BRUNSWICK
The Maine Council on Aging Public & Private Safety Workgroup, working in collaboration with AARP Maine, the State Fire Marshall’s Office and the Pine Tree Burn Foundation, hosted a half-day “Train the Trainer” workshop recently at St. Charles Borromeo Church in Brunswick to heighten awareness of three public safety issues: Fire safety, common scams, and fall prevention.
“Our goal is to address community public safety issues impacting older adults,” said Maine Sheriff ’s Association Chairman Joel Merry, who emceed the event. “Working together with other departments in the state, and using effective presentations such as those we learned today at this workshop, we can broaden our reach in our own communities to mobilize champions of public safety.”
In attendance were 50 representatives from multiple police and fire departments, members of the Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention and the Maine Council on Aging, and other state and local organizations.
“Our workshop is designed to make each field-tested presentation easily replicable so that participants can deliver the same or slightly modified presentations in their own communities,” said AARP Maine Communications Director Jane Margesson. “Identity theft, investment fraud and scams rob millions of Americans of their hard-earned money every year. Through events like this, we can raise awareness about these crimes and work together to empower Mainers and their families as fraud fighters.”
“Depending on their age, older adults are twice or even three times as likely to be killed or injured by fires,” said Millinocket Deputy Fire Chief Tom Malcolm. “In addition, falls are the leading cause of death from unintentional injury in the home. By focusing attention on these serious issues, we can make a measurable improvement in the health and well-being of older adults.”
For more information or questions about available trainings and programs on public safety, contact Jane Margesson at (207) 229- 5628 or email [email protected].
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