Lisa Hayes
Fire Department

Ms. Hayes has helped stop arson in Houston as director of the Juvenile Firestoppers Program.

Ms. Hayes has helped stop arson in Houston as director of the Juvenile Firestoppers Program. Since the program began six years ago, she has taught children who have played with or set a fire how dangerous fires can be.

Her coworkers in Juvenile Firestoppers call her dedicated, detailed and extremely patient – especially when she interviews the smallest children, ages 2 to 5, after a fire incident. Often the families of these children need special help, and Ms. Hayes frequently gives up her free time to help them.

Ms. Hayes is innovative, introducing “Play Safe, Be Safe” and “Safety-E- Mail.” She developed these health and safety programs for the Early Headstart teachers, who work with the most at-risk age group of children for injuries and deaths. In 2002, 600 local teachers learned how to deliver the right safety and health messages to children 0-4 years and to their families.

Houston’s Juvenile Firestopper Program is the largest in Texas, and Ms. Hayes and her staff are also used by the state fire marshal’s office in Austin. They’ve traveled as far as Dallas and Eagle Pass to help other fire departments start their juvenile firestopper programs.

Because of her skills and reputation, Ms. Hayes has accepted frequent invitations to speak out of town, including the Juvenile Firesetters Coalition Conference in Boston.

Fire Chief Chris Connealy says Ms. Hayes’ job and her volunteer work overlap because she puts in countless hours for Juvenile Firestoppers’ activities. Neighborhood Centers Inc. gave her an appreciation award for her volunteer efforts with them.