J-FIRE in YOUR COMMUNITY

About J-FIRE J-FIRE of WNY INC. WNY Regions Events Members Reports Our success stories J-FIRE still struggling Contact

Background

  J-FIRE of WNY, Inc. (Juvenile Fire Intervention, Response & Education Program) is a not-for-profit Corporation made up of member organization and citizens concerned about children playing with or setting fires.Although fire play and fire setting have been a concern for the fire service for years, there was no program in place, in Erie County, to deal with the fire play and fire setting cases that were occurring in the Western New York area. In 1991, after a tragic fire took the life of a young mom, Melissa Rydell, and her two sons, Warren and David. One or both of the boys were playing with her lighter. Jim Guy founded J-FIRE the same year to prevent another loss of innocent lives due to juvenile fire play. Many people were instrumental in the formation of J-FIRE in 1991. Some of those people are involved in the program even today. The program is recognized statewide and has become an example for many other juvenile fire intervention programs, including Kansas City and a small community within Allentown, Pa. The program coordinator, Michelle Bliss, has been with the program since its inception. She became the coordinator in 1997, working to bring the program to the next level. The program now serves as a juvenile fire intervention program as well as a fire safety education program.  JFIRE is currently operating on a FEMA grant, received at the end of February. But that grant will end in February and will go back to searching and struggling for funding, once again.

Strategy

J-FIRE addresses the issue of children and adults understanding the consequences of fire play through general community programs and one-on-one interventions. The specially trained interventionists will talk to the children who have been playing with fire and those who have actually started a fire, explaining the dangers of their activity. J-FIRE also provides one-on-one interventions, community education programs, such as Fire Department Open Houses and Community Safety Days, as well as a preschool program called Tools and Toys. All of this is done by J-FIRE staff and volunteers for free. Funding is a major issue for J-FIRE they rely on donations, grants, fundraisers, and sustaining memberships from Local Fire Companies.

Donations are always welcome, and they are always looking for more volunteers. 

 

 


Tips

 

“FIRE IS A TOOL, NOT A TOY”

Teach your children to be safe with fire by setting a good fire safe example. Keep all matches and lighters out of children’s reach and sight. Know how to get out of you house two ways, and practice the plan. Make sure smoke detectors are installed properly, and are tested at least once a month. Change the battery at least once a year. If you find your child playing or experimenting with fire, contact J-FIRE for the proper fire safety education your child and the entire family needs to understand fire and its consequences. Don’t ignore fire play as just a part of growing up. The first time children are caught is usually not their first time playing with or lighting a fire. Set up an intervention date, for the entire family. Remove all matches, lighters and any other lighting materials from the sight of the children. 

 

How to get Help?

Call J-FIRE at 896-1113 and explain your concerns. 

KEEP AN OPEN MIND. J-FIRE IS HERE TO HELP, NOT PUNISH.

Active J-FIRE Members

Active Members of J-FIRE are:

Sandy Artim - BOD-Interventionist, Community Events

Allen Beltz - Community Events

Robert Bliss - Interventionist/Fund Raiser/BOD

Rocco Brindisi - President

Joshua Broad -Interventionist/Fundraiser

Shannon Bukaty - Fund Raiser, Education Consultant

Gerald & Marian Butler - Fund Raisers &  Comminity Events

Shelia Council - BOD and interventionist

Catherine Uhlman- Adult Interventionists/Computer Consultant

Tom Etopio - NF Region Coordinator/ Interventionist

Diane, & Caitlylin Guy - Fundraiser

Brian Guy - Fundraiser/Interventionist

James Guy - Chairman of the Board/ Fundraiser/Interventionist

Melissa Hoch - Fundraiser

Ashley Hoch - Interventionist

Joseph Ianni - BOD/Fundraiser

Chief Mark Morgante - Buffalo Fire Department Interventionist

Lt. Larry Hakes - Buffalo Fire Department - Interventionist

Tim O'Brien - Interventionist/Fundraiser

Bob O'Keeffe - BOD/Region Coordinator/Interventionist/Fundraiser

Patricia Whittington - Office Assistant/Fund Raiser/Community Events

AnneMarie Davis - Accounting Clerk/Interventionist

Tim O'Brien - Interventionist

Dan Maciejewski - Interventionist

Det. Kevin Mahoney - Erie County Sheriff liason

Brian Musielak - Depew FD/ Interventionist

Jonathan Herod - Interventionist/Fundraiser 

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Events - South Line Fire Department Open House - October 3, 2010 @ 1 PM

Your Fundraisers and Donations are Needed. Please Keep J-FIRE alive. Some feel we don't need a juvenile fire intervention program in WNY; do you want to see the result when we don't have our program? We don't because we know, ask Melissa Reidel's mom.