A Recipe for Fire safe Cooking.

My kind of place…however you Wistah Wooster Worchester WORCESTER My kind of place…however you say it. Pronounced Wistah

Worcester, MA Population: 196,000 Square Miles: 37.6 77,314 Housing Units 30,000 Houses 45,000 Multi-Family Central mass 2nd largest city in New England 80 or so high rise housing

Old community, city of hills, land of the 3 decker's Airport, Trains, hospitals, 11 colleges

Presentation Goals Identify problem/risk analysis Identify partners Funding opportunities 5 E’s / Implementation Evaluation Partners/stakeholders Evaluation for success and sustainability. Together with our partners. Risk analysis, grant, implementation and evaluation

Our problem : 2014: 559 unattended cooking fires 2015: 578 increase of 3.3% (24 %) or 138 of reported unattended cooking fires were located in 4 high-rise buildings. One civilian death and fire fighter injuries. Nearly 24% of all unattended cooking fires happened in WHA buildings 759 unity/862 residents)

Target: 24% (138) unattended cooking fires occurred in target buildings 4 WHA high rise buildings (759 units) 862 Residents One civilian death and fire fighter injuries. Nearly 24% of all unattended cooking fires happened in WHA buildings 759 unity/862 residents)

Program Goals Partner with #1 landlord Target highest at risk first To install TLC 100% units Develop a template for replication Little over 3000 units total ….go to #2 Landlord and so on…

# 1 Landlord in Worcester Develop a partnership easier said than done….11 high rise, 14 other complexes little over 3000 units, Worcester Housing Authority provides housing for 12,000 residents

Key players Tony ( housing grants) 1st step was a forming a good working relationship before a partnership. True driving force behind the success of this project. ( Special thanks to NFA) tony is a great informal leader

Risk Analysis 862 residents

Engineering Research showed that TLC is proactive and prevents stove top fires which keeps the cooking oil from reaching its ignition temperature without sacrificing cooking efficiency. Selected TLC funded thru AFG Trained teams to visit every apartment in 4 high rise buildings for approximately 25 weeks. Installed approximately 33 burner sets per week (4 burners per set) Provided safety education for the residents Took careful notes on resistance, time to install and educate, what to do if resident not at home, other barriers and solutions. Tracking system – explain

Funding AFG Seek funding together 95% purchase of TLC

The Process Funded by AFG, TLC purchased Installs from January- September 2017 TLC installed in 819 units Selected TLC Trained teams to visit every apartment in 4 high rise buildings for approximately 25 weeks. Installed approximately 33 burner sets per week (4 burners per set) Provided safety education for the residents Took careful notes on resistance, time to install and educate, what to do if resident not at home, other barriers and solutions. Tracking system – explain Compared to other complexes – call volume and energy costs

Amendment 60 unit complex Completed with amendment Product came in under original pricing…

Install: Impact 20 brand new stoves with install of TLC 759 in target and 60 from amendment total of 3276 burners Installed 819 TLC burner sets 100% install in 4 target high rise buildings 100% residents received cooking, fire and fall safety Additional 60 units thru amendment

Outcome: 2015 138 stove top incidents Loss of life Property loss Fire fighter injuries

Outcome 2017-present 0 stove top fires $ 0 property loss 96% reduction in emergency response Data from initial project only ( with TLC burners) 1 stove top fire new burner tampered with and old coil used New SOG

Education: NFPA/TLC handout Engineering: TLC Enforcement: SOP’S Emergency Response: 97% reduction Economic Incentive: Green Technology

Cost Analysis: FY15 - $181,787.00 FY16 -$184,218.00 FY17 - $179,863.00 $211.00 per person $162.00 per person $61.13 per person FY 15 actually done in 2017 FY 16 2018 FY 17 2019

Documentation Improvements NFIRS reportable action taken install

Sustainability 1st round complete September 2017 2nd round completed September 2018 3rd round install now in process 2019 4th round submitted

Recommendations: Be kind Promote proactive engineered solutions for electric ranges Create strong partnerships for accountability, expectations and long-term success Collect data and seek funding together Be kind

Lessons learned Check inventory numbers before order Set up staging area Look for hidden hazards Remove old coils Pre print documentation papers Have informal leaders in the community rate product for review

challenges Middle management Time frame and scheduling. Assessing the condition of current stoves. Address resident concerns with cooking time New SOP’s..

Questions ? picketta@worcesterma.gov