AFBEA to Present Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year Award

Each year the Arizona Fire and Burn Educators Association (AFBEA) selects a Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year and this year the Mesa Fire Department is proud and honored that they have chosen Carrie Castillo to be AFBEA’s Educator for 2007. Each individual awarded this honor has made significant contributions to Fire and Life Safety Education, demonstrated outstanding work as an educator, has been successful in increasing public awareness about safety issues, serves as a positive role model in their community, and exhibits a commitment to excellence in their educational efforts. Carrie will be receiving a certificate, plaque, and a gift at the Arizona State Fire School opening ceremonies on September 4^th at the Mesa Convention Center, Main Hall. The presentation will happen between 8:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Carrie is a certified car seat technician and has assisted the fire department in checking over 1,100 seats in 2007. She serves as the program manager for five programs within the Fire and Life Safety Education Section of the Mesa Fire Department. As the School Program coordinator she developed the injury prevention curriculum, coordinates the program, and implements the lessons in 62 elementary schools in Mesa Public Schools. This program is taught annually to over 35,000 students in K-6^th grade. Carrie also coordinates and teaches the babysitting classes for the fire department. This program is mainly taught in Mesa’s Junior High Schools. In addition, she serves as the coordinator for the Firesetter Program, in which youth are educated on the consequences of firesetting.

In addition to those programs, she is responsible for the Senior Safety Program and the Home Safety Inspection Program. She works closely with Mesa’s senior centers and the 55+ communities to offer them a senior safety class and the opportunity to schedule a free home safety inspection. The Home Safety Inspection Program offers home safety inspections performed by trained volunteers. Carrie is responsible for conducting the presentations, managing and training the volunteers, and scheduling the home safety inspection appointments.

Carrie has stated that, “It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized by AFBEA. Working for the Mesa Fire Department is so rewarding. It is such a feeling of accomplishment to know that what I do in the community makes a difference.” When asked why she thought Carrie should be considered for the Arizona Fire and Life Safety Educator of the Year Award Deena Bolland the Administrator for the Fire and Life Safety Education Office stated, “Carrie not only makes extraordinary contributions to the programs she manages, but her work makes a difference in the lives of Mesa’s residents. She is a caring employee and community member who provides a service to our residents that is of the highest standard.”

More information on AFBEA and this award can be found by visiting: http://www.afbea.org/default.htm.