors, ages 8-16.

Although Camp “I Am Me” is the most recognized program of the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance, our organizational mission is “to bring together persons or groups with the common interest in fire safety, burn prevention, and public education and to promote and disseminate information related to fire safety and burn prevention”. Our efforts have continued toward accomplishing our stated mission through the IFSA’s programs and activities as well as through the development and distribution of public education material. Our programs include the new Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program (JFSIP), Newspapers In Education, and the “Bath Buddy” water thermometer program. Our educational materials include the “Get Fired Up About Fire Safety” and “Sparkler Story” CDs, as well as safety guides, Home Fire and Burn Prevention and Farm and Wildland Safety. The IFSA also provides two interactive video kiosks through Health World, suitable for public education and community events. IFSA activities include participation in area legislative forums, active membership in the Illinois Fire Services Association and staffing the State Fair fire safety tent.

In focusing on our goals for 2011, we would like to highlight a few facts:

Children’s Memorial Research Center recently published a paper on unintentional burns of youth in Illinois and Chicago. Between 2000 and 2007 the rate of hospitalization for children with burns remains unchanged. 0-4 year olds were the highest age group injured with scalds and non-fire burns. 15-19 year olds are the highest age group with burns due to fire. 93% of burn related deaths for children are attributed to fires.

According to the USFA fire is the sixth leading cause of death for older adults (65+), taking 1,200 lives annually. Cooking is the leading cause of injures. Smoking is the leading cause of death. Vision, hearing, mobility and poverty increase the fire risk.

It has been recognized for years that the very young and the elderly are most susceptible to burn injuries and the above facts lend further support to that reality. For many older adults a burn injury could mean the difference between life on their own or one in a nursing home. In 2011, the IFSA will publish an educational program for older adults. We’d to thank the many departments who provided information for the program as well as Bill Porter (Morton Grove FD) and the Education Committee for putting it together. We look forward to a spring launch date.

An educational tool that will be developing in 2011 is a “Fireworks Safety” CD. This CD will be distributed to Illinois Fire Districts/Departments for use in local public safety initiatives. The IFSA supports strict regulations on the use of indoor and outdoor pyrotechnics and we fully support the ban on consumer fireworks as currently defined in the Illinois Statutes.

In early 2011, the IFSA will begin strategic planning for the next 5 – 10 year period. In the previous 20 years we have seen significant change and growth in the organization. Our Board of Directors is now ready to plan the next phase of our development. Additional goals and objectives for the future will emerge from our planning and we are looking forward to sharing them with you in the near future.

One last note: In December 2010, the Alliance purchased a permanent home. We look forward to moving into our new home in Mount Prospect near the intersection of Central Rd. and Northwest Hwy. this spring. We are excited about our move and wish to thank Mary Werderitch for providing office space to us in her home for the last 18 years.

Jim Saletta, President