[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 115 (Tuesday, August 16, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 16, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    SALUTE TO HONOLULU FIREFIGHTERS

                                 ______


                         HON. NEIL ABERCROMBIE

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 16, 1994

  Mr. ABERCROMBIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the important 
contribution the Honolulu Fire Department has made to promote safety in 
our community. National studies show that young children along with the 
elderly constitute the group at highest risk to fatalities caused by 
fires. The Honolulu Fire Department has developed a unique program to 
reach children and educate them about fire safety.
  Recognizing the role that schools play in reaching young people, the 
Honolulu Fire Department Fire Fighter Safety Guide [FFSG] promotes fire 
safety through a planned, pictorial program originating at the 
elementary grade school level. The FFSG Program, originated and 
implemented in 1985, reaches approximately 150,000 students each year. 
The FFSG is designed to foster education, awareness, and pride in a 
fire safe environment. The primary focus is to encourage all parents, 
students, and teachers to draw up a fire escape plan for their homes 
and learn about fire prevention and response.
  Prior to Fire Prevention Week in October of each year, FFSG's are 
distributed by firefighters to all private and public Hawaii elementary 
schools. Teacher distribute and explain the FFSG's to students. 
Students then design an escape route from their homes and indicate 
assembly points outside of their homes for accountability of family 
members. Parents assist children in drawing escape plans and sign them 
before submittal to teachers, who add their signatures of approval.
  Each school administrative coordinator notifies the nearest fire 
station when all the guides are complete, compiled, and ready for 
pickup. Included with the completed guides is the name of one finalist 
per class per grade selected by the teacher to be represented for a 
special student grand prize drawing. Selection of the finalist is based 
on completeness of the escape plan, correct answers, and coloring 
ability.
  Firefighters review the 150,000 FFSG's with a special interest toward 
the student's fire escape plan, affix a signature of approval, and 
attach an FFSG Award poster. The poster is bordered by 18 free 
incentive coupons by various sponsors. Free airline tickets, admission 
to museums and restaurants, and redeemable coupons are provided to 
every student that completes the FFSG.
  The Honolulu Fire Department's Fire Fighter's Safety Guide has proven 
to be the most effective fire safety project for the State of Hawaii. 
Cases of children being responsible for saving their families and 
neighbors from fire, due to fire safety awareness, have been documented 
in Hawaii. In addition, the awareness of children and their families 
has reduced fire hazards and prevented fires entirely.
  Again, I commend the Honolulu Fire Department for their efforts to 
promote safety and save lives in this ninth year of the FFSG Program. 
From myself and all the citizens of Hawaii I want to recognize and 
salute the Honolulu Fire Department's achievements.

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