Lombard Fire introduces fire, life safety education programs

LOMBARD, Illinois—The Fire and Life Safety Education (FLSE) Programs developed and delivered to the target groups attending public and private schools in Lombard are based upon the curriculum of a nationally recognized program developed by the National Fire Protection Association called “Risk Watch.”

Risk Watch addresses the fact that for children ages 14 and under, the number one health risk is not kidnapping, drugs, or disease; it's injuries. The underlying theme for the Risk Watch Program is that the majority of injuries suffered by children each year are not random “accidents;” they are predictable and preventable.

The Lombard Fire Department, through the Bureau of Fire Prevention, is building and delivering fire and life safety education programs that are based upon and referenced to the lesson plans developed by the NFPA Risk Watch program. The Bureau has recently hired two qualified individuals who are serving as the primary personnel assigned to develop, promote and deliver FLSE programs that address the need to reduce injuries to young children.

Because children learn best through repetition and practice, the most effective way to teach injury prevention skills is through repeated, age appropriate learning opportunities extended over a period of years, according to Lombard Fire Marshal, Chuck Riforgiate. “The objective behind the development of our programs is to help children and their families create safer homes and communities by teaching them the skills and knowledge they need to make positive choices about their personal safety and well-being,” Riforgiate said.

With the responsibility of mitigating potential fire and life safety hazards within the Village, the Bureau relies on education, awareness and building partnerships within the community to fulfill this mission, according to Riforgiate. “Each of these aspects makes a contribution in the Fire Department's efforts to ensure that our environments minimize the danger of fire and other emergencies that can disrupt our lives and livelihoods,” he added.