The MFD Kicks Off Fire Prevention Week at MillerCoors In Conjunction with American Red Cross
The MFD Kicks Off Fire Prevention Week at MillerCoors In Conjunction with American Red Cross
The three entities team up to host a fire safety and prevention event for residents in the area surrounding MillerCoors
Milwaukee—(October 3, 2009)—Today, the Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD) kicked off Fire Prevention Week at MillerCoors in conjunction with the American Red Cross. The three entities teamed up to host a fire safety and prevention event for residents living in the area surrounding MillerCoors. At the event, participants received free smoke detectors, and were given an option to sign up for a free fire safety evaluation of their property to identify specific fire hazards. The evaluations will be conducted by the Milwaukee Fire Department as an extension of Project FOCUS, a fire prevention program conducted twice a year by firefighters who target a neighborhood and conduct a door-to-door campaign to educate residents on fire safety and prevention. The Department of Neighborhood Services will assist the MFD in evaluating the homes. A second round of evaluations will be done solely by DNS to see if the residents addressed the specific fire hazards. If they did, the American Red Cross will present to each of them a $25 gift certificate.
“The MFD is proud to partner with the American Red Cross and MillerCoors on an event that serves a worthy cause and can prevent someone from experiencing the devastating effects of a fire,” said MFD Fire Chief Douglas A. Holton.
Today’s fire safety event also featured food and a kid’s area including coloring, games, and the MFD mobile Survive Alive House. Participants also received fire safety and prevention literature, talked with firefighters, and received free MillerCoors tours.
“Our company believes in giving back to the communities we work and live in, and would like to proactively help residents surrounding our area be prepared in the event of any emergency,” said Tami Scully Garrison, MillerCoors Community Affairs Manager. “The affects of a fire and/or disaster can be overwhelming for a family, and prevention and preparedness is the best defense.”
According to research conducted by the American Red Cross, in the past three years there were 217 residential fires in the neighborhoods surrounding MillerCoors. As a result, the American Red Cross provided food, clothing, shelter, health and mental health services to 646 individuals who were in need of the services. The agency spent $104,616 in direct assistance to these clients.
“We believe that by partnering with MillerCoors and the Milwaukee Fire Department, we can positively influence the behavior of individuals living in this area,” said Tracey Sparrow, American Red Cross ChiefExecutive Officer. “We want to create a neighborhood where residents know how to prevent home fires and are prepared to respond safely should a fire or other disaster occur.”
About American Red Cross
The American Red Cross provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Whether it is a home fire, heart attack or a call for blood, the American Red Cross is there to help. In southeastern Wisconsin, the Red Cross responds to an average of 500 fires each year, providing food, clothing, shelter, health and mental health services to those affected.
Milwaukee Fire Department
The Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD) is the primary fire suppression, prevention, rescue and emergency medical service for the City of Milwaukee. The department’s motto is "Courage, Integrity and Honor." The MFD consists of approximately 1000 firefighters, many of which serve simultaneously as paramedics providing emergency medical services. The MFD is known as one of the best fire departments nationwide for its response times and quality services.
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