Mark your calendars!! June 16 through 20, 2008 is the TWENTIETH annual conference for the Florida Association of Fire and Life Safety Educators.  It's a banner year for us and your attendance is important. We will have terrific speakers and workshops as usual, but there will be some special happenings - just because it's our twentieth.  You don't want to miss it.

     This is also an election year.  If you have a yearning to serve on the board, we need you!  Contact Bob Smallacombe, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue at:  561-616-7074  or email bsmallac@co.palm-beach.fl.us   to speak with him about getting your name or the name of your favorite designate in the mix.  

     A limited number of scholarships are available for conference.  Scholarship funds cover your conference fee and hotel.  The meals and travel expenses are up to you.  Go to the ffmia.org website, fill out the scholarship form and get it to Puddin Race, 5160 NW Milner Dr, Port St. Lucie, FL 34983.  We have fewer scholarships to offer than in years past, so your early postmark might make the difference.

     The Educator of the Year will be announced at the conference banquet.  Again, go to the ffmia.org website, fill out the form and fax (772-621-3597) or mail it to Puddin Race.  What a great year to be chosen Educator of the Year - our anniversary.  Think about that special educator you know who has reached above and beyond to get the job done.  We want to hear about them for this once-in-a-career opportunity to be recognized.

The book is based on the latest research conducted by Fire Protection Publications comprehensive Fire Safety for Young Children, an Early Childhood Education Curriculum for young children between the ages of four and five years old. The book  addresses four of the eight key fire safety concepts in the curriculum. These tips include recognizing the firefighter as a helper and a friend, knowing the sound and purpose of a smoke alarm, learning how to crawl low under smoke, and understanding the importance of practicing a home fire drill using an escape map. Readers will find that Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog is fun to read, is grounded in valuable fire safety messaging, and is based on the latest research.

The International Fire Service Training Association will host a book signing event for Sparkles, Spanner and Hilton at booth 2450 at the Fire Department Instructor's Conference from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on the release date, April 11th. Children and their caregivers, firefighters and other attendees will have the opportunity to meet Sparkles and Spanner, have their books signed and be photographed with the dogs.

For more information, visit Hilton's website at www.firehousedogpublishing.com.

Brain Injury Association of Florida encourages all Floridians to Look Up, Look Out and Mind Their Heads.  Nearly 93,000 Floridians experience traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year and of those, 71,400 visit emergency departments.  A person who has experienced one brain injury is 3 times more likely to have a second TBI and 8 times more likely to have a third.  That's why it's important that people recognize the signs and symptoms of brain injury, learn how to prevent brain injury and know how to find information and help if it happens to them or someone they love.

To help Florida's citizens become more aware Brain Injury Association of Florida has chosen the kite as its symbol for Brain Injury Awareness.  Kits require people to look up, which ties into the campaign theme.  The kits are a fun group activity.  They're resilient and they're a colorful work of art.  We want the nearly 370,000 Floridians who have survived a traumatic brain injury and live with life changing consequences to know that there is a network of professionals, families and support groups who can provide them with help and hope free of charge.

Visit www.biaf.org to learn how you can promote brain injury with kits in your community.  Call Brain Injury Association of Florida's helpline 1-800-992-3442 for information and help.  Contact Valerie Breen, Executive Director, 850-410-0103, vbreen@biaf.org.

Article Provided By:

Shirley Copeland

On February 14, 2008 at 7:00 PM a healthy little boy, 6 hours old was left in safety at a "Safe Haven" - Fire Rescue Station in Duval County. The baby's name is Valentine who was then transported to a nearby hospital.The mother remains anonymous just as the law allows: A compassionate approach in saving lives - The newborn infant and the mother.

Nick Silverio, Founder

Please visit www.asafehavenfornewborns.com to learn more. 

REMEMBER:

 A newborn left under the "Safe Haven" program, either by the Letter of the Law or Spirit of the Law was not abandoned. IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

We receive so many requests to adopt a "Safe Haven" baby. Realistically, it is virtually impossible to ask for and expect to adopt one of these children. The adoption process is regulated by the State of Florida and is the same process for all children that are placed with adoption agencies. To learn more about Adoption and/or to find an agency or agencies in your area contact:

For Florida: 1-800-96ADOPT

For the other 49 states and Puerto Rico: 1-888-200-4005,

www.adoptuskids.org

Gloria M. Silverio Foundation 501(c)3 -

"A Safe Haven for Newborns"

6801 NW 77th Ave. Suite 404

Miami, FL 33166

Phone:(305) 882 1304 ext:103

Cell: (786) 246-1304

Fax:(305) 889 0017

Website: www.asafehavenfornewborns.com

Email: safehaven@asafehavenfornewborns.com

Have you PAID your 2008 Membership?

With the current budget cuts we are all experiencing, it is more important than ever to maintain your membership. With travel being put on hold, those 16 hours of FREE CEU's will now become very important to you maintaining your license. Remember, your dues were due by March 1^st and you now run the risk of being removed from our A-List, FFMIA Chat Group, Members Only Section and Database. If you plan to remain a member, you need to notify the association office via e-mail or phone and get your dues paid immediately.

Already PAID your 2008 Dues

If you have already paid your dues for this year, we need you to be patient. You have already been added into the Database and the A-List and will start receiving the monthly newsletter and announcements. You also have access to the FFMIA Chat Group and Members Only Section. The reason for the delay is because we are celebrating our 20^th Annual Fire and Life Safety Educators Conference and our 60^th Annual Fire Prevention Conference this year. We have designed a new certificate and pin that will be sent to all members commemorating these events, so please once again be patient.

 FFMIA Executive Director