MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Chief James Saletta, Huntley Fire Department

From the November 2011 newsletter...
The Annual Fire Prevention Week Luncheon was held on October 13th at Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace. The luncheon was well attended and our guest speaker Eddy Weiss from Chasing4Life Foundation gave an entertaining, educational and timely presentation on disaster preparedness. Awards were given for the fire safety essay contest held in conjunction with the Chicago Sun Times and the Newspapers In Education program. This year’s winners are: Keondra Williams, Pullman School, Chicago, Caleigh Larkin, Roslyn Road School, Lake Barrington and Luke Brogden, Franklin Middle School, Wheaton. The Wayne Luecht Award given for outstanding service in the area of fire prevention was given posthumously to Lt. Tom Lutzow of the West Dundee Fire Department. Next year’s luncheon will be held on October 11th at the Signature Room in Lisle.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Doug Goostree, McHenry County College, for his 5 years of service on the IFSA board. Doug may be best known as “Snackman” at Camp “I Am Me”, he also among other things participated with the Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program task Force. Doug stepped down from the IFSA board in September to pursue other challenges. He received our Special Recognition Award at the IFCA Conference as he was unable to attend the Fire Prevention Week Luncheon.

In current news, we are almost ready to move into our new office at the corner of Northwest Highway and Central Ave. in Mt. Prospect. The building was purchased in December 2010 and required some renovation and thanks to many volunteers and donations the building is in the process of being transformed from large open spaces to a more usable space with offices, a conference room, and a training room. This change will meet the needs of the IFSA for years to come. We also wanted the office to meet the highest standards of fire safety and have it retrofitted with a fire sprinkler system. FGM Architects has donated their time to developing a building space plan and thanks to Chicago Backflow, Sprinkler Steam Fitters Local 281, U.S. Fire Alliance Protection, Viking Supply Net, and Tom Lia of the NISAB the sprinkler retrofitting was made possible at no cost to the IFSA. J.C. Restoration, 1-800 Board Up and Tom Taff (Bucks for Burn Camp), for providing contractors and plumbers for the interior construction work at material cost only. Kelly Conway of Installation Specialists has helped us procure donated office furniture. We also owe a big Thank You to Randy Werderitch for all his efforts, switching his work schedule to be available for building needs, arranging for volunteers and working weekends at the building. There are countless others who have given their time and sweat equity to the cause. It is through all these efforts that the IFSA has been able to complete this project.

The building is designed to accommodate additional office space for use by other fire service organizations and we are currently discussing this possibility with other agencies. IFSA will hold an open house in the spring to celebrate our new location and honor those that have given so much. Other 2012 dates to note: “Camp I Am Me” visitor’s day will be on Wednesday, June 20th and the IFSA day at the State Fair will be August 12th. We hope to see you all there and look forward to another great year.

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mary Werderitch, IFSA Executive Director

From the November 2011 newsletter...
Volunteers are not paid because they are worthless, but because they are priceless!

How very true this statement is for our organization! Volunteers are priceless because without them we would have no programs at all. All of our board members are volunteers. Our Board Members are the epitome of what it takes to be a volunteer. In addition to attending monthly Board Meetings, they spend time preparing for these meetings to ensure that they can make decisions concerning our organization. These individuals do not expect anything in return other than perhaps realizing they may have made a difference in fire safety or burn prevention education. We simply could not fulfil our mission without volunteers giving their time, their gifts, and their resources. Our organization is very fortunate to have volunteers that help us in so many different ways that are crucial and meaningful.

This is been an exceptional year with volunteers and donations of time energy and resources. As you know, the IFSA has been fortunate to acquire an office building to be their new home. Countless organizations and volunteers stepped forward to help us with this exciting endeavour.

We thank everyone for all they have given and will give to further our mission. But please also remember that all of our volunteers, all of you, are priceless to our programs!

World Burn Congress

We had the opportunity to attend the World Burn Congress this fall and sponsor burn survivors as well. Please see their testimonials in this newsletter.

The Phoenix Society's World Burn Congress is an annual international conference that brings together more than 800 burn survivors, their families, care givers, burn care professionals and firefighters. It is a forum in which we encourage and facilitate the sharing of stories, provide support and increase knowledge of burn recovery. For many it is the first opportunity to meet and share with others who have experienced a burn trauma.

We would like to strongly urge the recipients of this newsletter to consider attending the conference in 2012. It’s going to be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin September 12 to the 15th. This is an amazing opportunity for us all to attend this event and experience a life altering mind set on our dedication to fire safety and burn prevention!

This year we took our new staff member with us, Melissa Kruse. I would like to share with you her reflections of the experience. It’s powerful, take a moment to read it below.

I was honored to be chosen to represent the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance at the Phoenix Society’s 2011 World Burn Congress which was held in Cincinnati, Ohio. Being new to the IFSA, I am continuously exposed to uncharted territory. World Burn definitely fell into this category. From the moment we stepped off the plane in Cincinnati, we were greeted like family. This continued through the airport and throughout the week. I can honestly say I have never been hugged by more strangers in my entire life.

Prior to my employment with the IFSA, I had no knowledge of this community or any of the organizations involved in supporting burn survivors. I must say that every step of the way has been not only a learning experience but an amazing one. One of the highlights of my week was meeting Shelby Williams. For a young girl, she has so much energy and personality. Without the sponsorship of the IFSA, she would most likely not have been able to attend the World Burn Congress. Knowing that she was able to have this experience and make connections with other burn survivors is very rewarding.

Another great thing for me was being able to connect with some of our volunteer staff on another level. I learned so much about Mara, Caper, Justin and Jordan. It was amazing to be able to spend time with them and see the transformations that they experienced throughout the week. The inspiring people did not stop there. Every single person that coordinated, volunteered, presented and attended had something poignant to contribute. There was a gentleman that was part of the young adult program who spoke at the closing ceremonies. His final words were, “I am awesome.” I did not meet this young man but his declaration brought tears to my eyes.

The keynote speakers were really sensational. Brian Shul is a retired United States Air Force pilot whose plane was shot down during the Vietnam War. After recovering from his injuries, he went on to become part of an elite group of SR-71 pilots. He did not let the struggles he faced being a burn survivor interfere with his dreams. Another speaker, Jim Bisenius discussed scenarios and solutions for anyone dealing with a bully. Although I felt his presentation was mostly geared towards children, I do think he would prove to be a great asset to the Camp “I Am Me” program. Finally, there was Sarah Bazey. Sarah suffered burn injuries in a work related helicopter crash. She has continued her position as president and CEO of her construction company while also competing in several pageants. She sends a great message to anyone who allows their burns to limit their abilities.

World Burn is a place where stereotypes and judgments are left at the door. It is where burn survivors have the ability to be themselves and are given a chance to grow. It is a place that heals the spirit and sends us all home with gratitude and a sense of peace. I wish I could show the world what they are missing by passing judgment on so many bright and inspiring individuals. Every day I spend working for the IFSA, I learn a little more about the tragedies and triumphs of being a burn survivor. None of these people asked to be here but if you asked any of them I don’t think you would find one that would rather be anywhere else.

To summarize World Burn Congress this quote from Maya Angelou comes to mind, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I think that a smile and a hug go much farther than any words can reach. My week at the World Burn Congress really emphasized the need to increase awareness but it also showed me a glimpse of how deep the scars really go. When a burn injury occurs, it changes the lives of everyone who comes in contact with that person. I cannot say enough about what a remarkable experience this was for me and I am humbled to be part of an organization that helps others turn despair into hope.

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IFSA Membership Meeting Minutes - April 5, 2011

Wellington of Arlington, Arlington Heights, Illinois

WELCOME/INTRODUCTIONS/ROLL CALL
CALL TO ORDER 11:27 a.m.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT – Jim Saletta
- The IFSA has proposed the following changes to the current By-Laws to include the use of electronic communications:

SECTION 5. Quorum.
A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of Board business at any meeting, including any interim board action using electronic means.

SECTION 10. Interim Board Action by Electronic Means.
(a) The President of the Board of Directors may authorize the Board of Directors to conduct interim business using electronic means when deemed to be in the best interests of the Board of Directors. “Electronic means” is defined to include any Board of Directors action where a majority of the Board utilizes telephone conference, video conference, voice-over-internet protocol, electronic mail or other related communications technology to participate in a meeting and which provides all participating Directors with a clear, bilateral and identifiable means of meeting participation.
(b) The President (or designee) must provide at least five (5) days advance written or e-mailed notice to all Directors of his intent to conduct interim board action using electronic means. All Directors shall have a full and fair opportunity to take part in any such meetings, to have a right to hear and to be heard, and to vote on all pending motions. All interim business actions that are approved using electronic means must be reduced to writing and later ratified by vote of the Board of Directors at a regular or special board meeting where a quorum of the Board of Directors is physically present.

TREASURER’S REPORT – Melissa Kruse
- The Income and Expense Statement was given to all in attendance.
- The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Board of Directors has voted to change the financial reporting of the organization from a Fiscal Year to a Calendar Year which began January 1, 2011.
Mike Figolah made the motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Mike Schmidt.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT – Mary Werderitch
- Social Media (website, Facebook, Twitter) and its use in the organization.
- Mary Werderitch, Dottie Ahbe, Laura Barros, Linda Brady, and Melissa Kruse attended the ABA Conference in Chicago on March 28th and 29th. They attended the IABC SIG and the JFSI SIG.
- Mary Werderitch, Dottie Ahbe, Laura Barros, and Linda Brady will be attending the Pub Ed Conference in Galena April 12-15, 2011.
- Health World has applied for a grant from the Illinois Fire safety Alliance to pay for expenses related to the Kiosks. At some point in the future, we may have to ask for donations to help defray Health World costs.
- Phoenix Society Sponsorship.
- Prevention is an important component of our organization and we see a strong need for it by the campers that attend Camp “I Am Me”.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Burn Camp “I Am Me” - Mary Werderitch
- We have 11 new campers so far this year.
- Everyone is encouraged to come to Visitor’s Day.

Fundraisers - Mary Werderitch
- This year Boot Day will be on May 6 & 7, or any day a department chooses.
- Need for Speed 3 will be held at Chicago Indoor Racing on April 16 & 17.
- The Axemen will be holding their 1st Annual Joker Run on May 14.
- The 1st Annual Tom Lutzow Golf Outing will be held on May 24.
- Bucks for Burn Camp will be held on June 12 at 115 Bourbon Street.

Special Events License Plates - Maria Piszczor
- The program boosts 200 license plates and at this time 124 plates have been used.

Education - Dottie Ahbe and Terry Pluta
- Older Adult Program is in the process of being developed. Frieda and Fred can be seen in the latest newsletter.
- Newspapers In Education program is now in its 12th year.
- We still do GFUAFS and Flip Charts which are available in English, Spanish, and a Rural version.
- Future programs under consideration are Preschool Education, Special Education, Microwave Safety, and Scald Prevention.

Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program (JFSIP) - Laura Barros
- There has been a 33% increase in reporting from 2009-2010 and a 61% increase in 1st quarter 2011 compared to 2010.
- NFA is updating their curriculum this year.
- The JFSIP curriculum continues to be updated to reflect current issues.
- Laura along with Linda Brady attended conferences in Michigan and Oregon making many contacts nationwide.

Legislative Report - Mike Figolah
- Mike was recently in Springfield with Margaret Vaughn for the Car Impound Bill. A determination needs to be made regarding what quantity of fireworks will result in impounding of a vehicle.
- Currently, there is discussion for a bill to make carbon monoxide detectors mandatory in all commercial buildings throughout the state of Illinois.
- Illinois fire Safety Alliance will have the opportunity to put up firework prevention billboards throughout the state at no cost to us.

BREAK FOR LUNCH - 12:05 p.m.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The nominating committee prepared the following Board of Directors slate for 2011-2012:

Dottie Ahbe
Michael Figolah – Ex-officio Director
Doug Goostree
Kathleen Haage
Michelle Nabor
Terry Pluta
Dave Riddle
James Saletta
Kathy Supple

UPDATES/FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORGANIZATION
- Jim Saletta would like to reach out to members in an attempt to procure approximately 10 golf carts for use during the week of camp.

ADJOURNMENT - Motion to adjourn made at 1:15 p.m. by Dottie Ahbe, seconded by John Brogan. Motion approved unanimously.

Respectfully submitted,
Melissa Kruse