NFPA Launches Program to Help Fire Departments Fund Fire Safety Education
April 24, 2012
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has launched a new program to help fire departments fund the purchase of life-saving fire safety educational materials. Sparky’s Wish List™: Partnering for Fire-Safe Communities invites fire departments to create a free online wish list for Fire Prevention Week materials. Businesses and the public can fulfill departments’ wish lists and provide these critical educational materials for their communities. Video is available.
“Fire safety education saves lives, but with current budget pressures, it’s hard for many departments to pay for a range of educational materials,” said Jim Shannon, NFPA president. “Sparky’s Wish List is designed to help close the gap between what fire departments can afford and what they need to educate on fire safety.”
Every year, fire departments in the United States respond to more than 350,000 home fires resulting in at least 2,500 deaths and more than 12,000 injuries.
The official launch of Sparky’s Wish List was held at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis, where thousands of firefighters were among the first to learn about the new site.
“Every year, we see fire-related injuries that might have been prevented if the victims had received fire safety tips, installed functioning smoke alarms or practiced an escape plan,” said Chief Brian Sanford of the Indianapolis Fire Department, who was among the first to sign up his department. “Our first line of protection is educating the community. Sparky’s Wish List will allow us to work with community members to provide these critical educational resources.”
Fire departments create a wish list by creating a profile and clicking the boxes to indicate the materials they need. Donors can purchase those materials by searching for their hometowns and opening their department’s registry. The materials will be sent directly to the fire department.
Visit the NFPA web site or www.sparkyswishlist.org and follow step-by-step directions. Tools and resources are also available for departments to learn how to spread the word to the community and engage potential donors.
About Sparky the Fire Dog®
Sparky the Fire Dog was created for the National Fire Protection Association in 1951 and has been the organization’s official mascot and spokesdog ever since. He is a widely recognized fire safety icon that is beloved by children and adults alike. Millions have learned about fire safety through educational lessons and materials featuring his image and he is more active than ever today. Sparky frequently visits schools and participates in community events to spread fire safety messages, often accompanied by his firefighter friends. In addition to connecting with the public through public service announcements and his featured role in Fire Prevention Week campaigns each October, he has a very active website, www.sparky.org and a Facebook page that was launched in 2011 as part of his 60th anniversary celebration. Sparky the Fire Dog® is a registered trademark of NFPA.
About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
NFPA is a worldwide leader in fire, electrical, building, and life safety. The mission of the international nonprofit organization founded in 1896 is to reduce the worldwide burden of fire and other hazards on the quality of life by providing and advocating consensus codes and standards, research, training, and education. Visit NFPA’s web site at www.nfpa.org for more information.
