Ron Hazelton is the host of House Calls and recognized for his role as home improvement editor for ABC's Good Morning America.

Events come and go, but drama has staying power. By presenting burn demonstrations to the public, that’s exactly what more and more fire departments are banking on these days to effectively put home fire safety messages across in their communities.

With generous funding through a FEMA Fire Prevention and Safety Grant, HFSC is producing a side-by-side demonstration kit for the fire service. The comprehensive package is designed to help any fire department, large or small, join the growing ranks already using side-by-side burns to reinforce home fire safety messages, and drive home sprinkler technology’s unique ability to stop fires cold.

HFSC’s new kit lays out everything needed to build the demonstration units including a step-by-step video hosted by HFSC’s spokesperson Ron Hazelton. Working with a four-person crew from a local fire department, Hazelton demonstrates how to build the rooms and how to work with a sprinkler contractor to install a sprinkler in one of the rooms.

The kit includes complete materials and tool lists, recommendations for local media promotion, fundraising ideas, presentation and educational guidance and tips for audience evaluation. It also includes actual footage of a side-by-side burn demonstration that took place in a community.

“A live side-by-side fire demonstration offers all the elements of drama you need,” says Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition (HFSC) Chair Gary Keith. “Who can resist the draw of firefighters, fire trucks and flames?”

These demonstrations allow audiences to see and experience first-hand what educators have been teaching for years: home fires are fast, hot and deadly. They also simplify the explanation of fire sprinkler technology. “Basically it boils down to this: On one side the audience sees total destruction; on the sprinklered side they see a little bit of water damage,” Keith explains. “I can’t think of a better way for people to gain a realistic understanding of home fire danger or a practical appreciation for the way sprinklers can save lives and property.”

HFSC’s new side-by-side kit will be available this September online and on discs, and at no charge to local fire departments. “Our goal is to help more fire departments make fire sprinkler education a focus of their local educational outreach,” Keith says. “Ultimately, we want to increase awareness of and demand for home fire sprinkler protection in communities across the country.”

HFSC recommends focusing on a total system of safety, starting with prevention and including smoke alarms, escape preparedness and fire sprinkler protection.

For more information, visit HFSC’s Web site: The Fire Service Section, or by calling toll-free 1-888-635-7222.

Firefighters get ready to extinguish the unsprinklered room after flashover occured in the HFSC side-by-side video. Flashover typically occurs in approximately two minutes.

?The Northern Illinois Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NIFSAB) worked with the Winfield Fire Protection District and the Village to present a side-by-side burn demonstration for public officials and the community. HFSC videotaped the demonstration to use as an example in the new "Side-by-Side" kit. This was NIFSAB's 186th burn demonstration. Their goal is to complete 200 by the end of this year.