Illinois Fire Safety Alliance

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT Mary Werderitch, IFSA Executive Director

From the January 2009 newsletter... Mary Werderitch, Executive Director
Headlines continue to address our economy and what difficult times we are all in. It would stand to reason that this would create a problem for a not for profit such as the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance. Our Board of Directors has made a commitment to continue to provide the programs that we have in the past even though we’ve realized a decrease in donations.

It is now time to address our Fire Prevention Week luncheon. According to the feedback we have received, the 2008 luncheon at Navy Pier was a grand success. As much as we all enjoy the luncheon being held at Navy Pier, we feel it necessary to let you know that this luncheon put us in the red by $30,000. We realize how much everyone enjoys this venue but also know that you will understand why we cannot consider holding the luncheon at this location again. If we were to increase the per person cost, no one could afford to attend. The IFSA shall continue to host this luncheon in the years to come and provide you with a wonderful day no matter the location. We are excited to take you to a new venue this year, the Signature Room in Lisle. The date is October 8th.

When was the last time you attended IFSA Burn Camp’s Visitor’s Day? Have you ever attended? Mark your calendars for Wednesday, June 17th, come see for yourself the smiles you have helped put on the children’s faces. We guarantee it is an event you will never forget. We should have approximately 85 to 95 campers along with 65 full-time volunteer staff again this year. Camp is available to the children at no cost to the families. Our organization even provides transportation.

2008 has proved to be an adventurous year for the IFSA. As of January 1, we were given control of the Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Program (JFSIP) for Illinois. The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance is dedicated to make this a state-of-art program that our interventionists will be proud to be part of. We have begun taking road trips to speak with various Fire Chief organizations and give updates on our goals and accomplishments with this program. We have been met with much enthusiasm and encouragement. We will continue to keep you apprised on our progress and hope to offer classes in spring of 2009. You can read more on the JFSIP on page 5.

Last April we added a part-time staff member to the IFSA office. Many of you have already had the pleasure of meeting and speaking to Laura Barros. Laura came to us with amazing computer/software skills and has fit our personalities in the office really well. She has proven to be a much needed asset to our staff.

In September we had the pleasure of sponsoring a family to attend the World Burn Congress held in Raleigh, North Carolina. Samar, Haneen and Janine Hadid joined us at this conference dedicated to making a difference in burn survivors lives. 650 burn survivors, their families, care givers, burn care professionals and firefighters attended. This is a forum in which they encourage and facilitate sharing of stories, provide support and increase knowledge of burn recovery. For many attendees it is the first opportunity to meet and share with others who have experienced a burn trauma. The volunteers from the fire service, medical community and private sector are a sight to behold. Their dedication to this effort can only be admired! For example, the Fire Chief from Raleigh drove me to the airport at 4 a.m.

Last but certainly not least important thing that’s happened to me personally, on September 1, 2008, my daughter and past Burn Camp Counselor, Christy, and son-in-law, Jon Wray, blessed us with a precious grandson! His name is Carter and arrived weighing 9 lbs. 13 oz. Wow!