Fire H.E.L.P. Tool Kit: The product of a partner-based approach to protecting homebound older adults

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: This presentation describes an innovative partnership between CDC and the Meals on Wheels Association of America to deliver a fire safety education and smoke alarm installation program to Meals on Wheels (MOW) clients in five Texas communities. We will discuss our use of formative evaluation during the development, testing, and piloting phases of the Residential Fire Homebound Elderly Lifeline Project (Fire H.E.L.P.) Tool Kit. We will also present preliminary results from the implementation of Fire H.E.L.P., lessons learned, and next steps. METHODS: CDC developed Fire H.E.L.P. curricula, which instruct MOW staff and volunteers about how to conduct home assessments and deliver the program. CDC also created educational tools and materials to educate MOW clients about basic fire safety and prevention. The curricula, home assessment tool, and educational materials form the Fire H.E.L.P. tool kit. CDC conducted formative and process evaluations during the Tool Kit development phase. RESULTS/OUTCOMES: CDC piloted the Fire H.E.L.P. Tool Kit at a train-the-trainer session for participating MOW sites in Texas. After CDC incorporated feedback and finalized the tool kit, each site conducted their own staff and volunteer trainings and launched the program. CONCLUSIONS: Preliminary results indicate that the Fire H.E.L.P. project is reaching homebound elderly clients in the five pilot MOW programs. Fire H.E.L.P. has been able to reach homebound older adults with fire safety education and smoke alarm installations that hold promise to save lives. This is a novel example of pairing injury prevention with nutrition services to improve the health of homebound elderly.