This report is the origin of Vision 20/20
In 2008, Vision 20/20 held its first meeting, bringing together hundreds experts from across the nation to discuss the gaps in fire prevention. This landmark meeting, which also involved a number of virtual focus groups, resulted in identifying five specific strategies that needed to be addressed to help fill the gaps in fire prevention.
Strategy 1 Advocacy
Advocating for holistic approach to Community Risk Reduction is difficult when fire chiefs must deal with competing priorities, both within a fire department and within their municipality. This strategy focuses on helping to develop tools and information that can be used when advocating for increased knowledge about CRR across organizations, sufficient resources to devote to fire prevention and Community Risk Reduction, and helping local leaders understand the importance of reducing risk to create safe, healthy, and resilient communities. Section Chief Chris Brunette is the point of contact for this strategy and can be reached at cbrunette@strategicfire.org.
Strategy 2 Outreach and Education
Teaching people about fire safety is a challenge when there are so many competing messages out there, and doing it effectively is the key. This strategy focuses on identifying what are the critical issues and challenges, developing market tested messaging and identifying the best ways to communicate these messages to the general public. Meri-K Appy is the point of contact for this strategy and can be reached at mappy@strategicfire.org.
Strategy 3 Culture
The fire service has a strong focus towards operations, and as important as this is, prevention is also an important part of the job. Strategy 3 plays a large role in developing and promoting an understanding of the concepts of Community Risk Reduction (CRR), emphasizing that risk reduction is all encompassing and a part of every fire fighter’s daily job. Our Culture strategy works to dispel misconceptions about CRR and show firefighters this is yet another tool to create safe, healthy & resilient organizations and communities. Vision 20/20 Project Manager Stephen Hrustich is the point of contact for this strategy and can be reached at shrustich@strategicfire.org.
Strategy 4 Technology
Technology is such a large part of our world today, and technology can play a key role in fire prevention, suppression, response and holistically address risk on a number of fronts. There is an ever-growing array of products and solutions coming onto the market, and Strategy 4 takes a focused approach on identifying tested solutions that conform to today’s safety standards what show how technology can have a profound impact towards our desired outcomes. Amanda Kimball is the point of contact for this strategy and can be reached at akimball@nfpa.org.
Strategy 5 Codes and Standards
Codes and Standards are integral to an effective is Community Risk Reduction (CRR) program. They are not always considered as a priority element, often because personnel are not aware of or actively engaged in the development and implementation processes. However, Codes and Standards are the baseline for overall community health as well as the safety and survival of first responders.
Strategy 5 entails employing the collective expertise of its technical and statewide partners to establish a collaborative forum to provide information and awareness of pending Codes and Standards which could impact CRR. The belief is that better awareness will spur more active participation.
Chief Keith Brower (Ret.) is the point of contact for Strategy 5 and can be reached at kbrower@firehero.org
Strategy 6 Model Performance and Evaluation
Model Performance Criteria demonstrates how to improve evaluation measurements on programs that address risk. Holistically this can encompass fire service operations, firefighter health & safety, fire prevention, EMS and Mobile Integrated Healthcare, public education, plan review, code enforcement and investigation efforts. This strategy focuses on helping organizations measure the effectiveness of their programs and provides criteria to enhance the value of fire service operations across all disciplines. Vision 20/20 Project Manager Stephen Hrustich is the point of contact for this strategy and can be reached at shrustich@strategicfire.org.
