FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Springfield Fire Department launches new educational campaign to reduce home fires
The Springfield Fire Department is proud to announce the launch of its second program of Project RED Zone. The "Don't Be a Dummy" campaign includes a series of public service announcements promoting fire safety in the home. The campaign features a straight-talking Springfield firefighter who has a habit of catching residents engaging in unsafe behaviors such as overloading electrical outlets, careless cooking and removing smoke alarms. The firefighter is always reminding us that most fires in Springfield are caused by "smart people making dumb decisions," highlighting the fact that almost all home fires are completely preventable. The PSAs will be released to local media and promoted online and on social media.
Project RED Zone - which stands for Reduce, Educate, Deliver - is a part of the Springfield Fire Department's community risk reduction campaign to reduce home fires, fire-related injuries and fatalities. The program was launched in April of last year with a commitment to ensure every home in Springfield has working smoke alarms. Each Saturday afternoon (as long as the weather cooperates), fire crews go door-to-door in Springfield neighborhoods, offering to test smoke alarms and install new ones if needed. In 2017, firefighters installed more than 1,000 smoke alarms during Project RED Zone canvases.
The "Don't Be a Dummy" campaign was created in coordination with the City of Springfield Department of Public Information and Civic Engagement.
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For media only: For more information, contact the Fire Department media line at 874-2301.