NFPA Journal - Winter 2024 - 64

Outreach by Lorraine Carli
ADVOCACY,
LEGISLATION,
AND PUBLIC
EDUCATION
On Message
AN UPDATE OF THE EDUCATIONAL MESSAGES DESK REFERENCE MEANS ACCESS TO THE
BEST AND LATEST MESSAGING FOR PUBLIC SAFETY PROFESSIONALS
E
ver wonder where the
messages come from that
fire departments and many
others use to educate their
communities on the risk
of fire? It is no coincidence that most of
those messages convey the same information
to their audiences, which is a great
thing-it makes me think of the adage
that consistency is key. That is very true
in the world of public education where, if
you want people to take action for their
own safety, they need to hear the same
message regardless of the source.
That's the premise behind NFPA's
Educational Messages Advisory
Committee (EMAC) and its output in
the form of the EMAC Desk Reference.
The reference is the essential foundational
document developed by fire,
life, and electrical safety subject matter
experts from national and international
safety organizations who meet to review,
add, and update messages related to fire
safety topics. The messaging document is now up for review.
The current desk reference includes 28 chapters spanning
Consistency isn't
the only element of
effective messaging -
the substance of the
messages also has
to be sound.
to escape faster-moving structure fires,
it is better to simply get low-thus the
current directive to " get low and go. "
Some people are unable to crawl, but all
can get low to escape.
Another shift was to clarify the
messaging around carbon monoxide
by emphasizing that it is the " invisible
killer " rather than the " silent killer. " CO
is a hazard that cannot be seen or smelled,
and the intent of this messaging change is
to further the understanding of a complex
issue that affects many people.
To be effective, we want others to
contribute. The EMAC relies on and
strongly encourages others to share
their thoughts by suggesting new topics
and language, providing technical justifications,
offering case examples, and
presenting other valuable ideas. EMAC
then meets and discusses the submittals
and makes decisions on updating
the reference guide. A comment will
be accepted, accepted with changes,
24 topics with specific messages for young children as well as
easy-to-read messages. It was last updated in 2020 to add new
chapters on pet safety and youth fire-setting, as well as new
sections to chapters on carbon monoxide, cooking, electrical,
peer-to-peer hospitality, and other topics.
But consistency isn't the only element of effective messaging-the
substance of the messages has to be sound. In the rapidly changing
fire landscape, which includes an array of new and advancing
risks, including those associated with lithium-ion batteries and
wildfire, the work to develop and deliver the right messages to the
right audiences is critical in our efforts to stem losses. This edition
of the reference will expand on these emerging risks.
It is also important to update the messages based on new
learnings, code work, research, and other insights. For example,
years ago the message for escaping a structure fire was to
crawl low under smoke; today, with the need to move quicker
64 | NFPA JOURNAL * WINTER 2024
or rejected based on the latest information available. These
proposals are published in a summary to provide transparency
on decisions. This important work informs NFPA messaging,
programs, curricula, and other resources, and is made available
worldwide for others to use to drive impactful consistency, ultimately
reducing loss from fire and other hazards.
While NFPA accepts comments on a rolling basis, we plan
to update the EMAC Desk Reference in 2025. This is a great
opportunity to share input. Anyone can propose a revision to
a current message or share their thoughts on adding a new
message by filling out a simple form at nfpa.org/emac.
Public education is an essential component in saving lives
and properties and a key element of the NFPA Fire & Life Safety
Ecosystem™. An informed public will take the right actions
to prevent fires and respond appropriately should one occur.
EMAC furthers this work with your help.
LORRAINE CARLI is vice president of Outreach and Advocacy for NFPA.
MICHAEL HOEWELER
http://www.nfpa.org/emac
NFPA Journal - Winter 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NFPA Journal - Winter 2024
