In 2006, the Hamlin Township Fire Prevention Unit visited local schools, participated in Safety Town, community parades and presented to community groups to boost awareness about the importance of fire safety, injury prevention and severe weather awareness. 

Fire Prevention Week 2006, gave the Fire Prevention Unit the opportunity to present their programs to Pre-K through eighth graders at Northwestern, Union Street Elementary Schools, Island City Academy and St. Peter’s School. Humpty Dumpty Daycare, home-schooled students, scout groups and other community groups also were involved in fire prevention presentations. The programs were structured so that the presenters worked with classroom groups. This gave the presenters a chance to involve the children in their own safety awareness and help make fire safety a group/family affair. The Fire Prevention Unit left a lasting impression on the educators, faculty, parents and children that were involved. 

Hamlin Township Fire Prevention Unit held an Open House at the Fire Department bringing Fire Prevention Week activities to a close and encouraged our community residents to get involved in fire safety and awareness, learning about escape plans, smoke detectors and other fire safety tips. This year’s open house also included an extrication demonstration, Eaton County “911” operators, Eaton County Sheriff Department detective unit (finger printing), Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) demonstration, fire trucks on display, live smoke house (smoke detector use), hose spraying with the new addition to our training house front and many new additions to our free foods available to all visiting guest. 

The school presentations and other events reached about 3000 children and adults. This is an increase from 2005 by about 900. The additional newspaper coverage and Open House heightened the awareness of Fire Safety, injury prevention and severe weather awareness education in our community. 

During 2006, our Severe Weather Awareness programs continued to expand. As part of this program NOAA Weather Radios have continued to be presented as an important tool in severe weather safety. We have noted an increase in the knowledge of severe weather preparedness and the use of NOAA weather radios by senior citizens and families in communities that do not have early warning devices.

The Hamlin Township Firefighter’s Association collected monetary donations from its members to sponsor three Hamlin Township families in need this Christmas 2006. A special thanks to other anonymous monetary sponsors, who helped out this Christmas. The Fire Prevention Unit went to work in May contacting local stores, writing for discount certificates and collecting material items (boxes, wrapping paper, tape). Christmas 2006 for five children was a dream come true. 

This year’s Fire Prevention, Safety and Severe Weather Awareness programs were successful due to the cooperation of our local schools and the unrivaled commitment of the Fire Prevention team of fire fighters Darlene Smith, Larry Janz, technical support of Rusty Hiither and the continued support and trust Chief Chuck Hendrickson has in us to do a job well. Thanks to the generosity of Hamlin Township, our Fire Prevention, Safety and Severe Weather Awareness programs and activities were available to our community again this year. 

The Hamlin Township Fire Prevention Unit submitted an application for funding through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program 2006 which is pending. In December 2006 we were awarded a grant by Michigan Department of Natural Resources to help fund our Jr. Forest Ranger program. (Campaign starts: February 2007). 

We believe we have a duty to be involved in the community we service. Our responsibility is to protect life, property, and the environment. We are committed to fulfilling our responsibility and to deepening our involvement in the community we serve. No request or inquiry will go unanswered. 
We recognize and understand that the constancy of change in our community impacts us daily. We are committed to seeking out and implementing innovative and progressive thinking to address change effectively to benefit those we serve. 
The Fire Prevention Unit is committed to Public Service Excellence. Every effort is made to continually promote and deliver quality programs and services. A conscious effort is made to schedule programs and services within our community and surrounding areas. To fairly balance program development and delivery, the competing needs and priorities of our community, an annual in depth evaluation is conducted. 

The Fire Prevention Unit’s goal is to provide a proactive response to fire safety, injury prevention and severe weather awareness programs through education. As a unit, we believe that fire is a costly but preventable tragedy that can be defeated by providing quality educational programs. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Darlene L. Smith
Fire Prevention Coordinator