Our fire department has begun implementing the Remembering When program. This program, produced by the National Fire Protection Association, is a fall and fire prevention program for older adults. The program consists of 8 fall prevention behaviors, and 8 fire prevention behaviors.
During the creation of this program, focus groups determined the following top 6 ways to get people (especially older adults) to attend and listen to your presentation.
- Good quality presentation. Content is always king. A presentation that adds value to the listener and is well presented, lets people leave with a sense of having gained something, not just wasted time. A good presentation will also attract future audiences, due to word of mouth (especially applicable to the older adult demographic).
- The presentation should be brief, 20-30 minutes. The Remembering When program has several time ranges, however, the main messages and presentation does not exceed 25 minutes.
- Focus on key messages. Focus the presentation on the most important messages. It would be impossible to make an exhaustive presentation (on any topic) in only 20-30 minutes. The object of the presentation is for the information to be retained, we do not want our listeners to suffer from information overload.
- The presenter should be a trusted expert. The donning of our firefighters uniform, automatically makes us the trusted expert. Do not do anything that would violate this trust. A well rehearsed presentation can make anyone seem like an expert on any subject. Practice!
- Transportation provided or easily accessible. Our library system has branches strategically located throughout the county. Partnering with them provides a convenient location. We also partner with our local Council on Aging, they have a transportation service that picks up and brings people to there facility.
- Food provided, include this information in the advertising. Everyone loves going to a meeting, knowing that food will be provided. Also, provides a free meal for those who are financially disadvantaged.
- Door prizes. Everyone loves free stuff! This also creates a buzz among the participants, and a certain level of competition.
- Time of day. Focus groups determined that the best time of day to offer a presentation (for older adults) is at 10 am or after noon, around 2 pm.
- Provide follow-up session. Collect names and contact information, at the very least provide a phone call or e-mail as a follow up. Remembering When, also has a home visit/risk-assessment component that provides a great method for follow up.
Martin County Fire Rescue and the Council on Aging have been awarded scholarships to participate in a training conference dedicated to Remembering When™: A Fire and Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults, developed by the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA. The awarded scholarships provide for travel expenses for two participants, Remembering When curriculum materials and all training.
The conference will be held December 4-6, 2011, in Boston, Massachusetts. NFPA has selected two-member teams from 29 communities across the country to participate. Teams are comprised of one fire department member partnered with an individual from an agency within the community that serves older adults through home visits, such as visiting nurses associations, home health care agencies, and places of worship.
“Adults 65 years and older are more than twice as likely to be killed in a home fire compared to the population at large, and falls are the leading cause of death from injuries in this group,” said Sharon Gamache, Program Director of High-Risk Outreach Programs, “This training offers strategies that participants can bring back to share with their communities to help prevent fires and falls among older adults that live there.”
The Remembering When program focuses on 16 key fire and fall prevention messages. Some of the messages include the following: To prevent fires, space heaters should be kept at least 3 feet (1 meter) from anything that can burn and unplugged when no one’s home or at bedtime. While cooking, older adults should wear tight fitting clothing or short sleeves so clothes don’t ignite from the stove. People should never leave cooking unattended or cook if drowsy from medicine or alcohol.
To prevent falls, older adults should exercise to improve balance and build strength. Consulting a doctor first about ability-appropriate exercise is best. To prevent falls in the home, it’s important to clear stairs and hallways of electrical cords, shoes, books, magazines, clothing and any other things that can be tripped over.
Aaron Johnson of Martin County Fire Rescue and Mindy McCombs of the Council on Aging will travel to Boston for the workshop. Following the workshop, Martin County Fire Rescue will conduct a minimum of five group presentations and at least two train-the-trainer sessions for the Council on Aging. The Council on Aging will integrate materials from the Remembering When program into its outreach through home visits.
NFPA is committed to helping communities reduce fire and fall injuries and deaths among older adults. The Remembering When program has been implemented in communities throughout North American since 1999, reaching thousands of older adults. For more information about Remembering When, visit www.nfpa.org/rememberingwhen.
Related posts:
Martin County Receives "Remembering When" Award
Every year the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) selects 40 community/teams to attend its Remembering When conference. Each team consists of one fire department representative and one senior care agency. This year Martin County Fire Rescue partnered with the Council on Aging, and is proud to announce that they have been selected for the Remembering When conference award! On December 4-6, 2011 our team will be heading to Boston to be equipped with educational tools that will prevent falls and fires in older adults.
Remembering When presentation
Annually, Martin County Fire Rescue responds to more than 12,000 medical calls, 53% of these are to people over the age of 65. We respond to more falls, than to any other type of medical emergency; nearly 2,500 fall responses per year. These overwhelming statistics demanded a response. That response has come in the form of the National Fire Protection Association’s , Remembering When: A Fall and Fire Prevention Program for Older Adults. Partnering with the Council on Aging, and by way of group presentations and home visits, implementation of this program will enhance the lives of older adults, promote independence, and prevent premature institutionalization.
Remembering When is centered around 16 key safety messages – eight fire preventionand eight fall prevention.
- If you smoke, smoke outside
- Give space heaters space.
- Be kitchen wise.
- Stop, drop, and roll.
- Smoke alarms save lives.
- Plan and practice your escape from fire.
- Know your local emergency number.
- Plan your escape around your abilities.
- Exercise regularly.
- Take your time.
- Clear the way.
- Look out for yourself.
- Wipe up spilled liquids immediately.
- Be aware of uneven surfaces.
- Tread carefully.
- Put your best foot forward.
