Prevention, Advocacy, Resources and Data Exchange (PARADE)

May 17: Presentation of "The R. Wayne Powell Excellence in Fire Prevention Award" at the 2011 PARADE Banquet. Left to right: Ron Farr, Jim Crawford, Wayne Powell, and Mike Love

The Prevention Advocacy Resources and Data Exchange (PARADE) program is a regionally based network designed to foster the exchange of fire-related prevention/ protection information and resources among Federal, State, and local levels of government. The PARADE network is modeled in approach and mechanism after the National Fire Academy's highly successful TRADE (Training Resources and Data Exchange) program.

PARADE was initiated in 2003 to better assist the Nation's fire marshals in implementing effective prevention programs and materials and to conduct other networking activities. The collaborative relationship between the USFA and the PARADE network enables the prevention/mitigation/risk-reduction community to better address issues of safety for the American people.

The PARADE network consists of the 50 State Fire Marshals, fire marshals from the Nation's largest fire departments, and one representative from each of the 10 Federal regions appointed by International Fire Marshals Association (IFMA) leadership to represent smaller jurisdictions. Metropolitan fire department PARADE representatives are from the largest fire departments in each State or those fire departments that protect populations greater than 200,000, and/or have more than 400 uniformed personnel.

The essential components of the PARADE system are the 10 regional networks that correspond to the existing Federal regional boundaries. These networks provide a mechanism for the exchange of resources and materials within and among regions. A total of 30 Regional PARADE Co-Chairs, one elected by the State fire marshals, one from the metropolitan fire services, and one appointed by IFMA, serve as the points of contact for both intraregional and interregional networking activities.

The objectives of PARADE are to:

• identify all aspects of fire prevention critical to protection of life and property, which includes research and prevention advocacy in the following areas:
  • professional development
  • code enforcement
  • building and fire codes
  • plans review
  • public education
  • fire protection systems
  • inspections
  • data
  • multi-hazard risk reduction
  • investigations
  • emergency and terrorism preparedness/counter-terrorism measures
• identify best practices, including interoperability opportunities, and exchange programs and resources within Regions, and replicating for dissemination, whenever possible, those resources;
• provide the USFA with an annual assessment of needs within Regions, together with recommendations as to how the USFA and the PARADE network can better support Federal, State and local fire prevention efforts;
• identify partners and national trends that have an impact on fire prevention.

Every 2 years, all participating members are invited to attend a National PARADE Conference, held at the USFA's Emmitsburg campus, which provides structured opportunities for the exchange of fire prevention materials, as well as peer networking. On alternate years, there is a meeting of the 30 regional PARADE co-chairs. Each regional network is encouraged to meet periodically with its membership for the same purposes.

The next National PARADE conference is scheduled for Spring 2011 on the Emmitsburg, Maryland campus. For further information, contact the PARADE Program Manager at (800) 238-3358, ext. 1128.

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