Introduction Post
Introduce your Fire Department to your community members on Neighbors by creating an introductory post. An introductory post is the most effective way of letting your community know that you are joining Neighbors and a way to initiate a conversation with your residents. Below are some best practices to create an engaging introductory post:
- Introduce yourself and your agency to the residents. Attach an image of your agency, badge, or fire truck (example below)
- Set expectations: Tell your residents how you will be using Neighbors to message and communicate
- Provide your email and non-emergency number so residents can reach you directly
Sample Post Image + Message
Pro Tip: use a photo of your department’s fire truck, department badge, fire house or staff
Sample Title: [Agency] Joins Neighbors!
"Hello [City] Community! This is [Name, Title] from the [Agency]. We are excited to be joining Neighbors in our efforts to connect with residents and provide valuable safety information and local updates to the community Neighbors allows you to share photos, videos and information related to local safety concerns, so fellow residents can stay informed.
The [Agency] can view what local residents have posted publicly to Neighbors and can now chime-in with relevant updates or safety alerts to help residents stay informed.
Make sure to always report emergency situations by calling 9-1-1. This site is not monitored 24/7. Please contact the [Agency] directly for any non-immediate safety concerns at [Phone Number] or for public information email [Email] "
Post 2- Staff Introduction (Optional)
Introduce staff from your agency to the community. Residents on Neighbors want to get to know the members of their local Fire Department so this is a perfect opportunity to introduce your team. Below are some ideas to introduce your team in a post:
- Introduce yourself with your name, title, department
- Provide your desk-line and email address so the community knows how to get in contact
- Provide your typical schedule at the Fire Department
- Tell the community how often you will be checking NPSS
- Ask the residents what they’d like to see you post about
Sample Post Image + Message
"Post Title: Hello [City]
"Hello [City], I wanted to take a moment and introduce myself. I am [Name] and i am one of the [rank] at the [Agency] I look forward to joining the conversation Neighbors when incidents are shared and providing safety tips and assistance to the community. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact me at my desk line [Phone Number] or at my email address at [Email Address].
Take care and stay safe. "
Monthly Smoke Alarm Test
Residents want to hear safety tips and information from an authoritative source. As a local Fire Department, we encourage you to post scheduled safety information on a regular cadence to inform your residents about a variety of topics such as testing their smoke alarms regularly.
Sample Post Image + Message
Post Title: Monthly Reminder to Test your Smoke Alarms
"Hello [City]! [Agency] wants to remind the [city] residents to perform a monthly test on your fire alarms to make sure they are in working condition
Do you have an escape plan in place? Making an escape plan with your family, and practicing that plan twice a year, can greatly improve your chances for surviving a house fire.
1. Make a plan
2. Know two ways out
3. Establish an outside meeting place
4. Practice twice a year
5. Teach children to escape on their own
6. Close doors behind you on your way out"
PSA 1: Close Before you Doze
PSA’s provide a great way to share important information on NPSS. We recommend to post such PSA’s on a regular basis using Regional posts to cover a wide are within your jurisdiction.
Sample Post Image + Message
Post Title: Close Before you Doze
"Did you know that because of synthetic materials, furniture and construction, fire spreads faster than ever before.
It’s time to add ‘ Close Your Door“ to your fire safety checklist:
- A closed door can mean reducing 1000 degrees down to 100 degrees
- During a fire, a closed door can keep carbon monoxide levels at 1,000 PPM vs 10,000 PPM if the door is left open
- A fire needs oxygen to burn. A closed door keeps more oxygen in the room and away from the fire.
- 50% of house fires happen between 11 PM and 7 AM. Closing your doors before you hit the hay helps keep you safe."
(Source: closeyourdoor.org)
PSA 2: Fire Escape Plan
PSA’s provide a great way to share important information on NPSS. We recommend to post such PSA’s on a weekly basis using Regional posting.
Sample Post Image + Message
Post Title: Do You Have a Fire Escape Plan?
"Tips for creating and practicing your escape plan:
- Everyone in your household should know two ways to escape from each room in your home.
- Decide where to meet once you get outside.
- If a fire starts, you may have just two minutes to get to safety. So time your fire drills and find out what your escape time is.
Use this template from the American Red Cross to draw your home’s floor plan and plot your home fire escape routes. www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/get-help/fire-safety/Home-Fire-Escape-Plan-English-Spanish.pdf "
(Source: American Red Cross)
Fire Safety Tip 1: Kitchen Fires
Residents want to hear safety tips and information from a trusted, verified source. As a local Fire Department, we encourage you to post scheduled safety information on a regular basis to inform your residents on topics such as kitchen safety.
Sample Post Image + Message
Post Title: Kitchen Fire Prevention
"The NFPA reports that cooking equipment causes 49% of all U.S. home fires. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires: Stay focused and keep a close eye on what you’re cooking!"
(Source: National Fire Prevention Association)
Fire Safety Tip 2: Burn Safety
Residents want to hear safety tips and information from a trusted, verified source. As a local Fire Department, we encourage you to post scheduled safety information on a regular basis to inform your residents on topics such as burn safety tips
Sample Post Image + Message
Post Title: Kitchen Fire Prevention
"The NFPA reports that cooking equipment causes 49% of all U.S. home fires. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires: Stay focused and keep a close eye on what you’re cooking!"
(Source: National Fire Prevention Association)
Fire Safety Tip 3: Put a Freeze on Winter Fires
Residents want to hear safety tips and information from a trusted, verified source. As a local Fire Department, we encourage you to post scheduled safety information on a regular basis to inform your residents on topics such as winter fire prevention.
Post Title: Put a freeze on winter fires
"Did you know that half of all home heating fires occur in December, January, and February?
Stay fire smart this winter using the following safety tips:
- Plug only 1 heat producing appliance (like a space heater) directly into an electrical outlet at a time.
- Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away form any heat source."
(Source: National Fire Prevention Association)
Monthly Extinguisher Guide
Residents want to hear safety tips and information from a trusted, verified source. As a local Fire Department, we encourage you to post scheduled safety information on a regular basis to inform your residents on a variety of topics such as fire extinguisher use and maintenance.
Sample Post Image(s) + Message
Post Title: Do you know how to use a fire extinguisher?
"Having the right fire extinguisher, knowing how to use it and how to maintain it can help save your life and your home.
Memorize the acronym PASS so you'll know exactly how to put out the fire with the extinguisher.
- Pull the pin on the extinguisher.
- Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the fire, not at the top of the flames.
- Squeeze the lever; don’t jerk it.
- Sweep from side to side along the base of the fire, not over the top or into the middle of the flames.
Fire extinguisher maintenance:
- Check it once a month. Look at the gauge on top: Green is full, red is empty.
- Shake it once a month. If the powder inside becomes compacted, it won’t spray out when you need it.
- Replace it every 5 to 10 years."
(Source: National Fire Prevention Association)