Derrick Whitehead, C.E.O and C.F.F.
My name is Derrick Whitehead. I am a native of Chicago, Illinois. I grew up in the Englewood area. I have an undergraduate degree from “Winston Salem State University (WSSU)” in Winston Salem, North Carolina, in Business Administration. I have an MBA/ Graduate Degree, in Human Resources from Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois.
I received my certification to fight fires in Winston Salem, North Carolina, Firefighter Level II, Hazmat Level I. It was during my experience as a Firefighter where I came up with the idea to start the Office of Fire Prevention, Inc. (OFP).
It was an early AM before my shift ended in December, when our engine company was called to a three-alarm fire. Upon our arrival, the home was engulfed in flames and an audience of community members. I was the second man on the hose and our first responsibility upon entering the structure was to initiate the search and rescue efforts.
As we exited the truck to position ourselves on the hose, I am thinking, “this is an intense burn, I hope that no one is in there”, then I hear the crowd of onlookers yelling “there is a child inside, there is a child inside”. After receiving directions from the captain, it was our time to go in. We entered the home through the front door and safely made our way up the steps to the second level of the home, touching all doors, looking under beds and looking in closets in search of life.
Our initial search efforts did not find any victims but a second engine company search efforts located a body on the first level. After our efforts on the second level, my team proceeded to the first floor; it was then that I saw something, which at the time I did not know would change my life forever. It was the body of a 10-year-old male. The child laid there unresponsive and burned badly. Over half of this child’s body was burned and his teeth were melted from the intense heat of the flames. My immediate reaction after observing the body was extreme sadness, devastation and trauma. I had never seen anything like this before. I immediately thought about the people that I love, thinking to myself “the 1st opportunity I get after finishing up on this fire scene I was going to call them”. I was going to call my daughter, and next, my mother and then, my best friend and tell them all how much I love them and to make certain that they make sure their homes are fire safe with a fire extinguisher and working detectors (smoke, surge and carbon monoxide detectors). As I continued to work the fire scene, my anxiety was getting the best of me. I could not wait to make the calls and talk with them about the importance of good housekeeping, making sure that they do not have items obstructing their means of entrance and or egress, drafting an escape plan and practicing it, checking all windows to ensure that they are not nailed or painted shut and more.
Based on what I experienced, I wanted them to know how it inspired me to want to do more to promote fire prevention and save lives, time and property from the havoc of fire and hazards. The home was the poster home for unsafe fire conditions. The home did not have any working smoke or detectors in it, it used extension cords, which were over loaded, and from the looks of all the clutter in this home it appeared as if someone in this family was a hoarder.
This experience illuminated my passion and commitment to taking fire safety and its message to another level and that is when I began to work on what today is now known as the Office of Fire Prevention, Inc. (OFP). I personally pledged to do more as a firefighter fighter and a citizen to promote prevention and safety to all communities.
Its 25 years later and today, my services includes trainings for businesses, schools, residential facilities, senior homes and Public Housing. I have community care programs, a Safety line of clothes, Safety Products, Safety Slogans and a stronger mission and ambition to work together with the community and its stakeholders to save lives and property.
The Office of Fire Prevention, Inc. mission is to strengthen the nation’s knowledge about fire safety, fire prevention and fire hazards. OFP is committed to protecting people from risk, injury and danger and we plan to accomplish this by making safety a priority as well as a practice for everyone, in their work, life and play, so please join our team by becoming a Safety Advocate today.
Your local fire department, Occupational Health and Safety Administration, OSHA and the Office of Fire Prevention, Inc. actions are futile without your efforts. In short, we need you in order to do our jobs successfully.
