DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS

Community Social Service Leaders

fire service member helps seniors with fire prevention — Image courtesy of United States Fire Administration

Clergy, social service providers and educators deal most directly with the survivors and aftermath of fires. They are your most natural advocates and important partners. They can help you acquire localized fire data as well as provide you with unique and dramatic testimony about the long-term effects on people and community when fire strikes. Together you can present a truer picture of the total impact of fire on the entire community.

The agencies and organizations run by these leaders are good potential partners for your program. Groups like Head Start, homeless shelters, the American Red Cross, aging councils and others have a vital stake in fire safety. As an established part of the community, they can become excellent sources of advocates and resources.

Here are some tactics you might consider using to reach the leaders who provide social services in your community:

Work Together: Meet to brainstorm how you can unite to increase awareness of the social impact of fire on their constituents.
Determine Best Methods of Outreach: Identify and share contacts with each other and work together to get your messages out.
Join Forces: Cohost an open house to educate the public about the importance of local fire prevention and to demonstrate the strong bond you have with these local leaders.
Cooperative Fire Prevention Programs: Approach social service leaders to codevelop fire prevention programs, especially to reach high-risk members of the community. Many of these leaders and groups are experienced in writing grants to support important social programs.