Fire Safety Educator of the Year

 

Each year in the United States, more than 3,500 Americans die in fires and approximately 18,300 are injured, according to the United States Fire Administration. Children and the elderly comprise the majority of these deaths and injuries. 

To help combat these alarming statistics, it’s critically important that communities implement dynamic fire prevention and life safety education programs to help prevent tragedy before it happens. 

In Westchester County the Hastings-on-Hudson Volunteer Fire Department is fortunate to have Lt. Julie McKinnon spearheading its community’s fire prevention and life safety education programming. Since taking over the position in 2019, she has elevated the program by engaging the public in innovative and entertaining ways.

Since studies show that more than 400 children under 10 die annually in home fires, Lt. McKinnon spends much of her time teaching programs to youngsters pre-K and up. Her engaging programs, which reach more than 1,100 students and 265 staff each year, include visual fire prevention seminars, educational tours of firehouses and apparatus, as well as children’s activities at local events. Parents say their children are more aware of fire safety in their own homes as a result of these initiatives.

“Lt. McKinnon is a highly communicative, flexible, and creative educator,” said Amy Cazes, principal, Hillside Elementary School. “Post-pandemic she recommended an outdoor program with stations through which children could rotate, providing them with an information session, a fire truck experience, and an ambulance rotation. This type of in-person instruction was instrumental in helping our young learners better understand the importance of fire safety and how firefighters are friendly community helpers.”

Although children remain her primary target audience, Lt. McKinnon also devotes time to educating those 65 and older, community members who are twice as likely to be killed or injured by fires. She has provided extensive programs for seniors about fire safety and general safety, and a storm prep program with tips for preparing for hurricanes, blizzards, tornadoes, extreme heat/cold, and flooding. 

Lt. McKinnon recognizes that well-attended community events continue to be an effective tool for sharing fire prevention information. At Friday Night Live, a festival held downtown, she organizes vehicle extrications and simulated door entries and roof operations using props built by firefighters. She also teaches kitchen fire safety — and offers tasty cooking tips — at the local farmers market, one of the largest in the area. Additionally, her “Meet the Fleet” events enable members of the public to view department apparatus, while watching firefighters demonstrate how their equipment is used. All these events serve as recruiting opportunities for her department.

Lt. McKinnon, who earned “Firefighter of the Year” honors from her department in 2022, is always willing to embrace new mediums for sharing important fire safety messages. Tapping into video resources within her department, she introduced public service films on fire pit safety, fireplace/wood stove safety, kitchen fire safety, smoke detector and carbon monoxide usage, lithium battery safety, electric space heater safety, and EDITH evacuations. She also produced a 35-minute “Storm Prep” film that is shown on local cable television and offered to other local departments.

“Lt. McKinnon is an exemplary fire prevention and education officer,” said Cynthia Travis, chairperson, Hastings Volunteer Ambulance Corps. “Her work with seniors, school children and the community is extensive and memorable. Her magnetic personality represents us so well to the community and makes her a more effective educator. She is one of the lights of the fire department.”

Past Award Recipients

2022	Richard M. Nemier	Nedrow Volunteer Fire Department
2021	Edward Scharfberg	Oceanside Fire Department
2020	Robert Brewer	Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department
2019	Dean Smith	Barnard Fire Department
2018	Robert Sutton	Central Islip Fire Department
2017	Danny Dunn	Enterprise Hose Co. No. 1
2016	William J. Wren	New Hartford Fire Department
2015	Jennifer Cortese	Whitesboro Fire Department
2014	Aaron Cook	Johnsonville Volunteer Fire Co.
2013	Harry Prodromides	Lindenhurst Fire Department
2012	William C. “Billy” Schroeder	Lancaster Fire Department
2011	Chief Richard D. Tarello	South Farmingdale Fire Department
2010	Kenneth Clair Jr.	Brewster Fire Department
2009	Brian Niggli	Penfield Fire Company
2008	David Bowen	Vischer Ferry Volunteer Fire Company
2007	Donald P. Dalrymple	Valois, Logan & Hector Fire Company, Inc
2006	Jeffrey S. Burkhart	Oriskany Independent Fire and Hose Company
2005	Glenn Sickles	Scottsville Fire Department