Arizona Fire & Medical Authority personnel are ready to respond in emergency situations, but are equally committed to educating residents in Sun City West to promote safety.
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SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE
Arizona Fire & Medical sees continued interest in Sun City West community outreach
Promoting safety through education
Posted
Community outreach aims to educate community members on multiple ways to keep themselves safe by being aware of common hazards and practices that the fire service has identified as high causes of injury.”
Eric Kriwer, Arizona Fire & Medical Authority deputy chief
Arizona Fire & Medical Authority personnel are ready to respond in emergency situations, but are equally committed to educating residents in Sun City West to promote safety.
According to the AFMA website, part of the community outreach program includes fire and life and safety education to ensure all residents have access to lifesaving information to help develop skills to keep safety at every stage in life.
The organization had a successful year of public education series offerings through Zoom throughout 2020 and again this year, according to Eric Kriwer, AFMA deputy chief.
In addition, Kriwer said the organization has a robust community risk management program, which enforces the fire code and also provides community outreach opportunities residents through various outlets.
“Community outreach aims to educate community members on multiple ways to keep themselves safe by being aware of common hazards and practices that the fire service has identified as high causes of injury,” he explained.
The class options are chosen based on internal risk assessments with the various climate seasons, and community demographics are also taken into consideration. During fall and winter the topics include the safe use of heating materials and the safest holiday practices. In the spring and summer things such as heat emergencies, desert pest awareness, wildfire preparedness, fire extinguisher use and monsoon safety are available, according to Kriwer.
“Additional offerings include working with our active adult communities on safe cooking practices, techniques to avoid falls and injury in the home, fraud awareness and exercise techniques,” he said.
Looking back to 2019, the average class size was between five to eight people. Even with some in-person opportunities, participants were limited. After COVID-19 became a factor, John Teixeira, assistant fire marshal, said AFMA officials discussed the chance to bring a web-based community outreach program to communicate with a broader audience.
“With the switch to a Zoom format (2020), we reached approximately 120 people through the six classes we offered online,” Teixeira said.
The hope is for the numbers to increase as the online format is more accepted. The observation has shown a comfort level as residents remain inside and still communicate with the fire department on the best practices to keep safe, along with neighbors.
The delivery of community outreach varies for AFMA officials depending on the need. A combination of in-person and web-based programs will enhance the community outreach program with a more significant overall audience year after year, Teixeira said. He added the web-based outreach has been impressive, but AFMA administration also wants to interact with the community in person.
Call 623-544-5400 for community outreach scheduling and requests.
I am passionate about sports and community writing and shining the light on positivity, while delivering the facts. I have been with the Independent team for five months, but in the game for 15 years. I am a proud Grand Canyon University alumni. Born and raised in Peoria, I also am blessed to have a street named after me called Jennifer Rose Court.
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