Presenter: Michael McLeieer

Using the successes of the Merrimac (Massachusetts) Fire Department, this session will focus on model evaluation measures and model fire prevention/public education programs for Community Risk Reduction. Participants will understand how Merrimac Fire was able to identify fire and life safety risks, prioritize them, focus energy on mitigation and prevention, including the importance of balancing emergency responses with proactive focused prevention efforts, and how the department became more of a community player to reach everyone throughout its primary response area. An emphasis was placed on marketing strategies, building rapport, and leveraging community resources, including alternative funding sources to execute the Community Risk Reduction plan, leading to a safer community.