For more information or copies of this publication, please contact:

Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Fire Administration

16825 South Seton Avenue

Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727

800-561-3356

www.usfa.dhs.gov

FA-219/June 2008

Public Fire Education Planning - A Five Step Process
U.S. Fire Administration

Mission Statement

We provide National leadership to foster a solid foundation 

for local fire and emergency services for prevention, 

preparedness and response.
i

To the Reader:

Public Fire Education Planning: A Five-Step Process describes a systematic approach to designing, implementing, and evaluating community safety education programs.

This manual will help those of you who are new to community safety education understand 

some of the basic concepts about how to get started with an organization’s community safety 

education programs. It also will assist you with some hints and techniques on a variety of 

topics, such as methods for locating partners to assist with community education or techniques for locating resources for your safety programs.

Acknowledgment:

The contributions of the following subject matter experts are gratefully acknowledged:

Management Systems 

Training & Technology Co.

1331 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Suite 1415

Washington, DC

Ed Kirtley, Chief,

City of Guymon Fire Department

Guymon, Oklahoma

Mike Weller

Life Safety Education

Hagerstown Fire Department

Hagerstown, Maryland

USFA Project Team

John Cochran,

Fire Management Specialist

Kathleen Gerstner,

Public Fire Education Specialist

Gerry Bassett,

Training Specialist
Table of Contents

Public Fire Education Planning:

A Five-Step Process

Introduction

Chapter 1

Step 1: Conduct a Community Risk Analysis............................................................................................ 1-1

Identify Data to be Analyzed ....................................................................................................................... 1-3

Develop a Community Risk Profile............................................................................................................ 1-14

Write a Problem Statement ....................................................................................................................... 1-16

Prioritize Issues......................................................................................................................................... 1-17

Identify Target Areas and Populations........................................................................................................ 1-19

Chapter 2

Step 2: Develop Community Partnerships................................................................................................ 2-1

Identify Possible Partners ............................................................................................................................ 2-2

Interpret Community Risks and Problems................................................................................................... 2-3

Form a Community Planning Team............................................................................................................. 2-4

Chapter 3

Step 3: Create an Intervention Strategy .................................................................................................... 3-1

Review Data about Risks and Target Populations ......................................................................................... 3-3

Identify Places for Intervention................................................................................................................... 3-3

Identify Target Populations and Locations ................................................................................................... 3-4

Identify Interventions ................................................................................................................................. 3-7

Identify Resources Required ..................................................................................................................... 3-10

Develop the Evaluation Strategy ................................................................................................................ 3-12

Chapter 4

Step 4: Implement the Strategy................................................................................................................. 4-1

Conduct Pilot of Intervention ..................................................................................................................... 4-3

Establish Responsibilities and Timetable...................................................................................................... 4-4

Market Intervention Programs .................................................................................................................... 4-6

Initiate Activities.......................................................................................................................................... 4-8

Monitor Progress......................................................................................................................................... 4-8

Report Progress Periodically........................................................................................................................ 4-9

Chapter 5

Step 5: Evaluate the Results....................................................................................................................... 5-1

Collect Data................................................................................................................................................. 5-2

Compare Data to Baseline............................................................................................................................ 5-3

Note Interventions as Necessary.................................................................................................................. 5-5

Modify Interventions as Necessary.............................................................................................................. 5-6

Report Results to Sponsoring Organization and Community...................................................................... 5-7

Conclusion

Bibliography

Appendix

ii
Five-Step Process Summary

Step 1: Conduct a Community Risk Analysis

A community risk analysis is a process that identifies fire and life safety problems and the 

demographic characteristics of those at risk in a community.

Step 2: Develop Community Partnerships

A community partner is a person, group, or organization willing to join forces and address 

a community risk. The most effective risk reduction efforts are those that involve the community in the planning and solution process.

Step 3: Create an Intervention Strategy

An intervention strategy is the beginning of the detailed work necessary for the development 

of a successful fire or life safety risk reduction process. The most successful risk reduction efforts involve combined prevention interventions:

Education: Providing information (facts) about risk and prevention.

Engineering: Using technology to create safer products or modifying the environment where the risk is occurring.

Enforcement: Rules that require the use of a safety initiative.

Step 4: Implement the Strategy

Implementing the strategy involves testing the interventions and then putting the plan into 

action in the community. It is essential that the implementation is well-coordinated and sequenced appropriately. Implementation occurs when the intervention strategy is put in place 

and the implementation plan schedules are followed.

Step 5: Evaluate the Results

The primary goal of the evaluation process is to demonstrate that the risk reduction efforts 

are reaching target populations, have the planned impact, and are demonstrably reducing 

loss. The evaluation plan measures performance on several levels, outcome, impact, and process objectives.

iii
Conduct a

Community Risk

Analysis

Develop Community 

Partnerships

Create an

Intervention

Strategy

Implement the

Strategy

Evaluate

the

Results

Identify Data

to be 

Analyzed

Identify 

Possible 

Partners

Review Data

about Risks and

Target Populations

Conduct Pilot of

Intervention; Revise

as Necessary

Collect 

Data

Develop a 

Community Risk Profile

Interpret 

Community Risks

and Problems

Identify Places for

Intervention

Establish

Responsibilities 

and Timetable of

Activities

Compare Data

to

Baseline

Write a

Problem

Statement

Form a

Community

Planning Team

Identify Target

Populations

and Locations

Market

Intervention

Programs

Note 

Interventions

as Necessary

Prioritize

Issues

Identify 

Interventions

Initiate

Activities

Modify

Interventions as

Necessary

Identify Target

Areas and

Populations

Identify 

Resources

Required

Monitor

Progress

Report Results

to Sponsoring

Organization and

Community

Develop the

Evaluation

Strategy

Report 

Progress

Periodically

Introduction
Introduction

Introduction - 1

The purpose of this guide

Today fire departments use many terms for educational fire and injury prevention programs. 

Programs differ in size and approach, but the goals are the same: Change the behavior of the 

public so that there are fewer dangerous situations, fires, and injuries.

This guide uses a five-step planning process for developing and implementing successful fire 

and life safety public education programs. From identifying the fire and injury risks in the 

community, developing and implementing a program, and evaluating the results, planning 

is the process that ensures that the program strategies and initiatives really address the problems. This guide takes you step by step through that planning process.

A successful program follows a five-step process:

1. Conduct a community analysis.

2. Develop community partnerships.

3. Create an intervention strategy.

4. Implement the strategy.

5. Evaluate the results.

The temptation to “just get something implemented” is hard to resist. Unfortunately, this is a 

trap. Yes, it’s easy to schedule some presentations at a school; pass out brochures, stickers, and 

plastic helmets; and do some media interviews. But do those presentations address the community’s worst fire or injury problems? Do the solutions being promoted really work? Is the 

appropriate target audience even being reached? Are community groups working together? 

Is the program being implemented in the best way?

A “ready, fire, aim” approach will not hit the target. It can give the impression that the department is out there educating the public, but may achieve little else. Successfully reducing fires 

and preventable injuries involves effective community planning. Notable public education 

programs around the country always prove this to be true.

This updated guide recognizes that fire prevention is now an important part of the larger 

goal of preventing injuries and unsafe situations. Fire departments often provide emergency 

medical services. Preventing injury, illness, and other unsafe situations is often part of the 

mission of saving lives.
What is the history of public education?

America Burning

Public education as an important component of a fire department’s mission came to the forefront when America Burning was published in 1973. This report of the National Commission on 

Fire Prevention and Control, the forerunner of the United States Fire Administration (USFA), 

provided both insight into the scope of the American fire problem and possible solutions. 

America Burning identified the need for public education as part of an overall prevention strategy. “Public education about fire has been cited by many Commission witnesses and others 

as the single activity with the greatest potential for reducing losses.”1

Motivational Psychology Fire Prevention Study

In 1974, Richard Strother published a report called “A Study of Motivational Psychology 

Related to Fire Prevention Behavior in Children and Adults,” one of the first scientific studies 

to document the effectiveness of public education messages. It also demonstrated the importance of evaluation as an essential part of a public education program.

Public Fire Education Planning: A Five-Step Process

In 1977, the National Fire Prevention and Control Administration published a program for 

public educators detailing an effective planning model. Public Fire Education Planning: A Five-Step 

Process is a model that’s been used for years by public educators to develop and implement 

fire safety education programs. The basic approach is still applicable today; however, changes 

in culture and the scope of problems require the updated planning model provided in this 

guide.

Learn Not to Burn

In 1979, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) introduced a new fire safety curriculum for use in elementary schools; Learn Not to Burn© was the first nationally available 

school-based curriculum to address fire safety behaviors for young children. The curriculum 

is based on research into the fire problem, the needs and characteristics of the target audience, and the behaviors appropriate for the target audience. In other words, Learn Not to Burn©

is the culmination of a public education planning process.

Reaching the Hard to Reach

In 1981, the TriData Corporation, in cooperation with the USFA, published Reaching the Hard 

to Reach. This document emphasizes the need for local-level planning to identify the best approaches for reaching difficult-to-reach target audiences.

Introduction - 2

1

 National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control, America Burning: The Report of the National Commission on Fire 

Prevention and Control (Washington: U.S. Fire Administration, 1973) 105.
Introduction - 3

National Safe Kids Campaign

A new public education era began in 1988 when SAFE KIDS Worldwide was initiated in Washington, DC. The campaign is a cooperative effort between the National Children’s Hospital 

and Johnson & Johnson Corporation. The goal is to reduce preventable childhood injuries, 

including those from fire. Safe Kids focuses on two key messages. First, public education initiatives must be based on local problems and target the people at risk. Each community must 

conduct its own planning process to identify specific problems and the best methods for 

addressing them. Secondly, any local initiative must involve the entire community. One organization alone can’t make a big impact in preventing fires and injuries. Fire departments are 

recognizing that preventable injuries are as much of a problem in their communities as fires. 

Today, many fire departments have accepted the concept of working with other organizations, 

and have become key members of local Safe Kids coalitions.

Risk Watch

In 1995, the NFPA began working with the National Safe Kids Campaign to develop an all-risk 

injury prevention curriculum called Risk Watch®. Again, effective planning proved to be a key 

to the project’s success. Using the planning process, the NFPA was able to identify the major 

risk areas for children, determine appropriate messages and behaviors, and develop successful methods for teaching the behaviors and messages. Risk Watch® is now an effective public 

education tool.

Lessons Learned

Since 1973, there have been many lessons learned about what constitutes effective public 

education initiatives at the local level. Experience shows that successful programs have the 

following characteristics:

• There is strong individual and organizational commitment to the public education 

initiatives. The initiatives involve more than a few presentations and distribution of brochures. Successful public educators understand the amount of effort involved and commit 

themselves to a long-term approach. In addition, the organization’s leaders understand 

that the program requires full organizational commitment that includes time for personnel to work on the program, resources required to buy materials and equipment, and 

most importantly, visible program support from all department members and other local 

decisionmakers.

• The program is based on a comprehensive planning process that identifies community fire and injury problems, and the people most likely to be involved. Few, if any, 

successful programs are haphazard. Organizations with successful programs have used a 

planning process. In some cases this takes time. In other cases (for example, in a small 

community with a specific problem) the process may be shorter. The complete planning 

process should be used by organizations of all sizes.
Introduction - 4

• Partnerships are established so that the community as a whole is involved in the solutions. Solutions to fire and injury problems can be complex. Several local organizations should form a team and work together to solve community safety problems. This 

approach brings a variety of resources to bear on the problem and reduces the cost to 

any one organization. Everyone has a vested interest in the success of the program and in 

improving the quality of life of the target audience.

• There is an evaluation of the program’s results and processes. Evaluation is crucial to 

determining if a program’s goals have been achieved, and essential to planning future 

programs. Evaluation identifies what worked, what didn’t work, and what to do in the 

future to be successful. The evaluation also provides the ammunition needed to market 

the program to the community.

What has improved?

Public education, along with engineering and enforcement (the three E’s), have reduced fires 

and related deaths, burn injuries, and other types of preventable injuries. Consider the following fire and injury statistics:

•	 From 1995 to 2004, overall fire incidents declined steadily by 20 percent.

•	 The number of annual deaths due to fire declined 21 percent from 1995 to 2004. Now

the annual average is fewer than 4,000 deaths each year.

•	 From 1995 to 2004, the number of injuries from residential fires decreased by 29 percent.

•	 The death rate from fire among children 14 and under declined by 68 percent from 1987

to 2005.

•	 The overall unintentional injury-related death rate among children 14 and under decreased by 45 percent between 1987 and 2005. 

However, additional statistics indicate that more work is needed. Consider some different 

statistics:

•	 The greatest numbers of fire deaths occur in the home, with the majority in one- and

two-family dwellings.

•	 In 2005, more than 1,400 child occupants (0-14) died in motor vehicle crashes and

nearly half were unrestrained. In the same year, 203,000 child occupants were injured.

•	 Every year more than 5,000American children ages 14 and under die from unintentional

injury
Introduction - 5

• 	 The elderly, the young, and the poor continue to be at a significantly higher level of risk

from fire than the average person.

• 	 While African-Americans account for 13 percent of the population, they account for 24

percent of the annual fire deaths.

• 	 The amount of annual property loss due to fire each year averages $11 billion.

What needs to be done in the future?

The 2000 USFA report, America Burning Recommissioned, states, "There is wide acknowledgement 

and acceptance that public education programs on fire prevention are effective...no prevention effort can succeed without a public education component."2

Fire service leaders and public educators responsible for programs must use new educational 

approaches, methods, and processes, such as the following:

• Greater organizational focus on prevention. Fire departments must continue to increase 

the emphasis on prevention initiatives. Prevention is an important, cost-effective risk reduction tool. Fire chiefs, fire marshals, public educators, and all fire service leaders must 

be advocates for these initiatives. They should be the national leaders in fire and injury 

prevention efforts.

• Improved data collection and analysis. This directly supports the need for better planning. Currently, information on fires is available in most States through the National Fire 

Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). However, there are voids in available information. 

It is essential that each community gather data on fires and preventable injuries. This requires collaboration with agencies such as law enforcement, hospitals, burn units, health 

departments, and State fire marshals. Data analysis is part of the overall planning process, 

as well as the development of an effective public education program.

• Integrated use of prevention interventions. The most effective prevention programs 

incorporate education, code enforcement, and engineering interventions in one comprehensive prevention strategy. The three interventions working together hit the problem 

from all sides so the ability to reduce deaths and injuries is improved dramatically.

• Improved technology. Safety technology is progressing rapidly. No longer are the smoke 

alarm and automatic sprinkler system the only prevention tools available to the public 

educator. New technologies include digital projectors, fire detection systems that provide 

building occupants with more time to escape from a fire, and computers that increase the 

ability of the public educator to reach others with prevention messages. These technologies must be part of the public educator's toolbox and be integrated into education and 

prevention programs.

2

 U.S. Fire Administration, America Burning Recommissioned (Washington: Author, 2000) 24.
Introduction - 6

• Higher level of prevention and public education training for emergency services personnel. Firefighters and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are routinely delivering 

public education presentations and assisting with public education activities. They must 

be adequately trained in educational methods. NFPA 1001, Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualification requires new firefighters to have the skills to deliver a public education 

presentation from a prepared lesson plan. NFPA 1021, Standard for Fire Officers, specifies 

the requirement of the ability to deliver presentations and also to develop a department 

public education program. These skills can be included in job descriptions and specified 

as a prerequisite for promotion. Every emergency service provider is a public educator at 

some level, and can benefit from public education training. 

• Changing the current paradigms about the causes of fire and injuries. The term “accident” has been used for years to describe the cause of fires and injuries. By definition, 

an accident is an uncontrolled event—something that cannot be predicted or prevented. 

When matches are left in the reach of a young child and that child starts a fire with 

them, it is not an accident. It is an incident that could have been prevented. When a fire 

occurs in a home without a working smoke alarm and the residents are killed, it is not 

an accident. A working smoke alarm and education on home escape plans can prevent 

these deaths. The public educator must teach the public that injuries and fires are seldom 

accidents. Rather, they are predictable events that can be prevented through education, 

enforcement, and engineering initiatives.

Can I make a difference?

This is a question that many newly-appointed public educators ask. The answer is, without a 

doubt, yes! Public education has proved itself over and over as an effective prevention strategy. The SAFE KIDS Worldwide campaign estimates that, on average, a $33 smoke alarm generates

$940 in benefits to society, such as medical costs and other costs associated with fire suppression and property loss. What a return on an investment of one dollar! Safe Kids also estimates 

that as many as 90 percent of unintentional injuries to children can be prevented.

Community risk reduction uses prevention processes to reduce or eliminate hazards and risks 

in the community, thus reducing the frequency and severity of fires and injuries. This effort 

requires planning. But the foundation for success is laid long before the planning step. First, 

it’s important to have proactive individual and organizational attitudes about the community 

education program, and a strong personal and organizational commitment to making the 

program achieve its goals and objectives.

The community educator is the heart and the soul of the program. This person must motivate 

others to be involved and support the program. A sound, rational argument for your community education program is important. However, a positive attitude and strong commitment is 

what actually convinces others that a program should be implemented.
Introduction - 7

Department and community members will assess the level of commitment on the part of the 

department leadership. Does the fire chief support community education? Is the fire chief 

providing money, time, and people for the program? Do the fire chief and other senior officers make community education part of day-to-day operations? When others see that community education is part of the department’s mission, they will lend their support. Community involvement is needed to be successful.

What is my personal commitment?

Several specific actions are needed to build and maintain an effective planning process and a 

successful community education program. These actions become a personal action plan.

Do the right things and do things right. It is important to have an understanding of the steps 

that must be completed in order to establish a sound program. This includes completing a 

planning process, gaining support of the department leaders, and developing a partnership 

with the community. Take the time to do quality work. Short cuts seldom work and often 

take more time to fix than doing it right from the start. Be dependable and willing to do your 

share.

Invest the required time and effort. Organizing successful community education initiatives 

takes time, resources, and support. It takes time to build a community partnership and to 

develop a relationship with the target audience.

Follow a proven successful process to identify and reduce community risk. This guide 

provides a proven method for conducting a planning process. However, take the time to read 

journal articles and textbooks on community education. If possible, attend the National Fire 

Academy (NFA) community education courses, or similar courses taught at the State or local 

level. It helps to learn several proven methods of planning community education and risk 

reduction. Get insight into programs that have been less than successful and avoid falling into 

the same traps.

Collect data and be objective. No one knows all the answers to solving fire and injury problems. Be objective in your decisionmaking and in the use of educational methods. Before 

guessing about the community’s problems and risks collect accurate data. Don’t rely on intuition to determine solutions. Instead, meet with the target audience and the other members 

of the community team. Get as much information as you can from them and then analyze 

what the information means. If needed, get help in the analysis but don’t get stuck in ‘‘paralysis from analysis.’’ Step forward, make decisions, and move ahead.

It is easy to become protective of department initiatives and programs, even to the point 

of excluding other agencies. Be willing to give up sole program ownership and encourage others to share ownership
Introduction - 8

Be a community education activist. In any great change effort there are always leaders who 

step forward and lead the charge. That person, the public educator, becomes a cheerleader, 

an organizer, a promoter, a recruiter, and a coordinator all in one. Get others excited about 

the possibilities of reducing fires and injuries through community education, and then channel that excitement into action and involvement. Enthusiasm will get others on the team. 

Continually discuss community education programs with department leaders so they stay 

committed.

The toughest task is winning the support of other department members. Take the time to 

listen and consider their program recommendations and recruit assistance in marketing 

the program to the community.

Why is organizational support so important?

Organizational commitment is essential for success. There may be some short-term victories 

without organizational commitment, but long-term, community-changing results will not 

be possible.

There are several tangible benefits that come with organizational support. First, department 

resources are available more readily. This includes the most valuable department resource—

its people.

Secondly, fire department leaders will help make connections with other leaders in the community. Fire chiefs are active in the community and interact regularly with other leaders. The 

chief will facilitate introductions to the other leaders so the public educator can promote the 

community education initiative directly to decisionmakers. In short, the fire chief can open 

doors easily that otherwise might require a great deal of effort.

Finally, when the organization is supporting community education initiatives publicly it 

sends a signal to other community organizations and agencies: Reducing fires and injuries in 

our community is important! When your department supports community education, other 

community partners will get on board.

What department actions support community education?

Organizational commitment for community education is not a one-time thing. It’s an all-thetime effort that becomes a part of the department culture. This level of commitment takes 

strong leadership from the public safety educator. It is not easy to achieve. These points are 

key: 1) Community education can reduce fires and injuries effectively when used as part of 

the department’s overall prevention strategy; 2) It may take months or years for community 

education initiatives to be fully effective; 3) The community looks to the fire department for 

leadership; and 4) Effective community education requires a partnership.
Introduction - 9

Make sure the chief understands what community education is, and what is required to 

have a successful education program. Educate the chief and other decisionmakers and 

leaders about community education.

The following paragraphs discuss several organizational actions that are important in order 

for a community education program to be effective and to achieve its goals.

Institutionalize community education as an organizational value. Fire suppression is a 

program deeply ingrained as a department value. Firefighters don't argue that fire suppression is a key mission of the department. The same should be true for community education. 

Community fire and life safety education should be included in the mission statement. It 

should be part of the department's budget. Job descriptions should include community education as a required duty, and personnel should be trained as community educators. Community education should be part of the department's overall prevention strategy.

Commit department resources to the community education program. Community education, just like any other department program, requires resources. Those resources include 

money and people. Some community education initiatives require a multiyear commitment 

from the department. For example, school-based education programs such as the NFPA's Risk 

Watch must be used in the classroom over a period of years to be effective.

Identify the short- and long-term resources required for any community education program. 

Make decisionmakers aware of all the resources required for the program when gaining their 

support. This information allows decisionmakers to budget to meet ongoing needs.

The public demands that fire suppression crews be staffed adequately and have the apparatus and equipment necessary to put out fires and respond to EMS emergencies. The 

community educator should avoid demanding the same funding as suppression: This 

will alienate the fire chief and operational personnel. Rather, work with the fire chief to 

obtain the resources necessary for success while respecting the needs and roles of other 

department programs, including suppression.

Community education is made a department activity. The fire departments with the most 

successful community education programs all share one common strategy: every person on 

the department is a community educator. This includes firefighters, code inspectors, investigators, and even administrative personnel. Everyone must be involved in the overall community education program. When this happens a multitude of resources become available.
Introduction - 10

Decisionmakers and senior officers are taught the process of fire and injury prevention. 

Senior officers should receive training on how to develop a prevention strategy which includes conducting a community risk analysis, identifying the appropriate strategies to reduce 

the problems, and methods for involving the community in the prevention program.

Senior officers and department leaders find it difficult to support what they don’t understand. 

Identify training opportunities such as the NFA’s Community Education Leadership and Strategic 

Analysis of Community Risk Reduction courses. Similar State and local training programs also may 

be available.

Encourage the senior officers and decisionmakers to take these classes as part of their 

professional development. The lessons and skills they learn will be an asset to you and 

the community education program.

Prevention strategies include adopting and enforcing up-to-date fire safety codes and 

standards, and building plans review. A comprehensive prevention program includes community education, adopting fire and life safety codes, code enforcement, and building plans 

review. Education alone will not be fully effective.

Expand prevention strategies to include injury prevention. In many communities the 

greatest risk to the health of the public is not fire, but rather more generally preventable injuries. Most departments provide some level of emergency medical services (EMS), so injury 

prevention should be part of the department’s prevention mission.

The community educator should have a good relationship with the fire chief. The educator must make a commitment to building and maintaining a good working relationship with 

the chief. What does a good relationship involve? Here are some important considerations:

• Trust. Part of the relationship with the fire chief is mutual trust. A fire chief must be able 

to trust the information being provided by an educator. Always be completely truthful, 

even if it’s painful to do so.

• Mutual Respect. Respect the fact that there are more programs to consider than just community education. There are times that resources requested are not going to be available 

because of other department priorities.

• Acting proactively. Look to the future and have at least a 2- to 3-year plan for the program. Maintain a community planning process. Advanced planning helps to align department resources more effectively for program support.
Introduction - 11

• Seek to understand before being understood. Take the time to learn about the rest of the 

department’s programs and needs and then relate the education program’s needs in those 

terms.

• Play by the rules. It is tempting to bend the rules and to go outside regular channels to 

get things done. But this strategy breaks down mutual trust. There are always rules and 

policies. Learn them and use them effectively.

• Do a few things well. Identify the highest priorities for the community through a planning process, and then attack those priorities with all the resources available so that the 

program will be successful.

Summary

Success comes from building internal support for community education, understanding the 

role the community educator plays in successful programs, and creating an organization that 

is focused on prevention and community education. The community educator must be the 

leader in this process, and be responsible for guiding and educating other people and groups. 

The “five-step” process outlined in this guide is a key to success. It really works!

The public educator must complete the planning process by determining the most serious 

fire and/or injury problems facing the community and the best solutions. Then he or she 

must be willing to reach out to the community and work with other agencies as part of a 

community team. Finally, program results must be evaluated correctly.

This guide provides you with information to develop the skills for conducting a basic but effective planning process. Through the years, the lessons and processes have proved effective. 

It’s now up to you to use the planning process as the foundation for your public education 
Conduct a

Community Risk

Analysis

Develop Community 

Partnerships

Create an

Intervention

Strategy

Implement the

Strategy

Evaluate

the

Results

Indentify Data

to be 

Analyzed

Develop a 

Community Risk Profile

Write a

Problem

Statement

Prioritize

Issues

Identify Target

Areas and

Populations

Step 1: Conduct a Community Risk Analysis
1-1

Chapter 1

Step 1: Conduct a Community Risk Analysis

Introduction

What is a community risk analysis? A community risk analysis is a process that identifies fire 

and life safety problems and the demographic characteristics of those at risk in a community. 

A thorough risk analysis provides insight into the worst fire and life safety problems and the 

people who are affected. The analysis results create the foundation for developing risk reduction and community education programs.

Conducting a community risk analysis is the first step toward deciding which fire or injury 

problem needs to be addressed. Risk analysis is a planned process that must be ongoing, as 

communities and people are constantly changing.

Why conduct a community risk analysis? Fire and rescue departments must use facts in 

order to correctly identify leading safety risks that need attention. A community risk analysis 

will provide these data.

Consider this: A group of people decide to plan a trip. How will they know the best route to 

take without knowing where their starting point is? Likewise, it is important to know where 

a community is before beginning a community education program that will reach a risk reduction goal.

Too often, an objective and systematic community risk analysis is a step that is overlooked in 

the community education process. Many emergency service organizations address risks based 

on a perceived need for service that isn’t really there. An educator may want to teach people 

about something that is not a problem, perhaps just because a particular subject is interesting. 

First, it will be hard to get people to participate in an unnecessary program. Second, nothing 

actually will be accomplished. This approach can be costly in terms of misdirected resources, 

continued property loss, injuries, and deaths.

Examples

• An organization reads about a high occurrence of electrical fires in a neighboring community and decides to begin a campaign to address these types of fires.

However, a data analysis of its own community’s fire occurrences reveals that it has very 

few electrical fires. What it does have is a large number of unattended cooking fires.

Result: Because its campaign is misdirected to electrical fires, cooking fires and related 

injuries continue.
1-2

• An organization located in the northeastern United States reads of swimming pool drownings occurring in the southwestern part of the country. The organization begins a safe 

swimming campaign.

If this organization looked carefully at community data, it would identify that only two 

swimming pool drownings had occurred in the prior 10 years. Further study would have 

revealed a large number of child pedestrian injuries and deaths.

Result: Because its campaign is misdirected toward deaths by drowning, child pedestrian 

injuries and deaths continue.

It is easy to become distracted from local issues by big media splashes about national happenings. Don’t let that happen. Stay focused! Invest the time to conduct an objective community risk analysis. Having facts about the leading causes of risk and the people being 

affected will set the stage for a successful risk reduction process.

Objectivity means using reliable data to make conclusions based on facts, not beliefs.

What does a community risk analysis include? A community risk analysis includes five 

important activities:

1. Identify data to be analyzed.

2. Develop a Community Risk Profile.

3. Write a problem statement.

4. Prioritize issues.

5. Identify target areas and populations.

The analysis provides a factual overview of the risk issues, using the information obtained, 

and should be used to develop a risk reduction proposal. This will produce a picture of what 

is wrong and who is at risk.
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Identify Data to be Analyzed

What is problem-related information?

Problem-related information identifies three things:

1. The leading causes of community risks.

2. Where problems are occurring.

3. Who is being affected by the risk.

Problem-related information is obtained by conducting research, asking questions, and making comparisons based on quality data.

COMMUNITY ANALYSIS

PEOPLE PROBLEM

Target Audience

Characteristics of

Audience

Relationship of 

Audience to Problem

Nature of Fire/Injury

Problem

People Affected by Problem

Cause of Problem

Solution to Problem

 Figure 1: Community Analysis.

How do you locate problem-related information?

Here is an example. A fire department in Safe City, USA, wants to examine the leading cause(s) 

of fire in the community
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The fire department locates valid data sources to identify the leading causes of fire in America. Sources include the NFPA and the USFA. National injury data also can be sought from the 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Safe Kids Coalition. National sources are sought so a comparison can be made to State and local data. The National 

Fire Data Center Web site provides community educators with published statistical information on the national fire problem.

Figure 2: U.S. Fire Administration Web site.

A community educator can log onto the Internet, go to the USFA and NFPA Web sites, and 

instantly review a profile of the national fire problem.

These organizations are reviewing data regularly from NFIRS. This allows them to build a 

national profile of how many fires and other incidents occur, note their causes, and indicate 

where they occur and who is affected. A copy of one page of the NFIRS report form is on the 

next page.

LOCAL STATE FEDERAL
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Figure 3: NFIRS Form.
1-6

The fire department locates data sources to identify the leading causes of fire in the State. 

State data, usually available from the State fire marshal’s office, should be used to make a 

comparison to national and local data.

Some examples of State data include a comparison of your State’s fire deaths to those of the 

whole United States. This information will provide an indicator of the magnitude of the 

problem in your State. The bar chart in Figure 5 illustrates such a comparison.

25+ Deaths per Million Population

18-25 Deaths per Million Population

11-18 Deaths per Million Population

Under 11 Deaths per Million Population

Note: 1995 data from Indiana and Nevada are 

incomplete. 1994 data are shown.

Sources: State Fire Marshals and the United States

Fire Administration.

Fire Death Rate by State in 1995

Figure 4: Death Rates by State.
1-7

86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95

100

80

60

40

20

0

100

80

60

40

20

0 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95

NEVADA NEW HAMPSHIRE

PENNSYLVANIA RHODE ISLAND

Fire death rate

per 1,000,000

population

Average U.S.

fire death rate

per 1,000,000

population

10- Year Fire Death Rate by State

Compared to National Average

Figure 5: Comparison of State and 

National Fire Deaths by Year.
1-8

The fire department examines local fire/injury experience data to identify the extent and 

leading causes of community fire/injury. Sources include fire department incident records, 

local hospital records, and local health department records. Additional injury data may be 

available from other community organizations, such as the local Safe Kids Coalition.

It is most important to identify the leading causes of risk at the local level. Local issues may 

be different from those at the State and national level. Local data are by far the most important source of information. It is through local data that specific risks in your community are 

identified.

Figure 6 gives an example of local data compared to State and national data on injuries by 

cause of injury.

 Figure 6: Local Injuries by Cause.

The goal is to identify the leading causes of fire/injury at the national, State, and local level. 

It is important to examine all levels so that comparisons can be provided to potential partners 

from the local community.

If an organization does not have a formal data collection system, it is never too late to start 

one! Potential sources to assist with learning how to collect data are listed at the end of this 

section.

Injuries by Cause
How much local problem information is needed?

Quite a bit of information is required in order to draw accurate conclusions. Even though 

national and State information is available, it is critical to develop the same type of profile at 

the local level.

Examine at least 3 years (more if possible) of data. This will allow the identification of a 

baseline (average) of how many times a specific incident occurs annually. The smaller the 

community, the further the history search should be extended.

Leading Causes of Home Fires and Deaths

1993-1997 Annual Averages

 Figure 7: Annual Average Comparison of Home Fires and Deaths.

It is easy to create a simple database from existing run sheets. This allows the fire department 

to identify fire and injury causes and their occurrences.

For example the following activity report can be used to study the fire problem in your city.

1-9

Susp.

Dist.

Playing
1-10

Aug.

2001

Aug.

2000

Year to 

Date 

2001

Year to

Date

2000 

SUPPRESSION 

Total Incidents 150 156 1,218 1,102

Estimated Loss 6,102 265,905 854,642 657,654

Multiple Alarm Fires 0 1 1 2 

Average Number of Firefighters Per Incident 7 7 8 7 

Average Response Time 2:41 2:24 2:38 2:44

Average Time Spent Per Incident 19:16 23:38 22:36 26:56

Civilians Injured 0 1 7 5 

Civilian Fatalities 0 0 0 0 

Civilians Rescued/Revived 0 0 0 1 

TRAINING

Monthly In-House Training Hours Provided 0 0 20.5 26.5 

Firefighters Injured 0 0 6 2 

Firefighter Fatalities 0 0 0 0 

INVESTIGATIONS 

False Alarms 6 4 48 40

False Alarm Arrests 0 0 1 2 

False Alarm Convictions 0 0 1 2 

Incendiary Fires/Fireworks 5/0 6/0 30/0 23/0

Arson Arrests/Fireworks 1/0 6/0 21/0 17/0

Arson Convictions/Fireworks 1/0 2/0 19/0 10/0

INSPECTIONS 

Total Inspections 84 125 711 848

Site and Building Plans Reviewed 28 22 164 174

Citizen Complaints Received about Fire Violations 1 0 6 6 

Number of Appeals 0 0 0 1 

Legal Action Taken 0 0 0 0 

PREVENTION/EDUCATION

Free Smoke Detectors Installed 15 6 215 236

Public Education Programs

(Children’s Village - 1; School - 0; Other 1) 9 11 134 131

People in Attendance

(Children’s Village - 30; School - 0; Other - 30) 450 340 5,890 4,935

Media Articles/Programs 6 15 74 90

 

Figure 8: Local Activity Report.

Activity Report for August 2001

Fire Department
Safe City Example

The Safe City, USA, fire department responds to 100 structure fires each year. The fire 

department decides to examine 10 years of structure fire experience data to identify the 

leading structure fire cause in Safe City.

The Safe City Fire Department discovers it has responded most often to fires resulting 

from unattended cooking: 400 such calls over a 10-year period. To determine the average number of cooking fires per year, divide the total number of cooking fires in the 

10-year study (400) by the number of years in the study (10). The result: Safe City Fire 

Department experiences an average of 40 cooking fires per year.

These data can be restated as 40 cooking fires per 100 yearly structure fires (40/100, or 

40 percent.

Safe City Fire Cause

Although 40 cooking fires each year may not seem like a large number, comparing the occurrence with all other fire causes identifies it to be the leading structure fire problem. Cooking 

fires also are a frequent cause of burn injuries.

By completing this data analysis, Safe City Fire Department has identified the following information:

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Safe City Fire Cause

Cooking

Other

•	 The leading cause of structure fire is unattended cooking.

•	 The fire department is most likely to decrease the number of structure fires in its community by developing a campaign to reduce cooking fires.

•	 The baseline average number of cooking fires in Safe City is 40 per year. By comparing

next year’s incidence of cooking fires to this baseline number, the fire department will be 

able to evaluate the progress of its campaign to reduce unattended cooking.
1-12

Examining at least 3 years of data (more if possible) will provide a more accurate 

profile of leading risk issues.

Examining less than 3 years of data will not provide an accurate profile of leading 

risk issues, and the real issues may be overlooked.

What type of local problem-related information is needed?

To conduct an objective risk analysis, the following types of local information must be obtained:

•	 	 types of incidents (fires, falls, etc.);

•	 	 root factors leading to incident (how does a typical incident happen?);

•	 	 how often the incidents occur;

•	 	 location of the incidents (geographic distribution);

•	 	 when incidents occur (time, day, month);

•	 	 cost of the incidents (expense, injuries, loss of life); and

•	 	 types of incidents happening most frequently.

This type of local information can be displayed like the examples on the following page in 

order to analyze the information and make decisions about local problems.
1-13

 Figure 9: Examples of Local Data Displays.

0.9

2.7

11.4

46.5

38.6

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Other

Vehicle

Residential

Percent

0 10 20 30 40

Unknown

Exposure

Natural

Other Equipment

Other Heat

Open Flame

Appliances

Electrical Distribution

Cooking

Heating

Careless Smoking

Children Playing

Incendiary/Suspicious

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 123 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Cooking Fires

Non-cooking Fires

AM PM 

Dollar Loss By Property Type

Causes of Fires

When Incidents Occur

Nonresidential

Outside

Percent
1-14

Conducting a comprehensive analysis of risk helps to ensure selection of the “priority” issues.

Examining only one area (such as expense) may not provide enough information 

to make an objective decision on what issue to address.

What is a community risk profile?

A community risk profile is an overview of the information gathered about the 

community. It can serve as an introduction to a problem statement. A community 

profile should include the following information:

•	 demographic description of community;

•	 demographic distribution of high-risk populations;

•	 brief description of selected fire/injury risk issue;

•	 public perception of the problem;

•	 existing myths about the problem;

•	 political support for the issue; and

•	 resources currently available to address the risk issue;

Develop a Community 

Risk Profile

A community profile does not have to be a lengthy report. A paragraph or two for each section is enough. The community profile leads a reader to the problem statement. Several profiles may need to be developed, one for each targeted risk selected.

Data collected for the local area can be summarized in charts that represent a demographic 

profile. The following chart details the demographics for one county in terms of age, sex, 

and income.
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Profile of Health Status Indicators

 Figure 10: Local Demographics Example.

Demographics

Males Females 

COUNTY # ALL 

RACES 

% 

WHITE 

 %

AFRICANAMERICAN

% 

 NATIVE

AMERICAN

% 

ASIAN COUNTY # ALL RACES 

% 

WHITE 

% 

 NATIVE

AMERICAN

% 

ASIAN 

ALL AGES 2,961 98.5 0.1 1.3 0.0 ALL AGES 2,964 98.2 0.1 1.6 0.1 

< 1 41 93.9 0.7 5.4 0.0 < 1 33 98.3 1.0 0.0 0.7 

1 to 4 147 93.5 0.5 6.0 0.0 1 to 4 154 93.2 1.1 5.2 0.5 

5 to 9 246 98.0 0.0 2.0 0.0 5 to 9 203 97.0 0.0 3.0 0.0 

10 to 14 280 99.3 0.0 0.7 0.0 10 to 14 268 98.9 0.0 1.1 0.0 

15 to 19 217 97.7 0.0 2.3 0.0 15 to 19 198 98.0 0.0 2.0 0.0 

20 to 44 935 98.2 0.2 1.5 0.1 20 to 44 886 97.5 0.2 2.2 0.1 

45 to 64 657 99.8 0.0 0.2 0.0 45 to 64 648 98.9 0.0 1.1 0.0 

65 to 74 243 99.6 0.0 0.4 0.0 65 to 64 294 99.7 0.0 0.3 0.0 

75 + 195 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 75 + 279 100.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 

STATE # ALL 

RACES 

% 

WHITE 

% 

 NATIVE

AMERICAN 

% 

ASIAN STATE # ALL RACES 

% 

WHITE 

% 

 NATIVE

AMERICAN

% 

ASIAN 

ALL AGES 1,586,887 83.0 7.7 8.1 1.2 ALL AGES 1,666,742 82.9 7.7 8.1 1.3 

< 1 21,371 78.4 10.1 10.0 1.5 < 1 20,090 76.8 10.4 10.4 2.4 

1 to 4 100,081 78.0 10.3 10.0 1.7 1 to 4 96,344 77.5 10.6 10.3 1.6 

5 to 9 122,245 77.6 10.1 11.1 1.2 5 to 9 116,596 77.3 10.2 11.1 1.4 

10 to 14 132,867 77.9 9.3 11.5 1.3 10 to 14 124,696 77.1 9.7 11.8 1.4 

15 to 19 123,129 78.9 9.3 10.5 1.3 15 to 19 116,201 78.6 9.6 10.5 1.3 

20 to 44 590,427 82.5 8.2 7.6 1.7 20 to 44 589,875 82.0 8.4 7.9 1.7 

45 to 64 317,486 87.8 5.2 6.2 0.8 45 to 64 340,946 86.9 5.6 6.4 1.1 

65 to 74 109,361 89.8 4.3 5.5 0.4 65 to 74 133,876 89.0 4.9 5.6 0.5 

75 + 70,141 90.0 4.5 5.3 0.2 75 + 128,773 90.0 4.6 5.2 0.2 

Income/Poverty Income Levels County 

Number

State 

Number

County 

Rate 

State 

Rate 

Income < 100%

Poverty 

523 527,088 8.8% 16.25%

Income < 150%

Poverty 1,170 884,987 19.7% 27.2% 

Income < 185%

Poverty 1,646 1,070,444 27.8% 32.9% 

Income < 200%

Poverty 1,895 1,242,886 32.0% 38.2% 

Poverty by Age Groups

Age 0-17 162 189,553 9.7% 21.7% 

Age 18-64 243 247,597 7.5% 14.2% 

Age 65-74 31 32,837 5.9% 13.5% 

Age 75 + 100 58,620 21.2% 24.1% 

Income

Per Capita Income $18,667 $17,610 -- -- 

Median Family Income $31,279 $28,554 -- -- 

Unemployment

Unemployment Rate 67 57,867 2.4% 3.6%

Household 

# Female-Headed 

Households 74 87,945 -- -- 

Nursing Facilities County Number State Number

Beds per 1,000 Elderly (Age > 75 yrs) 131 185 

Patient Rate per 1,000 Elderly (Age > 75 years) 115 144 

 %

AFRICAN-

 AMERICAN

 %

AFRICAN-

 AMERICAN

 %

AFRICAN-

 AMERICAN
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What is a problem statement?

A problem statement provides a fact-based overview of the problem and who is affected by it. It also provides a vision of what the organization proposes to do about 

the problem.

Here is an example of a problem statement developed in Safe City:

Write a Problem Statement

Safe City Example

Community Risk Profile

Safe City, USA, population 20,000, is a small but densely populated community located 

in the southeastern United States. The town grew from a small village to its present size 

beginning in the early 1900s. Most homes are more than 30 years old and are of masonry construction.

Although the railroad industry once thrived in Safe City, most residents now commute 

to larger cities for work.

Safe City is an aging community, in terms of both people and properties. A significant 

percentage (30 percent) of Safe City’s citizens are retired. Many reside in city-owned 

housing units. A significant portion of the older adult population has difficulty with 

mobility, hearing, or sight. Most live on a fixed income.

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of fire and fire-related injury in Safe City: 40 

percent of both structure fires and related injuries are caused by this risk. Half of the 

fires (an average of 20 each year) occur in the homes of older adults living in cityowned housing units.

During a recent survey conducted by the fire department, only 10 percent of the older 

adult population could identify (or guess) that cooking was the leading cause of fires in 

Safe City. Most of the older adults stated they were safe from fire while in their homes.

The community of Safe City is very supportive of its older adult population. Although 

progress on issues related to the elderly is sometimes slow, the local housing authority 

plans, in response to projected community demographics, to double the number of 

housing units for older adults over the next 15 years.
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Safe City Example

Problem Statement

Unattended cooking causes 40 percent of fires and fire-related injury in our community. Half of these cooking fires (an average of 20 each year) occur in the homes of older 

adults who reside in city-owned housing units. Interviews with fire victims identify 

that most fires occur because the cooking process has been left unsupervised.

The Safe City Fire Department proposes the development of a community-based campaign to address cooking fires among the older adult population living in city-owned 

housing units. This proposal is based on the following factors:

• 	 There is a high occurrence of cooking fires and fire-related injuries at the complex.

• 	 The community and housing authority are supportive of the older adult population.

• 	 There is a realistic possibility that such an intervention will be successful.

• 	 A successful campaign can serve as a model for future citywide efforts.

Done well, the community risk profile and problem statement will provide a factual 

rationale of why the selected risk issue should be addressed.

Share the document with the community and convince others to join the team! A 

poorly written problem statement (lacking facts) may damage your organization’s 

credibility and result in less support for your proposed effort.

Prioritize Issues

How should the priority risk issue be decided?

Making an objective decision on which risk issue to address is a process that takes 

time, effort, and patience. It is a decision that must be governed by local need. Following an organized process leads to selecting the risk issue that most needs attention as the priority risk issue.

These factors can influence a fire department’s decision to select a particular risk 

issue:
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•	 high injury/fatality statistics;

•	 high dollar loss; and

•	 rapid increase in frequency of occurrence.

Once an idea has developed about a particular risk issue. It is time to examine the 

second phase of community risk analysis: people and community information.

Relying solely on problem-related data wouldn’t provide enough information to 

formulate a risk reduction campaign. Additional factors should be considered.

What is people- and community-related information?

People- and community-related information is based on demography. Simply stated, demography is the study of people and their environments.

Examples of demographic information:

•	 housing information: number of homes in the community; types of properties; owner	 	

occupied/rental units; general condition of structures; age of homes, etc.;

•	 people information: number of residents; population density; age/gender/education levels; family structures; disability types, etc.; and

•	 economic information: family incomes; individual median income; overall community

economic projections; number of people in poverty; number of people getting financial 

assistance, reduced rent, or free or reduced lunch.

Demographic information can be gleaned from both formal and informal sources.

Formal sources may include local planning and community development offices, the Census 

Bureau, the Chamber of Commerce, economic development offices, hospitals, and health 

departments.

Informal sources may include local schools and Head Start centers, women’s shelters, assisted 

living facilities, day care centers, community associations, social services, and reports by 

clergy and established community leaders.

Comparing problem-related information with community demographics helps identify who 

is most at risk, what factors place them at risk, and where a risk reduction campaign should 

be directed.
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Safe City Example

Safe City, USA, identified these facts about its cooking fire problem:

•	 Most cooking fires (50 percent, in fact) occur in the homes of older adults with

limited incomes who reside in city-owned housing units.

•	 Most housing units are located in the center portion of the community.

Invest the time and effort to learn about the community. Find out who is most at 

risk from the selected risk issue. The success of the program will depend upon it.

Omitting this step (or not performing a quality analysis) can result in future efforts not being directed at the correct target population.

What factors place people at greater fire/injury risk?

Some population types have a disproportionately higher rate of morbidity and mortality. (Morbidity refers to injuries and mortality refers to deaths.) Several factors 

increase the risk level of a population segment:

•	 Age: children under age 5 and adults over age 65.

•	 Disability, including cognitive and developmental, mobility, visual, and hearing.

•	 Sociocultural and economic status.

•	 Gender: Males historically exhibit higher fire and injury morbidity and mortality

rates.

•	 Language and communications barriers.

Identify Target Areas and 

Populations
1-20

Several national organizations have conducted research on high-risk populations. 

Apply their conclusions to your community. References are listed at the end of this 

section.

Making assumptions about high-risk populations can be a dangerous strategy. Guessing which interventions will work among various groups of people may result in 

the inability to reach this audience effectively.

A disability can affect a person’s ability to react and respond effectively to an emergency in 

progress. Disabilities can affect any population.

Cognitive and developmental disabilities refer to a person’s inability to process information. 

Mobility refers to a person’s ability to move about. Vision and hearing refer to the ability to 

process sight and sound. Poverty generally increases the risk of fire and injury.

Social and cultural diversity are realities in all communities. Changing family structures, peer 

influences, and language diversity are all examples of social and cultural issues that must be 

considered when planning to address risk.

A person’s vulnerability to risk can dramatically increase when several of the above-listed 

factors apply to that person.

Example: A visually-, mobility-, and hearing-impaired older adult living in poverty will be at 

substantially increased risk of unintentional injury or fire.

Once a specific risk issue has been identified, the affected populations profiled, and the location of occurrences plotted, the next logical step is to learn why the risk exists.

This is the time to consider the sequence of events and root factors that led to the existence 

of the selected risk event.
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Why examine the events and root causes that led to the problem?

An effective risk reduction intervention requires investing the time to obtain facts about what 

is causing the local risk in order to create an objective community profile and problem statement.

Event sequencing and root factor exploration can be conducted in two ways:

1. If a good incident reporting system is available, the data may be obtained there.

Example: NFIRS 5.0 reporting software includes a section for human actions contributing to an event.

2. If reporting system data are not available, an organization may decide to conduct postincident interviews with victims to determine actions that led to an event.

Interviewing people who have experienced a fire or injury provides valuable insight into 

why it is occurring.

Effective research is accomplished by asking the question “Why?”
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Safe City Example

The Safe City Fire Department found that older adults who left food cooking unattended on the stove caused most cooking fires. The fire department interviewed 25 

older adults who had experienced this type of fire.

A profile of the typical sequence of events and root factors leading to the local cooking 

fire problem identified the following elements:

•	 A person begins the cooking process, usually on the stovetop, and turns the heat

on high. Why? Poor eyesight causes the person to have trouble seeing the control 

setting.

•	 The person leaves the kitchen while cooking for various reasons (telephone, television, bathroom, etc.). Why? The person leaves the room intending to come right 

back but gets sidetracked and forgets the stove is on (e.g., starts watching television or talking on telephone).

•	 The unattended pan ignites on stovetop.Why? Heat is set at high temperature.

•	 The smoke alarm alerts the person to the fire.Why?The alarm is in working condition and the person hears the alarm.

•	 The person returns to kitchen and responds inappropriately by removing the flaming pan from the stove and carrying it away. Why? The person does not know the 

appropriate response to a stovetop fire, which is to turn off the heat and cover the 

pan with a lid.

•	 The person is burned.Why? The person drops the flaming pan at his/her feet and

spills the burning food.

•	 The fire department is notified. Why? The person is hurt and realizes the fire is

now out of control.
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Fire and injury prevention can be studied using a scientific approach. The process of developing a sequence of events and identifying the root cause shows how and why risk events are 

understandable, predictable, and preventable.

Summary

A community risk analysis identifies fire and life safety problems and the demographic characteristics of those at risk in a community. A risk analysis provides insight into the most 

significant fire and life safety problems and the people who are affected by them. The results 

create the foundation for developing risk reduction and community education programs.
Conduct a

Community Risk

Analysis

Develop Community 

Partnerships

Create an

Intervention

Strategy

Implement the

Strategy

Evaluate

the

Results

Identify 

Possible 

Partners

Interpret 

Community Risks

and Problems

Form a

Community

Planning Team

Step 2: Develop Community Partnerships
Chapter 2

Step 2: Develop Community Partnerships

Introduction

There are many reasons for developing community partnerships. The main reason should be 

obvious. Consider this example: There is a major forest fire in a remote area. A single fire 

department is sent to fight it with one engine unit and one firefighter. No matter how much 

effort is expended, the fire is just too big to be affected in any significant way without additional help. The same is true when attacking a significant community fire or injury risk. One 

person or organization will find it impossible to make a positive change without assistance.

Just like fire suppression, public education aimed at reducing community fire and injury risk 

is serious business. When suppressing fires, most departments rely on mutual aid from other 

organizations. The same strategy should be applied to community risk reduction programs.

Having one or more partners makes sense in terms of having more minds, bodies, and resources to tackle the problem. Sharing the tasks of targeting the problem, developing a plan, 

and implementing the solution is more productive in terms of creativity, credibility, and 

overall effectiveness. The most successful risk reduction efforts are those that involve the 

community in the planning and solution process.

What community resources are needed for risk reduction? 

When the term “resources” is used, many people immediately think of money. It is true that 

financial funding is needed to reduce most risks. However, money alone will not accomplish 

anything. A broader spectrum of resources is required to conduct a successful risk reduction 

effort. Examples of additional important resources include the following:

Knowledge: Knowledge of the problem and possible solutions, including a factual description of the community and its associated risks, is very important. Such knowledge is needed 

for an accurate community risk analysis.

There are always many people and groups that will be able to offer insight into the community, the people who live and work in the community, and the risks found in the community. 

Think teamwork! As with firefighting, and even baseball, community risk reduction 

is best done by a group working together.

The work of a single organization aimed at reducing risk will cost a lot over the long 

haul in terms of money, time, and effort spent, with little to show for all the effort.

2-1
It is up to the community educator to identify them and work with them to reduce the 

risks.

In-kind support: This involves resources provided in lieu of money, including equipment, 

printed materials, supplies, and personal effort. Donated professional services such as consultations, program evaluations, and graphic design work are all examples of in-kind resources.

Political support: Support for the risk reduction process from elected officials is very helpful 

to finding success. The public educator should discuss any plans or ideas with elected officials 

who have a stake in the program outcome. These people may know how additional resources 

can be obtained, and often will have information important to program development.

Community support: Partnerships with people and organizations in the community can 

identify risks, planning measures, and resources required to get the risk reduction process 

started and the program implemented.

Emphasis is often placed on finances, but additional resources are equally important.

Identify Possible Partners

What is a community partner?

A community partner is a person, group, or organization willing to join 

forces and address a community risk. It is important to identify a group of 

partners who have a stake in the success of the risk reduction program.

How does the public educator find help?

An easy way to start finding help is to just start networking and talking to people you know. 

In addition, the use of the Internet and telephone directory is an easy way to start. A logical 

first step is to find out which groups might be interested in a specific risk reduction effort or 

already are addressing the selected risk issue. It is important to avoid duplication of effort.

Think about what part of the population needs to change in order to reduce the risk. Consider which groups are already providing services to these people. Think about those in the 

community who care about the risk issue and the people it is affecting. 

These people may be the best ones to deliver the message. Another approach is to find out 

who has the resources needed to address the problem.

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Bottom line questions: Which people are the movers and shakers in the community who 

will help get the effort started and the job done? Who can offer leadership, skills, credibility, 

contacts, influence, and resources?

These are some possible community partners;

•	 groups already interested or addressing the same or a similar risk issue;

•	 members of the population who are affected by the risk issue;

•	 people/groups who feel the financial impact of the risk issue (insurance companies,

property owners, American Red Cross disaster services);

•	 groups already providing services to the population affected by the risk issue;

•	 community service and advocacy groups; and

•	 groups that can help deliver messages (media, clergy, schools, marketing organizations).

2-3

Recruit a core group of primary stakeholders who will share the responsibilities of 

developing and implementing a quality risk reduction effort.

Working alone may seem like a good idea; however, failure to obtain the perspective of, and creative input from, others will limit risk reduction efforts.

Interpret Community Risks 

and Problems

Don’t expect everyone in the community to recognize instantly that a particular problem exists. Instead, expect them to be part of the solution process by educating them about the problem. Use the community profile and 

problem statement as the powerful tool that it is. This work provides a good 

rationale for why others should consider partnering. Share the vision of the 

plan and possible solutions with community leaders.

The most effective risk reduction efforts are those that involve the community in the planning 

and solution process. The community needs to understand and agree that there is a problem 

and that it can be solved. Sharing the information you have collected in a professional manner will be important. Be sure to explain how and where the information was obtained. Then 

work with others to continue the process of interpreting the community risk problem.
Discuss your organization’s intention of forming a planning team to reduce 

the risk problem. Explain what resources your organization can provide.

•	 Ask the person or group if he/she/it will join the planning team to address the issue.

•	 Solicit suggestions from people and groups about others who will make

good partners.

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Form a Community 

Planning Team

Allow others the opportunity to provide suggestions.

Trying to state your proposed solution as the only solution will prevent others from 

offering important insights and suggestions.

Additional benefits of community planning teams

Community planning teams often lead to the development of formal coalitions. A coalition is 

a group of people with different interests who come together to work on a common problem 

or issue.

Examples of coalitions that exist in many communities:

•	 local chapter of the National Safe Kids Coalition;

•	 local chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers;

•	 local Crime Stoppers/Solvers Coalition; and

•	 neighborhood associations.

Coalitions usually include a broad representation of people from the community and lend 

themselves well to the advancement of political issues. Using integrated prevention interventions to reduce fire and injury risks often requires extensive community and political support.
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Summary

Community partnerships are needed in order to reduce any significant fire or injury risk. It is 

impossible for one person or organization to reduce a serious community fire or injury risk 

alone. Fire and rescue departments generally rely on mutual aid from other organizations for 

fire suppression efforts. The same strategy should be applied to community risk reduction 

programs.
Conduct a

Community Risk

Analysis

Develop Community 

Partnerships

Create an

Intervention

Strategy

Implement the

Strategy

Evaluate

the

Results

Review Data

about Risks and

Target Populations

Identify Places for

Intervention

Identify Target

Populations

and Locations

Identify 

Interventions

Identify 

Resources

Required

Develop the

Evaluation

Strategy

Step 3: Create an Intervention Strategy
3-1

Chapter 3

Step 3: Create an Intervention Strategy

Introduction

What is an intervention strategy?

An intervention strategy is the beginning of the detailed work necessary for the development 

of a successful fire or life safety risk reduction program. The strategy should include what 

will be done, where it will be implemented, how the implementation will occur, and who 

will conduct the program once it is developed. It also should include an evaluation component that measures the effectiveness of the process and the program. Creating an intervention 

strategy requires a carefully thought-out plan of action developed through a group effort.

Why develop an intervention strategy?

Consider these questions:

•	 Would a pro football coach send a team to the Super Bowl game without an action

plan?

•	 Would the commander-in-chief of the U.S. military send allied forces into battle without

a plan of attack?

The answer to both questions: Of course not! Yet too many times an emergency service organization will try to address a community risk without an organized plan of action. Just as in 

the two examples above, money and lives are at stake.

Developing an intervention strategy is as important as conducting pre-emergency planning 

for high-hazard occupancies within a community. Taking the time needed to design a quality 

intervention strategy will help gain long-term risk reduction success.

An organized sequence of events should guide the development of the strategy. These events 

can be described as follows:

•	 convene the community planning team and review the community profile and the problem statement;

•	 identify places for intervention;

•	 identify potential target populations and the physical locations for intervention opportunities;

•	 identify specific interventions;

•	 identify required resources; and

•	 develop an evaluation plan.
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The planning team

A community planning team is comprised of a core group of individuals who have a primary 

stake in the community risk issue or can offer key resources to the intervention process.

Safe City Example

Safe City selected the following planning team members:

•	 the community educator (and possibly select staff) from the Safe City Fire Department;

•	 members of the population affected by the cooking fires (older adults who reside at

the housing units);

•	 the property owner (city housing authority) of the structures being damaged by the

fires;

•	 community service providers (food and health services) who serve the older adult

population;

•	 family members (children) of the older adult population;

• 	 the president of the Housing Unit Tenant Association;

•	 media (TV, radio, newspaper) representatives;

•	 a representative from the local Commission on Aging;

•	 a professional experienced in market research; and

•	 a professional experienced in organizing and performing program evaluations (optional).

Community

Planning Team

Market 

Research Property

Owners

Family

Members

Fire Dept. Program

Evaluator

Affected

Population

Media Service

Providers
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Review Data about Risks

and Target Populations

The planning team must review the community profile and the problem statement so that everyone on the team has a factual description 

of the community and the problem. It is also important for the team 

to review the sources of the information used to develop the community profile and problem statement.

Develop a goal

A goal is a broad statement about the problem and the new condition 

the planning group would like to create.

Safe City Example

Problem: A high number of cooking fires are occurring within the homes of older 

adults residing in city-owned housing units.

Goal: Decrease the number of cooking fires occurring within the homes of older adults 

residing in city-owned housing units by 25 percent in the first year, and then continue 

decreasing that number by an additional 25 percent in the 2 succeeding years.

Here is an example of a goal developed by the Safe City planning team in response to the 

cooking fire problem:

Identify Places 

for Intervention

Review the analysis of the selected risk

Once the planning team has established a goal, the sequence of how 

and why a typical incident occurs should be revisited.

The planning team also should review the sequential analysis of a 

typical incident so that a broad range of prevention interventions can 

be considered. Consider the following possibilities:

• 	 A person begins the cooking process on a stovetop. The heat is

turned on high because the person has trouble seeing the control setting.
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Identify Target 

Populations and Locations

Initial targeting efforts were started during the community risk 

analysis section. It is now time to pinpoint as exactly as possible 

what efforts will be addressed, to whom, and where.

It is critical for the planning team to identify very carefully who the 

risk affects most often and where it happens.

A target population is the group from which knowledge gain, behavior, and environmental modifications are being sought.

Example: The community planning team with the cooking fire 

problem already has identified these important facts:

•	 The cooking fire problem most often affects the older adult population residing independently within city-owned housing units.

•	 Knowledge gain, behavior, and environmental modifications must take place in these

households if successful risk reduction is to occur.

•	 The housing units represent a logical place to direct initial efforts because support from

both tenants and city officials is a realistic possibility.

Where the risk most often occurs is related to the population affected by the risk. In the above 

case the housing units represented a logical place to direct efforts. Another way to characterize where the risk occurs is to look at the geographic distribution of the risk in the city or 

• 	 A person forgets the stove is on and leaves the room to watch television or talk on the

telephone.

• 	 An unattended pan ignites on stovetop because the heat is set too high.

• 	 The smoke alarm doesn’t alert a person to a fire because the alarm is not in working condition.

• 	 A person returns to the kitchen and performs inappropriate actions (for example, carrying a flaming pan from the home) because the person doesn’t know the appropriate 

response to a stovetop fire.

Each of these scenarios has different implications for the most effective intervention.
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county. In Chapter 1: Conduct a Community Risk Analysis the geographic component of the 

analysis process is discussed.

Once the team has identified all of the possible interventions, the primary population segment affected, and where the risk occurs most often, it is time to conduct market research.

Conducting market research

Market research is the process of learning about a population from that population. It involves direct communication with members of the target group. The goal is to gain insight 

into how risk reduction efforts should be designed and conducted.

Market research can be accomplished through direct interviews with people or by holding 

a focus group meeting. A focus group meeting includes people from the target population. 

These individuals offer insight into how their peers best receive and respond to information 

and requests. They also can provide important information about social and cultural issues 

specific to the group.

It is possible to enlist the services of a professional who specializes in market research. Perhaps this person or group may provide some services as an in-kind contribution to your 

organization.

Market research is a critical step in the risk reduction process that must not be overlooked. 

Do not assume you know everything about the target population. Seek information about a 

group’s social, cultural, and political climate from members of the group.

If members of the proposed target population are not involved in the planning and solution 

process, the group may reject any intervention strategy that you attempt to implement. Don’t 

take that chance!

Successful risk reduction efforts are more likely to be effective when the members of the 

target population:

•	 are aware of the problem;

•	 understand the problem and the factors that contribute to it;

•	 believe themselves, or their loved ones, to be personally at risk;

•	 believe that the risk is unacceptable and serious;

•	 understand that solutions to the problem exist;

Remember: people generally do not like having things done to them. Getting people to accept new ideas and make behavior changes can be a challenging process. 

Working with people from the target community from the beginning is vital to the 

success of the project.
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•	 believe that changing their behavior will reduce the risk;

•	 believe that the benefits to change outweigh the barriers;

•	 believe that they are capable of making the expected behavioral change;

•	 are involved with the process from the beginning; and

•	 have an opportunity to provide input and suggestions.

Remember: the people from whom you are asking advice will offer valuable information about what may or may not work. Listen to them!

Failure to heed advice from the community may result in the creation of a risk reduction strategy that is rejected by the target population.

Let’s look at a successful effort:

Safe City Example

Safe City conducted interviews with older adults at the housing units. A local market research professional also helped conduct a focus group meeting. This is what was learned 

about their older adult population through market research:

•	 Their older adult population was unaware of the existing cooking fire problem. Results

of a survey conducted by the housing authority revealed that only 10 percent of residents could identify cooking as the leading cause of fire.

•	 Members of the group believed they were very safe from fire in their homes.

•	 Once they were made aware of the problem, the group believed they could be at risk.

They were most concerned about those with mobility, vision, and hearing difficulties.

•	 Group members believed that their peers would help with prevention efforts, once

they became aware of the problem and its potential solutions.

•	 The group respects the local emergency services as a credible source for risk and prevention information.

•	 When receiving information, group members prefer direct contact with people they

know and trust. Examples: service providers, housing management, and fire department.
3-7

Once market research has been conducted and analyzed, the planning team must make some 

important decisions about what specific interventions will be pursued.

•	 The group enjoys and responds well to guest speakers at tenant association meetings.

•	 Upon reviewing the community profile, problem statement and sequential analysis,

the group believes the risk is serious enough to pursue an organized prevention effort.

Identify Interventions

Combined prevention interventions

At this early stage of planning, it is very important to be creative 

and attempt to identify as many interventions as possible that 

could be applied to each problem noted

This is an important brainstorming session for the planning team.

If this work is not performed, an important intervention 

that may prove to be effective may be overlooked.

Most successful risk reduction efforts make use of combined prevention interventions. If the 

planning team with the cooking fire problem simply sends out a brochure about cooking fire 

prevention that urged older adults to be more careful, the cooking fire problem will not drop 

significantly. Combined prevention interventions include

• Education: Providing information (facts) about risk and prevention.

• Engineering: Using technology to create safer products or modifying the environment 

where the risk is occurring.

• Enforcement: Rules that require the use of a safety initiative.
3-8

Treat risk reduction as a science. Community partners and target populations 

must understand why risk occurs and how it can be prevented.

Let’s examine how to use combined interventions to address the cooking fire problem in Safe 

City for each possible scenario (the sequence of how and why a typical incident occurs).

Safe City Example

A person begins the cooking process on a stovetop. The heat is turned on high because 

the person has trouble seeing the control setting.

Intervention Ideas:

Education: Teach the older adults to cook with lower heat.

Engineering: Modify heat settings on stoves; provide better lighting at stovetops; make 

temperature dials easier to read.

Enforcement: Require modifications to stoves and stovetops.

A person forgets the stove is on and leaves the room to watch television or talk on the 

telephone.

Intervention Ideas:

Education: Educate the older adults to stay in the kitchen when using the stove.

Engineering: Relocate the TV and telephone to the kitchen area and/or install an alarm 

on the stove that sounds a warning that the device has been left unattended.

Enforcement: Require the TV and telephone to be near the kitchen area; require an 

alarm on stove; institute a penalty for people having an unattended cooking fire.

An unattended pan ignites on stovetop because the heat is set too high.

Intervention Ideas:
3-9

Education: Teach the older adults to stay in the kitchen and cook with lower heat.

Engineering: Create a stove that uses lower temperatures; install a stovetop fire suppression system; install fire-resistant building materials at the stove area.

Enforcement: Require installation of the above-listed equipment/materials.

The smoke alarm doesn’t alert a person to a fire because the alarm is not in working 

condition.

Intervention Ideas:

Education: Reinforce the importance of working smoke alarms.

Engineering: Hard-wire smoke alarms and alarm systems into home electrical system; upgrade alarms to add enhanced audiovisual warnings.

Enforcement: Require updated smoke alarms and alarm systems; institute penalties 

for nonworking alarms.

A person returns to the kitchen and performs inappropriate actions (for example, carrying a flaming pan from the home) because the person doesn’t know the appropriate 

response to a stovetop fire.

Intervention Ideas:

Education: Educate the older adults about what to do if a stovetop fire occurs.

Engineering: Install an automatic stovetop fire extinguishing system.

Enforcement: Require the installation of an automatic extinguishing system.

Do not cut corners with this step! Time and effort are required to consider and 

plan for the use of combined interventions. Used alone as an intervention, education may not produce the desired level of risk reduction.

After many intervention ideas have been identified, begin isolating specific and realistic areas 

within the sequence to intervene.
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Identify Resources Required

By following an organized process, the planning team develops an 

idea of what risk interventions might work and how best to get the 

job done. The next step is to identify the types of interventions that 

will be pursued and the supporting resources they will require.

Although it is important to aim high and pursue the use of combined interventions, be realistic when designing the intervention 

strategy. Not every intervention identified during the sequencing 

process can possibly be implemented.

Using the community profile, problem statement, market research, 

and resources available the planning team should select interventions that have a reasonable chance of success.

Education intervention resources must be tailored to meet the needs of the local community. 

Materials must target the population and focus only on the key program messages. They must 

be created after your target injuries, population, intervention strategies, and implementation 

methods are established. Consult with your target audience and potential users concerning 

materials. They can tell you whether the materials do what you want them to do and how to 

revise them if necessary.

“Off the shelf” materials that have been developed by organizations such as the NFPA or the 

USFA can be useful in addressing local needs. It may be necessary to create local materials 

in order to address the specific needs of your community. If “off the shelf” materials do not 

have copyright restrictions then they can, in some cases, be modified to meet local needs.

As an example, let’s look at the interventions that Safe City decided to pursue. Also included 

is the rationale for selecting each intervention and the resources that will be needed.

Safe City Example

Educational intervention: Provide awareness education about the cooking fire problem 

and proposed solutions to those who often interact with the older adult population residing in city-owned housing units.

Rationale: Those who frequently interact with the older adult population have the capability of delivering and reinforcing safety messages.
3-11

Resources needed: Consultation, collaboration, and support will be needed from all 

groups that are represented on the planning team.

Educational intervention: Provide awareness education about the cooking fire problem and proposed solutions to the older adult population residing in city-owned housing units.

Rationale: This is the population directly responsible for the occurrence of the problem. 

Their homes are catching fire! Behavior change is needed in this group.

Resources needed: Direct delivery of the message and political support of the proposed 

combined interventions.

Engineering intervention: Modification of the older adults’ kitchens, including:

Short term:

•	 improve lighting near stove;

• 	 install stove knobs with larger-print settings;

• 	 install a telephone in the kitchen; and

• 	 locate television within sight/hearing distance of stove;

Long term:

• 	 install fire-resistant wall covering near stove area;

• 	 install automatic fire extinguishing system over stovetop;

• 	 upgrade smoke alarms and alarm system, including enhanced audiovisual warings;

and

• 	 replace aging stoves with new units that shut down prior to ignition temperature.

Rationale: Relying on education as a single intervention may not produce a significant 

drop in cooking fires, injuries, and property losses. Modifications to the kitchen environment and equipment should result in a safer food preparation area.

Resources needed: Employing engineering interventions and environmental modifications will take time, planning, and support. Funding, in-kind services, and political support must be sought from the groups represented on the planning team—in this case 

specifically, the city, housing authority, and tenants.

To sum it up: There must be a clear understanding of your community, its risks, the people, 

and the political climate to construct an effective intervention strategy.
3-12

The use of combined interventions often requires extensive political support. 

Obtaining such support will take time and effort but is well worth it. Now is the 

best time to start planning for the future.

Develop the

Evaluation Strategy

The planning team has more work to do. Development of an evaluation component is critical so that the effectiveness of the program 

can be determined. This component is called the evaluation plan.

The evaluation plan is a critical component of the intervention strategy. The plan outlines the following:

•	 Specific tasks to be performed.

•	 Timeline for completion of the tasks.

•	 Benchmarks that will be used to monitor the progress andsuccess of the intervention strategy.

Benchmarking is the comparison of various measures of effectiveness, performance, and cost 

to relevant standards, or benchmarks. The term comes originally from the field of surveying, 

where the benchmark is the topographical high point that serves as the point of reference 

against which all other elevations are measured. In the fire service the benchmark might be 

the fire rate for the State as a whole, or the national average, or the average of all those communities that local citizens and politicians see as equivalent to their jurisdiction.

One of the most useful benchmarking techniques is to calculate the average of a group of 

appropriate comparable communities. Therefore, the community will have a higher or lower 

fire rate, death rate, or injury rate than the average for communities of its size or composition. 

The comparison also can be made to the State or national average in the relevant categories. 

To measure that to a more exact standard, it is very easy to figure percentage comparisons to 

the average.

Why develop an evaluation plan?

Everyone has been involved with a project that failed because people or committees didn’t 

follow through on what they promised to do.

Far too many times, a group starts out with the best intentions of completing a task only to 

have the effort fail because the group lacked an organized plan to keep things on track.
3-13

Adding an evaluation plan to the intervention strategy will help keep the risk reduction effort 

on track to reach the intended goal.

What is included in an evaluation plan?

An evaluation plan includes the problem statement, goal, and a series of objectives that support the goal. The objectives allow the evaluation of three levels of performance: outcome, 

impact, and process.

Here is an explanation of the three levels of evaluation:

• 	 The outcome portion of the evaluation measures end results. Examples include changes

in the occurrence of the specific risk issue, dollar loss, and the number of injuries and 

death.

• 	 The impact portion of the evaluation measures knowledge, behavior, and environ-mental

changes and also tracks changes in policy and legislation.

• 	 The process portion of the evaluation measures the effectiveness of the program activity,

the outreach effort, and the team members.

Why write objectives?

Having specific objectives will clearly identify

•	 what is going to be done;

•	 who is going to do it;

•	 when it is going to get done; and

•	 what the specific program benchmarks are.

Characteristics of well-written objectives 

Well-written objectives have the following characteristics:

•	 The objectives are specific: they clearly identify what will be done, who will do it, and

when.

•	 The objectives are measurable: they include a benchmark of what level of performance is

being sought.

•	 The objectives are achievable: the measurement of desired performance is realistic based

on local factors such as characteristics of the target population, social issues, and political 

climate.

•	 The objectives are consistent with the goal: they direct all activity and performance toward achieving the overall goal.
3-14

How do you create an evaluation plan?

The first and most important step in developing an evaluation plan is to understand that 

creating the evaluation plan is relatively simple. The hardest work (the intervention strategy) 

already has been completed.

The evaluation plan is created based on the intervention strategy. It simply involves finding 

out where the community is statistically (baseline) and plotting where the community wants 

to be (benchmark). In the case of outcome and impact objectives, a baseline measurement is 

required, so that existing conditions can be compared with future performance.

Let’s look at the interventions the Safe City, USA, team decided to pursue, and look at the 

evaluation plan it prepared.

Safe City Example

Educational interventions:

•	 Provide awareness education about the cooking fire problem and proposed solutions to those who often interact with the older adult population residing in cityowned housing units.

•	 Provide awareness education about the cooking fire problem and proposed solutions to the older adult population residing in city-owned housing units.

Engineering interventions: Make short-term and long-term modifications in older 

adults’ kitchens.

Enforcement interventions: Require the city to proceed with the identified engineering interventions and environmental modifications.

Here’s an evaluation plan for the intervention strategies selected by the Safe City planning team.

Evaluation Plan

Problem: A high number of cooking fires occur within the homes of older adults residing in city-owned housing units.

Goal: A significant decrease in the number of cooking fires occurring within the 

homes of older adults residing in city-owned housing.

Outcome Objective: Within 4 years, the number of cooking fires that occur in homes 
3-15

of older adults residing in city-owned housing units will be reduced by more than 50 

percent.

Recall that Safe City Fire Department learned in its community risk analysis that one 

half of its yearly average of 40 cooking fires occurred in older-adult housing units. The 

baseline for measurement is therefore 20 cooking fires per year.

Note: An evaluation plan usually has one outcome objective. The reason: Outcome 

measures the bottom line–the degree to which the program has reduced occurrence 

of risk, dollar loss, and injuries or deaths. Outcome objectives are usually expressed 3 

to 5 years in advance. Impact objectives can be expressed within 1 to 3 years. Process 

objectives can be expressed within a timeframe of 6 months to 2 years.

Method of evaluation: Annual response statistics.

Group responsible: Fire department staff and the planning team, led by a community 

educator.

The following impact objective and four-process objectives support the educational 

interventions outlined in the intervention strategy:

Impact Objective: Within 2 years, 70 percent of older adults living in city-owned 

housing will identify cooking as the leading fire cause and state appropriate prevention/reaction strategies

The baseline for measurement is 10 percent. Recall that the planning team asked the 

housing authority to survey older adults and seek opinions on the leading cause of fire. 

Only 10 percent of residents identified cooking as the leading cause.

Method of evaluation: The results of a second housing authority survey conducted after 

completion of educational interventions.

Group responsible: Fire department and housing authority staff; planning team members.

Process Objective 1: By the end of 6 months, 100 percent of the planning team 

members will have conducted cooking fire awareness training with their organization’s staff.

Method of evaluation: The organization’s record of training. 

Group responsible: Planning team members.
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Process Objective 2: By the end of year one, 80 percent of the organizations represented by planning team members will be conducting cooking fire awareness efforts 

among the older adult population residing in city-owned housing units.

Method of evaluation: The organization’s record of staff activity. 

Group responsible: Planning team members.

Process Objective 3: By the end of year one, the fire department will have presented 

cooking fire awareness programs at all city-owned older-adult housing units.

Method of evaluation: Fire department staff activity records.

Group responsible: Fire department staff, led by a community educator.

Process Objective 4: By the end of 18 months, the fire department (supported by 

members of the planning team) will have made direct in-home contact with 50 percent 

of older adults living in city-owned housing to discuss cooking fire awareness.

Method of evaluation: Fire department record of visitations.

Group responsible: Community educator, fire department staff, and planning team 

members.

Why this intervention and evaluation strategy will be successful

Safe City has set itself up for a successful risk reduction outcome. Its intervention and evaluation strategy will lead to success because:

•	 The strategy is based on facts.The community profile and problem statement are based on

information obtained through a close examination of the local community.

•	 The strategy is specific.The strategy focuses on the leading risk issue (cooking) and 	 	

population (older adults) most affected by the risk.

•	 The strategy is realistic.The strategy focuses on older adults living in city-owned housing.

It is realistic because the core group of primary stakeholders is relatively small.

This strategy is a good starting point for gaining the political support needed to promote and 

use combined prevention interventions.
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•	 The strategy is community-based.The fire department, planning team, older adults, and

housing authority will take part in the problem-solving process.

•	 The strategy will be implemented over time and will receive periodic evaluations.

•	 Evaluation will be an ongoing process so that activities can be monitored and adjusted as

needed.

Summary

Creating an intervention strategy involves detailed work and a team approach in order to develop a successful risk reduction effort. The strategy must include what will be done, where 

it will be done, how the implementation will occur, and who will conduct the program. An 

evaluation component measures the effectiveness of the process and the program. Creating 

an intervention strategy requires a carefully thought-out plan of action based on a review of 

the risk data, the target population, locations, and available resources.

Develop an evaluation plan with assistance from the planning team. Base the plan on 

information from the community profile, problem statement, and market research.
Conduct a

Community Risk

Analysis

Develop Community 

Partnerships

Create an

Intervention

Strategy

Implement the

Strategy

Evaluate

the

Results

Conduct Pilot of

Intervention; Revise

as Necessary

Establish

Responsibilities 

and Timetable of

Activities

Market

Intervention

Programs

Initiate

Activities

Monitor

Progress

Report 

Progress

Periodically

Step 4: Implement the Strategy
4-1

Chapter 4

Step 4: Implement the Strategy

Introduction

Implementing the strategy puts the plan into action

Implementing the strategy involves testing the interventions and then putting the plan into 

action in the community. Sometimes modifications are made to the program as the result of 

a pilot implementation. In a real sense, the implementation step is where “the rubber meets 

the road.”

Think about the interventions developed by the Safe City, USA, Fire Department for the cooking fire problem. The interventions included an awareness education program for the older 

adults and for those whose provide services to the older adults. Other interventions included 

modifications of the kitchens of older adults. The implementation plan identifies the steps to 

take to bring those interventions into the community.

The implementation plan outlines the steps for implementing the program in the community and provides the following details:

•	 How the program will be implemented, including when, how long, where, etc.

•	 It identifies the roles and responsibilities of the program implementation team.

•	 The process for the pilot test implementation.

•	 Provisions for making any modifications to the program based on the results of the pilot

implementation.

•	 A predelivery checklist identifying tasks that must be done prior to the implementation.

•	 A description of potential implementation problems and contingencies.

An action plan is a step-by-step outline of work that needs to be done in order to meet the 

stated objective. Each objective requires its own action plan. An Action Planning Chart is a 

useful tool that can be used in planning the implementation as well as in monitoring progress.
4-2

Action Plan

 Goal: Objective:

Date:

Step# Action To Be

Completed By

Person

Responsible

Resources

Needed

Date

Completed

Figure 11: Action Planning Chart.

The actions in the implementation step:

1. Conduct pilot of intervention; revise as necessary.

2. Establish responsibilities and timetable of activities.

3. Market intervention program.

4. Initiate activities.

5. Monitor progress regularly.

6. Report progress periodically.

Develop the implementation plan by working together with the community team and representatives from the target audience. The implementation plan simply identifies the best 

approach for putting the interventions into action.
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There is a temptation just to put the program into action without an implementation plan. 

Take the time to develop a step-by-step implementation plan. An essential element of the implementation plan is the identification of the roles and responsibilities of each team member. 

One of the most common problem areas during implementation is the confusion surrounding who should be doing what, and when it should be done. The implementation plan clearly 

spells out individual and group tasks, authority, and overall responsibility.

Some people actually will deliver the presentations. Some will assist with scheduling the 

presentations and making connections with the older adults. Others will be involved in the 

evaluation process. The implementation plan should describe what is to be accomplished by 

each task, and when each task will be completed.

Match people with tasks that suit them well, and that they are prepared to complete.

Conduct Pilot of 

Intervention; Revise as 

Necessary

Why spend time on a pilot test?

The purpose of the pilot test is to identify and resolve problems 

with the program. It is easy to believe that all the problems have 

been worked out during the development process, but there are 

always problems and challenges that occur when the program 

is implemented with the target audience. The pilot program 

provides an opportunity to identify problem areas, make the 

needed changes, and then be prepared to complete the implementation with a proven program.

Evaluating of the pilot program involves the evaluation of two different areas: the program 

results and the pilot implementation process. The implementation process includes how to 

gather data, the methods to be used to interpret the data, and the people who will do the 

evaluation. The information gathered as part of this process is used to modify the program 

prior to full implementation.

The pilot program offers an opportunity to conduct the evaluation of the program on a small 

scale. This allows more interaction with the target audience and with those conducting the 

program. The evaluators should provide an objective review of the program. Remember, 

evaluation is a key part of every program. If it is worth doing it is worth evaluating.
4-4

The success of the overall program may depend on the effectiveness of the pilot implementation. A representative of the target audience should be involved 

throughout the pilot test to provide feedback directly to the development team.

Modifying the program

The evaluation of the pilot program should provide information on what worked and what 

didn’t work. Be careful not to make drastic changes without solid justification. Also, keep the 

target audience representative closely involved in the modifications. Finally, ensure the modifications do not take away from the strengths of the program.

Establish Responsibilities

and Timetable of Activities

Predelivery checklist

It is essential that the implementation be well coordinated and 

appropriately sequenced. The predelivery checklist lists all the 

tasks that must be completed prior to the program’s full delivery and implementation. Think of the predelivery checklist as 

a checklist for success. The checklist identifies the following in 

order of completion:

•	 The people to notify about the implementation. This may

include program team members, the target audience, the 

media, or other groups with an interest in the program.

•	 The equipment and materials required for the implementation; this might include audiovisual equipment, brochures, 

etc.

•	 Appointments and meetings that must be scheduled including presentations to the target audience.

•	 Transportation and other support requirements.

The checklist is a road map for the tasks that must be completed in order to implement the 

program. However, the checklist isn’t foolproof. Expect additional needs to arise in the process.

The Safe City predelivery checklist below provides an example of some of the tasks that must 

be completed as part of the implementation of this intervention.
4-5

Safe City Example

Predelivery Checklist

Contact managers of the city-owned housing units to schedule a 1-hour 

presentation to the residents.

Recruit personnel to deliver the presentations.

Send the handout materials and videotapes to the presenters.

Contact the media with a news release about the program.

Implementation problems

Seldom is there a community education initiative that doesn’t experience problems during 

implementation. However, some common and expected problems can be identified and prepared for with a contingency plan.

To address potential problems, bring the development team together with the representative(s) 

of the target audience and brainstorm potential problems and appropriate solutions. It is 

especially helpful to involve educators and community leaders who have been involved in 

similar programs in the brainstorming process. Their experience is invaluable in identifying 

potential problems.
4-6

Market Intervention 

Programs

Marketing the results

Always inform the community, especially the target audience, of the results of the program. Many will have a keen 

interest in the results of the program, including:

•	 members of the community planning team;

•	 elected officials;

•	 program sponsors;

•	 fund providers;

•	 organizational leaders;

•	 members of the target audience;

•	 the general public; and

•	 the members of the implementation team.

The purpose of marketing the results of the program is to inform people about the effectiveness of the program in reducing fires, injuries, etc. Let the community know the program 

works! Future programs may depend on how well you market the results of the current 

program.

What kind of information should be communicated?

The information communicated to the community may include

•	 the educational gain in the target audience;

•	 the details of program activities, including the number of presentations conducted;

•	 anecdotes of those involved in the program, including members of the target audience;

and

•	 report on decrease in the number of fires, injuries, etc.

It is easy to disseminate information that doesn’t mean a thing to the public.

Always use terms that are easy to understand, and make statistics simple and easy to 

grasp. Have someone who has not been involved look at the materials to see if they 

make sense.
4-7

How to get information out

Some of the more common methods of disseminating information are provided below.

• Local media—Using local media is the best way to reach the general public. This includes 

news stories, articles, and features. The local media can be reached through phone calls, 

news releases, or news conferences. 

• Newsletters—Newsletters generally have specific audiences. A story in a newsletter may 

reach a target audience that otherwise would be difficult to reach.

• Direct mailing—If the program involves a specific geographic area, a direct mailing may 

be effective. Address lists often are available through the county clerk’s office; the local 

Chamber of Commerce; utility departments; etc.

• Meetings—To reach members of the coalition and development team, meetings are the 

fastest and most effective way to disseminate the information.

Consider recruiting a marketing professional to assist with marketing. This person 

will have experience with reaching specific groups with information.

Team recognition

Successful programs are the result of hard work by people who are committed to making 

things better in their communities and who are willing to make a personal sacrifice to bring 

that change to reality.

You should recognize anyone who has been involved in the development and implementation of the program. Of course, those who contribute the most should receive the highest 

recognition. There are many ways to recognize the efforts of the team; some of those methods are listed below.

•	 certificates of appreciation;

•	 gift certificates to local businesses;

•	 items that can be used at home or work;

•	 letters of appreciation by local officials; and

•	 appreciation dinners or other events.

Regardless of the recognition method selected, ensure that the recognition is sincere and 

meaningful. Recognition of the team members says, “Thank you for a job well done.” It sends 

the message that the sacrifice and hard work had meaning to you and to the community. It 
4-8

tells people that they are important and the mission of the program is important. Without 

recognition people may feel taken advantage of. The importance of their efforts may be minimized in their minds and in the mind of the community.

Initiate Activities

Once the final program is developed and in place, it must be 

fully implemented. Everything developed by the planning 

team should be put to use. Follow the intervention plan and 

the implementation strategy. Often plans are put into place 

and then not followed. This creates confusion and problems 

within the planning team. Follow through with responsibilities and schedules.

Monitor Progress

Remember to monitor the progress of the risk intervention by following the evaluation plan. Everything needed 

to monitor the program effectively should be developed. 

Follow through is all that is needed.
4-9

Report Progress Periodically

When the program is underway it is essential to prepare 

reports periodically that detail whether or not the goal and 

objectives of the intervention plan are being met. These reports provide an opportunity to report successes and analyze problem areas. It may be necessary to make revisions to 

the plan based on the results of the progress reports.

Summary

Implementing the strategy involves pilot testing the interventions and then putting the plan 

into action in the community. Modifications are sometimes made to the program. Marketing 

the program is an important part of implementation that should not be overlooked. Monitoring the progress of the program implementation and preparing regular progress reports also 

are important.
Conduct a

Community Risk

Analysis

Develop Community 

Partnerships

Create an

Intervention

Strategy

Implement the

Strategy

Evaluate

the

Results

Collect 

Data

Compare Data

to

Baseline

Note 

Interventions

as Necessary

Modify

Interventions as

Necessary

Report Results

to Sponsoring

Organization and

Community

Step 5: Evaluate the Results
5-1

Introduction

Why evaluate the risk reduction process?

The primary goal of the evaluation process is to demonstrate that risk reduction efforts are 

reaching target populations, have the planned impact, and are demonstrably reducing loss.

With so much at stake, why guess if risk reduction efforts are being successful? Prove it!

Some organizations skip evaluations

While there are many reasons why an organization may not evaluate a risk reduction effort, 

here are the three big ones:

1. Fear of working with statistics.

Many people believe that evaluation involves complex mathematical formulas. Not so. It’s 

all about identifying existing conditions, determining future desired performance levels, 

making comparisons, and reaching conclusions. The use of simple math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) will get the job done.

2. Fear that a good evaluation may identify shortcomings in program efforts.

3. Lack of knowledge about evaluation.

Many organizations are simply not sure how to perform evaluation. This situation can be 

handled rather easily by seeking help. Consider these sources:

•	 USFA;

•	 NFPA;

•	 other emergency service organizations that have experience with evaluation;

•	 teachers and school officials;

•	 public health officials;

•	 counselors and mental health officials;

•	 planning and development officials;

•	 Census Bureau; and

•	 community colleges and universities.

Chapter 5

Step 5: Evaluate the Results
5-2

Don’t be intimidated by evaluation. Seek help from others who do it on a regular basis.

Failure to evaluate may result in a failed risk reduction process.

How can evaluation prove that the risk reduction process is on track?

A good evaluation process can prove that an intervention program is effective by validating 

that the goal of the intervention is being met by citing objective data. Evaluation is all about 

measuring performance.

Collect Data

When tracking risk experience, make sure those who do 

the data entry follow a standard process. Strive to obtain a 

broad base of data. Here are some examples:

•	 Root factors leading to incident, (How does a typical

incident happen?)

•	 How often the incidents occur.

•	 Location of the types of incidents (fires, falls, etc.).

•	 Incidents (geographic distribution).

•	 When incidents occur (time, day, month).

•	 Cost of the incidents (expense, injuries, loss of life).

•	 What are the fastest growing incidents?

Put extra effort into objectively identifying the root factors that lead to the occurrence of an incident.

When building a database, limit the number of people who perform the actual 

data entry. This helps reduce the chance of bias.

When using a survey instrument or a questionnaire, make sure it is designed to seek information in an objective manner.
5-3

Asking a question that leads a person to a specific response is likely to produce a 

biased answer.

Evaluation drives the risk reduction process. The most effective risk reduction efforts are 

those led by people willing to modify program strategies based on the results of ongoing 

evaluation.

Compare Data to Baseline

If evaluation is done well and begun early, it can help provide the framework that sets up a successful risk reduction effort. A starting point (baseline) is established and a 

destination (benchmark) is identified.

Baseline data can include

•	 An annual average of the data you want.

•	 Measurements such as number of incidents, damage,

injuries, or deaths.

•	 The knowledge a population has about a specific

topic. Example—the current number of people who 

know that unattended cooking is the leading cause of 

fire.

•	 Existing behaviors that occur. Example—the average

number of people who cause a fire because they left 

food unattended.

•	 Existing environmental conditions. Example—the average number of homes lacking smoke alarm protection.

Example—You want to find out if people know the leading cause of fire in the community.

Ask—What do you believe is the leading cause of fire in the community?

Instead of—Do you think unattended cooking is the leading cause of fire in the community?
5-4

The benchmark is the desired level of change. Let’s look at an example from Safe City that 

identifies baseline and future data needed to make conclusions regarding the success of the 

risk reduction effort. There is also an examination one of their objectives for each level of 

performance—outcome, impact, and process.

Safe City Example

Cooking Fire Problem in Safe City, USA

Outcome Objective: By the end of year one there will be a 50 percent reduction in 

the number of cooking fires that occur in homes of older adults residing in city-owned 

housing units.

What’s the baseline? 20 cooking fires per year.

What is the benchmark? Cut annual cooking fire occurrence in the homes of older adults 

living in housing to 10 per year.

How was the benchmark decided? The fire department is targeting the older adult housing unit because they believe it represents a realistic area where risk reduction will be 

successful. The fire department wants to decrease cooking fires by 50 percent over a 

2-year period (20/2=10).

How is progress being monitored? Review of annual response statistics.

Impact Objective: By the end of year one, 70 percent of older adults living in cityowned housing will identify cooking as the leading fire cause and state appropriate prevention/reaction strategies.

What’s the baseline? Baseline measurement is 10 percent.

How was the baseline determined? Before the impact objective was developed, the housing authority surveyed older adults and sought opinions on the leading cause of fire. One 

hundred responses were obtained. Only 10 residents said cooking.

What is the benchmark? The benchmark is 70 percent.

How was the benchmark decided? During the initial survey, only 10 percent of the older 

citizens knew the correct answer.

How can progress be monitored? During the next survey (to be done after the educa-
5-5

tional interventions) 70 out of 100 older adults must identify cooking as the leading 

fire cause.

Process Objective: By the end of 6 months, the fire department (supported by members of the planning team) will have made direct in-home contact with 50 percent of 

older adults living in city-owned housing to discuss cooking fire awareness.

What’s the baseline? In this case, the baseline is zero because the fire department has 

not performed any previous door-to-door visitation at the older adult housing unit.

What is the benchmark? The benchmark is 50 percent.

How was the benchmark obtained? The fire department will visit 100 homes within 

the housing unit. They project that a successful contact (person at home) will take 

place on 50 visits.

How can progress be monitored? A record of visitations.

Important facts to remember about evaluation

Evaluation must span the risk reduction process. It begins with analyzing and planning to address risk. It continues through implementation. Modifications to program activity are made 

according to evaluation results.

By creating and following a well-written evaluation plan, the specific progress of the risk 

reduction effort can be monitored and adapted according to need.

Note Interventions as 

Necessary

Evaluation offers tangible proof that populations are 

responding to risk reduction efforts or interventions. 

Both short and long-term progress can be monitored. 

While program activity begins almost immediately, statistical, behavioral, and environmental changes usually 

take time.

It is important that members of your organization, 
5-6

planning team, and community be able to see steady progress being made toward reaching 

the set goal.

Often, the myth that prevention cannot be measured has prevented organizations from attempting to conduct quality evaluation efforts. Prevention efforts can be measured quite well 

so long as the organization makes a commitment to do so in the three levels outlined in this 

text.

Outcome and impact evaluation depend upon measuring before and after the intervention. 

Compare the baseline data to data collected during and after risk reduction efforts have been 

done. The data then are compared to the benchmark set in the evaluation plan.

Safe City Example

Safe City Performance Measurements

Knowledge: The percent of a population who know the leading cause of fire in the 

community.

Behavior Change: The percent of a population that stay in the kitchen when cooking 

food.

Environmental Change: The percent of homes that have a working smoke alarm. 

Legislative Change: A law is enacted that requires smoke alarms in all homes.

Modify Interventions as 

Necessary

Monitoring progress is important. That is why an evaluation plan measures performance at several levels: outcome, impact, and process objectives. Following through 

with each level can provide tangible proof that the risk 

reduction effort is moving toward the goal of reducing 

the identified risk. However, in some cases interventions 

will need to be modified in order to meet the risk reduction goal.
5-7

Evaluation takes time

Outcome evaluation is long term. While annual statistics are used to monitor changes in risk, 

it may take 3 to 5 years (or longer) to realize major progress.

The results of impact evaluation may be seen a bit more quickly, but not overnight! While 

changes in knowledge can be realized over a relatively short term, behavior and environmental change generally take more time.

Evaluation must be valid and objective. If it is valid, it measures exactly what you want it to 

measure. If it is objective, it will not be affected by bias. Bias occurs when the attitude or expectation of the evaluator (or person being evaluated) influences the data being collected.

Report Results to 

Sponsoring Organization 

and Community

Share results of evaluation with the planning team, your 

fire service organization, the target population, community political leaders and decisionmakers, and the community at large. Once the initial conclusions from the 

evaluation have been developed, provide the information 

to the planning team. In fact, it is best to hold a team 

meeting to review results.

If a revision of the program is desired, it is important that everyone involved in conducting 

the program understands the reasons for changes.

Once the program is over, it is time to report the results of the program to the target audience, the organization, and the community. The conclusions from the evaluation process are 

the basis for this report.

Summary

Some essential steps must be taken to create a successful evaluation. First, make a commitment to do the evaluation well. Realize that the process will take time and effort to produce 

tangible results. Then, seek help. Ask someone who performs evaluation on a regular basis to 

help you get started.

Work hard to ensure all evaluation is done in a valid and objective manner. Keep an open 

mind and be prepared to make adjustments according to the findings of your monitoring 

and evaluation efforts.
Conduct a

Community Risk

Analysis

Develop Community 

Partnerships

Create an

Intervention

Strategy

Implement the

Strategy

Evaluate

the

Results

Identify Data

to be 

Analyzed

Identify 

Possible 

Partners

Review Data

about Risks and

Target Populations

Conduct Pilot of

Intervention; Revise

as Necessary

Collect 

Data

Develop a 

Community Risk Profile

Interpret 

Community Risks

and Problems

Identify Places for

Intervention

Establish

Responsibilities 

and Timetable of

Activities

Compare Data

to

Baseline

Write a

Problem

Statement

Form a

Community

Planning Team

Identify Target

Populations

and Locations

Market

Intervention

Programs

Note 

Interventions

as Necessary

Prioritize

Issues

Identify 

Interventions

Initiate

Activities

Modify

Interventions as

Necessary

Identify Target

Areas and

Populations

Identify 

Resources

Required

Monitor

Progress

Report Results

to Sponsoring

Organization and

Community

Develop the

Evaluation

Strategy

Report 

Progress

Periodically

Conclusion
Conclusion - 1

Community educators commonly have the misconception that once a program is implemented the work is over. Nothing could be further from the truth. The linear five-step planning process illustrated here represents the beginning and the end.

The education process never ends

The community education process is a never-ending cycle of analysis and revision. It is a series of five-step planning processes that overlap and continue through time.

Why is this a continual process? Communities and cultures change over time. The fire and 

injury problems facing communities today are different from those of 30 or 20 or even 10 

years ago, in some cases. This community change process always will continue. Our educational programs also must reflect these changes.

To keep up with—and be ahead of—changing community problems, the educator must 

“close the loop” on the five-step planning process by connecting the evaluation step with the 

analysis step.

The information gathered through evaluation—the good and the bad about the program 

results—is the information that is used to begin another community analysis. This is a continual cycle that is designed to ensure that you and your community team are always aware 

of the fire and injury problems in the community. From this information current programs 

can be revised to meet the changes. In some cases new programs can be designed. In addition, the information can be used to help plan budgets and forecast future educational and 

operational needs.

Restarting the planning cycle

How often should the planning process be repeated? That question can be answered only by 

each individual community. Smaller communities that have fewer residents, neighborhoods, 

and socioeconomic/sociocultural groups will see a slower change in fire and injury problems 

and may require a community analysis only every 5 to 8 years. Larger communities composed 

of numerous cultures and groups will change at a faster pace and may require a community 

analysis every 2 or 3 years. In any event, it is up to the community team to determine how 

often a planning process is needed and then to see that the process is implemented.

However, this doesn’t mean that a constant eye shouldn’t be on fire and injury statistics. 

Regularly analyze available data on causes of fires, location of fires in the community, changing demographics and economic conditions, and types of injuries. Reviewing these data leads 

community educators to be proactive instead of reactive to community problems. In other 

words, watching for trends and patterns can help you identify problems early and put a program in place prior to the problem escalating. This should be the objective.

Conclusion
Conclusion - 2

It all begins with you

Sound impossible to achieve? It may be at first. But after the first planning process is complete 

it will be easier to believe. The results of the process can be amazing. Hundreds of communities all over the country have completed successful planning processes and have thereby reduced the number of fires and injuries in the community. Any community can be successful 

in reducing fires and injuries through the use of the five-step planning process. It all begins 

with you.
Bibliography

U.S. Fire Administration. America Burning: Recommissioned. Washington: Author, 2000.

National Commission on Fire Prevention and Control. America Burning. Washington: U.S. Fire 

Administration, 1973.

National Safe Kids Campaign. Childhood Injury. Washington: Author, 2000.

_____. Motor Vehicle Occupant Injury. Washington: Author, 2000.

_____. Residential Fire Injury. Washington: Author, 2000.

_____. Rural Injury. Washington: Author, 2000.

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. Youth Risk Behavior 

Trends: 1991—1999. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2000.

_____. Fire in the United States: 1987-1996. 11th ed. Washington: Author.

Kirtley, Ed. Risk Watch: A Leaders Guide to Preventing Childhood Injury in the Community. Quincy: 

National Fire Protection Association, 1998.

International Fire Service Training Association. Fire and Life Safety Educator. 2nd ed. Stillwater: 

Author.

Turnock, Bernard J. Public Health: What It Is and How It Works. Gaithersburg: Aspen Publishers, 

1997.
A-1

Appendix

Sources of Additional Training and Information

Noted below are several sources that you may find helpful as you develop a comprehensive 

community education program for your fire service organization. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) publications are available through the FEMA Web site at www.fema.

gov

Readings

1. Self-Study Course for Community Educators (National Fire Academy).

2. Short Guide to Evaluating Local Public Education Programs (U. S. Fire Administration).

3. Solutions 2000: Advocating Shared Responsibilities for Improved Fire Protection.

4. Fire Risk Series (U.S. Fire Administration).

5. Reaching High Risk Groups: The Community-Based Fire Safety Program (Rossomando & Associates).

6. Reaching the Hard to Reach (TriData).

7. Proving Public Fire Education Works (TriData and U. S. Fire Administration).

8. Community Tool Box: An Internet Resource (University of Kansas).

Training

The following National Fire Academy courses support the information provided in this 

guide:

1. Community Education Leadership.

2. Discovering the Road to High Risk Audiences.

3. Presenting Effective Public Education Programs.

4. Developing Fire and Life Safety Strategies.

5. Strategic Analysis of Community Risk Reduction.

6. Leading Community Fire Prevention.