MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Chief Michael E. Figolah, Mount Prospect Fire Department

From the May 2006 newsletter...
By the time you read this newsletter we will be gearing up for Burn Camp. As we are preparing the logistics for Camp, 15 years of experience become apparent. In fact, it seems to have gotten to the point that the administration and staff are finally getting an opportunity to enjoy aspects of camp which was possible just a few years ago. This is due to a very experienced, highly motivated and extremely qualified staff. This year’s Camp will be the first time we have all-veteran staff (not that we don’t like new faces!). Speaking of the faces – this newsletter provides a face to the many volunteers that make Camp I Am Me happen. We hope to see YOU on June 21st -Visitor’s Day at Camp.

I want to thank, on behalf of the IFSA Board past and present, Mary Jo LeBeau for 19 years of service as an IFSA Board member. Mary Jo was a Board member when the decision was made to start a Burn Camp. We thank Mary Jo for her countless hours of dedicated service.

I am pleased to announce that James Grady III, from the Frankfort Fire Protection District, is a newly appointed Director on the IFSA Board of Directors. Many know Jim as a Past-President of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association (IFCA). He has also been very active in many other fire service organizations. Jim has been an active supporter of the Alliance and we are excited to have him on the Board.

In addition to Camp coming upon us quickly; so is the 4th of July. Fireworks legislation continues to be a work in progress. The emphasis currently is getting the Rules written and approved. I want to acknowledge the tremendous amount of work that Office of the State Fire Marshall (OSFM) Attorney John Fennel has done in the preparation of these rules.

We (IFSA, OSFM & IFIA) are working on developing an informational/education video to provide to all of the departments. This video will illustrate the fire departments’ role with the new fireworks laws. It is our hope to have this video distributed by this 4th of July, but we are on a very aggressive schedule that may be unrealistic. Remember that the OSFM website has a lot of fireworks information on their web site that can help answer your questions. If you do have any questions, feel free to call me or the OSFM.

Also, in regards to fireworks; the IFSA has developed a video that describes the dangers associated with SPARKLERS. The video “A Momentary Touch” includes Maddie’s story about her experience when a sparkler caused her to receive a significant burn injury. The video also includes a demonstration of a sparkler igniting a mannequin’s clothing. The burns on the mannequin were remarkably similar to those that a child would incur. We brought the mannequin to Dr. Gamelli, of the Loyola Burn Unit and he describes (on the video) what would happen if these burns were on an actual child. Barry Bennett, Social Worker for the Loyola Burn Unit, describes what the child and family would be subjected to after these burns. This video will provide you with a new tool to help educate the public about the dangers associated with a sparkler’s “momentary touch.” The video is being replicated now and will be provided to each department by the end of June.

Hope your summer is safe! Thanks for your continued support.

Mike Figolah
President, Illinois Fire Safety Alliance