Article from https://www.nfpa.org/Events/Events/Fire-Prevention-Week/About  AND https://www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics

Since 1922, the NFPA has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country. During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers learn how to stay safe in case of a fire. Firefighters provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.

Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.

This year’s Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW™) campaign, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention™,” works to educate everyone [home and work] about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe when cooking. 

Other Information:

• Cooking fires are the leading cause of fires in both residential and non-residential (work) categories (2021 National estimates).
• Portable Heater Fires in Residential Buildings (2017-2019):  While portable heater fires in residential buildings were only 3% of all heating fires in residential buildings, their consequences were substantial, accounting for 41% of fatal heating fires in residential buildings. Many of these fires were preventable, as human error was a contributing factor to the fire.
• Men are more likely to die (Male 62.3% and Female 37.7%) and be injured (Male 59.6% and Female 40.4%) in fires.
• Smoking fires cause nearly 1 in 4 home fire deaths.  Smoking materials start 1 in 20 home structure fires.
• Despite a drop in the number of fires, the rate of fire-caused fatalities has remained steady, partly due to modern building trends like open spaces, the increased use of synthetic materials and lightweight wood construction, all of which cause fires to spread more quickly.
• You used to have 7 to 8 minutes to leave your home after you heard the smoke alarm. Now, you have 1 or 2 minutes from the time the alarm sounds.

You need to be prepared in advance of a fire.  Make sure you have properly maintained and fully functional smoke detectors and evacuation/escape plans.

Don't miss the upcoming IAMU Wastewater Collection System Workshop, proudly sponsored by CIT Sewer Solutions.

Training Topics:

• Case Study of Defiance, IA
• Muffin Monster Grinders and Related Products
• Sanitary Sewer Master Plan for City of Bloomfield

Live Demos:

• Jet Trailer and Camera Truck (Mid Iowa)
• Robotic Cutter (CIT Sewer Solutions)
• SITHE Chopper Pump Demo (Electric Pump)
• Control Panel and Starnet Building Demo (Electric Pump)

*** 0.5 CEUs available for Wastewater ***

Register Now - Click Here!

Get ready to lock and load for an unforgettable day of fun this October 13th at the Pioneer Gun Club in Waukee! Join us for our annual "Fun raising" event, Shooting for Scholars.

Picture yourself blasting away at sporting clays, all while making a big, positive impact on education. When you participate in this event, you're not just shooting for sport; you're shooting for a brighter future. Your involvement directly supports the IAMU Scholarship program, which empowers deserving individuals to reach new educational heights.

Don't miss your shot at making a difference and having a blast while you're at it! Register now or become a sponsor by CLICKING HERE. October 13th is creeping up, so lock and load and secure your spot today!

Water and wastewater members: Registration is open, plan to attend the annual Water and Wastewater Operators Training Workshop which will be held Nov. 28 – 30.
The workshop will take place at Prairie Meadows – The Meadows Events Center in Altoona.
 
This three-day workshop is geared toward water and wastewater professionals wanting practical information to help them do their jobs. There will be both basic and advanced topic for water treatment, water distribution, and wastewater. Attendees can earn 1.2 CEUs toward certification.
 
For more information or to register as an attendee or vendor, visit the event webpage on the IAMU website.
 
The early registration deadline is November 10.

October 5, 2023

This workshop is designed to give basic working knowledge to those conducting incident investigations in the workplace. Employers, supervisors, lead employees or anyone that is part of a safety committee are encouraged to attend. The workshop will include discussion on how to develop a safety and health management system, how to lead an incident investigation, how to conduct effective interviews and how to write the report.
 
Questions?
Contact Margret Meade at mmeade@iamu.org or (515) 210-6617

For additional information and online registration, please click HERE

Public Natural Gas Week (PNGW) is a nationwide observance that offers the perfect opportunity for you to showcase your public natural gas system and generate enthusiasm about the benefits of public natural gas. We hope that all APGA member utilities join us in this nationwide observance to honor the work and importance of locally-owned public natural gas systems. The American Public Gas Association has a great array of items to help you promote PNGW to your customers – You can find that here.

Public power utilities across the U.S. celebrate Public Power Week the first full week of October every year to help customers understand how they can better engage with their community-owned utility and benefit from all its offerings.

The American Public Power Association (APPA) has some tools for communicating with your audience. Check out their website here with various ideas such as social media posts, coloring sheets for kids and handouts to inform your customers.  

The IAMU Wastewater Collection System Workshop, sponsored by CIT Sewer Solutions, is just around the corner, and it's an event you won't want to miss.

Join us for a day of learning, networking, and hands-on experience. Here's a sneak peek of what's in store:


Training Topics:

• Case Study of Defiance, IA
• Muffin Monster Grinders and Related Products
• Sanitary Sewer Master Plan for City of Bloomfield

Live Demos:

• Jet Trailer and Camera Truck (Mid Iowa)
• Robotic Cutter (CIT Sewer Solutions)
• SITHE Chopper Pump Demo (Electric Pump)
• Control Panel and Starnet Building Demo (Electric Pump)

*** 0.5 CEUs available for Wastewater ***

Register Now - Click Here!

Get ready for an unforgettable event this October 13th at the Pioneer Gun Club in Waukee! Join us for our annual "Fun raising" event, Shooting for Scholars.

Imagine spending your day shooting sporting clays while making a positive impact on education. By participating in this event, you'll be contributing to the IAMU Scholarship program, which supports the pursuit of higher education for deserving individuals.

IAMU offers two incredible scholarship programs: one for students aiming for careers in utilities and another for the children or grandchildren of IAMU member employees. By attending Shooting for Scholars, you're directly helping these bright minds achieve their educational dreams.

But that's not all – we're also inviting you to become a sponsor and enhance the impact of this event even further. With various sponsorship options available, you can choose the level of support that suits you best.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to make a difference and have a blast while doing it. Register now or become a sponsor by clicking the links below. October 13th is just around the corner, so secure your spot today! CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!