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Home Safety Council® Introduces the Expert Network Academy: A Free Online Training Program for U.S. Fire Service Educators
 On-demand Teaching Method will Help Educators Increase their Fire, Disaster and Overall Home Safety Knowledge, Improve Delivery Skills and Effectiveness –
Without the Expense of Travel

Washington, DC (August 18, 2009) – The nonprofit Home Safety Council (HSC) has received a major 2008 Fire Prevention and Safety grant awarded through the Grant Programs Directorate of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The grant will help fund the creation and implementation of the new Expert Network Academy, a free online training program designed to improve the knowledge base and skills of both new and experienced public educators.

“During these lean budget times, it’s often impossible for fire and life safety educators to travel outside their communities to attend training and professional development courses that help them improve their skills and achieve their departments’ public safety mission,” said Home Safety Council President Meri-K Appy.  “This important grant makes it possible for HSC to provide a series of online training modules that meet the varied professional development needs of educators at no cost and without the burden of travel.” 

The Academy will be accessed through HSC’s Expert Network, a free online resource that has served more than 6,000 fire and life safety educators since 2003.  Members of the Expert Network have access to online interaction with their peers, a wide range of home injury prevention education material, and public education professional development opportunities, all at no charge.  For departments that want hard-copy teaching materials, HSC offers members a discount on printing and shipping costs. 

“The Expert Network Academy represents a step forward in fire and life safety training,” Appy added.  “We are structuring convenient courses that will be available on demand.  Educators will complete the programs on their own schedules.  And if they are interrupted by an emergency call, it’s no problem! They simply restart the course when they can.”

The Expert Network Academy modules are being developed to complement state and national training and certification programs.  An introductory track will provide learning in line with Fire and Life Safety Educator I skills.  The experienced track will require the successful completion of the introductory track and will include more advanced curricula in line with Fire and Life Safety Educator II skills.  The grant also enables HSC to develop a cadre of experts who can answer questions and provide technical assistance to local safety advocates by phone and via email.

HSC will introduce the modules next spring.  “We are delighted to have this opportunity to help local fire departments do an even better job of reaching the public with critical messages to prevent injuries and deaths at home,” Appy said. 

To learn more about the Academy, or become a member of the Expert Network, visit the Home Safety Council Expert Network Web site:  www.homesafetycouncil.org/expertnetwork.  

About Home Safety Council
The Home Safety Council (HSC) is the only national nonprofit organization solely dedicated to preventing home related injuries that result in nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 million medical visits on average each year. Through national programs, partnerships and the support of volunteers, HSC educates people of all ages to be safer in and around their homes. The Home Safety Council is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization located in Washington, DC.

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5-Hour Energy® - “Hardest Working Fire Station”

Dallas, TX (August 19, 2009) – To honor the brave and selfless actions of firefighters across the country, 5-Hour Energy® presents the “Hardest Working Fire Station” contest. Proud stationhouses can visit www.5HourFireStation.com to nominate their fire station by completing a simple form explaining what sets them apart from other fire stations in the United States. The winning stationhouse will receive 555 bottles of 5-Hour Energy® and have a photo of their unit featured on the 5-Hour Energy® Web Site.

5-Hour Energy® is a 2-ounce energy shot that provides hours of energy with no crash* and no jitters. Available in a variety of flavors – berry, lemon-lime, and orange – 5-Hour Energy® packs a powerful blend of B-vitamins for energy and amino acids. Containing about as much caffeine as a cup of the leading premium coffee, there’s zero sugar, zero net carbs, zero herbal stimulants and only four calories in each 2-ounce shot. 5-Hour Energy® is also available in Decaf and Extra Strength** versions.

“The sacrifice firefighters make each and every day is often taken for granted,” said Carl Sperber, director of corporate communications for Living Essentials, the makers of 5-Hour Energy®. “It takes tremendous courage to risk your life for someone else and that’s what firefighters do every time they answer the alarm. The ‘Hardest Working Fire Station’ contest is our small way of saying thanks to the brave men and women out there who have dedicated their lives to saving others.” 

Those attending Fire-Rescue International this August are encouraged to stop by the 5-Hour Energy® booth (5113) to receive a free sample to help recharge their batteries as they walk the show floor to see the latest equipment and training techniques.

5-Hour Energy® can be found at convenience stores throughout the United States, as well as Wal-Mart, Walgreens and other fine retailers.

*”No crash” means no sugar crash. 5-Hour Energy contains no sugar. Individual results may vary. See www.5HourEnergy.com for more information.

**5-Hour Energy contains caffeine comparable to a cup of the leading premium coffee. Decaf 5-Hour Energy contains 6mgs of caffeine – about as much as a half a cup of decaffeinated coffee. Extra Strength 5-Hour Energy contains caffeine comparable to 12 ounces of the leading premium coffee. Limit caffeine products to avoid nervousness, sleeplessness and occasional heartbeat.

In a clinical trial, 5-Hour Energy significantly outperformed placebo on power and continuity of attention and self related alertness.  Neither 5-Hour Energy nor placebo affected blood sugar or mood.  See www.5HourEnergy.com for details.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

 

 

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