MAP Metric in Action: 21,300. 

That’s the number of doors that, as of July 14, our local firefighters have knocked in the City of Richmond.  

The Richmond Fire Department is knocking to meet neighbors and to check smoke detectors, taking one of the easiest and most critical steps for making sure that a house fire doesn’t turn deadly.  

Canvassing has always been a part of RFD’s mission. When a local fire results in a death, it might mean that other homes in the neighborhood are at higher risk, so firefighters visit surrounding houses to share fire safety education. Before this year, though, these canvassing trips were more like one-offs than a sustained campaign.  

“We didn’t have great data, so we couldn’t look back and say how frequently or recently we’d been to a particular neighborhood,” Deputy Chief Bailey Martin says. “We just had spreadsheets without a way of really seeing what we were doing.”  

Two things helped change RFD’s data approach. First, the introduction of the MAP encouraged teams city-wide to reflect and decide what data sets were most important to their big picture work. For the Fire Department, that includes tracking both the number of fire-related deaths each year, as well as the community-oriented prevention efforts that can make a big difference in that number. 

Second, RFD team members went to a panel on ArcGIS technologies. Suddenly, they had both a reason and possible strategy for documenting, mapping, and seeing trends in their canvassing.  

RFD worked closely with the City’s Department of Information Technology to get the right ArcGIS license and an app that lets team members record which doors they’ve knocked and where they’ve spoken to residents.  

With the right tools in place, RFD could set ambitious goals for the year, aiming to knock on the door of every single-family home in the city. Chief Jeffrey Segal has tasked every station and company with participating. He explains that even though we might picture firefighters rushing into a burning building, the careful and intentional work of community education is a critical part of their jobs.  

“From a public health and safety perspective, we consider our community involvement a health intervention,” Chief Segal says. “The Richmond Fire Department continues to improve health equity by connecting with communities that have a disproportionate higher rate of residential fires. Our approach to public health and safety ties directly into the Mayoral Pillar of Thriving Neighborhoods as many residential fires are predictable and preventable. Preventing tragedies before they occur can help our communities continue to thrive.” 

A major motivator for the project came just a few months in, when a crew responded to a fire where they'd knocked a door recently. The smoke detector that team installed alerted the family to the fire and helped them get out in time.

"These proactive efforts are directly improving early detection and survival in our communities. It's been incredibly rewarding knowing that every smoke alarm we install increases a family's chance of getting out safely. Prevention and education aren't just a part of our job. They're what save lives and make an impact across our neighborhoods."

-Fire Lieutenant Clinton Lewis

RFD still has about 30,000 doors to go to meet their goal this year. If you see them at yours next, know that they’re showing up to ask you about your smoke detector and your fire safety habits. They might ask to test your detector or even replace it!  

Until RFD gets to your door, our firefighters encourage everyone to follow some critical fire safety tips:  

• Make sure that you have a working smoke detector. Homes without a smoke detector or with a smoke detector that doesn’t work account for almost two-thirds of fire-related deaths nationwide. 
• Location is everything. If you’re installing a new detector, choose a location with a bit of distance from your kitchen or bathroom, where cooking or steam can set off false alarms on sensitive detectors. 
• Test your smoke detector monthly. Most detectors now have 10-year batteries, but RFD still recommends this regular testing.  
• Reach out to your local firefighters. RFD installs smoke detectors for free, and you can get help by calling the Prevention Division at 804-646-1526. 

For the people, by the people: Welcome to Summer on the Southside 

Starting July 25, a new summer tradition is kicking off in Richmond, and this one’s happening south of the James.  

Summer on the Southside was born after Richmond City Councilmember for the 9th District, Nicole Jones, hosted a block party after the opening of the Southside Community Center. In the turnout, she saw potential. “One of the things we kept hearing from residents is that our city’s festivals always happen downtown and we have to travel. Why can’t we have something on this side of the river?”  

Richmond’s Parks and Rec department saw the same need for vibrant events in the community. The Special Events team and Councilmember Jones teamed up to make Summer on the Southside a reality.  

“This is a collaboration to make sure we’re highlighting and bringing in districts that don’t always host our big events,” Montel Marable, the Recreation Program Supervisor for Special Services, shares. In partnership with Jones, the team booked four nights of entertainment across the summer at Broad Rock Park, arranging everything from stages to public safety.  

“Southside’s culture will show up in this series through the music, through the people, and through the spirit that exists at Broad Rock Park as the heart of Southside,” Jones promises.  

Broad Rock is a special part of the Southside where the park, library, and fire station connect the 8th and 9th Districts. 8th District Councilmember Reva Trammell says that Summer on the Southside reflects the bigger vision she has for her district and region, and she’s excited for the city as a whole to see it in action. “This is something great for both districts,” she says. “I’m looking forward to even more entertainment and chances for us to gather across the Southside in our beautiful parks.”  

From accessibility considerations to programming local musical acts that reflect Southside’s diverse population—the series includes everything from Latin music to jazz—Jones says Summer on the Southside advances the MAP’s vision for thriving and inclusive communities. “We need to keep building and cultivating our eclectic communities,” she says. “That includes highlighting our local talent to make sure that people know who they are and giving all of us an opportunity to meet our community.”  

Ultimately, the goal is to build a memorable annual tradition for Richmonders of all ages and zip codes. “When you think about Summer on the Southside, we want people to think about green space, serenity, being in a park like that under the lights, and getting out of the hustle and bustle,” Jones says. “It’s about bringing people together in the spirit of music and unity—and it’s not as bad a hike across the river as you might think!” 

River Safety Day grew out of a commitment to keep Richmonders informed during the river’s busiest months. Five years ago, Tyler worked with park staff and volunteers to help people learn to safely navigate the rapids of Belle Isle. As the event expanded, the Richmond Fire Department joined as a safety partner, helping to support its experiential learning environment.  

Tyler also collaborated with the city’s Office of Immigrant and Refugee Engagement to connect Spanish-speaking residents to clear, accessible safety messaging. The effort is supported by OIRE translator and interpreter Brandie Carter, who says the event draws its strength from the community it creates. “It’s a fun event for everyone involved, and many of us who participate as staff bring our families and friends as volunteers and participants,” Brandie says. Their continued partnership has guided the program as it adapts to serve Richmond’s diverse river community. 

Today, the event has become a bilingual community gathering built around safety, empowerment, and joy. “We believe that with proper education, these hazards can be avoided, and Richmonders can enjoy the James safely,” Tyler says. It reinforces Tyler’s belief that when communities learn together, they build confidence that lasts a lifetime.  

This year’s River Safety Day takes place on July 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Pony Pasture. Expect conversations about the James, an opportunity to swim through a rapid, and delicious refreshments. Wear a bathing suit and bring a friend! 

If you can’t make the event, Tyler encourages everyone to follow these safety tips when they’re spending time in the James:  

• Wear shoes in the water to protect your feet. 
• Be aware of the river level. You can always check the levels through the National Water Prediction Service. 
• Take note of any logs, rocks, or debris downstream of you. The current might carry you that way if you’re not paying close attention. 
• If you fall in moving water, float on your back with your toes and nose up and your feet pointed downstream.  

Check out river safety videos and more at jamesriverpark.org.  

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