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<br /> 111 area,we work directly with them. We have a Triangle Disability Awareness Council that we're
<br /> 112 integrated with. The Safe Kids Network that we're integrated with, so we do a lot of partnership
<br /> 113 with community organizations to reach those vulnerable populations, and we usually do that in
<br /> 114 partnership, so it's not a solo effort.We will partner with the department of aging,for example, to
<br /> 115 reach the aging population. We will partner with El Futuro if we're trying to reach a combination of
<br /> 116 those, as one example. We do a lot of outreach with faith-based communities directly. We know
<br /> 117 those are hubs and centers of support and encouragement and sustainability for a lot of people at
<br /> 118 increased risks in our communities, so we do a lot of work with faith-based organizations,
<br /> 119 churches and faith-based communities.
<br /> 120
<br /> 121 Dolores Bailey: Just really quick,for the folk who live in the woods.Are you able to reach them somehow?
<br /> 122
<br /> 123 Kirby Saunders: That's, that's a good question. I would say that's a challenge. Folks who live in the most rural
<br /> 124 portions of the county,those are all challenges. So,we use an opportunity where we can do
<br /> 125 community center education, if they can get there. We also work very closely with our fire
<br /> 126 departments. We find that the fire departments, particularly in the rural areas, are the community
<br /> 127 centers. It's either there or the churches. Right? And so,while we don't do target direct door-to-
<br /> 128 door outreach to places in the rural community,we do work with the Ruritan clubs and the, again,
<br /> 129 churches, and the fire departments to host activities, and so we'll support the fire department in
<br /> 130 their support of educating their communities.
<br /> 131
<br /> 132 Kirby Saunders: Thank you.
<br /> 133
<br /> 134 Charity Kirk: What is your education and outreach? Is it mostly about fire alarms or what,what is the breadth
<br /> 135 of it?
<br /> 136
<br /> 137 Kirby Saunders: So,we cover a variety of education outreach. It depends on our division and topic. We usually
<br /> 138 cover the same populations,fortunately. So,everything from hands only CPR,from an EMS
<br /> 139 perspective to disaster preparedness in multiple languages. The fire safety front includes both
<br /> 140 education as well as smoke alarm and risk assessments. We work very closely with our
<br /> 141 community paramedic division,for example. They work hand-in-hand with our Fire and Life
<br /> 142 Safety Division. The Community Paramedic Program is doing a lot of the stay up, stay active in
<br /> 143 our aging programs and those who are what we would call on the fringes of society, slipping
<br /> 144 through cracks so,those who have substance use disorders, or opioid use disorders, that is the
<br /> 145 team that is directly engaged with those communities. They do risk assessments in the home or
<br /> 146 anywhere they can, and they will bring resources to that property on a case-by-case basis or a
<br /> 147 larger community. As far as fire risk reduction activities, it's largely aimed at first identifying what
<br /> 148 the cause of fires are and the risks are in trying to educate those communities there. It can also
<br /> 149 be insulation, like I mentioned, smoke alarms. It could be a fire safety evaluation of a home or
<br /> 150 property, even if it's not owned. A rental property would be an example that we can do those
<br /> 151 outreach initiatives. I would say the bulk of our education and community education is largely
<br /> 152 aimed at just that education and offering the support to do things like smoke alarm installations.
<br /> 153 Bringing awareness, raising awareness to the risk and the hazards in general for fire,that
<br /> 154 encompasses the large amount of what we do and focus on,and we reach about 8,000 individuals
<br /> 155 a year doing, using that approach. In 2024,we installed, you know, roughly 200 smoke alarms in
<br /> 156 200 different properties in Orange County. We can always do more of that. The challenge is
<br /> 157 building the trust and rapport and reaching the audience that needs to hear it. So,we use every
<br /> 158 strategy at our disposal to try to get that message across. If there are communities that you're
<br /> 159 aware of or would like us to communicate with or your partner with an organization or member of
<br /> 160 an organization,we would love to,to work more closely with them, if you're aware of any.
<br /> 161
<br /> 162 Whitney Watson: So, I'm curious about how you guys look at the density of residential development, particularly, in
<br /> 163 the western part of Orange County where it seems like routinely there are 150, 250 dwelling unit
<br /> 164 proposals approved and under construction. And you may not be able to influence that, but I am
<br /> 165 curious about how you look at that.
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