reaching elderly citizens with the message of fire and

Reaching Elderly Citizens 1

Running Head REACHING ELDERLY CITIZENS WITH THE MESSAGE OF FIRE AND

LIFE SAFETY

Reaching elderly citizens with the message of fire and life safety

Kevin J Abbott

Mt Lebanon Fire Department Pittsburgh Pennsylvania


CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

I hereby certify that this paper constitutes my own product that where the language of others is

set forth quotation marks so indicate and that appropriate credit is given where I have used the

language ideas expressions or writings of another

Signed


Abstract

The goal of this applied research project was to address the needs of the department to improve upon the

delivery of its senior fire and life safety program The research problem is that the Mt Lebanon Fire

Department has been unsuccessful reaching its elderly population with messages of fire and life safety

The research purpose is to identify vehicles to deliver the departments fire and life safety message to the

elderly population of the community and identify any barriers that may exist to this process The research

questions include (a) what has the Mt Lebanon Fire Department done concerning this issue (b) How

have other agencies addressed this issue (c) What community stakeholders may be available to assist in

this process and (d) Are there barriers both real or perceived that affects the departments attempts at

reaching elder citizens

Using descriptive research programs from other departments were examined These results were

combined with the data gathered from the procedure phase of the study that included a series of

interviews surveys and observations from senior citizens and senior caregivers to offer suggestions from

which to conduct a better program Recommendations in the form of the incorporation of stakeholders

into the program an expansion of various ways to publicize the service and the addition of materials in

the form brochures explaining the program were identified The inclusion of this information into the

current senior fire and life safety curriculum is recommended to enhance the delivery of the departments

senior fire and life safety program


Table of Contents

Abstract 3

Table of Contents 4

Introduction 5

Background amp Significance 7

Literature Review 9

Procedures 17

Results 19

Discussion 28

Recommendations 33

References 36

Appendices

Appendix A- Senior Caregiver Questionnaire 41

Appendix B- Senior Presentation 43

Appendix C- Senior Presentation (corrected) helliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip45


Introduction

America is aging This may be a simple enough statement but what does it mean

A recent study released in May of 2010 by the US Census Bureau forecasts that from 2010 to

2050 the numbers of Americans aged 65 and over is expected to increase from 402 million to

885 million (Velkoff Vincent 2010) Along with this increase will come additional needs and

challenges on the agencies support systems and families of this population However other

groups may feel similar pressure to serve this growing segment of society

In a recent article by Denis Onieal the superintendent of the National Fire Academy

(NFA) he portrayed the future of the American fire service Onieal views the potential for the

fire service to become truly all hazard response agencies due to the nationrsquos demographic

changes Baby-boomers will soon be retiring in increasing numbers and requiring more in the

way of the emergency services However Onieal suggests that the services requested will be a

departure from standard fire related needs and even emergency medical types of responses With

the increases of the elderly moving in to independent and assisted living accommodations these

occupancies will present unique challenges to those that respond to their emergent needs

Extremes in weather or other disasters will isolate these communities The special needs of these

residentrsquos will force the staffers of these facilities to seek immediate assistance from emergency

services Oniealrsquos premise is that the fire service will be called ready or not to assist in the

evacuation shelter in place or other response capability that the situation requires (Onieal 2010)

If one is to consider the previous two paragraphs and the impact that they could

potentially place upon first responders this is nothing short of a call to action

In the community that I serve the fire department is the go to organization In other

words if the problem does not require a police presence or transport to a health care facility the


fire department is usually called to handle the situation In addition some of the fire

departmentrsquos officers also serve as the emergency management coordinator and deputy

coordinators for the municipality The above two facts have always pushed the agency to be an

all hazard organization attempting to fulfill the needs of all residents

As of the US Census dated 2000 the population over age 65 in the municipality of Mt

Lebanon is at 188 This is approximately 64 higher than the national average of 124 (U

S Census Bureau 2010) A comprehensive municipal plan completed in 2000 explained that

because of the many amenities that the municipality offers in the way of housing choices many

residents elect to stay in the community after retirement This fact may increase to the aging of

the communityrsquos population (Mt Lebanon Comprehensive Plan 2000) With a target population

clearly identified the Mt Lebanon Fire Department is faced with a challenge to address the

needs of this group

The research problem is that the Mt Lebanon Fire Department has been unsuccessful

reaching its elderly population with messages of fire and life safety

The research purpose is to identify vehicles to deliver the departmentrsquos fire and life safety

message to the elderly population of the community and identify any barriers that may exist to

this process

Descriptive research methodology will be used to examine the following research

questions (a) What has the Mt Lebanon Fire Department done concerning this issue (b) How

have other agencies addressed this issue (c) What community stakeholders may be available to

assist in this process and (d) Are there barriers both real or perceived that affects the

departmentrsquos attempts at reaching elder citizens


Background and Significance

The Mt Lebanon Fire Department is a combination fire department located in

Southwestern Pennsylvania The organization celebrated 90 years of service in 2007 With a

department consisting of 17 career personnel and 45 volunteer positions the agency has always

billed itself as an all-hazard risk organization For example in 2009 in addition to fire and

rescue duties the department took part in over 1610 non-emergency community service events

These include everything from smoke detector installations home safety inspections and a

successful in school public education program (Mt Lebanon Fire Department 2010a)

With a population of 30000 the department attempts to address the fire and life safety

needs of all of its residents One specific audience is of particular interest to the department for a

multitude of reasons As of the 2000 US Census the municipality had a population 188 of

individuals age 65 or older This statistic places the senior population in Mt Lebanon

approximately 64 greater than the national average (U S Census Bureau 2010) Many of

these elder citizens are living in one of the nine assisted or independent living facilities located in

the community (Mt Lebanon Fire Department 2010b) However many live in single-family

dwellings or vertical housing in the form of multi-story apartments One of the reasons for

concern of this group of individuals is that it has been designated by the U S Fire

Administration (USFA) as a target audience The reason for this is that fire is especially cruel to

the elder population For example the risk of adults age 65 and older dying in a fire is 25

greater than the general population Moreover if you are to examine the statistics closer adults

age 85 and older have mortality rate because of fire 46 greater than the general population

(US Department of Homeland Security 2004)


The reasons for these statistics are many With the aging process an individualrsquos senses

decline When more than one sense is affected the risk from fire is increased In addition older

adults tend to have more accidental fires than others Cooking accidents and the use of smoking

materials are just two examples of fire related incidents that impact the elder population (US

Department of Homeland Security 2004)

With the background developed concerning the reason for this applied research project

the significance of this activity must be explained In 2005 the current chief of the Mt Lebanon

Fire Department conducted an applied research project on the needs of the elderly in the

community The findings and recommendations of the project were for the department to

develop an inventory of senior citizens safety resources This was to include delivery of a

senior program that can forward the message of in home safety Partner with other agencies that

specialize in this discipline to bring additional resources to the residents of the community

Create a resource list that offers quick access to services to the elderly population Finally

increase the education level to the population using various typesrsquo media This is to include

television (cable television public access channels) brochures the internet and the local

community magazine (Sohyda 2005)

During this same period the current fire chief and the author of this applied research

project were Lieutenants on the agencyrsquos Community Service and Outreach Platoon A fire and

life safety program was designed to address the needs of the communityrsquos elder citizens Plans

were made to make available many of the services identified by Chief Sohyda along with others

via a series of presentations to the senior populations throughout the community

Unfortunately the success of the senior program has not mirrored that of some other fire

and life safety programs offered by the agency While many of the assisted living facilities and a


small amount of senior citizens groups have held fire and life safety meetings for its residents or

members this number is small in comparison to the actual numbers of elder citizens in the

community Statistics reported by current members of the department charged with delivery of

the senior citizen life safety program have not been accurately recorded until recently (M

Stohner personal communication August 30 2010) However it appears that the most difficult

group to reach of this target audience appears to be those residing in single-family dwellings

Finally the problem statement of this applied research paper The research problem is

that the Mt Lebanon Fire Department has been unsuccessful reaching its elderly population with

messages of fire and life safety This is in direct support of the message community risk

reduction This was the theme delivered during the two-week on campus course Executive

Analysis of Community Risk Reduction (EACRR) As an Executive Fire Officer the curriculum

and theory of the program challenges the participant to seek out areas in the individualrsquos

community that require a definitive community risk reduction message (US Department of

Homeland Security 2009) Moreover this applied research project is directly linked to one of

the USFArsquos operational objectives ldquoEncourage the state local and tribal adoption of risk

reduction prevention mitigation and safety strategiesrdquo (U S Fire Administration [USFA]

2010 p18) The review and development of a comprehensive senior fire safety program is in

direct support of the risk reduction component referred to in the objective

Literature Review

The literature review for this research project took place in a series of steps to ensure that

all applicable sources were examined Interviews and personal observations were conducted to

examine past practices of the agency and the issue of fire and life safety for elder citizens

Second through the use of the Learning Resource Center in Emmitsburg Maryland and through


the internet various agencies were researched to determine how these organizations have

approached this issue The second point is further divided into specific agency types A number

of applied research papers from the NFArsquos Executive Fire Officer Program (EFOP) were

examined The subject matter of these documents was refined and restricted to research directly

focused on senior citizen fire and life safety programs or proposed programs In addition a series

of non-fire related agencies that provide services to the senior population were examined for

their offerings that are directed toward fire and life safety to this specific population Next

efforts from government agencies at all levels were examined for programs designed to address

fire and life safety for elder citizens Finally trade publications textbooks and other printed

material in journal and book form were researched to round out the research process

To begin the examination of the research questions and how the literature review related

to these items it is first best to repeat both the problem statement and purpose statement of this

applied research project The problem is that the Mt Lebanon Fire Department has been

unsuccessful reaching its elderly population with messages of fire and life safety This is

followed by the research purpose which is to identify vehicles to deliver the departmentrsquos fire

and life safety message to the elderly population of the community and identify any barriers that

may exist To consider the first research question what has the Mt Lebanon Fire Department

done concerning the issue A combination of interviews and personal observations of the past

efforts of the Mt Lebanon Fire Department took place An interview with Lieutenant Michael

Stohner of the Mt Lebanon Fire Department was conducted on August 30 2010 Lt Stohner is

assigned to the departmentrsquos Community Service and Outreach Platoon This shift is responsible

for the delivery of the departmentrsquos Senior Fire and Life Safety Program The goal of the

interview was to conduct research on what has been done with respect to promoting the senior


program Stohner explained that various avenues have been used to advertise the program For

example the community magazine the departmentrsquos website letters addresses to religious

congregation leaders and public access cable channel television was also used to make the

programrsquos content known to the community While there was interest he explained there is no

way to document which method used has proven the most successful In 2010 some new means

to promote the program have been implemented A popular program on the communityrsquos public

access cable channel titled the Mt Lebanon Minute offers community service providers the

opportunity to explain their program in a question and answer forum as they are interviewed by

personnel from the community magazine Next letters are being directed to condominium

associations offering fire department presentations on the program Another idea to be used to

promote the program is explaining the contents and availability of the program in a letter that

accompanies the departmentrsquos annual fund raising drive Finally the program will be added to

the new resident package to identify the content and availability of this service (M Stohner

personal communication August 30 2010)

Another approach that the department has used to reach its senior population has been the

involvement in a local senior safety fair This event takes place in early October of each year at

a local shopping mall The local state representative for the community sponsors flu shots for

the senior population and the event draws vendors from throughout the area that offer services to

the senior community My fire department has been a founding member of this event Through

the use of fire prevention grant funds in 2008 professional grade display equipment was

purchased for this and other fire related activities

As a personal observation to this applied research project the paperrsquos author is in a

position to shed some light on the senior program While serving in an acting supervisory


position the paperrsquos author was tasked with the formation of the senior fire safety program this

took place in 2007 I was the acting platoon chief of the departmentrsquos Community Service and

Outreach Platoon for approximately eighteen months The Chief of the Department requested

that a program geared toward the safety of senior fire and life safety be developed The program

was designed to explain the dangers of fire in particular to the senior population Factual data

was collected from various sources specifically concerning senior citizens A program was put

together that could be presented in a group setting Various local organizations churches and

senior living centers were made aware of the program A number of presentations were made to

the community in a variety of settings

As part of the program recently attended at the NFA titled Executive Analysis of

Community Risk Reduction (EACRR) this author was introduced to the USFArsquos manual Public

Fire Education Planning A Five-Step Process There were some points identified in this process

that this author failed to incorporate in the initial program In short the incorporation of

stakeholders should be included in the program (U S Department of Homeland Security 2008)

The second research question asked how other agencies have addressed this issue

There are a number of ways to approach this question First the methods developed by agencies

that specialize in fire safety but not necessarily fire service delivery

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) developed a program titled

Remembering when a fire and fall prevention program for older adults The NFPA bills itself as

the worldrsquos leading advocate and provider of material on the subject of fire prevention

Remembering when is a program that consists of a number of specific points Half of the

program focuses toward fire prevention and the second half toward fall prevention The delivery


of this program is designed in specific format (National Fire Protection Association [NFPA]

2010)

Another agency involved in the topic of senior fire safety is the USFA This organization

offers numerous resources to address fire safety and elder adults Specific campaigns such as A

Fire Safety Campaign for People 50-Plus and Letrsquos retire fire are two examples These

programs offer statistics safety tips and other materials geared at delivering a fire safety message

targeting elder adults (USFA 2010) In contrast to the USFArsquos approach to targeting a specific

population another idea is designed to develop a one size fits all fire safety messages so as to not

isolate any one particular group of people and loose the opportunity to deliver this much needed

information (USFA 2002)

The Home Safety Council offers a program designed for directors of senior citizenrsquos

centers The course outline consists of a series of handouts a video checklist and a poster to

advertise the program The curriculum includes some pre-video activities a video with points to

stop at and reinforce what just presented and closes with a second handout and checklist to allow

the participant to take any lessons learned with them for future reference (Home Safety Council

2010)

Other approaches available to seniors concerning fire and life safety involve the use of

checklists for the home These programs are designed for the individual to play a proactive role

in their own fire safety The checklists offer safety tips to watch for throughout the house

Included here are smoke detector recommendations safe cooking habits and advice concerning

fall safety (American Association of Retired Persons 2006 U S Consumer Product Safety

Commission2010 National Fire Safety Council nd)


Next local and state government offer publications and materials in numerous avenues

geared to the elderly population The internet pamphlets newsletters and telephone message

boards are examples of the data available through a variety of avenues (Allegheny County 2010

Pennsylvania Department of Aging 2010)

Finally one program included the gathering of resources from three organizations to

address senior fire and life safety Meals on Wheels Association of America The Center for

Disease Control and the International Association of Fire Chiefs have partnered to form the

Residential Fire HELP Partnership The acronym HELP stands for Homebound Elderly

Lifeline Project This initiative consists of three main components 1 The installation of smoke

detectors in residents homes 2 Delivering the message of fire safety to individuals that are

visited and 3 The periodic testing of the smoke detectors to ensure ongoing operation

(Department of Health and Human Services 2010) All services were to be conducted by fire

department personnel

In addition to the earlier mentioned programs there are specific programs that have been

used by individual agencies for their area of response These include an after the fire visitation

program in which fire personnel canvass an area where a fire tragedy has occurred and handout

literature about fire safety Smoke detectors are also discussed during these visits Another

approach is to bi-annually visit the area where the most fire deaths have occurred and install

smoke detectors Other initiatives include a program offered free of charge by an ambulance

service This agency provides an in-home inspection and advice concerning fall and fire safety

Finally one program offers safety tips concerning fire and life safety broken down into detail for

various rooms within a home (Dayringer 2003 Murray 2004 Phoenix Fire Department 2002)


Next a few agencies have used some unique approaches or have proposed creative means

for reaching the elderly One agency suggested expanding the training capability of their Public

Education Officer to include the details and requirements necessary to properly develop and

administer a senior safety program In addition to this proposal in-depth training was

recommended for fire suppression crews that would have direct contact with elderly residents in

their home This training would prepare fire personnel to make educated assessments on how

fire and life safety measures could be suggested to their townrsquos residents A second agency

advocated adding a position of community relations officer to address the needs of senior safety

(Tomblin 2004 Dayringer 2004)

Finally one approach suggested building upon a successful time-tested practice used by

many fire departments known as preplanning This activity usually involves the fire

departmentrsquos plan to handle fire emergencies at a particular structure The authors of a particular

study recommend extending this practice to include an assessment of any at-risk populations

such as seniors that may be in these structures From here specific injury prevention training

could be tailored to these audiences to help in the preparedness segment of emergency response

(Jaslow 2004)

The third research question for the project is concerned with the concept of stakeholders

and how these resources complement fire prevention strategies for the elderly The author of this

applied research project was introduced to this term during the Executive Fire Officer Course

EACRR Stakeholders can take on many forms in the community Essentially these are

individuals within the community that have a common interest in the issue being pursued In this

case that is elderly fire and life safety Stakeholders can be elected officials community

members and collaborators (USFA 2009) This concept is demonstrated and further explained in


numerous ways through various organizations researched (Breeding 1990 Dayringer 2004

Hottle 1992 Parker 2008 Smerz 2003 Solutions 2000 Vision 2020 2008 Open Your Heat

to a Senior 2010)

The fourth and final question is concerned with perceived or real barriers to the delivery

of a senior fire and life safety program The concept of barriers began to take on various shapes

and sizes For example it was discovered that the actual delivery of a senior message is in many

ways best delivered by other senior citizens (Breeding 1990 Parker 2008) Additional research

displayed that elder adults wanted to be treated as adults or to phrase it another way treat them

the same as the rest of the population (Solutions 2000) Moreover in an article by Sharon

Gamache (2003) she took the aspect of reaching the elder adult into great detail For example

she cautions against treating elder adults in a condescending manner while delivering the

message of fire and life safety Seniors citizens have been members of society for some time and

have similar interests with society in general In many instances their values reflect those of

society as a whole and they are informed citizens Furthermore these individuals are in fact

seasoned citizens whose only issue may be that immediate recall takes a bit longer than others

However these individuals are not unintelligent and may take exception to being treating as

such Errors such as those mentioned earlier could produce barriers to your program before it

begins

In addition to Gamachersquos findings The International Fire Service Training Association

(IFSTA) Fire and Life Safety Educator training manual offers key points to incorporate in to

programs geared to senior life safety programs These items include technical and setup types of

materials that make the program more appealing to the senior population (International Fire

Service Training Association [IFSTA] 1997)


Finally a study conducted in 2007 designed to identify barriers to the delivery of fire

prevention programs offered specific items that impact the ability of agencies to deliver a

message of fire safety (Gielen McDonald Piver 2007)

Literature Review Summary

To summarize what was learned in the literature review it is safe to say that there are

numerous ways to approach an elder citizen life safety plan This varies from personalized

programs that agencies have developed through national programs The message can be tailored

to one specific type of hazard or one that covers multiple hazards that are prevalent to the elder

community Next when designing these programs it should be understood that there are

resources in the form of other groups or individuals with similar interests that can become

partners to assist in delivering your message This can work as a force multiplier and allow

resources to go further Finally when preparing these programs it is critical for the presenter to

know your audience In other words there are specific ways to approach and deliver the message

of safety to groups of individuals based upon numerous factors An understanding of the

nuances and characteristics of your target audience is essential to the success of your message

Otherwise the opportunity to deliver your message could be lost misinterpreted or even

rejected

Procedures

The applied research process actually began a number of years prior to its official date of

approval by the researcherrsquos evaluator Since the inception of the agencyrsquos senior fire and life

safety program there were issues with its delivery Attempts were made by this researcher to

address this issue however due to shift realignments at the fire department the paperrsquos author

was moved to a different area of responsibility Since that occurred the program has continued


with some success reaching those seniors that live home alone or in single dwellings With the

opportunity that the entrance into the NFArsquos EFOP presented and its curriculum there is now the

opportunity to refocus on the project

The literature review began during the precourse material for the course EACRR the

second year course in EFOP Much of the data gathered there pointed to the need for analysis of

target hazard groups of the population (U S Department of Homeland Security nd) The

senior population is one of these specific audiences that the USFA has identified The course

material from the EACRR program was another resource that the researcher has referred to in the

preparation of the applied research project (U S Department of Homeland Security 2009)

Next resources at the at the NFArsquos Learning Resource Center (LRC) were examined to

research the topic for additional material This data primarily consisted of other applied research

projects completed by others in the EFOP From here extensive searches on the internet

assisted in the gathering of additional material The library where the author is employed was

next used for past articles from magazines and the use of specific fire safety manuals

With the conclusion of the literature review the researcher decided to conduct a series of

interviews sample surveys and personal observations concerning the research project The goal

of these activities was to tap into various service delivery mechanisms that currently exist in the

community where the researcher lives and is employed These groups included both for profit

not for profit and other agencies All of the groups interviewed had one common thread that tied

all of the organizations together each agency interviewed in this process has first hand exposure

with and serves the elder population in the community where the researcher is based

In addition to the above activities a series of sample surveys were conducted with target

audiences These audiences were selected because of their makeup with respect to the topic of


the applied research project The groups consisted of elder citizens that live in various types of

housing in the area that the researcher has targeted as in need for additional fire and life safety

projects

Limitations

One possible limitation to a survey of this type is time While the literature review

allowed for the past happenings with respect to senior fire safety programs getting in touch with

current needs at the core level of the issue was challenging The surveys conducted were

beneficial as to the group habits of those surveyed However in hindsight to gain a greater

understanding of those being studied the use of focus groups would be a beneficial approach

As Breeding (1990) explains in his applied research paper on senior fire safety develop fire

safety messages with the input from those that the message is targeted at Focus groups from

various segments of the senior community would support this theory This is one suggestion that

any follow up researcher may want to consider to further support ones research

Next while 135 residents were reached and of that number 95 or 70 percent were aware

of and or had used department senior fire safety resources caution must be used when

interpreting these results All of these events where the surveys look place required individuals

to leave their home to attend the gathering Therefore we may only be exposed to those seniors

that are more social and outgoing as opposed to those that remain at home most of the time

Results

The results of the study were such that they pointed out areas of improvement that the

department could and should implement to allow the senior program to become more effective

Question one offers a good example of this This question addressed what the organization had

done concerning the success of the program in reaching its target audience A couple of


interviews with the individuals charged with administering the departmentrsquos senior fire and life

safety program were conducted The results from these activities were that the department has

attempted to promote and present its senior program through various organizations and through

media outlets Local church groups condominium associations and other social entities were

contacted and made aware of the programrsquos existence and content The numbers of programs

presented has been inconsistent dating back to its inception For example in 2009 nine

programs were presented 2008 had two programs offered and 2007 had eleven programs In

2006 no listing is available The number of individuals reached is approximately 300 (M

Stohner personal communication August 30 2010)

A large senior fair sponsored each year by a local state representative in conjunction with

flu inoculations is a venue that the department has been involved with since the programrsquos

origination Estimates of attendance based upon the doses of flu shots dispensed is in the order

of 400 -500 (State Representative Matt Smithrsquos Office personal communication August 2010)

Fire Fighter Bob Fischer of the Mt Lebanon Fire Department primarily handles this detail In

an interview with fire fighter Fischer he explained the goals of this community-based event

With such a large number of seniors represented at this event the departmentrsquos representatives

explain and offer the departmentrsquos services to those interested Fire and life safety messages

covering the importance of smoke detectors the safe use of candles and safe home heating are

just some of the topics covered Those interested have the opportunity to sign up for smoke

detector installation service and home safety inspections A key item to this event is the relaxed

atmosphere in which senior citizens can interface with fire department personnel become

familiar with the services that it has to offer and establish a relationship that will benefit both


parties through the use of department services (Bob Fischer personal communication September

20 2010)

Personal observations from the research paperrsquos author are such that the program was

assembled and marketed with the department as the sole proprietor of the curriculum In other

words the origins marketing and presentation of the program are handled exclusively by the

department

Question two was concerned with how other agencies those directly related to the

delivery of fire services and those indirectly involved with service delivery addressed the

delivery of fire and life safety to older adults

Some unique processes are being used in Tulsa Oklahoma Two programs being used

there involve the use of literature and smoke detectors The first involves the canvassing of an

area where a fire death has occurred with literature concerning fire safety The second program

is a bi-annual one in which a defined area around where the greatest number of fire deaths have

occurred providing smoke detectors free of charge In addition smoke detectors are available

year round to those who call (Dayringer 2003) Next a survey concerning the type of delivery

best used for the message of senior fire and life safety found that using the lecture process was

the number one method used by other departments (Smerz 2003) This was followed second by

the use of video pamphlets and public media To build upon the use of public media one

department recommends placing advertisements promoting the senior safety program in local

newsletter and or newspapers on a regular basis This would allow the message of the program

to be continuously available to senior citizens especially those living in single-family dwellings

(Lee 2005)


The last two questions were concerned with possible stakeholders or the assistance of

other individuals to better reach seniors and identify barriers that may inhibit the success of the

program To address these issues the researcher decided to investigate agencies and services

that work with senior adults in the community that the agency is located By in the home setting

I am referring to those services that are working with seniors in their home or are accessing these

individuals on a regular basis by other means

A series of interviews were conducted with a number of senior based service providers

Some of these resources were fee based and some were available to seniors at no charge The

interview format consisted of six questions (Appendix A) and took place either in person or

during a telephone type of setting Each interview took approximately fifteen minutes in length

Touching Hearts at Home is a service that specializes in assisting seniors with the ability

to remain independent and in their own homes with a sound quality of life (Touching Hearts at

Home 2010) In an interview with Kara Rudolph an owner of this service she described that her

in-home personnel as they are called are trained to look out for fire hazards such as the extensive

use of extension cords when assisting clients in their home While they are capable of providing

this service she was most willing to work with the department as a stakeholder to promote an

even greater fire safe environment for her clients Next a discussion on how to best provide

information concerning fire safety for her clients was covered Ms Rudolph explained that this

was situational Depending upon the circumstances the best way to handle this would be

brochures explaining the program However if there were issues of dementia with some

individuals it would not be of any value to explain fire safety items with them Rather

providing this message to family members would be more realistic Finally barriers to such a

program covered a wide field Ms Rudolph explained that many of her clients would feel that


accepting help would be a loss of independence and others simply did not want any assistance

Also many individuals simply do not value the newer technologies such as Carbon Monoxide

detectors The reason behind this is that many older adults have never heard of this type of

protection and simply do not understand its value (Kara Rudolph personal communication

August 27 2010)

Home Instead is a senior based service that is also designed to assist elder individuals

with the ability to remain in their own home The organization provides companionship assists

with helping individuals make appointments and personal care (Home Instead 2010) In an

interview with Mary Beth Herwald director of Business Marketing she offered some advice as

to reach individuals with the message of fire and life safety Her organization uses checklists

with their clients for different types of service Ms Herwald recommended working as a

stakeholder with the fire department to develop a similar checklist designed toward fire and life

safety The list could be constructed through a partnership between the two agencies and would

allow for the fire department to be notified for the need of their service Next a brochure

explaining the available fire and life safety resources was discussed as a good format to make

available to the families of her clients In addition she recommended simply explaining the need

for the fire and life safety would be beneficial to her clients Barriers that currently exist are cost

for the program and the ability to make the program known to her clients Many simply do not

know that this is available to them free of charge (Mary Beth Herwald personal communication

August 27 2010)

Lucille Underwood a Mental Health Specialist for the Office of Behavioral Health Crisis

Outreach Team in Allegheny County was interviewed on this topic The municipality of Mt

Lebanon is the community that the researcher serves and it exists within Allegheny County


Becoming a stakeholder with the fire department was a welcome idea for Ms Underwood She

has worked with the municipality in the past and is willing to assist in any way going forward

Some insights shared during the interview covered how to spread the message of fire and life

safety to seniors especially those in their own homes Ms Underwood recommends town

meetings or gatherings at a local church or meeting venue in which something is given away free

to those who participate This could be as simple as lunch a small snack or even pens for those

in attendance The point is that the free component attracts people itself Once that you have

gathered people to your meeting place offer brief presentations supported with brochures to

explain the program It was further emphasized to make yourself available to those in attendance

This leads into the question of barriers Ms Underwood explained that many elderly are

intimidated by speakers and for an effective presentation one needs to spend time with those in

attendance by sitting and carrying on conversation (Lucille Underwood personal

communication August 29 2010)

Meals on Wheels are a national program that serves people in the Mt Lebanon

community by delivering meals in their home or in their senior center During an interview with

Cynthia Kostelnik manager of the local meals on wheels center she offered some suggestions

on reaching the public Currently their program does not provide any fire or life safety program

However Ms Kostelnik was open to the notion of making brochures available to the homebound

and posters for the senior center that outlined the fire departmentrsquos program In addition there is

also a newsletter that the program produces and this was suggested as an avenue to reach

individuals As for concerns or barriers to reaching people privacy and the individualrsquos desire to

remain unknown was a key item (Cynthia Kostelnik personal communication August 27 2010)


Next Kelly Altmeyer Assistant State Director for Western Pennsylvania American

Association of Retired People (AARP) was interviewed Along with the many services that

AARP provides a key idea was safety publications geared toward safety and staying in onersquos

own home (American Association of Retired Persons 2010) Ms Altmeyer thought that

collaborating with the fire department was an excellent idea to pass the message of fire and life

safety to those living alone Her organization offers publications on safety through the internet

as well as email Barriers to a programrsquos success are the fact that many seniors are isolated and

do not have the technology to view messages online (Kelly Altmeyer personal communication

August 30 2010)

Finally the local emergency medical services provider for the community being studied

was sought out for comments on this topic Medical Rescue Team South Authorityrsquos (MRTSA)

operations director Todd Pritchard was interviewed on this topic The agency provides

Advanced Life Support (ALS) to the community and interfaces with the senior population daily

(Medical Rescue Team South Authority 2010) In the past their organization has participated in

senior fairs community days and other events promoting home safety at various levels As for

working with the fire department the idea has been suggested to conduct joint presentations with

fire joining EMS to offer safety numerous points Potential barriers to this sort of program

include the pride that individuals have that keeps them from seeking outside assistance This

along with cost are issues to overcome However Mr Pritchard recommended a giveaway at

various events to entice others to call for safety inspections (Todd Pritchard personal


A series of surveys were conducted at venues across the community to capture the

perspective of senior citizens concerning their place of residence and how these individuals


receive their information Three meetings with senior groups took place over the course of two

weeks in September 2010 The survey (Appendix B) used included the following questions 1

The age of the respondent was asked This was used to determine where the individual fit with

respect to the age usually associated with fire risk and seniors The question broke age down

across five categories with those under 65 65-70 71-75 75-80 and those over 80 years old The

results were that all respondents measures fit into one of these categories individual age groups

were not examined Question 2 Was directed where the individual resided The choices were

did the individual live in their own residence rent housing or live in some form senior

community Question 3 was concerned with if individuals were aware of the types of services

available to them through the fire department Question 4 asked if seniors used any of these

services outlined in question 3 Finally question 5 was concerned with how best to provide

information of new fire and life safety programs

After the first survey was conducted on September 22 at the Mt Lebanon Recreation

Center senior luncheon it was decided to modify the survey An additional question was added

that asked if the individual was a resident of Mt Lebanon (Appendix C) To accomplish this

question 3 became the resident question and the remaining questions were moved down by 1

number The reason for this was to allow for non-resident participation At the first survey it

was determined that there were a couple of non-residents in attendance This new instrument was

used for all remaining surveys conducted

Of the 134 individuals surveyed 97 were listed as residents of the community The

number of those living in their own home was 71 or 73 percent of those surveyed The number

of residents who were aware and or used senior fire safety resources was 75 or 77 percent


Finally the top ways that these individuals receive information were newspapers and television

that essentially tied followed by attendance at church and or civic groups

To gain additional information concerning senior citizens housing and how they gain

information on a daily basis an extensive survey was conducted in early October 2010 An

annual senior safety fair is sponsored by local state representative Matt Smith (Pennsylvania

House of Representatives 2010) This activity was chosen because it would allow for a captive

audience of senior citizens from which to gather data Moreover the researcher felt that by

going outside of the earlier three-luncheon type of setting there might be the opportunity to gain

a different perspective from the senior fair participants In total 107 individuals were contacted

during this event It was noted that 82 percent of those surveyed lived in some form of their own

housing With respect as to how best to deliver the message of new fire safety messages the top

avenue identified by those surveyed was television followed by newspapers both at

approximately 50 percent and finally direct mail at 25 percent

Of the 107 individuals surveyed 38 were listed as residents of my community The

number of residents living in their own home was 27 or 71 percent of those surveyed The

number of residents that are aware of and or used senior fire safety resources totaled 20 or 53

percent of those surveyed Finally the top way listed that these individuals received their

information was television followed by the newspaper

To summarize the results of both group surveys it was determined that of the 241

individuals contacted 184 or 76 percent owned their own form of housing usually a house The

number of the residents completing the survey totaled 135 or 56 percent Next of the 135

residents completing the survey 95 or 70 percent reported being aware and or have used

department senior fire safety resources


Discussion

The relationship between the studyrsquos findings and the findings of others will be examined

based upon the individual research questions Question one was concerned with what the agency

had done with respect to delivering its senior fire safety program The department developed its

own fire safety message geared toward senior citizens Included were elements of the USFArsquos

Campaign guide a fire safety campaign for people 50-plus (USFA 2004) Marketing and

presentation of the program took place exclusively through the efforts of the fire department

(personal observations)

The studyrsquos findings shed light on ways to improve this process from a number of angles

For example in Gamachersquos writing in Reaching HighndashRisk Groups (2004) she advocated

reaching out to this audience in a variety of ways including interactive presentations printed

materials and home visits While she points out specifics regarding designing presentations to

meet the needs of a senior audience such as hearing issues and the font size of printed materials

she cautions against treating these individuals with a lack of respect because of their age

Moreover she recommends including seniors in all facets of the program from its inception

through its delivery

To build upon Gamachersquos thoughts on including others in the process (Gamache 2004)

others in the field have similar ideas Fire safety educators should enlist the services of those

who provide in-home services such as nurses and care givers to deliver the message of fire

safety Tools should be used to peak interest in the topic of fire safety by tying this message to

items of value to those being targeted for example pets Finally use market research to identify

the ideal places to deliver the messages where seniors will see them the most (Solutions 2000)


In a contrasting view to the approach taken by the department in which it geared a

program directly at senior citizens one program offered a different approach In the report

Beyond Solutions 2000 (2002) the idea of a Universal Design approach to fire safety messages

was suggested The article explained that attempting to isolate a particular population based on

age would probably not be effective because of its approach The idea is to build a universal

message that covers fire safety for all aspects of the population

Next the study identified that newspapers and television were the primary ways that

senior citizens gathered their fire safety information in an around my community This is in

contrast to a previous study conducted by Smerz (2003) which identified the lecture method as

being the ideal vehicle to spread the message of fire safety

Finally the five-step process recommended for fire protection planning by the USFA

offered some points to consider for the current program This process was discovered by the

researcher as part of the precourse material for the EFO course EACRR This process includes

the following parts 1 Conducting an analysis of the community 2 Develop partnerships 3 An

intervention strategy 4 Implementation and 5 Evaluation (USFA 2008) Reviewing the

aforementioned points with respect to the current fire safety program offers room for

improvement in the project Beyond identifying a need for a program geared toward seniors

many key points recommended by others are absent In particular are the developing of

partnerships (USFA 2008)

The second research question was concerned with what other agencies have done to

address the issues of fire safety for senior citizens The results of the study demonstrated that

there is no one way to conduct a program such as this Essentially there are three ways to that

organizations are addressing fire safety programs for senior citizens Agencies are creating their


own program using a canned program or creating a hybrid by combining the first two For

example in his applied research paper Dayringer (2003) uses a series of visits to locations close

to where a fire has occurred Fire safety literature is made available to residents and free smoke

detector checks are offered In addition Dayringerrsquos department and associated labor

organization offer a twice a year smoke detector installation program in the area where a fire

death has occurred

Other organizations provide a combination of using various means to spread the word of

fire safety In Lenexa Kansas Gary Lee reported in his applied research project (2005) that the

best way to reach seniors for his agency is to partner with retirement communities and senior

centers to deliver the message to their residents In addition newsletters were identified as a

means to spread the word to those seniors living at home Next webpage space and using the

internet was another means identified

Finally in his applied research project Kolb (2005) recommended using Remembering

When a fire and life safety program created by the NFPA and tailoring it to the specific needs of

the agency These programs would be presented at various senior housing facilities senior

gathering centers and local churches

With respect to the findings of the study the survey conducted of approximately 240

individuals identified newspapers and television as the key ways to reach senior citizens Coming

in a distance third was church and civic groups as the ideal means for reaching seniors in my

area

Question three explored the possibilities of stakeholders that may be available to assist

my organization with this program The studyrsquos results and literature review are in direct

correlation with one another here In Michael Dmuchowskirsquos applied research project (2003) he


explains that for any senior fire initiative to be successful it will need the support of external

resources such as stakeholders The workload required is too great for one organization to go it

alone

In a similar manner Murray (2004) alludes to the need for community-based partnerships

to tackle issues that are community wide This allows for a greater gathering of resources to

address the needs of the program Moreover we can spread the work across a diverse spectrum

of individuals for a more complete program

Finally in his applied research project Fontanna (1999) suggested the idea of his

department creating liaisons with outside agencies and concerns that can assist in the delivery of

a fire safety message In particular groups that already work with seniors in some capacity

would be sought out to assist in delivering the message of fire safety

With respect to the study agreeing with the literature review this occurred in two

fashions For the sake of this project I consider the materials gathered at the year two EFO

course EACRR as part of the study Included here is USFArsquos Public Fire Protection Planning A

five-step process manual Both of these resources provided extensive explanatory material

concerning the necessity and advantages to including stakeholders in any fire safety project

(USFA 2008 USFA 2009)

Second as part of the study a series of personal interviews were conducted with senior

caregivers that operate in my community All of these entities agreed that the need for a

partnership stakeholder arrangement would be beneficial to their clients in spreading the message

of fire safety (Kara Rudolph Mary Beth Herwald Cynthia Kostelnik personal communications

August 29 2010 Lucille Underwood personal communications August 29 2010 Kelly

Altmeyer personal communication August 30 2010)


The final research question was concerned with possible barriers to the delivery of fire

safety messages The results here seemed to take on a couple of different formats The literature

review was more driven toward procedural issues with the programrsquos delivery For example as

the IFSTA points out in their Fire and Life Safety Educator Manual some issues occur in

teaching senior citizens simply because the educator has not reached this point of their life

(IFSTA 1997) Next Gamache (2003) points out that in many ways the educator themselves

can be the source of a poor educational programrsquos delivery If one treats seniors in a

condescending manner without respect the opportunity to deliver the safety message is also lost

Simply because seniors citizens are older does not mean that they cannot learn like others They

should not be treated inappropriately in the delivery of a program

The studyrsquos results here resulted from a series of interviews Some reasons given for the

barriers are cost of programs isolation from the rest of society intimidation from those

delivering the message and feelings that onersquos privacy was being invaded (Cynthia Kostelnik

personal communication August 27 2010 Lucille Underwood personal communication August

29 2010 Kelly Altmeyer personal communication August 30 2010 Todd Pritchard personal


As the researcher I believe that the study offers many positives with respect to the senior

fire safety project To begin with the inclusion and use of stakeholders is a critical function for

many ways First these resources are working with seniors on a daily basis A level of trust has

been established from which to work The notion of a stakeholder is a sort of force multiplier

We are a small agency with limited resources If interested parties could become involved in

various ways additional programs could be delivered and a greater number of the public reached


The study has given us solid data with which to reach the hardest seniors citizens those

living at home Our results gave us clear pictures on how these seniors get their information

From here the agency can develop a new strategy to reach those most needing the message of

fire safety

Organizationally there are a few steps that the agency can and should employ

immediately Develop partnership and stakeholder relationships There are resources out there

in the form of caregivers willing to work with the department Next expand the program by

developing a fire safety brochure designed for seniors The message can be universal however

font size and other recommended issues must be considered Neither of these initiatives would

require much in the way of funding Both could be handled by the staff responsible for the

delivery of the senior program during normal staff hours

Recommendations

Probably the greatest recommendation that was discovered during this research project is

the idea of stakeholders and partnerships Through both the literature review study results and

any other data gathered this idea is at the top of the list for the organization Conducting a

stakeholder meeting in which local caregivers and persons of interest should be the first order of

business for the department Part of this initiative could be the enlisting of the help of other

seniors to assist in spreading the message of fire safety presentations to their friends that do not

attend senior fire safety events

To compliment this approach I would recommend a brochure designed to address the

needs of fire and life safety for senior citizens The details of this resource could be decided

upon from the stakeholder meeting outcomes However at the very least some form of brochure


outlining fire and life safety goals should be developed that could be circulated at senior

presentations senior safety fairs or through any other resource that supports the initiative

Next looking at the top ways to reach the target audience that the organization seeks

significant data was recovered concerning this Newspapers television and church and civic

groups were the top choices from the over 240 individuals surveyed Initiatives need to be

developed where fire safety messages are made available on various types of television

programming This should include the local cable broadcasting capability While this is

currently being done in some ways the organization should be cognizant of new approaches to

use this powerful tool

In a similar fashion newspapers should be used to deliver the message of fire safety

Although the organization is currently doing this in some capacity additional ways to use this

resource should be explored The combination of local community based newspapers as well as

the larger regional papers offers two avenues to reach the public In particular the larger

newspapers offer geographic sections for each part of the community once each week Public

safety messages can and should be designed for these publications

Finally the use of civic and church gathering groups should be maximized Many of

these organizations offer luncheons that require sponsorship I would recommend that

department funds are set aside to sponsor these events This will allow for the message of fire

safety to be delivered to the residents that have been targeted

As part of this process I would recommend better data collection of the individuals

attending these events A survey tool should be constructed to inquire as to the type of housing

that the individuals inhabit This would tell the department what types of resident we are

reaching based upon housing In addition a question could be asked if the individual has seen


the program in the past This would tell the department how many people that we are reaching

which are repeat contacts and new contacts The survey would be given at the conclusion of a

senior fire safety presentation

The problem statement and purpose and purpose statements were that the organization

was not reaching their senior population with the message of fire safety and what ways could be

done to improve this while addressing any barriers to this process The above recommendations

would work to support this notion In addition I would recommend that the individual charged

with presenting this program review the fivendashstep process that the USFA has identified for

developing fire safety programs This process allows for the framework for a programrsquos

formation through its initial phases up through the evaluation of programs being delivered

Recommendations for the department would also include following the above-mentioned

points and to continue to evaluate your program on a timely basis As an organization seeking

fire service accreditation we are required to evaluate all programs and facets of the organization

annually to determine their effectiveness This program can and should be evaluated as part of

this process to ensure that it meets the needs of its customers

Finally for future researchers I would recommend using the five-step approach proposed

by the USFA to begin planning for similar programs In addition get to know your customer

base and its needs Surveys and speaking with individuals that work with a target audience such

as seniorrsquos citizens on a regular basis are excellent sources of information

In conclusion follow a structured planning process from the beginning and remember to

treat individuals with respect regardless of the situation Failure to do so could result in a

program that does not accomplish its goals and the opportunity to educate individuals on the

message of fire safety could be missed


References

Allegheny County Senior Resource Guide (2010) For caregivers For professionals For you

Pittsburgh PA Pittsburgh Senior News

American Association of Retired Persons (2006) Home modification your key to comfort

safety and independent living Washington DC Author

American Association of Retired Persons (2010) About AARP Retrieved October 6 2010

from httpwwwaarporgabout-aarp

Breeding J (1990) Fire prevention community relations programs in smaller fire departments

Columbus IN Author

Dayringer D C (2003) Tulsa fire department risk reduction program for older Americans

Tulsa OK Author

Gamache S (2003) Reaching high-risk groups In AECote PE (Ed) Organizing for fire and

rescue services A special edition of the fire protection handbook Quincy MA National

Fire Protection Association

Gielen AC McDonald E M amp Piver J (2007) Fire and life safety education in U S fire

departments Results of a national survey Final report Submitted to the Home Safety

Council Baltimore MD Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy

Home Instead Senior Care (2010) To us itrsquos personal [Brochure] Omaha NE Author

Home Safety council (2010) Fire safety for older adults Retrieved October 9 2010 from

httpwwwhomesafetycouncilorgAboutUsProgramspr_fireseniors_w001asp

Hottle V R (1992) Targeting senior citizens with public education efforts Oklahoma City

OK Author


International Fire Service Training Association (1997) Fire and life safety educator Stillwater

OK Fire Protection Publications

Jaslow D Ulfberg J Yoon R McQueen C Zecher D amp Jakubowski G (2004 June)

Fire safety knowledge and practices of the elderly Emergency Medical Services The

journal of emergency care rescue and transportation 33 111-115

Lee G D (2005) Beginning home safety education to senior citizens in Lenexa Kansas

Lenexa KS Author

Medical Rescue Team South Authority (2010) Mission statement Retrieved October 6 2010

from httpwwwmrtsacomindexhtml

Mt Lebanon Fire Department (2010a) Annual Report (2009) Mt Lebanon PA Author

Mt Lebanon Fire Department (2010b) Integrated risk management plan Standards of cover

Report (2010 revisions and update) Mt Lebanon PA Author

Municipality of Mt Lebanon (2000) Comprehensive Plan Mt Lebanon PA Author

Murray S P (2004) Building partnerships through community risk reduction and fire safety

education for older adults Hudson NH Author

National Fire Protection Association (2010) Remembering when Retrieved October 5 2010

from

httpwwwnfpaorgcategoryListaspcategoryID=203ampURL=Safety20InformationFo

r20public20educatorsEducation20programsRemembering20When

National Fire Safety Council (nd) Safe seniors living tips for your active lifestyle Michigan

Center MI Author

Onieal D (2010) 2010 Decade Forecast Booming Woes Fire Chief Retrieved September 18

2010 from httpfirechiefcomleadershiparbooming-woes-forecast-2010-201001


Open Your Heart to a Senior (2010) Safety for seniors Retrieved October 9 2010 from

httpwwwopenyourhearttoaseniororghowvolunteershelphtml

Parker P J (2008) Leading community risk reduction Traverse City MI Author

Pennsylvania Department of Aging (2010) Brochures Retrieved October 15 2010

from

httpwwwagingstatepausportalserverptcommunityother_helpful_programs17971

Pennsylvania House of Representatives (2010) Smith to hold 4th annual senior fair Oct 7

Retrieved October 6 2010 from httpwwwpahousecomPR04209211028729asp

Phoenix Fire Department (2002) Safety for seniors Phoenix AZ Author

Smerz A G (2003) Fire and life safety education for the elderly Milwaukee WI Author

Sohyda N W (2005) Developing a fire department risk reduction program for Mt Lebanonrsquos

senior population Mt Lebanon PA Author

The Meals on Wheels Association of America (2010) About us Retrieved October 6 2010

from httpwwwmowaaorgPageaspxpid=212

Tomblin K M (2004) Senior citizens risk reduction program Peoria IL Author

Touching Hearts at Home (2010) In-home care for independent living [Brochure]

St Paul MN Author

TriData Corporation (2000) Advocating shared responsibilities for improved fire protection

solutions 2000 Arlington VA Author


U S Census Bureau (2010) American fact finder Retrieved October 7 2010 from

httpfactfindercensusgovservletSAFFFacts_event=ampgeo_id=06000US4200351696amp

_geoContext=01000US|04000US42|05000US42003|06000US4200351696amp_street=amp_c

ounty=Mount+Lebanonamp_cityTown=Mount+Lebanonamp_state=04000US42amp_zip=amp_lan

g=enamp_sse=onampActiveGeoDiv=amp_useEV=amppctxt=fphamppgsl=060amp_submenuId=factsh

eet_1ampds_name=ACS_2008_3YR_SAFFamp_ci_nbr=nullampqr_name=nullampreg=null3An

ullamp_keyword=amp_industry=

US Consumer Product Safety Commission (2010) Consumer Product Safety Commission

Safety for older consumers-home safety checklist (Publication No 701) Bethesda MD

Author

U S Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control (2010)

Residential fire help partnership Retrieved July 17 2010 from

httpwwwcdcgovncipcduipfirehelphtm

U S Fire Administration (1992) Letrsquos retire fire Retrieved September 15 2010 from

httpwwwusfadhsgovdownloadspdfpublicationsretirepdf

U S Fire Administration (2002) Advocating shared responsibilities for improved fire

protection Beyond Solutions 2000 Retrieved October 11 2010

from httpwwwusfadhsgovdownloadspdfbeyondsolutions2000pdf

U S Fire Administration (2004) Campaign guide a fire safety campaign for people 50-plus

Retrieved September 15 2010 from

httpwwwusfadhsgovcampaigns50plusdownloadsshtm

U S Department of Homeland Security ( nd) Executive analysis of community risk

reduction Precourse assignment Retrieved October 18 2010 from


httpwwwusfadhsgovdownloadspdfpcmpcm_R274pdf

U S Department of Homeland Security (2004) Fire Risk (Topical Fire Research Series

Volume 4-Issue 7) Emmitsburg MD U S Fire Administration National Fire Data

Center

U S Department of Homeland Security (2008) Public fire education planning A five step

process Emmitsburg MD U S Fire Administration

U S Department of Homeland Security (2009) Executive analysis of community risk

reduction-EACRR student manual (1st Edition 4th Printing-February 2009)

Emmitsburg MD U S Fire Administration National Fire Academy

U S Fire Administration (2010) Americarsquos fire and emergency services leader Strategic plan

fiscal years 2010-2014 Retrieved October 9 2010 from

httpwwwusfadhsgovdownloadspdfstrategic_planpdf

Velkof VA amp Vincent G K (2010) The next four decades The older population in the United

States 2010-2050 Population estimates and projections Washington D C U S

Census Bureau

Vision 2020 (2008) National strategies for fire loss prevention Retrieved August 15 2010

from httpstrategicfireorg


Appendix A

Senior Caregiver Questionnaire

Date

Agency Contact Person

1 Can you describe how your agency works with elder citizens in the community

2 Does your agency currently or has it in the past offered fire and life safety information in your dealings with the elderly population

3 If you were to offer this information how would you recommend or how do you make it available to your customers


4 Would you consider your agency a stakeholder to possibly work with the Mt Lebanon Fire Department to make others aware of a fire life safety program for elder citizens

5 Can you identify any barriers or issues to overcome for a program such as this

6 Any other comments agencies that you recommend that I speak to


Appendix B

Senior Presentation

My Name is Kevin Abbott a Lieutenant with the Mt Lebanon Fire Department I am in a four year Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy I am conducting research on how to deliver the message of fire and life safety to senior citizens in Mt Lebanon By taking a few minutes to complete my survey you will greatly help my research It should only take five minutes of your time to complete the survey below Thank you for your assistance

Please mark you choice by checking the boxes below

1 Please indicate your age group 2 Where do you reside

Under 65 I own my house or condominium

65-70 I rent a house or apartment

71-75 Assisted Independent Living

76-80 Other

Over 80

3 ldquoI am aware of the following services provided to senior citizens by the Mt Lebanon Fire Department ldquo (Check all boxes that apply)

Smoke detector installation Smoke detector battery replacement

Home safety inspections Group fire safety presentations


4 ldquoI have used the following services offered by the Mt Lebanon Fire Department ldquo (Check all boxes that apply) Smoke detector installation Smoke detector battery replacement


5 ldquoIf the Fire Department was to offer additional fire safety programs for seniors what would be the best way to let you knowrdquo (Check all that apply)

Newspaper Friends Family Television

Internet ChurchCivic groups Other


Appendix C

Senior Presentation (Corrected)

My Name Is Kevin Abbott a Lieutenant with the Mt Lebanon Fire Department I am in a four year Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy I am conducting research on how to deliver the message of fire and life safety to senior citizens in Mt Lebanon By taking a few minutes to complete my survey you will greatly help my research It should only take five minutes of your time to complete the survey below Thank you for your assistance






76-80 Other

Over 80

3 Are you a Mt Lebanon Resident Yes No





5 ldquoI have used the following services offered by the Mt Lebanon Fire Department ldquo (Check all boxes that apply)






Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction

Background amp Significance

Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C


CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

I hereby certify that this paper constitutes my own product that where the language of others is

set forth quotation marks so indicate and that appropriate credit is given where I have used the

language ideas expressions or writings of another

Signed


Abstract



















Table of Contents

Abstract 3

Table of Contents 4

Introduction 5


Literature Review 9

Procedures 17

Results 19

Discussion 28

Recommendations 33

References 36

Appendices





Introduction



































needs of this group





this process








































































Literature Review














































































2010)














2010)














































(Jaslow 2004)











to a Senior 2010)















begins























rejected

Procedures

































projects

Limitations















Results






























20 2010)




department
















(Lee 2005)






























August 27 2010)















August 27 2010)




































August 30 2010)































































Discussion




















































death has occurred














area







alone














(USFA 2008 USFA 2009)


































fire safety








Recommendations




























































References








Columbus IN Author


Tulsa OK Author











OK Author








Lenexa KS Author










from




Center MI Author








from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C


Abstract



















Table of Contents

Abstract 3

Table of Contents 4

Introduction 5


Literature Review 9

Procedures 17

Results 19

Discussion 28

Recommendations 33

References 36

Appendices





Introduction



































needs of this group





this process








































































Literature Review














































































2010)














2010)














































(Jaslow 2004)











to a Senior 2010)















begins























rejected

Procedures

































projects

Limitations















Results






























20 2010)




department
















(Lee 2005)






























August 27 2010)















August 27 2010)




































August 30 2010)































































Discussion




















































death has occurred














area







alone














(USFA 2008 USFA 2009)


































fire safety








Recommendations




























































References








Columbus IN Author


Tulsa OK Author











OK Author








Lenexa KS Author










from




Center MI Author








from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C


Table of Contents

Abstract 3

Table of Contents 4

Introduction 5


Literature Review 9

Procedures 17

Results 19

Discussion 28

Recommendations 33

References 36

Appendices





Introduction



































needs of this group





this process








































































Literature Review














































































2010)














2010)














































(Jaslow 2004)











to a Senior 2010)















begins























rejected

Procedures

































projects

Limitations















Results






























20 2010)




department
















(Lee 2005)






























August 27 2010)















August 27 2010)




































August 30 2010)































































Discussion




















































death has occurred














area







alone














(USFA 2008 USFA 2009)


































fire safety








Recommendations




























































References








Columbus IN Author


Tulsa OK Author











OK Author








Lenexa KS Author










from




Center MI Author








from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C


Introduction



































needs of this group





this process








































































Literature Review














































































2010)














2010)














































(Jaslow 2004)











to a Senior 2010)















begins























rejected

Procedures

































projects

Limitations















Results






























20 2010)




department
















(Lee 2005)






























August 27 2010)















August 27 2010)




































August 30 2010)































































Discussion




















































death has occurred














area







alone














(USFA 2008 USFA 2009)


































fire safety








Recommendations




























































References








Columbus IN Author


Tulsa OK Author











OK Author








Lenexa KS Author










from




Center MI Author








from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C













needs of this group





this process








































































Literature Review














































































2010)














2010)














































(Jaslow 2004)











to a Senior 2010)















begins























rejected

Procedures

































projects

Limitations















Results






























20 2010)




department
















(Lee 2005)






























August 27 2010)















August 27 2010)




































August 30 2010)































































Discussion




















































death has occurred














area







alone














(USFA 2008 USFA 2009)


































fire safety








Recommendations




























































References








Columbus IN Author


Tulsa OK Author











OK Author








Lenexa KS Author










from




Center MI Author








from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C



































































Literature Review














































































2010)














2010)














































(Jaslow 2004)











to a Senior 2010)















begins























rejected

Procedures

































projects

Limitations















Results






























20 2010)




department
















(Lee 2005)






























August 27 2010)















August 27 2010)




































August 30 2010)































































Discussion




















































death has occurred














area







alone














(USFA 2008 USFA 2009)


































fire safety








Recommendations




























































References








Columbus IN Author


Tulsa OK Author











OK Author








Lenexa KS Author










from




Center MI Author








from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C










































































2010)














2010)














































(Jaslow 2004)











to a Senior 2010)















begins























rejected

Procedures

































projects

Limitations















Results






























20 2010)




department
















(Lee 2005)






























August 27 2010)















August 27 2010)




































August 30 2010)































































Discussion




















































death has occurred














area







alone














(USFA 2008 USFA 2009)


































fire safety








Recommendations




























































References








Columbus IN Author


Tulsa OK Author











OK Author








Lenexa KS Author










from




Center MI Author








from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C








































(Jaslow 2004)











to a Senior 2010)















begins























rejected

Procedures

































projects

Limitations















Results






























20 2010)




department
















(Lee 2005)






























August 27 2010)















August 27 2010)




































August 30 2010)































































Discussion




















































death has occurred














area







alone














(USFA 2008 USFA 2009)


































fire safety








Recommendations




























































References








Columbus IN Author


Tulsa OK Author











OK Author








Lenexa KS Author










from




Center MI Author








from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C




to a Senior 2010)















begins























rejected

Procedures

































projects

Limitations















Results






























20 2010)




department
















(Lee 2005)






























August 27 2010)















August 27 2010)




































August 30 2010)































































Discussion




















































death has occurred














area







alone














(USFA 2008 USFA 2009)


































fire safety








Recommendations




























































References








Columbus IN Author


Tulsa OK Author











OK Author








Lenexa KS Author










from




Center MI Author








from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C


















rejected

Procedures

































projects

Limitations















Results






























20 2010)




department
















(Lee 2005)






























August 27 2010)















August 27 2010)




































August 30 2010)































































Discussion




















































death has occurred














area







alone














(USFA 2008 USFA 2009)


































fire safety








Recommendations




























































References








Columbus IN Author


Tulsa OK Author











OK Author








Lenexa KS Author










from




Center MI Author








from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C




























projects

Limitations















Results






























20 2010)




department
















(Lee 2005)






























August 27 2010)















August 27 2010)




































August 30 2010)































































Discussion




















































death has occurred














area







alone














(USFA 2008 USFA 2009)


































fire safety








Recommendations




























































References








Columbus IN Author


Tulsa OK Author











OK Author








Lenexa KS Author










from




Center MI Author








from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C


























20 2010)




department
















(Lee 2005)






























August 27 2010)















August 27 2010)




































August 30 2010)































































Discussion




















































death has occurred














area







alone














(USFA 2008 USFA 2009)


































fire safety








Recommendations




























































References








Columbus IN Author


Tulsa OK Author











OK Author








Lenexa KS Author










from




Center MI Author








from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C






























August 27 2010)















August 27 2010)




































August 30 2010)































































Discussion




















































death has occurred














area







alone














(USFA 2008 USFA 2009)


































fire safety








Recommendations




























































References








Columbus IN Author


Tulsa OK Author











OK Author








Lenexa KS Author










from




Center MI Author








from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

































August 30 2010)































































Discussion




















































death has occurred














area







alone














(USFA 2008 USFA 2009)


































fire safety








Recommendations




























































References








Columbus IN Author


Tulsa OK Author











OK Author








Lenexa KS Author










from




Center MI Author








from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

















































Discussion




















































death has occurred














area







alone














(USFA 2008 USFA 2009)


































fire safety








Recommendations




























































References








Columbus IN Author


Tulsa OK Author











OK Author








Lenexa KS Author










from




Center MI Author








from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C































death has occurred














area







alone














(USFA 2008 USFA 2009)


































fire safety








Recommendations




























































References








Columbus IN Author


Tulsa OK Author











OK Author








Lenexa KS Author










from




Center MI Author








from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C




alone














(USFA 2008 USFA 2009)


































fire safety








Recommendations




























































References








Columbus IN Author


Tulsa OK Author











OK Author








Lenexa KS Author










from




Center MI Author








from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C




























fire safety








Recommendations




























































References








Columbus IN Author


Tulsa OK Author











OK Author








Lenexa KS Author










from




Center MI Author








from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C


















































References








Columbus IN Author


Tulsa OK Author











OK Author








Lenexa KS Author










from




Center MI Author








from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C








Lenexa KS Author










from




Center MI Author








from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C






from












St Paul MN Author













Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C











Author


















Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C





Center











Census Bureau




Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C


Appendix A


Date










Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C






Appendix B

Senior Presentation







76-80 Other

Over 80











Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C








Appendix C








76-80 Other

Over 80












Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C








Abstract

Table of Contents

Introduction


Literature Review

Procedures

Results

Discussion

Recommendations

References

Appendix A

Appendix B

Appendix C

reaching elderly citizens with the message of fire and

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