U.S. Fire Administration/Federal Emergency Management Agency informed the Champaign Fire Prevention Division that its youthful fire setting intervention program will be one of five in the nation highlighted during a FEMA campaign to bring focus to youth-set fires during Arson Awareness Week in May 2012.
Champaign’s Y-Fire Intervention Unit is managed by Fire and Life Safety Educator/Information Officer Dena Schumacher with two trained operations personnel, FF Randy Smith and Eng. Jay Middendorf, completing the unit. Youth and families receive age-appropriate and interactive education along with techniques to promote a safe home environment and to prevent injuries. The screening and education are provided free of charge.
The other programs highlighted include the State of Florida, the Texas Department of Insurance—State Fire Marshal’s Office, the University of Michigan Trauma Burn Center, and Glendale, Arizona.