Mount Prospect, IL - With national Fire Prevention Week (FPW) occurring from October 4-10, the nonprofit Illinois Fire Safety Alliance (IFSA) encourages Illinois residents to practice fire safety and prevention throughout the entire year.
The theme for 2015 FPW is "Hear the Beep Where You Sleep." According to the National Fire Protection Association, which sponsors FPW, roughly half of home fire deaths result from overnight fires when most people are asleep. Smoke alarms alert residents of a fire so they can safely escape. Working smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a fire by half.
"This year's Fire Prevention Week message is a great reminder to homeowners that smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of a home," says IFSA Executive Director Philip Zaleski. "And it's important to make sure smoke alarms are tested monthly and have their batteries replaced twice each year to make sure they are functioning properly."
Zaleski notes that a good reminder to change smoke alarm batteries is when homeowners change their clocks to "spring forward" an hour when Daylight Saving Time (DST) begins in the spring and "fall back" when it ends in the fall.
For information about smoke alarms and FPW, the IFSA recommends visiting FirePreventionWeek.org.
Fire Prevention Week Luncheon & Awards
As part of its annual outreach during FPW, the IFSA is hosting the 75th annual Fire Prevention Week Luncheon on Thursday, October 8, from 10:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Illinois Fire Sprinkler Coalition and will be held at Bobak's Signature Events (6440 Double Eagle Drive, Woodridge, Ill.). Last year's event attracted over 500 members of the Illinois fire service.
In addition to the luncheon, the event also highlights and honors those who have gone above and beyond in fire safety and burn prevention. The IFSA will present the following recognition awards:
Corporate Responsibility Award: Nicor Gas
Life Safety Award: Alan Isberg (retired Fire Marshal, Elburn & Countryside Fire Protection District), Rebecca Merten (Public Health Administrator, Effingham County), Orland Fire Protection District
Special Recognition Award: Kathy Supply (formerly of Loyola Medicine), Wayne Luecht Memorial Award: Larry Matkaitis (former Illinois State Fire Marshal)
In addition, keynote speaker and retired ComEd employee Dave Schury will speak about an electrical explosion that inflicted burns to 30 percent of his body in 2000 and his advocacy for burn survivors and workplace safety. Schury is the founder of the From Tragedy to Triumph Foundation, which has raised and donated over $120,000 in college scholarships to young burn survivors in Illinois.
Over the past 12 months, the IFSA Board of Directors accepted nominations for the following awards. The Board is pleased to announce the recipients:
Corporate Responsibility Award: Nicor Gas
This award is given to a corporation that has responsibly gone above and beyond the norm by providing fire safety or burn prevention education to the public. For nine years running, Nicor Gas has provided natural gas safety education through its Gas Safety Program at dozens of fire departments across northern Illinois, which is then distributed to consumers.
Life Safety Award:
This award is given to an organization, department or individual that has achieved a pattern of excellence in bringing life safety into the lives of others.
Alan Isberg (retired Fire Marshal, Elburn & Countryside Fire Protection District). Isberg is one of three winners as a result of his passion and commitment to making life safer for members of his fire department and his community. He hosted CPR classes for over 1,000 students, developed public education programs reaching tens of thousands of civilians, and created a safe community through strict adherence to fire and life safety codes.
Rebecca Merten (Public Health Administrator, Effingham County). Merten put together a persistent effort to thwart off a proposed ordinance to legalize fireworks in Effingham County. She questioned those on the County Board, who employ her and who were in favor of the ordinance, and stood up for the safety of the citizens of Effingham County. She even hosted a press conference on behalf of the Illinois Rural Health Association to speak about the dangers of fireworks. Although the ordinance ultimately passed, her efforts were not in vain as the ordinance was much more in line with the state's law on fireworks.
Orland Fire Protection District. The fire district continues the success of its annual Kid's Fire & Life Safety Camp, exposing school-aged children to safety lessons dealing with potential hazards around their homes and schools. The half-day camp, which runs for four consecutive days, provides fun and entertaining ways for children to learn the safety message.
Special Recognition Award: Kathy Supple. This award is given to individuals who have established a pattern of excellence through a fire safety or burn prevention program that they developed and have shared with other public educators. Formerly with Loyola Medicine and serving on the IFSA Board of Directors for the last five years, Supple has promoted IFSA's mission of fire safety and burn prevention through public education.
Wayne Luecht Memorial Award: Larry Matkaitis. This award is granted to an individual who has established a pattern of excellence through a fire safety or burn prevention program that has benefited the public outside of his or her jurisdiction. It must be a person who has excelled in his or her duties while leading the fire service to recognize public education as an important tool, and is judged by peers to possess the qualities and superior work ethic that others strive to emulate. Matkaitis had a significant impact on fire safety and burn prevention throughout the state of Illinois during his tenure as State Fire Marshal. He worked diligently to enforce life safety codes and was courageous in his attempt to establish a requirement for fire sprinklers in new homes even though he faced powerful opponents.
ABOUT THE ILLINOIS FIRE SAFETY ALLIANCE: Since 1982, the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance (IFSA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has been promoting and disseminating fire safety and burn prevention materials and resources. The IFSA also hosts a variety of support programs for burn survivors including the Young Adult Summit, Family Day, and Camp "I Am Me," a unique weeklong camp for children who have experienced severe burn injuries. For more information, visit www.IFSA.org.
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