Statewide In-Service Training

Tips for Planning a Young Hero Award Event

 Everything you ever wanted to know, already know,

didn’t think you needed to know,or

don’t know about…

Handling Politicians, the Press & the Public or

How to …Plan,

Organize, Coordinate,

Publicize, Present,

& Host a

“Young Hero” Award Ceremony

• Public Fire and Life Safety Education can have an impact not only on a student’s life, but also on the lives of family members, friends and neighbors.

• By teaching young children the 23 key fire and life safety behavioral skills, early in their lives, and reinforcing these ideals throughout the remainder of their education, we can reduce the risk of injuries and deaths from fire and other accidents.

Decline in Child Death Rate since inception of S.A.F.E.

Child Fire Deaths by Year

14

18 18

24

9

23

10

25

75

446

89

14

1

57

1112

4

10

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

S.A.F.E. Program started in Fall 1995

“When a child recognizes a dangerous situation and reacts appropriately during an emergency, by demonstrating skills and behaviors learned through the Student Awareness of Fire Education (S.A.F.E.) Program, they deserve to be praised for their actions.”

Stephen D. Coan

State Fire

Marshal

History of the Young Hero Program

• 1995, State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan instituted the “Young Hero” award

• Honors the heroism of each child

• Means of raising public awareness– the importance of fire and life safety education– its positive effect upon the citizens of the

Commonwealth.

S.A.F.E. is a Proven Success !

• Since 1995– Over 230 children have been recognized as

“Young Heroes” by Marshal Coan• Each Young Hero is awarded a certificate of

recognition and a “Young Hero” t-shirt, at ceremonies and presentations in schools, fire stations and town halls across Massachusetts.

Young Hero Criteria

• Has a child, family or group of children in your S.A.F.E. Community – Responded appropriately during an emergency, by

demonstrating key fire and life safety behaviors?

– Dialed 911 to report an incident and calmly provided information to a dispatcher?

– Performed a lifesaving medical maneuver?

– Was this child responding correctly as a result of the fire and life safety education they received from your fire department's S.A.F.E. Program?

What kind of recognition do the children receive?

• Each "Young Hero" will be presented a;– Certificate of Recognition

signed by State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan

– "Young Hero" T-shirt, bearing the seal of the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, and the words "Junior Fire Marshal" and "S.A.F.E. Young Hero".

Some things to keep in mind:

• Each child is different and as such, each ceremony should be unique. – Ask the parents, school teacher or guidance

counselor what they and the child would be comfortable with.

– The presentation can be formal or informal

Some things to keep in mind:

• Notify the local media. – Both the "Young Hero" and your S.A.F.E.

Program deserve to be publicly acknowledged.

Some things to keep in mind:

• The primary focus of attention should be:– The award recipient

• Emphasize the actions of the individual during the incident that led to their being honored.

• What positive effect did the recipient’s actions have upon the outcome of the incident?

– Prompt notification of FD, EMS, PD

– Lifesaving medical maneuver

– Minimize property damage

Some things to keep in mind:

• It is also important to give credit to your S.A.F.E. Program. – Make the community aware of your

department's efforts and take satisfaction in its success.

Some things to keep in mind:

• Notify your local town and school officials as well as your state representative and state senator, whose support for the S.A.F.E Program is crucial.

What information does the Public Education Unit need about the nominee?

Tell us about the incident

• Town and Fire Department making the nomination

• S.A.F.E. educator or person to contact regarding information about the incident

• Date, time, location, type of call.

Tell us about the nominee.

• Child's name (check spelling carefully) • Age• School or place where they received S.A.F.E.

education, • When did they have S.A.F.E. education, from

whom?• Parents or guardians name, address, phone

Tell us about the child's actions

• What did the child do correctly? • How did the actions affect the outcome of the

incident? • Did they demonstrate any of the key fire and life

safety behaviors that the S.A.F.E. Program teaches?

What information does the Public Education Unit need about the event?

• Let us know when the presentation ceremony is scheduled to take place and where – If schedules permit, Marshal Coan, Deputy Leonard or

Jennifer Mieth will make an effort to attend to present the award.

Nominate a “Young Hero”

• To notify the Department of Fire Services about a child whose actions during an emergency are deserving of recognition– Contact: The S.A.F.E. Program Coordinator in the

Public Education Unit at (978) 567-3388– Or Jennifer Mieth, Public Education Manager at

• (978) 567-3381

– E-mail Application form on the DFS website• www.mass.gov/dfs• Follow the Public Education links to Young Heroes

Planning and organizing a public award presentation ceremony

Who do you invite?

• Recipient’s family members & friends• School classmates/teachers, School

Administrators• Town Officials, Mayor, Selectmen, Town

Council• State Senator & State Representatives• Local S.A.F.E. Program sponsors/partners• Local Media, newspaper, TV, Cable Access

Invite a Presidential Candidate!!!

Where will the presentation take place?

The choice of venues should be dictated by the comfort level of the recipient, in terms of dealing with being in front of an audience. – Fire Station

– School auditorium

– Town Hall (at meeting of local government officials)

Where will the presentation take place?

• Consider that a Young Hero presentation in front a school assembly:– Honors the recipient in front of his peers

• Reinforces positive behavior

– Provides a secondary teaching opportunity• Reiterate classroom lessons

• Link theory to real-life situation

When considering a location, take into account the following:

• Will weather be a factor? • Will there be any distractions such as truck noise,

radios, bells? • Is there adequate lighting for good photos?

– Keep the sun and bright lights at the back of the audience to avoid shooting video or still images into the sun.

When considering a location, take into account the following:

• Do you need a sound system so everyone can hear?

• Is a stage or podium available?

What is the role of DFS?

• Presentation by Department of Fire Services representative– “Young Hero” Award from State Fire Marshal– “Young Hero” T-shirt

• Explanation of S.A.F.E. Program– Highlight the value of successful collaboration

between school and fire departments

What will you present?

• Certificate of Achievement

• Plaque, trophy, framed picture, gift certificates etc…

Media and Public Relations

Stop the Presses!!!

• Media Advisory– One page informational notice to the media

inviting them to the event

• Press Release– Detailed account of the event to distribute to

the media on the day of the ceremony– Mailed or delivered to those who can’t cover

the event in person

Set up a press kit

• Maximize the impact of the recipient’s actions– Describe the “Young Hero’s” actions and the

circumstances of the incident– Include all the important facts– Carefully check and confirm the spelling of

each person’s name, age, etc.

Set up a press kit

• Explain– That the student learned how to react in an

emergency through the S.A.F.E. Program– The cooperative efforts of your fire department

and the local school system.

Set up a press kit

• Promote your S.A.F.E. Program as well.– Give a brief description of your department’s

S.A.F.E. Program. – How long has it existed? – Who do you teach? – What key behaviors are taught? – Who supports the program?

Plan well in advance

• Editors and producers need adequate lead time and advanced notice to schedule reporters and photographers for events. – Notify them as soon as a date has been picked.

– Don’t wait until the last minute and expect good media coverage.

– If necessary, take photos yourself and submit them to the news editor along with a summary of the event in your press kit.

Get signed permission for photos of youth

• Before taking or publishing photos of any youth:– Obtain a standard release form– Get parental authorization in writing– Inquire if there are any concerns with “non-

custodial” parents, you may need their permission as well.

Protocol for elected officials, dignitaries, etc…

• Public officials have extremely hectic schedules• They require notice well in advance in order to

attend events

• A letter of invitation should be sent and followed up with a phone call to the aide or advisor confirming attendance.

Protocol for elected officials, dignitaries, etc…

• How many speakers? – Keep it to a minimum (3 or less)– If an official will not be speaking, make sure to

acknowledge their presence during your remarks.

Protocol for elected officials, dignitaries, etc…

• Order of introduction – Who speaks first?

• Rank and Political Status

• Highest ranking official first

Examples:

1.) President

Governor

Mayor

2.) State Senator

State Rep

Selectman

3.) Town Council

Fire Chief

Principal

Time allocation for remarks

• Keep it brief• Fire chief or S.A.F.E. program coordinator should

describe the emergency event and the child’s actions.

• Take advantage of having a captive media to interject a fire safety lesson or tip that is timely or appropriate to the incident being discussed.

Closing remarks

• Thank teachers and school department officials for their continued partnership

• Thank all elected officials for their attendance and continued support of your program

• Congratulate the recipient once again

Ideas from previous ceremonies

• Light refreshments for guests, donations from local merchants

• Presentation at town council meeting broadcast on local cable access channel

• School assembly in auditorium honoring student in front of their peers

• Fire station visit and ride in apparatus, breakfast with firefighters

• Presentation at community public safety event