Why Fall Prevention?

As part of the regular services provided to the public, fire departments across the nation are becoming more involved in injury prevention programs. The Kauai Fire Department has identified injury prevention as a key area to enhance our primary goal of preserving and protecting life.

KFD’s fall prevention program is based on Remembering When: A Fire and Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults. Remembering When was developed by NFPA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to help older adults live safely at home for as long as possible. Remembering When is centered around 16 key safety messages – eight fire prevention and eight fall prevention – developed by experts from national and local safety organizations as well as through focus group testing in high-fire-risk states. The program was designed to be implemented by a coalition comprising the local fire department, service clubs, social and religious organizations, retirement communities, and others.

What is the goal of the program?

The goal of the program is to provide information, education and safety devices to assist the target group’s ability to live independently while preserving life and preventing injuries from fires and falls.

Who is the target audience of the program?

Based on coalition discussions, the primary target group for the fall prevention program has been identified as individuals 65 and over who are living independently without regular in-home caregivers.

What services does the program offer?

Working in conjunction with State (IPAC), County (KAEA) and private (AMR) entities we will be scheduling visits with our target group. KAEA is the primary contact to the target group and will be setting up visitations, IPAC is assisting by providing funding for educational materials, and AMR and KFD will be working together on inspections and installation of prevention devices. FKFD is primarily going to be used as a non-profit funding/donations conduit. We would like to provide education and installation of prevention devices in 150 homes (50 weeks times 3 visits a week) annually. In addition to in-home visits, the coalition will be making group presentations at retirement centers and during KAEA organized gatherings

Using baseline information derived from sample visitations and presentations that KFD, AMR and KAEA have conducted, the following items will be associated with program implementation.

  • Smoke detectors (Lithium Ion battery powered)
  • LED automatic nightlights
  • Pot holder
  • Grip Tape for stairs
  • Reachers/Grabbers
  • Shower chair or bath bar
  • Presentation and educational materials