Children's fire safety day to be conducted at Missouri Capitol

Dec 5 2009

Farmers Insurance Missouri State Executive Director Paul Crosetti, State Fire Marshal Randy Cole, and Brad Ballard, the CEO and creator of a children's fire safety program sponsored by Farmers called FireFacts, will conduct a children's fire safety day at the Missouri Capitol December 9.

"The call for fire safety comes following a tragic fire that took the lives of three young Missouri elementary children," notes Farmers Missouri State Executive Director, Paul Crosetti. "Their mother, Elizabeth Nix from Holts Summit, will be at the ceremony to talk about children's fire safety and to raise awareness of the increasing numbers of young children who are perishing in fires in Missouri and nationwide."

The ceremony, beginning at 9:00 a.m., will include 200 elementary school children from six Jefferson County elementary schools. "Farmers would like to thank Fire Marshal Cole for his participation and especially his concern over the growing increase in small children perishing in fires," stated Crosetti. "We are proud to be a part of this special event and hope that this Fire Safety Day for Children being held in Missouri, will become a national program."

"Fire safety education is the first line of defense in reducing the number of fire related incidents. Targeting our school age children will hopefully instill key fire prevention behaviors that will carry over to future generations," stated Fire Marshal Cole.

State Fire Marshal Cole, four Jefferson County Fire Chiefs, and Brad Ballard will present workshops during the two hour event. "FireFacts is an interactive CD that is presented by Farmers agents to schools for young students," explained Ballard. "The program gives detailed illustrations and information for parents and children on what to do to protect themselves in fire situations."

Others giving seminars at the event include:

Fire Chief Jack Brade, Regional West Fire Dept

Fire Chief Scott Brooks, Holt Summit

Fire Chief Robert Rennick, Jefferson City

Jefferson County elementary schools participating:

Lawson Elementary, South Elementary, St. Martins, St. Peters, St. Joseph and Pioneer Trail.