The Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives program is undertaking a 17-city Whistle-Stop Tour to bring firefighter and public awareness to the Everyone Goes Home program. This major event will cross the United States to bring knowledge to the thousands of people affected by line-of-duty deaths.

The main objective of the tour is to greatly increase the awareness of the 16 Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives developed by the Everyone Goes Home Program and the untold stories of the survivors — those who are left behind, including family members and co-workers.

The 16 initiatives encapsulate real-world solutions to fire service problems regarding preventable line-of-duty deaths, including management restructure, training improvements and specific suggestions dealing with the two leading causes of preventable duty deaths: lack of firefighter fitness and vehicle accidents.

The programs offered along the route will center on the 16 initiatives, as well as other Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives preprograms, including the nationally-recognized Taking Care of Our Own curriculum, which presents counseling advice to departments that are preparing for or have experienced a line-of-duty fatality or serious injury.

The tour will kick-off in Sacramento, Calif., on April 7. A rented deluxe motor coach bus will be wrapped with the message "Everyone Goes Home." The tour is scheduled to visit San Francisco; Los Angeles; San Diego; Phoenix; Chicago; Nashville, Tenn.; Atlanta; Tampa, Fla.; Miami; Charlotte, N.C.; Washington, D.C.; Philadelphia; New York; Hartford, Conn.; Providence, R.I.; and Boston.

The Saturday events in each city will be major points for rallies, preparedness fairs, training opportunities, and speeches given by local dignitaries. Weekday events will highlight local fire departments and training activities. These events also will include family members of firefighters killed in the line of duty who will present their stories.

More information about the tour will be available from www.everyonegoeshome.com and www.firehero.org.