New PSAs Help Departments Fight Sprinkler Myths with Humor

May 21, 2012, Frankfort, IL — The Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) introduces three new public service announcements (PSAs) and corresponding print advertisements for use by the fire service to help dispel fire sprinkler myths fueled by movies.

Each comical PSA spoofs a movie set where a burglar tries to clear a room full of people by setting off the sprinkler system. His antics fail, but the humor succeeds at entertaining and educating. In the first PSA, the burglar finds that smoke will not set off a fire sprinkler. In the second and third PSAs, he finds that the heat from a fire only sets off the fire sprinkler above him and does not set off the entire system of sprinklers.

HFSC also announced a new $1,000 stipend program to help fire departments customize the PSAs with logos and contact information and place them in their local media such as TV stations, movie theaters, and websites, while offering similar print advertisements for local newspapers. Fifty $1,000 stipends will be awarded. Only fire departments signed up for the free BUILT FOR LIFE Fire Department Program can apply at: www.homefiresprinkler.org/psa-stipend-application. Customization will also be provided for free to an additional 100 BFLFDs.

Only BFLFDs can apply for the stipends and free customization, however, any fire departments can download the PSAs. To sign up for the free BFLFD program go to: www.homefiresprinkler.org/BFLFD.

“These PSAs allow our BUILT FOR LIFE Fire Departments to reach out to their local communities and teach them about home fire sprinklers in a new way that is both funny and informative,” says Gary Keith, HFSC Board Chair.