Fire Safety Solutions for Oklahomans with Disabilities 2011 Linda Jaco Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation Oklahoma State University, ABLE Tech & Fire Protection Publications
Oklahoma Fire Safety Solutions 2011 1. Retrofit home with fire sprinklers 2. Smoke alarm installations and education GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Goals and Objectives Reduce Home Fire Death Risks Smoke alarm installation and education project Ø In 250 homes of people living in metro areas Ø Who are deaf and hard of hearing
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Overview Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation Non-profit disability organization with assistive technology mission received FP&S grant Partners at Oklahoma State University ABLE Tech, Assistive Technology Act Program Fire Protection Publications
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Overview ABLE Tech Markets Solutions To the target population At meetings, conferences, web site, press release, FAQ s Fire Protection Publications Markets Solutions To the fire service At meetings, conferences, newsletters, press release, FAQ s
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Overview ABLE Tech Receives Applications Proof of disability (deaf or hard of hearing) Request ASL Interpreter Fire Protection Publications Contacts consumer for appointment to install equipment Trains installers Installs equipment, family fire drill, home fire & life safety messages
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Overview ABLE Tech and FPP Jointly Choose smoke alarms and alert equipment that meet the needs of people who are deaf and people who are hard of hearing First Alert 302LCN Gentex 7139LS Lifetone HL150
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Overview ABLE Tech and FPP Jointly Develop accessible home fire and life safety messages for target population Focus groups - people who are deaf and hard of hearing Test and maintain smoke alarms and alert equipment Family fire drill
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Overview ABLE Tech and FPP Jointly Maintain Database Application information Installation information Follow-up Survey information 3G ipad s for home visits & installation data
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Overview Fire Protection Publications Conducts Follow-Up Survey Each home contacted Consumer satisfaction Home fire safety behavior changes and Saves
FORMATIVE EVALUATION
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Risk Assessment Oklahoma s Fire Death Rate is VERY High At time of grant application 5th highest Currently 2nd highest - only behind the District of Columbia USFA reports the average fire death rate is 12 per million population Oklahoma is 26.4 per million more than double
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Risk Assessment Population in Oklahoma is 3.6 million Half of population lives in the two metro areas Oklahoma City and Tulsa 15.8% report having at least one disability Estimate 285,190 people in metro areas have a disability Half of those (142,600) are deaf or hard of hearing
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Risk Assessment Previous smoke alarm installation projects have served over 1,000 homes of people with disabilities These projects have COLLECTED DATA and MAINTAINED formed the basis a DATABASE of the Risk 78% of the homes served had no working smoke alarms Assessment for Grant Application
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Risk Assessment Fire in the United States, Aug. 07 reports Limited physical/cognitive abilities result in higher risk of death and injury from fire People who live at or below the poverty level US Census reports Oklahoma 9th highest with % of population living below poverty level 7th highest with %, not in an institution, with one disability at 15.8% Risk Highlighted with National Fire Reports & State Census Data
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Risk Assessment Population concentration in metro areas Fire death rates compared with USA rates High rate of poverty High rate of disability 6 Year smoke alarm project experience (DATA) EQUALS Basis of Risk Assessment for project design
PROCESS EVALUATION
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Implementation Partners We LOVE our PARTNERS 1. OkAT Foundation - Apply / Receive Grant 2. Oklahoma ABLE Tech Service provider to people with disabilities Trusted agent in Oklahoma to target population 3. Fire Protection Publications Home fire safety expertise Technical/Code application All partners committed to safety and quality of life for people with disabilities
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Implementation Customized Accessible Messages Many in high risk population have more than one disability Messages based on Focus Group participation Print Materials American Printing House for the Blind Updated DVD in American Sign Language Fully accessible website
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Implementation Applications are Accessible Paper application Apply on-line Apply through a project staff at an event Print Materials American Printing House for the Blind Updated DVD in American Sign Language Fully accessible website
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Implementation Smoke Alarms and Alert Equipment Selected for Installation Based on Wakefulness Studies Bed shaker is best Low frequency audible alarm close to head People who are deaf need visual notification during waking hours National Fire Alarm Code, 2010 Edition Listed notification devices
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Implementation Commitment of Partners to Sustain Project When Grant Ends Continue to provide people with disabilities updated information and technical assistance Installers have returned to homes Troubleshoot equipment Move equipment to new home Provide assistance via telephone
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Implementation $199,600 total project funds for 1 year $5,000 administrative costs 97% of funds used for smoke alarm and alert equipment, home visits, and updating educational materials to reflect new alert technologies for target population 33% of funds to purchase specialized smoke alarm and alert equipment
IMPACT EVALUATION
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Impact Evaluation Survey Based on Similar Successful Project 76% return rate on Surveys 25% report changing at least one behavior to be more fire safe in their home 64% report new alarms make them feel safer 9 SAVES recorded Data collection underway for current Oklahoma Solutions 2011 project
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Impact Evaluation Project Totals to Date 198 Approved applications 115 Homes - completed installations 345 People Including family members 365 First Alert smoke alarms installed 120 Lifetone alert devices installed 27 Gentex alarms installed 23% Have NO existing smoke alarms in home
OUTCOME EVALUATION
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Outcomes Outcomes Smoke alarm equipment installation & home visit best practices implemented safety enhanced For Oklahomans - A high fire death risk state Resource sharing with local fire departments Building statewide capacity Knowledge & skills enhanced for people who are deaf and hard of hearing and their FAMILIES Oklahoma ABLE Tech is established as a repository for home fire safety technical assistance Established partnerships are ongoing
RECOMMENDATIONS
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Recommendations Recommendations Committed partners are key to success Partner from high risk target audience Partner with technical fire safety expertise Seek input from fire marshal or code expert Find data to target your state/city/neighborhood at risk populations (fire death rates & demographics) Network with key stakeholders to advance goals and objectives of project
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Recommendations Recommendations (Lessons Learned) Home is Any place people live (single family, apartment, garden home, mobile home, travel trailer, etc.) Consumer is Any person who makes application for the project A respectful, acceptable, inclusive term
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Recommendations Recommendations (Lessons Learned) Train Installers Use People First Language Stay current with codes, research & best practices Leverage access into homes Install smoke alarms to National Fire Alarm Code, 2010 Inside each bedroom Outside each sleeping area On every level Check maximum space protected by a smoke alarm
RESOURCES
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Resources Updated home fire safety DVD presented in American Sign Language ABLE Tech Website and YouTube ifsta.org click on Research Fire Safety Solutions Implementation Guide ifsta.org - click on Research Home fire safety messages targeted for people with disabilities High resolution PDF available ifsta.org click on Research
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Resources FPP has state of the art Brailler and Certified Braille Transcriber Send MSWord Documents and FPP will provide braille materials for fire safety projects NO COST
Oklahoma Solutions 2011 Resources Linda Jaco, Director of Sponsored Programs Seretean Wellness Center, OSU 1514 W. Hall of Fame - Stillwater, OK 74078 405-744-9864 linda.jaco@okstate.edu Nancy Trench, Assistant Director Fire Protection Publications, OSU 930 North Willis Stillwater, OK 74078-8045 405-744-8100 ntrench@osufpp.org www.ifsta.org