P.O. Box 237 Uniontown, OH 44685-0237 Phone: 216-447-6331 Website: ohiofsc.org

NEWS

December 1, 2008

2008 Year End Summary of Activities

Dear Sir or Madam,

I would like to take this opportunity to summarize the 2008 activities of the Ohio Fire Safety Coalition (OFSC).

I would like to start out by thanking those of you who had attended and supported the 4th Annual OFSC Burn Invitational.  During a turbulent economic time the event was still a wonderful success with $34,000 raised for the Akron Children’s Hospital Regional Burn Center and Oncology Unit.  During the evening auction and dinner a special celebration champaign toast was made as the OFSC Burn Invitational went over the $100,000 total mark raised.  To date $129,000 has been raised in four years for the hospital. 

Funds raised this year have been allocated to the following areas of Akron Children’s Hospital:

• Children's Cancer Fund $6,800: 
• Provides cancer research funding ($25,800 4-yr. total).
• ACBC (Aluminum Cans for Burned Children) $6,800: 
• Sponsors summer camp for burn children ($25,800 4-yr. total).
• Henry P. and Helen Schmidt Burn Education Endowment Fund $6,800: 
• Sponsors burn education programming ($25,800 4-yr. total).
• General Fund for the Clifford R. Boeckman, M.D. Regional Burn Center $13,600:
• Provides funds for new equipment in the burn center ($51,600 4-yr. total).

In September of 2008 the OFSC co-sponsored the National Campus Fire Safety Month kick-off in Washington D.C. along with the Congressional Fire Services Institute and Campus Firewatch.  A national coalition of organizations and individuals dedicated to reducing the loss of life at schools across the nation joined law- and policy-makers on Capitol Hill September 8th to launch the National Campus Fire Safety Month.  The goal was to raise awareness of students, parents, and administrators about the importance of campus fire safety and the steps they can take to prevent the needless loss of life.  In addition a focus was made on recent and future Federal legislation targeted at fire safety and sprinklers being installed in college residential housing. The event was followed up by Chief Tom Klecan, OFSC Board Member and Fire Chief for North Olmsted, testifying before a congressional outreach program in early November 2008 on the importance of fire safety / sprinklers and correct implementation of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (Right to Know Act).  More information can be obtained on this important passed legislation at:  http://edcomeau.googlepages.com/campusfiresafetyright-to-know

The national coalition included the Congressional Fire Service Institute, the Ohio Fire Safety Coalition, Campus Firewatch, the Chapel Hill, N.C. Fire Department, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of South Carolina, the Columbia, S.C. Fire Department, parents of fire victims, and survivors of campus-related fires.

This year’s event focused on improving fire safety efforts in off-campus housing where approximately two-thirds of the national student population lives and nearly 80 percent of student fatalities occur. Highlights from the 2008 launch of National Campus Fire Safety Month on Capitol Hill can be found on the new section of the OFSC website at www.ohiofsc.org.

Clear Channel Communications (radio) has featured two taped programs with OFSC.  These programs were aired eight times on the Sunday Magazine Show.  The segments began with a July program featuring an educational program on the myths / facts of the residential fire sprinklers along with going back to school fire safety education.  An October program featured Fire Safety Month which included fire safety tips if you have a fire along with highlighting the benefits of residential fire sprinkler systems.  Clear Channel Communications stations in Ohio have over 7 million listeners.

The 2009 year will be a challenging one for everyone. The OFSC is committed to our mission on educating the Ohio public on fire safety and the life saving value of residential fire sprinklers.  We will again hold the OFSC Burn Invitational in the month of August.  Please check our website for updates.  We will also be sending out mail updates.

Please continue to support the efforts of the Ohio Fire Safety Coalition.  Through community awareness and education we all will prevent injury and save lives.
 
Have a safe and wonderful holiday season!

Best regards,

Matthew R. Kuwatch
Executive Director, Chairman of Board of Trustees
Ohio Fire Safety Coalition

 

Ohio Fire Safety Coalition Board of Trustees:
Matthew Kuwatch        Tim O’Herron   Mark Schwiger Julie Schade      Bill Sisto
Mark Karr                    Jeff Gibson       Brian Sisto        Tom Klecan      Mike Dunton