2020visionThe Institution of Fire Engineers-USA Branch Vision 20/20 project has been awarded a Department of Homeland Security Fire Prevention and Safety grant to hold the third Models in Fire Prevention Symposium featuring prevention programs that demonstrate results, and that can be replicated in other communities. 

The last symposium, held in 2012, featured 15 presentations ranging from “Art and Science of Developing Prevention Culture in both the Political Environment and Fire Department” to “Research-Based Recommendations for Smoke Alarm Projects” and was attended by 150 fire safety experts from across the nation. All of the programs went through a rigorous peer-review selection process and had to meet very specific criteria to be considered.

Model fire prevention programmes
Vision 20/20 is guided by a Steering Committee made up of representatives from major fire safety organizations and recognized experts in the field of fire prevention and safety. “We appreciate the support that DHS is giving us in helping to share model fire prevention programmes with fire safety experts from throughout the United States,” said Vision 20/20 Project Manager Jim Crawford. “At a time when many fire prevention budgets are under pressure, this is an opportunity to learn from others and replicate their successes in your own community.”

Vision 20/20 is a project of the Institution of Fire Engineers-USA Branch that is focusing on improving fire safety across the nation through partnerships, research, science and collaboration. Its efforts are made possible through funding from the Department of Homeland Security Fire Prevention and Safety Grant program and private partnerships.

The symposium is planned to take place in Spring 2014 - for more information visit the project’s web site (www.strategicfire.org), Twitter feed (@strategicfire) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/strategicfire).

2011 United States Fire Facts according to the National Fire Protection Association
· 3,005 – number of civilian fire deaths
· 17,500 – number of civilian fire injuries
· 61 - number of fire fighter deaths
· 1,400,000 - number of fires reported across the country
· $11,700,000,000 - property damage caused by fire
· 2/3 - Portion of fatal fires without a working smoke alarm
· 23 seconds - How frequently a fire department responds to a fire
· 65 seconds - How frequently structure fire is reported
· 30 minutes - How frequently someone is injured in a fire
· 2 hours and 55 minutes - How frequently someone dies in a fire
· Cooking - Leading cause of home fires
· Smoking - Leading cause of home fire deaths