| One
Grove St. Suite 235
Pittsford, NY 14534
phone: 585.264.0840
fax: 585.264.1754
© Fireproof Children /
Prevention First 2004 |
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Robert Cole, Ph.D. - President. As one of the nation's leading experts in fire safety education, he is continually requested as a trainer/speaker throughout North America regarding preschool fire safety education and community intervention for juvenile firesetting. He is also an Associate Professor at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Bob has received two 3-year research grants from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to study children's fireplay and unintentional injury. He is the author or co-author of numerous articles on children and fire for Fire Chief, Firehouse, Children and Families, Young Children and other national journals. |
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Robert Crandall - Vice-President. A retired, 30-year veteran of the fire service, he holds a Bachelor's degree in Fire Administration. As a line division company officer with the Rochester Fire Department, he helped the department develop and evaluate innovative community fire and life safety interventions, including the recent startup of the Adopt a School Program. Bob was named Firefighter of the Year 2000 for his community-based prevention and education efforts and career achievement. |
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Ellie Stauffer - Vice-President and Director of Training
Ellie has an extensive background in training and organizational development and has created programs including Community Coalition Building and Skills Building for the fire service, Prevention First Fire Safety Education for Preschool Children and Families for preschool educators, and Mas Vale Prevenir, a fire and falls safety Program for older Hispanic adults developed for the International Association of Hispanic Firefighters . Most recently Ellie developed and delivers Home Safety Training to address home hazards including fire, falls and poison, for new residents of Habitat for Humanity homes and staff of community service agencies. |
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Jessica O'Connor - Program Coordinator. Jessica holds a B.S. in Psychology from Syracuse University and a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the University of Albany. She has extensive experience in program development and project management in the health care and health education fields. Here she is responsible for the coordination of our various programs, including the play safe! be safe! workshops. Additionally, she contributes to program development, research, and evaluation for the company. |
Research
& Training Partners
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Carolyn Kourofsky, president of Excelsior Editorial Consulting, is a Rochester,NY-based writer and the author of Mikey Makes a Mess. Her articles on fire safety have appeared in Fire Chief, Firehouse, Young Children, and Children and Families. She serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors of Prevention 1st Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of unintentional injuries. |
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Jen Glanton Ralph is the talented illustrator of Mikey Makes Mess. She holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from SUNY Geneseo. She serves on the Board of Directors of Prevention 1st Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of unintentional injuries. |
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Daryl Sharp, Ph.D., R.N., N.P.P. is an Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Rochester, and a psychiatric nurse practitioner with more than 20 years of clinical experience in psychiatric/mental health nursing. Her research interests lie in the areas of health promotion/injury prevention and facilitating motivation for health behavior change. |
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Susan
W. Blaakman, M.S., R.N., N.P.P. Susan
is a board certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and crisis
therapist for the city of Rochester and its surrounding county.
She is also an instructor and clinical coordinator for the University
of Rochester, School of Nursing. Susan is an experienced educator
and clinician working with Fireproof Children/Prevention First
on both our child safety initiatives and initiatives focused
on injury prevention for older adults. |
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Linda
Southward, Ph.D., ACSW. Linda is a research scientist
with the Social Science Research Center at Mississippi State
University. Her experience in public health social work, undergraduate
teaching and research have centered on promoting children’s
health and well being. Her skills and background will enhance
our research efforts and help us grow as we pursue new areas
of injury prevention. |
Consultants
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| Rick Costanza |
Rick Costanza is Campus Multimedia Instructional Designer Coordinator for Monroe Community College. He was previously Coordinator of Administrative Services and Senior Instructional Designer for the SUNY Learning Network, the nation’s second largest online learning program, where he provided training and coordination for a team of 50+ multi-media instructional designers and 40+ administrators on over 40 campuses across New York State. Rick received his master's degree in teaching and curriculum from Harvard University, and holds a BA in English from SUNY Geneseo. |
| Judy Carnahan-Webb |
Judy has 30 years of experience in the field of
early care and education and has a B.S. Degree in Business and
English Education and an M.S. in Early Childhood Education.
She is a Registered Master Trainer and presents workshops nationally
and internationally in all areas of the Early Childhood Education
field. Judy has been a Validator for the National Association
for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC.) since 1994. |
| Captain Maria Figueroa |
Captain Figueroa recently retired from the fire service with more than 20 years of experience. Maria held the
title of Public Education Bureau OIC of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue
for 5 years and founded the firesetter intervention coalition
in Miami-Dade County, FL. She was named Florida Fire Safety Educator of the
Year in 1996. She worked with Fireproof Children to deliver Mas Vale Prevenir, a fire and falls safety program for Hispanic older adults. |
| Lisa Garvich |
Lisa is the Public Educator/PIO for King County Fire District 40. She is also Program Manager for Fire Stoppers of King County,
Vice President of SOS FIRES, Chair of theKing County Fire and Life Safety Association and Vice President, Arson Alarm Foundation |
| Bonita H. Mayer |
Bonita H. Mayer, MSW, CSW has extensive experience in psychiatric
services for trouble juveniles as well as early intervention
with children and families. Bonny is an experienced educator and seasoned workshop presenter with many
years of experience in direct and consulting services for older
adults. |
| Don Porth |
Don is a Juvenile Firesetter Specialist with the Portland OR) Fire Bureau and
President of SOS FIRES: Youth Intervention Programs, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing consulting, training, information dissemination, and general assistance on the topic of youth firesetting. |
| Cathy Southwick |
Cathy has developed and coordinated
extensive training for the New York State Child Care Coordinating
Council, Department of Health, Early Intervention Program and
New York State Department of Labor.
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| Blanca A. Trevino |
Blanca A. Trevino, MA is an Administrator for the Office of
Early Childhood Pupil Support Services for Chicago Public Schools, providing support to maximize resources and direct services
for 3 to 5 year old students. She directs the Dual Language Education Program for
preschool and primary age students. |
| Marion Doctor |
Marion Doctor LCSW is a licensed Clinical Social Worker with 27 years experience providing counseling service to burn injured children and their families. She is Director of The Children’s Hospital Burn Camps Program and the Juvenile Fire Setter Program and is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Surgery, University of Colorado School of Medicine. |
| Chery Poage |
Cheryl Poage has spent 22 years working in the juvenile firesetter intervention field and has worked within the fire service for over 25 years. Currently, she is an adjunct instructor with the National Fire Academy, works for the Parker Fire Protection District in Colorado, and is a partner in the firm, Safety First Consulting, Inc. |
About
Us • Company History
• Grants & Awards
Presentations & Publications
• Team Bios |
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