October is Fire Prevention Month, and Project Harmony (www.ProjectHarmony.com) wants to raise awareness with the Youth Fire Intervention program. The co-location of the Omaha Fire Department’s Youth Fire Intervention program and Michael Davenport, fire apparatus engineer (FAE), at Project Harmony is another critical link to keeping children and families safe. Michael Davenport was awarded the 2022 Kids First Award for his work with Project Harmony.
Nationally, children of all ages set on average 100,000 fires each year resulting in over $300 million in property damage and about 300 deaths. Without intervention, there is an 81% chance that fire play will be repeated. Often there is more happening in a child’s life than just curiosity and playing with fire – such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, physical abuse, bullying, and peer pressure – it could be an outcry for help. Through this partnership, Project Harmony can provide intervention, education and resources for the entire family. The education program is open to kids ages eight to 18.
Project Harmony exists to provide effective, immediate and sensitive support to child abuse victims and their non-offending family members. Project Harmony grew out of the vision of several Omaha community professionals and advocates to create a better system of protection for abused and neglected children. To learn more about the Youth Fire Intervention program, or Project Harmony as a whole, visit www.ProjectHarmony.com.