Arlington Heights & Niles Fire Departments to be honored at Fire Prevention Week Luncheon

Camp I Am Me by Illinois Fire Safety Alliance is honoring several fire safety and prevention advocates at the 82nd annual Fire Prevention Week Luncheon.

The event will be from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 12, at Bobak's Signature Events in Woodridge.

2023 award winners include the Arlington Heights Fire Department (Life Safety Award), Niles Fire Department (Life Safety Award), Carm Welsh (Life Safety Award) of the Beecher Fire Protection District, and Commissioner Annette Nance-Holt (Special Recognition Award) of the Chicago Fire Department.

The Arlington Heights Fire Department will be recognized for their commitment to developing and implementing a Community Risk Reduction program within their village, coordinating timely fire safety messages through various media outlets throughout the year, participation in the Be Alarmed! Smoke Alarm Installation Program, promoting an Adopt a Fire Hydrant program, and for managing numerous community fire safety programs for both the residents and businesses of Arlington Heights.

The Niles Fire Department will be recognized for their overwhelming success in the Be Alarmed! Smoke Alarm Installation Program, providing a host of fire safety educational programs to both the residents and businesses of Niles, the use of the Smart 9-1-1 app within the village, and the use of their Explorer Post to help further their fire safety education efforts.

Carm Welsh of the Beecher Fire Protection District will be presented a Life Safety Award as a result of her many fire safety programs having direct impact on the residents within her district, including a Junior and Senior Academy, Slice of Advice program, and having the tremendous buy-in from the other members of the department supporting her life safety efforts.

Chicago Fire Department's Commission Annette Nance-Holt will be presented the Special Recognition Award for her ongoing commitment and always going above and beyond as an outspoken opponent on the expansion of fireworks sales not only in the city of Chicago, but across the state of Illinois. Her passion is always present when educating the public, and legislators, on the dangers of these life-threatening devices.

Details on the luncheon can be found at www.IFSA.org/FPWL

Thank you to the generous sponsors of the 2023 Fire Prevention Week Luncheon, including Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board, Illinois Chapter of the National Fire Sprinkler Association, 1-800 BoardUp of Rolling Meadows, AED Professionals, Chicago Water & Fire Restoration, Leopardo Companies, Paramedic Services of Illinois, and Promos 911.

Camp I Am Me by Illinois Fire Safety Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing safe, nonjudgmental environments for burn survivors to have the opportunity to build their self-esteem and self-confidence as they experience the various programs and activities offered throughout the year. Camp I Am Me provides free programs throughout the year to children, adults, and families that have been affected by burn-related injuries, providing them the much needed physical, psychological, and emotional support they deserve.