FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 9, 2024

Morgantown Fire Dept. Promotes Community Risk Reduction Week

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The Morgantown Fire Department would like to formally recognize and support Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Week, which will be observed from January 15 through January 21. 

CRR Week is a grass-roots effort organized by a group of fire safety professionals from across the nation. The purpose is to emphasize the significance of risk reduction within the fire service by having a week set aside for educational programs and demonstrations highlighting its importance.

In 2008, an organization called Vision 20/20 held its first meeting, bringing together hundreds experts from across the nation to discuss the gaps in fire prevention. This landmark meeting resulted in identifying five specific strategies that needed to be addressed to help fill these gaps.

CRR Week is focused on addressing strategy one: advocacy. Advocating for fire prevention is difficult when fire chiefs have competing priorities, both within a fire department and within their municipality. This strategy focuses on helping to develop tools and information that can be used when advocating for more resources to devote to fire prevention.

The fire service cannot complete their mission alone. Thus, partnerships or stakeholders are an important part of CRR.  Many local entities have a part in prevention, including senior centers, insurance professionals, health care workers, and government officials.

During CRR Week, the Morgantown Fire Department plans to review local and national data to identify any new and emerging trends as it pertains to fire prevention. Then, the department will adjust its public education messaging accordingly.

Think about what you can do to play a part in reducing risks within your community and be a part of the movement. It could be as simple as checking the batteries in your smoke alarms or learning more about fire safety and prevention!

For more information about CRR week, visit CRRweek.org.

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