Statewide InService

1
(No Transcript)
2
Statewide In-Service

• March 3, 2004

3
Everything you ever wanted to know, already
know, didnt think you needed to know,ordont
know about
 

4
Handling Politicians, the Press the
Public or How to Plan, Organize,
Coordinate, Publicize, Present,
Host a Young Hero
Award Ceremony
5

• Public Fire and Life Safety Education can have an
  impact not only on a students life, but also on
  the lives of family members, friends and
  neighbors.

6

• By teaching young children the 23 key fire and
  life safety behavioral skills, early in their
  lives, and reinforcing these ideals throughout
  the remainder of their education, we can reduce
  the risk of injuries and deaths from fire and
  other accidents.

7
Decline in Child Death Rate since inception of
S.A.F.E.
8

• When a child recognizes a dangerous situation
  and reacts appropriately during an emergency, by
  demonstrating skills and behaviors learned
  through the Student Awareness of Fire Education
  (S.A.F.E.) Program, they deserve to be praised
  for their actions.
• Stephen D. Coan State Fire Marshal

9
History of the Young Hero Program

• 1995, State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan
  instituted the Young Hero award
• Honors the heroism of each child
• Means of raising public awareness
• the importance of fire and life safety education
• its positive effect upon the citizens of the
  Commonwealth.

10
S.A.F.E. is a Proven Success

• Since 1995
• Over 180 children have been recognized as Young
  Heroes by Marshal Coan
• awarded a certificate of recognition and a Young
  Hero t-shirt, at ceremonies and presentations in
  schools, fire stations and town halls across
  Massachusetts.

11
Young Hero Criteria

• Has a child, family or group of children in your
  S.A.F.E. Community
• Responded appropriately during an emergency, by
  demonstrating key fire and life safety behaviors?
  
• Dialed 911 to report an incident and calmly
  provided information to a dispatcher?
• Performed a lifesaving medical maneuver?
• Was this child responding correctly as a result
  of the fire and life safety education they
  received from your fire department's S.A.F.E.
  Program?

12
What kind of recognition do the children receive?

• Each "Young Hero" will be presented a
• Certificate of Recognition signed by State Fire
  Marshal Stephen Coan
• "Young Hero" T-shirt, bearing the seal of the
  Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, and
  the words "Junior Fire Marshal" and "S.A.F.E.
  Young Hero".

13
Some things to keep in mind

• Each child is different and as such, each
  ceremony should be unique.
• Ask the parents, school teacher or guidance
  counselor what they and the child would be
  comfortable with.
• The presentation can be formal or informal

14
Some things to keep in mind

• Notify the local media.
• Both the "Young Hero" and your S.A.F.E. Program
  deserve to be publicly acknowledged.

15
Some things to keep in mind

• The primary focus of attention should be
• The award recipient
• Emphasize the actions of the individual during
  the incident that led to their being honored.
• What positive effect did the recipients actions
  have upon the outcome of the incident?
• Prompt notification of FD, EMS, PD
• Lifesaving medical maneuver
• Minimize property damage

16
Some things to keep in mind

• It is also important to give credit to your
  S.A.F.E. Program.
• Make the community aware of your department's
  efforts and take satisfaction in its success.

17
Some things to keep in mind

• Notify your local town and school officials as
  well as your state representative and state
  senator, whose support for the S.A.F.E Program is
  crucial.

18
What information does the Public Education Unit
need about the nominee?
19
Tell us about the incident

• Town and Fire Department making the nomination
• S.A.F.E. educator or person to contact regarding
  information about the incident
• Date, time, location, type of call.

20
Tell us about the nominee.

• Child's name (check spelling carefully)
• Age
• School or place where they received S.A.F.E.
  education,
• When did they have S.A.F.E. education, from whom?
• Parents or guardians name, address, phone

21
Tell us about the child's actions

• What did the child do correctly?
• How did the actions affect the outcome of the
  incident?
• Did they demonstrate any of the key fire and life
  safety behaviors that the S.A.F.E. Program
  teaches?

22
What information does the Public Education Unit
need about the nominee?

• Let us know when the presentation ceremony is
  scheduled to take place and where
• If schedules permit, Marshal Coan, Deputy Leonard
  or Jennifer Mieth will make an effort to attend
  to present the award.

23
Nominate a "Young Hero

• To notify the Department of Fire Services about a
  child whose actions during an emergency are
  deserving of recognition
• Contact Michael Young, Paul Whitney or Jennifer
  Mieth in the Public Education Unit
• Telephone [phone]
• Via e-mail from the DFS website
• www.mass.gov/dfs
• Follow the Public Education links to Young Heroes

24
Planning and organizing a public award
presentation ceremony
25
Who do you invite?

• Recipients family members friends
• School classmates/teachers, School Administrators
• Town Officials, Mayor, Selectmen, Town Council
• State Senator State Representatives
• Local S.A.F.E. Program sponsors/partners
• Local Media, newspaper, TV, Cable Access

26
Invite a Presidential Candidate!!!
27
Where will the presentation take place?

• The choice of venues should be dictated by the
  comfort level of the recipient, in terms of
  dealing with being in front of an audience.
• Fire Station
• School auditorium
• Town Hall (at meeting of local government
  officials)

28
Where will the presentation take place?

• Consider that a Young Hero presentation in front
  a school assembly
• Honors the recipient in front of his peers
• Reinforces positive behavior
• Provides a secondary teaching opportunity
• Reiterate classroom lessons
• Link theory to real-life situation

29
When considering a location, take into account
the following

• Will weather be a factor?
• Will there be any distractions such as truck
  noise, radios, bells?
• Is there adequate lighting for good photos?
• Keep the sun and bright lights at the back of the
  audience to avoid shooting video or still images
  into the sun.

30
When considering a location, take into account
the following

• Do you need a sound system so everyone can hear?
• Is a stage or podium available?

31
What is the role of DFS?

• Presentation by Department of Fire Services
  representative
• Young Hero Award from State Fire Marshal
• Young Hero T-shirt
• Explanation of S.A.F.E. Program
• Highlight the value of successful collaboration
  between school and fire departments

32
What will you present?

• Certificate of Achievement
• Plaque, trophy, framed picture, gift certificates
  etc

33
Media and Public Relations
34
Stop the Presses!!!

• Media Advisory
• One page informational notice to the media
  inviting them to the event
• Press Release
• Detailed account of the event to distribute to
  the media on the day of the ceremony
• Mailed or delivered to those who cant cover the
  event in person

35
Set up a press kit

• Maximize the impact of the recipients actions
• Describe the Young Heros actions and the
  circumstances of the incident
• Include all the important facts
• Carefully check and confirm the spelling of each
  persons name, age, etc.

36
Set up a press kit

• Explain
• That the student learned how to react in an
  emergency through the S.A.F.E. Program
• The cooperative efforts of your fire department
  and the local school system.

37
Set up a press kit

• Promote your S.A.F.E. Program as well.
• Give a brief description of your departments
  S.A.F.E. Program.
• How long has it existed?
• Who do you teach?
• What key behaviors are taught?
• Who supports the program?

38
Plan well in advance

• Editors and producers need adequate lead time and
  advanced notice to schedule reporters and
  photographers for events.
• Notify them as soon as a date has been picked.
• Dont wait until the last minute and expect good
  media coverage.
• If necessary, take photos yourself and submit
  them to the news editor along with a summary of
  the event in your press kit.

39
Get signed permission for photos of youth

• Before taking or publishing photos of any youth
• Obtain a standard release form
• Get parental authorization in writing
• Inquire if there are any concerns with
  non-custodial parents, you may need their
  permission as well.

40
Protocol for elected officials, dignitaries, etc

• Public officials have extremely hectic schedules
• They require notice well in advance in order to
  attend events
• A letter of invitation should be sent and
  followed up with a phone call to the aide or
  advisor confirming attendance.

41
Protocol for elected officials, dignitaries, etc

• How many speakers?
• Keep it to a minimum (3 or less)
• If an official will not be speaking, make sure to
  acknowledge their presence during your remarks.

42
Protocol for elected officials, dignitaries,
etc

• Order of introduction
• Who speaks first?
• Rank and Political Status
• Highest ranking official first

43
Examples

• 1.) President
• Governor
• Mayor
• 2.) State Senator
• State Rep
• Selectman
• 3.) Town Council
• Fire Chief
• Principal

44
Time allocation for remarks

• Keep it brief
• Fire chief or S.A.F.E. program coordinator should
  describe the emergency event and the childs
  actions.
• Take advantage of having a captive media to
  interject a fire safety lesson or tip that is
  timely or appropriate to the incident being
  discussed.

45
Closing remarks

• Thank teachers and school department officials
  for their continued partnership
• Thank all elected officials for their attendance
  and continued support of your program
• Congratulate the recipient once again

46
Ideas from previous ceremonies

• Light refreshments for guests, donations from
  local merchants
• Presentation at town council meeting broadcast on
  local cable access channel
• School assembly in auditorium honoring student in
  front of their peers
• Fire station visit and ride in apparatus,
  breakfast with firefighters
• Presentation at community public safety event