A new feature-length documentary depicts the emotional and physical obstacles faced by burn survivors. Produced by Wilton, Conn.–based Pyewackitt Productions, Trial by Fire: Lives Re-Forged, offers an inspirational message of courage and emphasizes life-safety fire issues, said Mark Devine, a senior vice president at First Alert, one of the film’s corporate sponsors.

“This documentary … helps raise awareness and increases public education about fire safety,” Devine said.

The film chronicles seven burn survivors, who share their stories of what happened and the resulting social issues they face as they recover and re-enter society. Specifically, it provides insight into the circumstances faced by the more than half a million Americans who are injured by fire in their homes, schools and workplaces every year, according to the film’s producers.

Aurora, Ill.–based First Alert sells smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and escape ladders, as well as the Tundra fire-extinguishing spray. Devine said producers of the documentary approached the company and requested corporate sponsorship in order to fund the project and its distribution to consumers. The hope is that the film will educate the broader community about fire safety by highlighting the lives of those affected by fire incidents, he said.

The film can be used by fire chiefs to educate staff within the fire department as well as residents of their community, Devine said.

“Fire departments are going to be interested in this because it will help people be aware of fire-safety strategies and as a result be better prepared in the event of an emergency,” he said.

The documentary was recently previewed at the Phoenix Society’s World Burn Congress, an annual forum for burn survivors, their families, caregivers, burn-care professionals and firefighters. The film is in the final stages of post production and will be screened in 2012.