In 2007, 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.  A total of 67 public education programs were conducted in 2007. 

Fire Prevention Week 2007, gave the Fire Prevention Unit the opportunity to present their programs to Pre-K through eighth graders at Northwestern Elementary School, 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.

Hamlin Township Fire Prevention Unit held their 5th Annual Open House at the Hamlin Township Fire Department bringing Fire Prevention Week activities to a close and encouraging our community to get involved in fire safety and awareness, planning escape plans, installing smoke detectors and other fire safety tips. This year’s open house also included a fire extinguisher 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 and many new additions to our food menu including foot-long hot dogs and frozen slushes free to all visiting guest.  This year we had approximately 500 visitors.

The school presentations and other events reached about 3300 children and adults.  This is an increase from 2006 by about 300.  Our continued newspaper coverage and Open House heightened the awareness of Fire Safety, injury prevention and severe weather awareness education in our community this year.

During 2007, our Severe Weather Awareness programs continued to expand and increase in number and popularity.  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.   This year Hamlin Township Fire Department was able to acquire a used Civil Defense siren through “Helping Our Own”, a group formed to help smaller fire departments get needed equipment.  With the help of firefighters and some very generous community contractors we were able to get our severe weather siren operational in 2007.  It was put to the test several times in July and August when several tornados warnings were issued for the Eaton/Calhoun county areas. 

The Hamlin Township Firefighter’s Association collected monetary donations from its members, Hamlin Township Fire Board, Hamlin Township officials and some generous Hamlin Township residents to sponsor two Hamlin Township families in need this Christmas 2007.  A special thanks to other anonymous monetary sponsors, who helped out this Christmas.  We had the opportunity this year to help a local military family with three children and another family whose father once served as a volunteer firefighter. Many thank you cards were received from the families.  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 2007 for five children will forever be memorable. 

This year’s Fire Prevention, Safety and Severe Weather Awareness programs continued to build in popularity due to the cooperation of our local schools and the commitment of the Fire Prevention team. Thanks to the continued generosity of Hamlin Township, our Fire Prevention programs and Safety and Severe Weather Awareness programs will continue to be available to our community. 

In May 2007, the Fire Prevention Unit submitted an application to the Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program.  In December 2007, we were awarded the grant by Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program to help fund our Jr. Forest Ranger program and to purchase four new collapsible Indian Pumpers to fight wildland fires.

With support from a 2006 Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant we successfully launched a Junior Forest Ranger Program/Club for children of all ages in our community.  We received continued support through the 2007 Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant to continue our efforts to educate these young people to be leaders for the future.  The purpose of the program is to motivate children of all ages to explore the natural world and embrace their responsibility to it.

Plan Reviews, Inspections and Fire Investigations:

A total of 27 residential home safety inspections were conducted for Hamlin Township residents at no cost and several plan reviews were completed.  A total of three suspicious roadside vegetation fires were investigated.

 The number of residential home safety surveys over the past year has remained consistent with a slight increase over the past year.  No commercial inspections or building inspections were conducted, but several plans reviews for renovation projects were completed for existing occupancies in 2007.

We believe we have a duty to be involved in the community we serve. 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.

The Fire Prevention Unit is committed to Public Service Excellence. We are committed to seeking out and implementing innovative and progressive thinking to address change effectively to benefit those we serve.  Every effort is made to continually promote and deliver quality programs and services. 

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